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https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Lump-in-a-Breast
How to Identify a Lump in a Breast
To identify a lump in your breast, stand in front a mirror with your hands on your hips. First, look for any abnormalities in your breasts, like swelling, redness, or discharge. Then, raise your arms above your head, which will give you a better view of your breasts' underside, and check again. After you've checked in a mirror, lie on your bed with your right arm over your head. Use your left hand to apply pressure to your right breast in small circles. Feel the nipple, breast, and armpit for any lumps. Swap arms and repeat the process. Don't worry too much if you do find a lump, since 8 out of 10 aren't cancerous and will go away on their own. However, you should visit your doctor to get it checked out just in case. Try to examine your breasts every month for lumps.
Perform monthly self-breast exams to identify a lump in a breast. Most lumps are found by women, often by accident (in fact, 40% of breast cancers are found by women self-reporting a lump in their breast to their doctor). Start by standing in front of a mirror to look at your breasts, with your hands on your hips (as this optimizes the positioning of your breasts so that you can look at them and compare them). Things to look for include: breasts that are similar to their normal in terms of size, shape, and color; no swelling; no skin changes; no nipple discharge or nipple changes; and no redness or soreness. The next step in your breast self-exam is to raise your arms above your head, and to examine your breasts for the same features listed above. This change in position of your arms alters how your breasts sit, and is another way to identify any changes. The next part of the breast self-exam is done lying down. Lift your right arm over your head. With your left hand, apply firm pressure to your right breast. Move your fingers in a circular motion around the nipple, the surrounding tissue and the armpit. Be sure to cover the full surface area of the breast, from the collarbone to the bottom of the rib cage, and from the armpit to the breastbone. Raise your left arm and repeat the process examining your left breast, surrounding tissue and the armpit with your right hand. Doing a breast exam in the shower also works. You may actually be better at reading your breast when your fingers are wet and soapy as your fingers will glide over your breast tissue more easily. Talk with your doctor if you feel new lumps (most are pea-sized) or firm and hard breast tissue. If you do find one, don't fret; odds are it's not cancerous — eight out of 10 aren't. The benign ones are usually caused by cysts, a fibroadenoma, or just generalized breast lumpiness. It's not unusual to develop breast lumps for a short duration of time; most often, these are related to the menstrual cycle (they are called "physiological breast lumps" and come and go each month in sync with your menstrual cycle). In order to distinguish "physiological breast lumps" (related to your period) from worrisome ones, watch to see whether the lump grows and then shrinks again within the month, and whether this pattern repeats monthly with your cycle. If this is not the case, or if the lump continues to grow, it is always best to seek the advice of your physician. The best time to do breast self-examination is one week before your period starts (as this is the time when it is least likely, hormonally, to have lumps related to your period). If you are post-menopausal or have irregular periods, you can examine your breasts on the same day of each month to keep your self-examination process as consistent as possible. Pay close attention to breast lumps that suddenly grow or change in shape. Most women have inconsistencies in breast tissue (it is the nature of how our breasts are), but if this changes over time (or grows) it is more likely to be worrisome. Also, you can assess one breast in comparison to the other — if both breasts feel the same, it is not a worry, but if one breast has a lump that is definitely not present in the other, this is more of a cause for concern. Be aware of other concerning symptoms. These symptoms may or may not occur in conjunction with a breast lump; if they do, the lump is more likely to be worrisome and it is best to see a physician sooner rather than later. Look for a bloody or pus-like nipple discharge. Watch for a red or pink rash near or around the nipple. Notice any changes in your nipple, especially if it becomes inverted. Observe breast skin. If it becomes thick, scaly, dry, dimpled, red or pink, talk to your doctor. Call your family doctor if you are unsure whether your breast lump is of concern. It is always best to have reassurance that things are fine, or the proper series of investigations and tests as soon as possible if your doctor agrees that there is cause for concern. Medical professionals are well-trained in how to evaluate and assess breast lumps, and in particular in how to rule out breast cancer. If in doubt, do not hesitate to ask for doctors advice. Breast cancer is a realistic concern for many women (being the number one most frequent cancer diagnosis in women). One in nine women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their life, so if in doubt get your breast lump checked out by a doctor sooner rather than later. Most breast lumps are benign (not worrisome), and many cancer diagnoses are completely treatable if caught sooner rather than later. Keep in mind, however, that breast cancer under the age of 20 is very rare, and it is very uncommon under the age of 30. Set up a mammography appointment. Do this on an annual basis or as prescribed by your doctor. This is a low-dose X-ray examination used for locating breast tissue abnormalities. Mammograms are the number one way in which breast cancers are caught and diagnosed. It can be used as a screening test (routine test for any woman over the age of 40 to rule out breast cancer even without symptoms or lumps), and also as a diagnostic test (for women with a breast lump to gather further information to determine whether or not the lump is of concern). For a young patient with dense breast tissue, however, an MRI may be a better test than mammogram. People who receive a mammogram for diagnostic reasons (to determine whether or not their breast lump is worrisome) will likely also receive additional tests to add to the information your doctor has to work with, to determine whether or not she is concerned about your breast lump. Proceed with a breast ultrasound for further investigation of your lump if your physician recommends this. Ultrasound provides a different viewpoint of the breast than mammography, and can help to differentiate between solid and cystic masses (cystic masses are generally fluid-filled and not of concern; in other words, not cancerous). An ultrasound can also provide further information to see whether a biopsy (sample of the breast tissue taken with a needle and examined by doctors under the microscope) is needed. Have your physician prescribe a breast lump biopsy if the other test results are unable to rule out breast cancer. A sample of your breast tissue will be examined under a microscope, which can give a definite answer as to whether the lump is benign (non-worrisome) or malignant (cancerous). If the lump is in fact diagnosed as breast cancer, you will be referred to an oncologist (cancer specialist) and perhaps a surgeon for surgical, hormonal, or chemotherapy treatments, depending upon the severity. Again, it is important to be aware that the great majority of breast lumps are not cancer; however, it is always best to see your physician and to have the recommended tests done in order to rule out any possibility, and to get treatment as soon as possible (which results in the most successful outcomes) if you are in fact diagnosed with breast cancer. At times, a breast MRI or ductogram will be used as "diagnostic tests" by your doctor, but these are significantly less common than mammograms, ultrasounds, and breast biopsies. Follow-up as per your doctor's advice. Oftentimes, if a breast lump is determined to be not particularly concerning, your doctor will ask that you continue to monitor it over time and to report back if there are any significant changes or growth. Most often there will not be, but it is always better to be safe rather than sorry and to continue paying attention to any lumps or different textures to your breast to see if these change or worsen with time (at which point a follow-up visit to your family doctor is recommended).
Perform monthly self-breast exams to identify a lump in a breast. Talk with your doctor if you feel new lumps (most are pea-sized) or firm and hard breast tissue. Pay close attention to breast lumps that suddenly grow or change in shape. Be aware of other concerning symptoms. Call your family doctor if you are unsure whether your breast lump is of concern. Set up a mammography appointment. Proceed with a breast ultrasound for further investigation of your lump if your physician recommends this. Have your physician prescribe a breast lump biopsy if the other test results are unable to rule out breast cancer. Follow-up as per your doctor's advice.
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Vet-for-Your-Horse
How to Choose a Vet for Your Horse
To choose a vet for your horse, ask your farrier for a referral, since they frequently work closely with vets. Alternatively, search online for an “equine vet” or “horse vet.” You should also review the vet's website for information about their education, licensing, and how much practical experience they have. Once you choose a vet, phone or visit their office to find out if they have dental qualifications, since horses need regular teeth maintenance. Before making a decision, ensure that the vet's practice is close by so they can come quickly in an emergency.
Consult your farrier and trainer. Your farrier, or hoof specialist, and trainer can offer advice from their professional perspectives. In particular, farriers are a valuable source of information, since they have to work closely with vets for issues related to lameness. Ask fellow horse owners for referrals. Fellow horse owners are another great resource, and can give you a clear idea of what it's like to be a particular vet's client. Ask fellow owners how much they like their vet. Ask if their vet communicates clearly or uses lots of technical jargon. If you're comfortable with that person, ask about cost, and whether payment is due immediately or if they offer payment plans. Ask the horse owner how quickly they are able to get appointments with their vet. You might want to ask if the vet makes after hours calls or how far they will travel to treat horses. Search online for local equine vets. In addition to getting referrals, you can search for and research local vets online. A basic search for “horse vet” or “equine vet” near your location is a great start. You can also use the search tool on the website of the American Association of Equine Practitioners: https://aaep.org/horse-owners/get-dvm. If you live outside the United States, look up your nation's veterinary or equine veterinary association. Many national association websites offer a search tool. Check out their website. Most vets should have their own website. Read through the site to see what their availability and policies are. Look for vets who only treat horses. Equine medicine is a broad, complex, and rapidly advancing field. While you might only find mixed-animal practices in some rural areas, an equine-only vet is usually your best option. You might encounter exceptions to the equine-only rule. For instance, an experienced, board certified large animal vet located 20 minutes away might be better than an equine vet who's fresh out of school and located over an hour from your ranch. Find a vet who’s close enough to respond to emergencies. Location is a key consideration when you start putting together a list of potential vets. Horse vets typically make house calls, especially in emergency situations. If your horse does have an emergency, you'll want a vet who can arrive as quickly as possible. Check a potential vet’s education and certifications. A practice's website will most likely include information about where a vet went to school, their licensing, and board certifications they've earned. In addition, try to find out if they continue their education by participating in workshops, conferences, and by publishing research. You can also call their office to find out about their education and any additional certifications. Ask them where they did their residency. If they had any internships, try to see where those were completed as well. Find out how much practical experience they have. Look up a vet's website or call their office to find out how long they've been in practice. A vet who has practical, real world experience is usually more desirable than a recent graduate. Larger, multi-vet practices often offer the best of both worlds. They'll likely have vets on staff with lots of experience along with recent grads who are more familiar with the latest advancements in equine medicine. Ask if they provide dental care and about their dentistry qualifications. Ideally, the vet will have ample experience with equine dentistry. Horses' teeth grow continually and require regular maintenance. Verify that they sedate the horse to administer a dental exam, and that they use a full-mouth speculum (to hold the mouth open), dental light, and mirror to thoroughly assess each tooth. They should also have access to an x-ray and keep permanent dental records. Research their business practices. Look up a practice on your local Better Business Bureau to find their rating and client reviews. Referrals from fellow horse owners can also give you an idea of how a practice handles their business. Equine vets are known for less than stellar business skills. You want to find a vet who's flexible and can offer payment plans if needed, but who runs a successful business that will continue to operate for years to come. Evaluate their character and bedside manner. Evaluating character and bedside manner is a personal decision. Ask yourself if you want a vet who's upbeat and approachable or more stern and focused. When you talk to them on the phone or in person, try to figure out if they're someone with whom you can build a long-term relationship. It might be an intangible spark or gut feeling, but try to find someone who leaves you with an impression of integrity, intelligence, and empathy. You're going to be working with this vet quite a bit. Make sure that both you and your horse get along with them. Find a vet that fits your budget. From ranch visit fees to large medication dosages, providing equine veterinary care is expensive. Ask potential vets what their visit fees are, how much routine exams cost, and about emergency care expenses. Ask if payment is due at the time of service or if they offer interest-free payment plans. You don't want to just go with the cheapest vet available. You might not get the best treatment for your horse. Instead, try to find the most competent vet you can possibly afford. Decide whether you prefer a solo practitioner over a larger practice. Some horse owners want one individual to treat their animals. While it's desirable to build a close relationship with a solo vet, a multi-vet practice offers wider availability, faster emergency response time, and diverse areas of expertise. With more hands on deck, a multi-vet practice is usually a more practical option. However, you might find that you connect with a solo practitioner. If you end up using a larger firm, you may still be able to get the same vet every time if you request them. During emergency situations, however, they might send a different vet if yours is not available. Have an emergency back up if you go with a solo practitioner. If you do choose a vet who operates solo, it's a good idea to have a backup who can offer 24 hour emergency care. In an emergency, you won't want to have to scramble to find another option if your vet is sick, out of town, or treating another client's emergency. Get a vet who specializes in your sport or discipline. If you show or race your horses, your vet should have experience that relates to your specific discipline. For example, an equine vet with additional DACVS or DACVIM certifications will have expertise in muscular, bone, and joint issues, which would make them a better choice for a competition racehorse.   Referrals from your farrier, trainer, and peers will help you track down a suitable vet if you raise competitive horses.
Consult your farrier and trainer. Ask fellow horse owners for referrals. Search online for local equine vets. Look for vets who only treat horses. Find a vet who’s close enough to respond to emergencies. Check a potential vet’s education and certifications. Find out how much practical experience they have. Ask if they provide dental care and about their dentistry qualifications. Research their business practices. Evaluate their character and bedside manner. Find a vet that fits your budget. Decide whether you prefer a solo practitioner over a larger practice. Have an emergency back up if you go with a solo practitioner. Get a vet who specializes in your sport or discipline.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Cast-Iron-Dutch-Oven
How to Clean a Cast Iron Dutch Oven
If you use your cast iron dutch oven regularly and it's not too dirty, all you need to do to clean it is add enough oil to coat the inside. Then, use a towel to spread the oil, picking up any bits of food as you go. Use one more towel to soak up any excess oil, and you're done! For more stubborn bits of food, shake some salt into the cast iron, place it on a burner, and turn the heat on high. Then, use a cloth to scrub the abrasive salt around to loosen the grime.
Wipe it down with cooking oil and towels. If the cast iron isn't all that dirty and you use it a lot, simply pour in enough cooking oil to coat the insides. Then use cloth or paper towels to wipe away any loose bits of food. Use fresh paper towels to wipe away any excess oil. If it looks clean after that, that's all you need to do, so call it a day! Cast iron becomes sterilized once it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius), which should only take a couple minutes the next time you use it. However, if you don't use your Dutch oven frequently, it's a good idea to give it a more thorough wash than this. The cooking oil may turn rancid after a few days of non-use. Scrub with mild soap and warm water. Wet a sponge with warm water. Add a few drops of mild dish soap. Scrub off all traces of food and then rinse thoroughly with plain warm water. A popular myth is that you should never, ever use soap on cast iron. Manufacturers definitely advise against using strong detergents, scouring pads, and dishwashers, but handwashing with mild soap is fine. Use salt for tougher crud. To remove more stubborn bits of food that have scorched to your Dutch oven, shake some salt into it. Then place it on a burner and turn the heat to high. Use cloth or paper towels to scrub the abrasive salt around to loosen and dislodge the scorched bits. Then repeat either Step 1 or 2 to remove the salt and loosened crud. The heat from the burner should also help loosen the crud as you work. However, cast iron heats up pretty quickly, so switch the burner off after a minute or two (or less if it feels too hot to handle safely). Wiping more cooking oil over the cruddy bits can also help loosen them as it heats up. Use special tools if needed. For especially tough crud, pick up some tools specifically designed for cleaning cast iron. Scrub your Dutch oven with steel mesh instead of a sponge or towels. If you think that might be a little too abrasive, pick up some plastic scrapers so you can chip away at burnt food. Scour off any rust. Expect prolonged exposure to water to rust your Dutch oven pretty quickly. If your cast iron develops any, use steel mesh or fine-grade sandpaper to scrub it off. If the rusted area was relatively minor, rinse it with warm water, dry it off, and then wipe it with cooking oil. If the rust returns soon afterwards, or if the affected area was pretty large, you will need to reseason your Dutch oven. Dry it immediately. Expect wet cast iron to start to rust pretty quickly. If you used any water to wash it out, wipe it dry immediately. To really ensure that all moisture has been removed, heat it in the oven or on the stovetop until all traces of water have evaporated. This is only necessary for water, not cooking oil. Cooking oil will actually act as a barrier to water. Oil it back up and reheat it. Give your Dutch oven a quick reseasoning. Wipe it down with a light application of more cooking oil. Then wipe up any excess with fresh paper towels. Set the Dutch oven on a burner, set the heat to high, and let it heat up until it starts to smoke a little bit. It should only take a couple minutes to start smoking at high heat. Prevent moisture from building up during storage. Always store your Dutch oven and its lid separately. Allow air to circulate inside it when it's not in use. For double protection, stuff a few sheets of paper towels inside so they absorb any moisture that might accumulate during humid weather. Reseason as needed. Expect to need to do a more thorough job of reseasoning now and then even if you give your Dutch oven a quick one after each use. How often this needs to be done will vary from person to person (for instance, if you use it to cook a lot of acidic foods, you will probably have to do so more often than someone who doesn't). Thoroughly reseason your cast iron whenever: Foods begin to stick to it constantly. Rust recurs frequently and/or pervasively. The cast iron turns from shiny and black to dull and gray. Wash with mild soap and a brush. Definitely use a mild dish soap to wash it this time for a more extensive clean. Instead of a sponge, however, use a cleaning brush with stiff bristles for an even more rigorous job. Give it a thorough rinse with hot water and then dry it off. Oil it up again. Wipe it down with more cooking oil. This time, however, do it all over: both inside and out. Do a thorough job, but keep the application thin. Wipe away any excess with fresh paper towels if needed. Put your cast iron in the oven. First, expect oil to possibly drip from your Dutch oven while it bakes, even if you did a good job of removing the excess. Cover the lower rack with aluminum foil to keep the bottom of your oven clean. Then set your Dutch oven upside-down on top of that. Bake your cast iron. Turn the oven on. Heat it up somewhere between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (177 and 204 degrees Celsius). Once your oven reaches your desired temperature, let the Dutch oven cook inside it for a minimum of one hour. After that, it's good to go.
Wipe it down with cooking oil and towels. Scrub with mild soap and warm water. Use salt for tougher crud. Use special tools if needed. Scour off any rust. Dry it immediately. Oil it back up and reheat it. Prevent moisture from building up during storage. Reseason as needed. Wash with mild soap and a brush. Oil it up again. Put your cast iron in the oven. Bake your cast iron.
https://www.wikihow.com/Introduce-Two-Guinea-Pigs-to-Each-Other
How to Introduce Two Guinea Pigs to Each Other
Before introducing two guinea pigs to each other, quarantine the new guinea pig for 2-3 weeks to make sure it's healthy. When the quarantine has passed, introduce the two guinea pigs on neutral territory, such as a bathroom floor, so that neither of them feels they're being threatened. If they get on well, wash the cage before you put them in since this will make it feel like new territory. Watch for signs of aggression, including teeth chattering, but only separate your pets if one draws blood in a fight.
Determine the sex of your guinea pigs. Sex makes a big deal when it comes to how guinea pigs interact with one another. Before you introduce them, you must determine their sex. Pet shop employees often make mistakes, and if you're buying a guinea pig from a pet store the chance of error is even higher. You should examine your guinea pig on the floor or a very low table. This way, if they get away they will not injure themselves falling. Handle your guinea pig gently, but keep a firm hold around their chest and shoulders. Spread their back legs apart to examine their genitals. The distance between the genitals and anus is greater in males than females. The genital opening of male guinea pigs is shaped like a circular dot, while the genital opening of females forms a Y-shape. For a decisive test, feel just above the genitals. In a female, this area will be soft, but in a male, you will feel a bone. Push in and up (towards the guinea pig's head) from this point. In a male, this will make the penis come out, whereas you will see no change in a female. Know which combinations work best. Certain pairs work better than others when it comes to guinea pigs. Younger pigs are easier to introduce. They start on a more or less blank slate and then grow and change together. If you already have an older guinea pig, getting a baby of the same sex is a good choice. The adult will not feel as threatened by a baby and its dominance will not be challenged. Its best to neuter males before introducing them to females; however, neutered or not, never place more than one male in a group with females. They will fight over the female's attention. Adult females tend to get along more readily than adult males. Understand that if you house two normal (not fixed) guinea pigs of different sex (one male and one female) together, you will end up with babies. Pregnancy is extremely dangerous for both moms and babies (1/4 of sows die as a result of having babies), so avoid this at all costs. Make special accommodations if you have two adult males. Male guinea pigs are very territorial, and if you're introducing two adult males take certain precautions. A spacious cage is key to males living in harmony. Provide them with their own space to eat, hide, sleep, and play — provide two of everything. Ensure that hiding houses have two entrances so that one guinea pig cannot trap the other. Quarantine the new guinea pig. You should keep your guinea pigs separate from one another in a different room for the first two to three weeks. You will need to have the new guinea checked out by a vet during this time to ensure they are healthy. Do not let them have physical contact until this time period is up. Placing the new guinea pig directly in the cage with a new one can cause undue stress as they must be eased into a new environment, and their presence may cause the current pig to become territorial. In addition to the emotional concerns, many guinea pig illnesses, which are easily spread at pet and department stores, can incubate for long periods. You need to make sure your new guinea shows no signs of sickness before introducing them to your old guinea. Put the guinea pigs in separate cages next to each other. Position the cages in such a way that the guinea pigs cannot see each other but can smell and hear one another. Introduce them on a neutral ground. Once the two to three week quarantine period has passed, it's time to introduce the guinea pigs. However, do not place the new guinea pig in the cage right away as it's best to introduce them on neutral ground so neither guinea pig feels their territory is being threatened. Find a new territory where neither guinea pig has been before, but that is a secluded and quiet place where both guinea pigs will feel safe. On the floor of a closed-off and small room, such as a bathroom, is a good option. Put veggies, treats, and hay in the center of the area to distract the guinea pigs from fighting as they get accustomed to one another's presence. In case the guinea pigs get physically aggressive, you should have old towels on hand. You can use towels to restrain the guinea pigs while avoiding getting scratched yourself. If it goes well, and the guinea pigs have not fought for over two hours, you will be able to introduce them to the same cage. Ensure that the cage has been thoroughly cleaned, and all the toys re-arranged to make it seem like a new cage. Take precautions before putting the guinea pigs in a cage together. After the guinea pigs have been introduced, there are steps you can take to smoothen the transition before placing them in the same cage. Make adjustments to the cage. Guinea pigs are territorial, so make sure your cage has enough space. As a general rule, a cage between 7.5 and 10.5 square feet is recommended for two guinea pigs. More room is preferred, and if you're housing three or more guinea pigs aim for at least 13 square feet. Rearrange and wash the cage so it will smell new and feel more like neutral territory for both guinea pigs. Gently rub hay from the old cage on the new guinea pig so he smells more like the rest of the herd. Recognize aggressive body language. The first few weeks for guinea pig cohabitation can be rough, and you should expect some tension between your pets. Know what the signs of aggression are and what body language is a signal for you to intervene. Mounting or jumping over one another can lead to aggression if one guinea pig resists or retaliates. Keep an eye on this behavior, but do not intervene unless it leads to fighting. Squealing, chasing, and teeth chattering are common in the first few weeks. Guinea pigs may also gently nip one another if annoyed, and such behaviors are necessary to establish boundaries between the guinea pigs. Only intervene if the guinea pigs are biting hard enough to inflict wounds. If one guinea pig is constantly chattering his teeth, this is a sign of aggression that could grow serious. Watch carefully, but do not separate unless blood is drawn. Raised hair, especially around the neck, and feet stamping are signs guinea pigs are preparing to fight. This can occur but watch carefully. Do not separate unless blood is drawn. Understand that humping each other is perfectly normal. Again, do not separate unless blood is drawn. Two males or two females humping each other is not an intended sexual interaction, it's their method of establishing dominance. Mounting does not necessarily mean your guinea pig is a boar, or mating. Recognize normal interaction. Not all body language is a bad sign. There are certain behaviors that are normal, especially early on, and you should be able to recognize these gestures so you do not intervene unnecessarily. Bottom sniffing and nudging is a guinea pig's way of greeting a new companion. This is normal and non-threatening behavior. Your guinea pigs may also want to establish their territory by dragging their bottoms across the ground or raising their heads up on occasion to expression dominance, behaviors that are normal during the first few weeks. Guinea pigs sometimes engage in a behavior called rumble strutting. This is when they walk with their hips swaying and their fur puffed out while making a rumbling sound. This is an expression of dominance and unless it's followed up by aggressive gestures it's usually a normal part of establishing the pecking order. Don't be afraid of squealing sounds. Although guinea pigs can make shrill noises that may sound like pain, it is just their way of saying that they submit to the more dominant pig. Break up fights when necessary. If fights start to get bloody, you need to intervene. Know how to do so safely to diminish harm for yourself and your pets. Act quickly. Guinea pigs have sharp teeth and are capable of inflicting serious harm on one another. If you notice aggressive fighting, separate them immediately. Guinea pigs can cause permanent injury and disabilities to one another if left unchecked. Do not intervene with your bare hands. An irate guinea pig can cause injuries to you that are serious enough to warrant medical attention. Cover the animal with an old towel or rag or use heavy gloves while separating them. Separate the guinea pigs after the fight. Keep them in different cages, but in the same room so that they can see, smell, hear, and talk to each other. Continue handling them with gloves or a towel for a few hours after the fight, as they can remain skittish and aggressive for a while after a confrontation. Reintroduce them slowly, once again introducing them on a neutral ground with treats and food as distractions. Depending on the severity of the fight, wait a few hours to a few days. Keep protective gear on hand in case the fight resumes. Don't be discouraged if they don't get along. Some guinea pigs may simply not get along, even after you follow the proper protocol introducing them. You need to be prepared for this. It's a risk when introducing a new guinea pig to your pack. Do not feel as if this is your fault. Nature simply works this way, and guinea pigs have different personalities. Some may be more independent and aggressive and therefore harder to introduce to a companion. Even when you do all the right things, guinea pigs are sometimes simply not compatible with one another. If the first introduction leads to an excess of fighting, you can restart the introduction process, beginning again with the quarantine period. This gives the guinea pigs time to cool off and forget any previous hostilities. If guinea pigs are simply not getting along, you can always keep them in separate cages where they can smell, see, and hear one another but cannot physically interact. They get the benefits of some social interaction but without the stress of a hostile environment.
Determine the sex of your guinea pigs. Know which combinations work best. Make special accommodations if you have two adult males. Quarantine the new guinea pig. Introduce them on a neutral ground. Take precautions before putting the guinea pigs in a cage together. Recognize aggressive body language. Understand that humping each other is perfectly normal. Recognize normal interaction. Break up fights when necessary. Don't be discouraged if they don't get along.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stretch-Canvas-Shoes
How to Stretch Canvas Shoes
To stretch your canvas shoes, put them in the microwave on high for 30 seconds, since the heat will make the fabric more malleable to your feet. Alternatively, aim a hairdryer at your shoes for 20 to 30 seconds to create the same effect. If you don't have a hairdryer, hold your shoes over a boiling kettle for several minutes so the steam can soften the shoe's fibers. Then, put your shoes on to stretch them. You can also stuff your shoes with 2 or 3 sealed bags of water. Next, place your shoes in the freezer overnight, which will cause your shoe's to stretch as the water expands. If your toes feel tight in your shoes, stuff them with newspaper to widen them.
Microwave canvas shoes for a quick way to stretch them. Put your shoes in the microwave on high for no longer than 30 seconds. The heat from the microwave will make the fabric more malleable to your feet. Make sure there are no metal pieces in the shoes before putting them in the microwave. Make sure the eyelets in your shoes aren't metal, too. Take the shoes out of the microwave and put them on right away while the material is still warm. Walk around with them on for a minute. After a minute, they'll start to cool down, so take them off and put them in the microwave again for 20 seconds. After 20 seconds, wear your shoes again, and they should be widened enough. Use a hair dryer on the shoes while wearing socks. The heat from the hair dryer will soften the fabric for stretching. While wearing thick socks, put your shoes on and aim a hair dryer at them for 20-30 seconds. Keep the hair dryer a few inches from your feet so as not to burn yourself. Try the shoes on without the thick socks to test their fit. They should be looser. Use steam to soften canvas shoes for stretching. Steam will relax the shoe fibers and make them more malleable to the shape of your feet. Boil a kettle of water and hold your shoes over the steam for 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn yourself. Try the shoes on and flex your feet around in them until the fabric has been stretched wide enough to accommodate your foot. Stuff your shoes with bags filled with water and freeze them. As water turns to ice, it will expand in the tight areas of the shoes and stretch the material. Fill two small zip-lock bags with water and seal them tightly. Place the bags in the shoes all the way to the toe area, and put them in the freezer overnight. Take the shoes out of the freezer, and try them on to test their fit. Repeat this process if necessary. Stuff newspapers into the toes of your shoes to widen them. By wadding up and tightly packing newspapers into the toes of your shoes, you should be able to create some wiggle room for your toes. Leave the newspaper in your shoes over night to give it time to stretch the material, and then remove it in the morning. Repeat this step if there's still not enough room. Stuff a ball of socks in your shoes to widen them. Similar to the newspaper, socks can also be used to stuff your shoes and widen them overnight. Pack the ball of socks tightly to ensure the toes of the canvas shoes receive a good stretch overnight. Wear your canvas shoes around your house if you can. By wearing new shoes around your house, you can break them in while doing daily tasks and sitting at your desk. Starting in the morning, wear the shoes with thicker socks and go about your day performing daily tasks such as doing the laundry, cleaning, or watching T.V. Flex your feet to create more room in the shoes while you wear them around your home. Use a ball and ring shoe stretcher to widen problem areas. This should provide immediate results, and this type of stretcher can be left in your shoes overnight. Decide which area of your shoes needs the most stretching, and place the ball inside the shoe with the ring on the outside. Put the arms of the stretcher together over the area of the shoes giving you the most problems. You should see progress immediately, but you can leave the stretcher in your shoe overnight to make sure it makes enough room for your feet. Use a two-way shoe stretcher to stretch the whole shoe at once. If the entire shoe feels too tight rather than one area, a two-way stretcher widens and lengthens the entire shoe. Shoe stretchers come with bunion plugs that can be attached to enhance stretching in extra tight areas. You should spray a stretching liquid on your shoes prior to using this device. When the solution saturates the fabric, turn the knob of the stretching device one full turn every 8 hours. You may leave the stretcher in overnight. Go to a cobbler for a professional shoe stretching. A professional can use a shoe-stretching machine to either widen or lengthen your canvas shoes. Cobblers charge between $10 to $20 to stretch your shoes. It's also one of the safest ways if you don't want to be bothered with a DIY method.
Microwave canvas shoes for a quick way to stretch them. Use a hair dryer on the shoes while wearing socks. Use steam to soften canvas shoes for stretching. Stuff your shoes with bags filled with water and freeze them. Stuff newspapers into the toes of your shoes to widen them. Stuff a ball of socks in your shoes to widen them. Wear your canvas shoes around your house if you can. Use a ball and ring shoe stretcher to widen problem areas. Use a two-way shoe stretcher to stretch the whole shoe at once. Go to a cobbler for a professional shoe stretching.
https://www.wikihow.com/Patch-Test-Skin
How to Patch Test Skin
If you have a new product and want to do a patch skin test, place a small amount on your inner arm because it won't be too noticeable if you have a reaction. Some products may start to burn your skin or react immediately. If so, wash them off right away to reduce as much damage to your skin as possible. Once you have the product on your arm, leave it on for a full 24 hours to see if it makes your skin turn red, start to rash, or become itchy. If it doesn't, you can try the product on a more sensitive area, like just behind the ear, for another 24 hours to see if it has any effect. If not, the product should be fine to use.
Understand the basics. Patch tests are used to test how allergic you are when you come into contact with certain substances. Patch tests are different from prick or scratch tests. A scratch test checks for reactions to common allergens that may give you symptoms from hives to a runny nose. The nurse scratches or pricks the skin to get the allergen under the skin. A patch test checks for just the skin's reaction to the allergen. A reaction to an allergen by the skin is known as contact dermatitis. Discuss your medications with your doctor. Certain medications can affect a patch test. Antihistamines, for instance, are designed to suppress allergic reactions, which can change the outcome of your patch test. Your doctor may want you to go off of these medications for a bit before your test, up to 10 days ahead of time. Other medications that may cause problems include tricyclic antidepressants, some medications for acid reflux (such as ranitidine), and omalizumab (an asthma medication). Be ready for what will happen. During a patch test, the nurse or doctor will make up a series of small patches. Each patch will contain a small amount of a different substance that has been known to cause reactions in some people. For instance, some patch tests use everything from metals such as cobalt and nickel to lanolin and certain plant types. The patches will be attached to your skin with medical tape. Most of the time, the patches are applied to your back or arm. Ask about photo-patch testing. If you commonly have rashes on the back of your hands, your neck, or arms, you may react to a substance only when it comes into contact with sunlight. A special test exists for this purpose; if you need a photo-patch test, your doctor will place two of each substance and expose one of them to light, while not exposing the other. Don't be afraid if you think it will be painful. In fact, unlike scratch tests, patch tests don't use needles at all. Therefore, you won't experience any pain when the patches are being applied. Keep the area dry. While the patches are on, you should avoid getting the patches wet, which means avoiding extremes of heat and humidity and heavy sweating. Do not swim, shower, take a bath, exercise or do anything that might cause the patch to get wet. Wait two days. Generally, the patches are left on you for two days. You return to the doctor after the time period is up. The nurse or doctor will remove your patches and look at your skin. One of them will see which substances your skin shows a reaction to. Reactions on your skin may appear as a rash, possibly with small, raised areas that resemble pimples or fluid-filled sacs. Wait another two days. Sometimes, the doctor will have you return again, four days after the original test. This step is to see if you had a delayed reaction to an allergen. Avoid the irritants. Once you know what causes you trouble, you know what to avoid. Your doctor can give you advice on avoiding your particular irritant. On the other hand, if you don't react to anything, your doctor will look to other issues as the cause of any rashes you may have. Understand product skin testing. When you get a new product, such as a chemical peel or even just a facial cleanser, it's important to patch test it first, especially if you have sensitive skin. Patch testing just means you use a small amount on part of your skin to see how you react. In other words, you don't want to rub something all over your face or body and break out in hives everywhere. It's best to limit the area at first. You should also skin test other products, such as shampoos, conditioner, and hair dyes. Basically, if you have sensitive skin, you should skin test any product that comes in contact with your skin. Put a small amount on your inner arm. Your inner arm is a good place to test because generally that skin is fairly sensitive. In addition, it won't be too noticeable if you do have a reaction. If the product burns or causes an immediate reaction, wash it off as quickly as possible. Wait for 24 hours. If it's a product such as lotion, leave it on your skin. If it's a product like a chemical peel that's meant to be rinsed off, rinse it off at the appropriate time. Wait a full day to see if you have a reaction to the product. A reaction could be your skin turning red, welting up, or showing a rash. You could also have scaliness or oozing skin. Another symptom is itchiness. Test a more sensitive area. Next, move to skin testing a more sensitive area. This time, pick a place where the product will be used. For instance, if you are using a facial cleanser, try it just under your ear in a small spot. The reason you need to test it again is because it may affect a more sensitive area of skin even if it doesn't affect your arm. Wait another day. Once again, wait for a full day to see if your skin reacts to the product. If it doesn't, you should be fine to use it.
Understand the basics. Discuss your medications with your doctor. Be ready for what will happen. Ask about photo-patch testing. Don't be afraid if you think it will be painful. Keep the area dry. Wait two days. Wait another two days. Avoid the irritants. Understand product skin testing. Put a small amount on your inner arm. Wait for 24 hours. Test a more sensitive area. Wait another day.
https://www.wikihow.com/Fit-a-Cat-Flap
How to Fit a Cat Flap
To fit a cat flap onto your door, mark the height of your cat's stomach on the door. Measure the height and width of the cat flap and mark the dimensions on the door, using the height of the cat's stomach as the center point. Cut out the square hole with a jigsaw and smooth the edges of the hole with fine-grit sandpaper, then place the cat flap in the hole and screw it into place. Remember to make sure that the cat flap swings freely, allowing the cat to enter and exit the house with ease.
Mark the height of your cat’s stomach on your door. Use a ruler to measure the height of your cat's stomach from the ground. Mark this measurement on the door with a horizontal line using a pencil. Use a spirit level to make sure that the horizontal line is straight. The measurement for most cats is approximately 4.7 in (12 cm). If you have multiple cats, use the shortest belly height as taller cats are able to crouch. Having the cat flap installed at the right height means that your cat will be able to easily get in and out. Find the center of the width of your door. Use a measuring tape to measure how wide the door is. Divide this measurement by 2 to find where the center point is. Mark this point along the horizontal line that you drew using an “X” symbol. Measure twice to find the center so that you can be confident that the measurement is accurate. This marking is where the center of the cat flap will be. Stick the cat flap template to your door using masking tape. Follow the instructions that came with the cat flap to fit the template. Line the template up along the horizontal line so that the cat flap will be the correct height. Make sure that you secure the template so that the middle is at the center of the door. Use the spirit level again to ensure that the template is sitting straight. If your cat flap kit doesn't include a template, photocopy the cat flap to create your own template. Drill 1 hole in each corner of the template. The cat flap template will indicate where you need to drill the holes. Make sure that the holes are slightly larger than the jigsaw blade width. A 3/8 in (10 mm) flat bit is an ideal size to use for drilling the corner holes. For square or rectangular cat flaps, you will need to drill 4 holes. However, for circular cat flaps, drilling only 1 hole at the top of the template is usually all that's necessary. Remove the template and draw a line to connect the holes. Peel the masking tape off to remove the template. Use a pencil and a ruler to create a square or rectangle that joins the holes together. This will serve as a guide for the opening that you are about to cut. Cut out the cat flap shape using a jigsaw. Place the blade of the jigsaw into a corner hole. Drill from 1 hole to the next to cut out the shape from the door. Follow the line as closely as possible and guide the blade around the shape. Don't push the jigsaw to make it go faster. Let it work at its own speed as this will result in the best and most accurate cut. Smooth the edges of the hole using a piece of fine-grit sandpaper. Rub along the edges of the cut out using sandpaper to tidy up the shape. Be careful not to sand too much to prevent the size from changing. Check that the cat flap opens properly. Hold the cat flap up against the cutout on the door. Push the cat flap open and let it close on its own to make sure that it works properly and doesn't catch on the door. If the cat flap catches on anything, take note of which part of the cut out isn't right and use a rasp or a file to adjust the size. Mark where the screw holes for the cat flap are on the door. Hold the cat flap up to the cutout. Use a pencil to mark where each screw hole on the cat flap is. This will show you where exactly the cat flap will be screwed onto the door. Make sure that the cat flap is the right away around when you are doing this. The cat flap should always open to the outside, with the lock located on the inside. Drill holes into the door where the screws will go. Remove the cat flap from the door. Drill a hole into each marking that reaches through to the other side of the door. Use screws to secure the cat flap into the door. Hold the front of the cat flap against the door. Push 1 screw into each hole and place the back of the cat flap over the other side of the screws. Tighten the screws using a drill and add nuts. Then test the cat flap to ensure that it is secured tightly in place. Prop the cat flap open until your cat begins to use it. Leave the cat flap open for a day and see if your cat will use it on their own. If not, stand on the other side of the door and encourage the cat to walk through. You may need to use treats for this. Alternatively, place some cat food in a bowl and leave it on the other side of the door, where it can be seen through the open cat flap. This should help to encourage your cat to walk through without you needing to be there holding a treat. You can keep the cat flap propped open using a piece of string. Attach the string to the cat flap using masking tape. Then tape the string to the wall to hold the cat flap open. Close the cat flap and encourage your cat to walk through using a treat. Once your cat can comfortably walk through the cat flap while it's open, let it shut and encourage the cat from the other side of the door again. This will prompt your cat to push against the cat flap with their head, which will teach it how to open it. After enough practice, your cat will eventually get used to pushing against the cat flap to open it and won't need to be encouraged anymore. Give your cat a lot of praise and affection when they start using the cat flap on their own. Avoid pushing your cat through the cat flap. While it may take a while for your cat to learn how to use the cat flap, never force it to walk through the cat flap. This may hurt your cat and may also ruin all of the training that you have done.
Mark the height of your cat’s stomach on your door. Find the center of the width of your door. Stick the cat flap template to your door using masking tape. Drill 1 hole in each corner of the template. Remove the template and draw a line to connect the holes. Cut out the cat flap shape using a jigsaw. Smooth the edges of the hole using a piece of fine-grit sandpaper. Check that the cat flap opens properly. Mark where the screw holes for the cat flap are on the door. Drill holes into the door where the screws will go. Use screws to secure the cat flap into the door. Prop the cat flap open until your cat begins to use it. Close the cat flap and encourage your cat to walk through using a treat. Avoid pushing your cat through the cat flap.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Shower-Pan
How to Make a Shower Pan
While you can easily buy a prefabricated shower pan, you can just as easily customize your own at home. First, you'll need to build a frame out of wood beams and boards to hold your pan. Put down a sheet of tar paper to protect your floor from leakage, making sure there's a hole for the drain. You should also apply a 1 1/2 inch-thick coat of mortar, and give it at least 24 hours to dry. Then, cut a sheet of shower liner to size, fit it on top of the mortar, and nail it to the wall for security. Seal the liner around the drain with silicon before fitting the top part of the drain in place. Apply a further layer of mortar, then finish your shower pan with tiles.
Frame out the shower pan using 2 by 6 inches (5.1 cm × 15.2 cm) boards. Measure the distances between the studs on your walls where you plan on building your shower pan and write them down. Use a circular saw to cut boards that are 2 by 6 inches (5.1 cm × 15.2 cm) to size based on the measurements you took. Position the cut boards in between the studs in your walls so they're on top of the bottom plate, which is the board at the bottom of your wall frame. If you don't have a circular saw, you may be able to ask the employees to cut your board for you when you purchase it. Build a curb for the shower pan using 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) boards. The curb is the edge of your pan that isn't along a wall and where you would step into the shower. Find the length of the side of your shower area that doesn't have a wall. Lay a 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) board that's the length you need and nail it into the subfloor. Stack 2 more boards on top of the first one and nail them in place every 8 inches (20 cm). Secure a layer of tar paper to the floor to block moisture. Tar paper protects your subfloor if water ever gets underneath your shower pan. Lay a large sheet of tar paper on the entire floor of your shower pan and smooth it out as flat as possible. Drive a nail into the floor every 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) so the tar paper stays in place. You can buy tar paper from your local hardware or home improvement store. If you need to use multiple pieces of tar paper, make sure the pieces overlap by at least 2 inches (5.1 cm). Cut a hole in the tar paper over the drain. Feel through the tar paper to locate the drain flange in your floor. Once you find it, follow along the edge of the drain with a utility knife to cut through the tar paper. Try to stay as close to the edge of the drain as you can so you don't remove too much tar paper, or else water may be able to get to your subfloor. If you don't already have a floor drain in place, hire a plumber to install the pipes for you so it's done correctly. Make sure you have a 2-part drain with an upper and lower flange. You can buy 2-part drains from your local home improvement store. Tape the drain opening closed so mortar doesn’t get inside. Rip off pieces of duct tape and use them to cover the opening on the drain. Overlap your pieces of tape by 1 inch (2.5 cm) so it's completely covered. Once you protect the drain with the tape, you can start applying mortar for your shower pan. If you don't have any duct tape, you can also shove a cloth into the drain pipe to prevent mortar from getting inside. Mix mortarinside of a mixing tray with a hoe. Pour a bag of quick-set mortar into a large mixing tray and spread it out evenly. Pour in a small amount of water at a time and mix the mortar together with a garden hoe. Aim to use 1 part water for every 4 parts of mortar mix to get the right consistency. As you mix the mortar, form it into a ball and squeeze it with your hands. If water comes out, then use more of the mortar mix until the ball holds its shape. If your mortar is too runny, it will be difficult to apply since it won't hold its shape as well. The amount of mortar you need depends on the size of your shower pan. For a 4 ft × 4 ft (1.2 m × 1.2 m) shower pan, you need approximately 2 bags that are each 30 pounds (14 kg) of mortar. Create a 1 1⁄2 in (3.8 cm) thick border around the frame of the shower. Dump the mortar onto the tar paper so you can easily spread it around. Use a flat trowel to push and shape the mortar into a border around the shower that's 1 ⁄ 2 inches (3.8 cm) thick and extends out 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) from the frame. Press down on the mortar with the trowel to compact it so there aren't any air pockets. Shaping the border first isn't necessary, but it makes it easier to slope later on. Spread and smooth out the mortar so it slopes toward the drain flange. Once you have a border around the edge of your shower, start smoothing out the mortar toward the bottom flange of your drain. Start from the corner furthest away from the curb and work backward so you don't disturb any of the mortar you've already worked on. Slope the mortar so it drops ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) per 1 foot (30 cm) between the wall and the drain. The first layer of mortar doesn't have to be perfectly smooth, but it needs to have the correct slope in order to move on. Make sure you apply the entire layer of mortar in 1 day, or else it could dry unevenly. Let the mortar dry for at least 24 hours before removing the tape. Once you have the mortar smoothed out as much as you can, leave it alone overnight so it can set. The mortar takes about 24 hours to set before you can start working on it again. When the mortar is dry, peel off or cut through the tape that's covering the drain to remove it. Cut shower liner so it’s 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) taller than the framing. Shower liner is a waterproof barrier that serves as another layer of protection for your subfloor. Measure the size of your shower pan and add 8 inches (20 cm) to each side to account for the framing on the side. Cut the liner using a utility knife so it fits inside your shower pan. You can buy shower liner from a local home improvement or hardware store. Apply a bead of siliconearound the bottom drain flange to prevent leaks. Put your silicone sealant in a silicone gun so you can easily apply it to the shower pan. Follow along the outer rim of the drain's bottom flange and squeeze the trigger to apply a thin bead of silicone. The silicone helps hold the liner in place and prevents water from getting underneath it. You can buy silicone sealant from your local hardware store. Place the liner inside your shower pan so it’s smooth. Slowly lay the liner down on the mortar and smooth it out as much as you can. Align the shower liner so the edges extend 2 inches (5.1 cm) up past the tops of the 2 in × 6 in (5.1 cm × 15.2 cm) frame. Push the liner tightly around the edge of the mortar so it stays as smooth as possible. Press the liner down onto the silicone bead you applied so it sticks in place. Secure the liner to the wall studs with nails or staples. Only nail the very top edge of the liner to the wall studs so there's less risk of it leaking. Use roofing nails or woodworking staples on every wall stud to secure the liner in place. Work your way around the liner, ensuring that it stays smooth on the floor. Cut holes in the liner for the drain. Feel through the liner to find the drain hole and the bolts sticking up from the flange. Use your utility knife to cut X-shapes into the liner over the hole and bolts so you can access them. Fold the flaps of the liner down into the drain hole so any water and moisture flows into the pipes. You can also cut the hole out entirely, but it may cause some water to leak between the drain and the liner. Screw the top part of the drain onto the bottom flange. The second part of your drain has an upper flange that attaches to the bottom using the bolts. Screw the top flange clockwise into the drain hole so it's about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) above the bottom flange. Then tighten the bolts on the bottom flange to secure it. Don't screw the top flange into the drain until it's flush since you need to add another layer of mortar. Apply another layer of mortar on top of the shower liner and let it dry. Mix more mortar and follow the same process as before. Start by applying a 1 ⁄ 2  in (3.8 cm) thick border around the edges and slope the mortar toward the drain. Get the mortar as smooth as possible so it doesn't have any humps or valleys, or else water won't drain easily. Check the mortar's slope with a level frequently and smooth out any rough areas. Leave the mortar to dry for 24 hours to finish your shower pan. If you're putting tile in your shower pan, be sure to leave enough space between the mortar and the top of the drain so the tile is flush with the drain. Dry-fit the tiles in the shower pan so you know how they fit. Take one of the tiles that you want to use for your shower pan and place it next to the drain. Trace around the tile with a pencil to mark how it fits on the shower pan. Keep placing the tile down and tracing it to see how many tiles you'll need to use and what size you need to cut them if you need to. Choose tiles that match other fixtures in your bathroom so it looks like a cohesive space. The number of tiles you need depends on the size of your shower pan and the style that you're using. Wipe the mortar with a wet cloth to clean up any dust. The dust on your mortar can prevent the tiles from adhering to the shower pan. Wet a cleaning cloth with water and wipe the entire surface clean. Once the shower pan is clean, dry it off with a lint-free rag so the surface isn't wet anymore. Don't put tiles on your mortar while it's wet or they may not adhere as well. Apply an 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) layer of thinset on the shower pan. Only use enough thinset for 1-2 tiles at a time so it doesn't set while you're working. Use a flat trowel to scoop and spread out the thinset. Smooth the thinset with the trowel so there's an ⁄ 8  in (0.32 cm) layer on the mortar. You can buy tile thinset from your local hardware store. Press your tiles into the thinset to secure them. Set the tiles carefully on thinset so it lines up with the marks you drew earlier. Firmly push down on the tile so the bottom fully contacts the adhesive, or else your tiles may easily lift up. Wait 1-2 minutes before wiping any thinset off that came up between the tile joints. If you want all your tiles to be the same distance apart, then use tile spacers so the shower pan looks uniform. Grout the tiles so they’re flush with the drain. Mix the grout in the container it came in or a large bucket. Pour some of the grout onto the tiles and spread it over your tiles with a flat trowel or rubber squeegee. Work the grout into the spaces between your tiles so water doesn't get through and so the surface is flat. Once you apply the grout, let it dry for at least 1 hour. You can buy tile grout from your local home improvement or hardware store.
Frame out the shower pan using 2 by 6 inches (5.1 cm × 15.2 cm) boards. Build a curb for the shower pan using 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) boards. Secure a layer of tar paper to the floor to block moisture. Cut a hole in the tar paper over the drain. Tape the drain opening closed so mortar doesn’t get inside. Mix mortarinside of a mixing tray with a hoe. Create a 1 1⁄2 in (3.8 cm) thick border around the frame of the shower. Spread and smooth out the mortar so it slopes toward the drain flange. Let the mortar dry for at least 24 hours before removing the tape. Cut shower liner so it’s 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) taller than the framing. Apply a bead of siliconearound the bottom drain flange to prevent leaks. Place the liner inside your shower pan so it’s smooth. Secure the liner to the wall studs with nails or staples. Cut holes in the liner for the drain. Screw the top part of the drain onto the bottom flange. Apply another layer of mortar on top of the shower liner and let it dry. Dry-fit the tiles in the shower pan so you know how they fit. Wipe the mortar with a wet cloth to clean up any dust. Apply an 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) layer of thinset on the shower pan. Press your tiles into the thinset to secure them. Grout the tiles so they’re flush with the drain.
https://www.wikihow.com/Fill-Chipmunk-Holes
How to Fill Chipmunk Holes
If you want to fill a chipmunk hole in your lawn, try using loose dirt. Simply pack the dirt into any burrows you spot. Chipmunk burrows are typically 2 to 3 inches wide, have no soil around them, and will be near stumps, stones, or under patios. For a more permanent solution, use gravel, which is harder for chipmunks to dig through. Use a trowel to fill the hole, then step on the gravel to pack it down. If you spot small chipmunk holes in your home, use caulk to block them. If you find a hole larger than 2 inches in size, fill it with quick-setting concrete instead.
Search for small holes in your yard without soil around them. When chipmunks start digging holes, they collect the soil in their cheeks and make it difficult to spot their burrows. Look for holes that are 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) in diameter near stumps, stones, and woodpiles that offer cover for the chipmunks. Check underneath any outdoor patios or stairs for other holes as well. Pack dirt into any small holes in your lawn for a temporary fix. As you find more chipmunk holes, use potting soil or dirt to fill in the hole as best as you can. Tamp the soil down with your foot or with the back of a shovel so the dirt is tightly packed in the hole. Continue filling in each hole around your yard. Chipmunks may dig through the dirt to get into their burrows again. Check your yard every day to see if any of the holes have reappeared. Use gravel so the chipmunk can’t dig a hole in the same place. Gravel is more difficult for chipmunks to dig through since it doesn't move around as easily. Use a trowel to pour the gravel into the hole until it fills up to the top. Step on the hole to tamp it down and tightly pack the gravel in place. Gravel can be purchased at any home and garden or landscaping store. Try pouring concrete near holes in areas where you aren’t planting anything. Mix quick-setting concrete in a wheelbarrow or bucket following the instructions on the package. Transfer the mixed concrete into the burrow to plug the hole. Let the concrete set and dry for at least 20-30 minutes. Only use concrete in areas where you don't want to plant. Grass may not regrow in areas where you used concrete to fill in chipmunk holes. Build a fence 8 in (20 cm) deep so chipmunks can’t dig into your yard. A tall privacy fence will help keep chipmunks out since they can't climb very well. Put the fence around the perimeter of your yard, making sure the fence extends down at least 8 in (20 cm) into the ground so chipmunks can't get underneath. Avoid using a chainlink fence since chipmunks will be able to squeeze through the holes. For added protection, you can bury mesh 2 in (5.1 cm) deep along the fence line. Set up chipmunk traps around your yard so you can relocate them. Look for catch and release live traps small enough to catch chipmunks. Leave the traps near burrows or in areas where you've seen chipmunks before. Place peanut butter, nuts, or seeds in the trap as bait. Leave the trap open so the chipmunks get used to feeding from it without getting trapped. After 1 week, set the trigger on the trap so it closes next time a chipmunk enters. When you catch the chipmunks, take them to an area at least ⁄ 2  mi (0.80 km) away from your home to release them. Live chipmunk traps can be purchased at lawncare stores or online. Check with your local Department of Natural Resources to see if trapping chipmunks is legal in your area. Spray coyote or fox urine around your yard and burrows to scare chipmunks away. Foxes and coyotes are natural predators for chipmunks, so they'll avoid any areas that have that scent. Spray the urine around the perimeter of your yard and near any holes that you notice in your yard. Reapply the urine every 2-3 weeks to keep chipmunks out. Coyote or fox urine can be purchased from yard care stores or online. The urine also can be purchased in granular form. Keep bird feeders 20–30 ft (6.1–9.1 m) from your home to move a food source. Many chipmunks feed off of the seeds that fall out of bird feeders and make their burrows near them. If you notice chipmunks near your home or feeder, move the feeder away from the area so the chipmunks don't cause any damage. Don't overfill your bird feeders since many seeds will fall to the ground and give chipmunks food. Let any pets outside to scare away chipmunks. Even if your pets don't catch any chipmunks, the presence of predators will keep them out. Let your dogs or cats out a few times each day so they can roam around the yard. If you don't have any pets, you can also place a fake owl in your yard to scare chipmunks. If you use a fake owl, move it every day so it seems that it's alive. Look for holes are cracks that are 2 in (5.1 cm) wide or larger. Chipmunks may try to get into your home during the winter months if there are openings large enough. Look near the foundation of your home for any holes or cracks that chipmunks may be able to squeeze through. Look for broken siding on your exterior walls or shingles on your roof. Chipmunks may climb up and find ways to enter your home. Use caulk or concrete to fill in the outdoor holes that you find. Use clear or white caulk to fill in smaller patches along your exterior. Squeeze the trigger on the caulk applicator to dispense the caulk and seal the area. For holes larger than 2 in (5.1 cm), mix quick-setting concrete to make a patch for the hole. Once concrete is applied, it can be sanded and painted. Cover vents, chimneys, and pipes with mesh so chipmunks can’t fit inside. Check your home for any exposed pipes, vents, or chimney holes. If they don't already have mesh in place, cover the area so chipmunks or other pests can't get inside. Either drive a nail every 1 in (2.5 cm) around the edge of the mesh, or caulk the edges so it stays in place. Mesh sheets can be purchased from your local hardware store. Make sure the material you use is breathable so gases and liquids can still pass through it.
Search for small holes in your yard without soil around them. Pack dirt into any small holes in your lawn for a temporary fix. Use gravel so the chipmunk can’t dig a hole in the same place. Try pouring concrete near holes in areas where you aren’t planting anything. Build a fence 8 in (20 cm) deep so chipmunks can’t dig into your yard. Set up chipmunk traps around your yard so you can relocate them. Spray coyote or fox urine around your yard and burrows to scare chipmunks away. Keep bird feeders 20–30 ft (6.1–9.1 m) from your home to move a food source. Let any pets outside to scare away chipmunks. Look for holes are cracks that are 2 in (5.1 cm) wide or larger. Use caulk or concrete to fill in the outdoor holes that you find. Cover vents, chimneys, and pipes with mesh so chipmunks can’t fit inside.
https://www.wikihow.com/Select-Blooming-Houseplants
How to Select Blooming Houseplants
If your house gets a lot of sunlight, select houseplants like African violets, chrysanthemums, or azaleas for beautiful blooms. Alternatively, try hydrangeas or peace lilies for darker areas. For longer-lasting blooms, try a flowering maple, anthuriums, or hibiscus plants, or opt for a poinsettia to brighten up your home for a couple of months if a seasonal bloom is more your style. Whichever kind of blooms you decide to go with, examine them carefully before buying them to make sure there aren't any brown or yellow spots, which are a sign the plants won't last very long. Additionally, look for houseplants with new flowers or leaf buds since they tend to have better, more vibrant blooms.
Go for African violets for areas with bright light. African violets are easy to grow and bloom year-round. They come in many different varieties, blooming in different shades, often with white-edges on each bloom. They do well in filtered sunlight, such as by a window that gets direct sunlight. Put a sheer curtain up so the houseplant gets just enough light. If you have a bright window spot available, this is the plant for you. It will bloom constantly and produce colorful blooms to brighten up any room. You should water African violets when the soil feels less moist with tepid water. Water these houseplants at the base and do not get any water on their leaves. Try hydrangeas for low light areas. Hydrangeas do well in cooler conditions, such as a room with no direct sunlight but some bright light. They enjoy sitting in soil that is not too dry and require watering on a regular basis. They produce beautiful purple and blue blooms. They can also be put outside in the summer to bloom and kept indoors during winter to keep them away from frost. Choose chrysanthemums for areas with bright light. Chrysanthemums thrive in brightly lit areas, such as a room that gets direct sunlight. They come in a variety of colors and produce large blooms as long as they get enough direct sunlight on a constant basis. You will need to water chrysanthemums on a regular basis to ensure the soil is moist. You will also need to mist the leaves from time to time. Go for azaleas if your home has bright light. Azaleas do well in bright light, but not direct sunlight. Go for these plants if your home has a brightly lit room that is not too warm, as they do better in cooler conditions. A window that gets bright light would be ideal for azaleas. These plants can bloom for three to four weeks at a time. Azaleas require constant water checks to make sure the potting soil does not become too dry. Water the plant until water flows out of the bottom of the pot and get rid of the excess water. Try a peace lily for low lit areas. The peace lily is easy to care for and does well in low light. A spot in a room with less light and low humidity is ideal for this plant. The blooms are cream white and spoon-shaped. This bloom will appear heaviest in the summer months. This plant is easy to grow indoors and only needs moist soil to thrive. Keep in mind peace lilies can be toxic to children or pets if chewed or ingested. Try poinsettias for short term houseplants. Poinsettias are ideal for short term houseplants that will bloom for two to six months. After the blooms fall off, they are often thrown away or used as foliage plants in an outdoor garden. They are popular during Christmas time but also make a lovely indoor houseplant for a sunny spot in your home. Poinsettias do well in warm conditions and need thorough watering on a regular basis. Get hibiscus for a long lasting houseplant. Hibiscus are tropical plants that make great additions to a warm, bright room. They produce large blooms, up to 8 inches in diameter and require lots of indoor light to bloom well. Hibiscus come in annual and perennial types. You will need to keep the soil moist with regular watering for the hibiscus to thrive. Choose a flowering maple for consistent blooms. Flowering maples have red, pink, yellow, or orange blooms that dangle from the branch. They can be grown as a tree, upright, with minimal pruning, or in a hanging basket. They do well in brightly lit areas and bloom on a constant basis. Flowering maples are perennials. If you notice the blooms starting to drop on the flowering maple, it may not be getting enough water. Go for an anthurium for long lasting blooms. Anthuriums can bloom for two months or more and are known to be hardy perennial plants. They produce blooms in pink, red, lavender, and white. You can also cut off the blooms and use them as indoor decoration. These plants need medium to bright light to thrive. They will survive in areas with less light but produce less blooms. Keep in mind anthuriums are poisonous if chewed or eaten by children or pets. Do not keep them indoors if you have pets or children in your home. Check the leaves and foliage for any spots or yellow coloring. Start by examining underneath the foliage, the leaves, and the stems of any brown or yellow spots. Note if the leaves look healthy, with green bright coloring. If the plants have yellow or brown leaves, wilted leaves, or spots on them, they are likely not very healthy. Avoid plants with leaves that look overly shiny or polished, as they may have been treated with chemicals or fertilizer. Go for plants with new flowers or leaf buds. Examine the selection at the grower and opt for plants that have buds or new young flowers. They are often healthier and better quality. They will also often bloom better and have more vibrant blooms. Look for any signs of pests or disease. You should also examine the plants for any signs of pest, such as pests crawling all over the plants or leaves that have bite marks or holes in them. You do not want to bring a plant with pests or disease into your home, as it may infect your other plants and kill them off. Make sure the plants look clean and well potted. They should look healthy in their pot when you buy them. Discuss the maintenance of the houseplant with the grower. If you are buying the houseplants from a grower at a nursery, talk to them about maintaining the plants indoors. Ask them for advice on watering the plants, giving the plants fertilizer, and making sure the plants bloom well. You should also talk to them about warning signs of declining health in the plants so you can nurse the plants back to health if needed. For example, you may ask the grower, “How often should I water the plants?” “What would be the best spot in my home for these plants?” and “What are the signs of disease or decline in these plants?” Opt for low maintenance plants. If you do not have a lot of time to care for the houseplant, you may go for plants that will require only minimal care. Ask the grower about houseplants that will be easy to care for and require very little watering or attention. For example, an anthurium or a peace lily may be a good option for a low maintenance blooming houseplant. You should also avoid houseplants that are poisonous when chewed or swallowed if you have children and pets at home. You can ask the grower for recommendations on this as well.
Go for African violets for areas with bright light. Try hydrangeas for low light areas. Choose chrysanthemums for areas with bright light. Go for azaleas if your home has bright light. Try a peace lily for low lit areas. Try poinsettias for short term houseplants. Get hibiscus for a long lasting houseplant. Choose a flowering maple for consistent blooms. Go for an anthurium for long lasting blooms. Check the leaves and foliage for any spots or yellow coloring. Go for plants with new flowers or leaf buds. Look for any signs of pests or disease. Discuss the maintenance of the houseplant with the grower. Opt for low maintenance plants.
https://www.wikihow.com/Test-Testosterone-Levels
How to Test Testosterone Levels
If you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, such as a decrease in sexual desire and fatigue, go to the doctor and have your testosterone levels tested. Your physician will most likely draw a tube of blood from your vein, in addition to a physical exam. Depending on your symptoms and history, your doctor may also want to test for heart disease, thyroid function, high blood pressure, and diabetes. If your blood test results come back abnormal, ask your doctor to test you for testosterone that's bound to other proteins in your blood. Then, talk to your doctor about testosterone replacement therapy if you learn that your testosterone is low. Treatment is typically available in the form of a gel, patch, muscular injection, or edible tablet.
Go to the doctor for a testosterone test. The most common test for testosterone involves your physician drawing a tube of blood from your vein. In addition to the blood sample, your physician will also perform a physical exam. Be prepared for additional tests. Because low testosterone may be an indicator for an underlying problem, like a problem with the pituitary gland, liver disease, an inherited disease, or Addison's disease, your doctor may want to test you for an underlying problem if you have low testosterone. Depending on your physical exam, your symptoms, and your history, other tests may be required after the testosterone test. Your doctor may test for thyroid function, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Get an oral test. Testosterone can also be measured in your saliva, though not many mainstream physicians offer this option. The test is reasonably reliable, but it is too new of a method to be totally accepted. Two reputable labs that test for salivary testosterone are ZRTLabs and Labrix. The most common test is for “total testosterone,” which is the testosterone that is bound to other proteins in the blood. If your total testosterone from your screening lab test comes back abnormal, ask to have the test for “free” or bioavailable testosterone. The most important testosterone value is the “free” and/or bioavailable testosterone. This is not always measured because it is not so easy to measure. The tests for “free” or bioavailable testosterone are considered better biomarkers. Consider what affects the test. There are things that might affect the results of your test. Taking medicines with estrogen or testosterone (including birth control), digoxin, spironolactone, and barbiturates may interfere with the test. Medicines for prostate cancer and that raise prolactin levels may also have a negative effect. Hypothyroidism can also interfere with the test. Choose a testosterone replacement therapy. If your testosterone levels are low, talk to your physician about testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is available as a gel or patch, muscular injections, or tablets that can be dissolved under the tongue. There are also some natural options including dietary approaches, increased exercise, and herbs such as Tribulus terrestris, Ashwagandha, Ginkgo Biloba, Maca, and Yohimbe. Look for symptoms of low testosterone in men. Testosterone levels vary in different men, so it can be difficult to determine if the levels detected in one man are too low. Monitor your body to see if you have any symptoms of low testosterone. Symptoms of low levels of testosterone in men include : Problems with sexual function. This can include erectile dysfunction, decreased desire for sexual activity, and a decrease in the number and quality of erections. Smaller testes. Emotional problems that can include depression, irritability, anxiety, problems with memory or concentration, or a lack of self-confidence. Sleep disruption. Increased fatigue or a general overall lack of energy. Body changes that include increased belly fat, decreased muscle mass along with decreased strength and endurance, decreases in cholesterol levels, softening of the bones, and decreased bone density. Swollen or tender breasts. Loss of body hair. Hot flashes. Check for symptoms of low testosterone in women. Women can have low testosterone as well. The symptoms present differently than they do for a man. The symptoms of low testosterone in women include: Decreased sexual desire. Fatigue. Decreased vaginal lubrication. Decide if you are at risk for low testosterone. Low testosterone can result from different things. You may want to test your testosterone levels if you have experienced any of the following: Aging. Obesity and/or diabetes mellitus. Testicular injury, trauma, or infection. Radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. Chronic diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, or liver and kidney disease. Certain genetic conditions, like Klinefelter syndrome, hemochromatosis, Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and others. Alcoholism. Drug abuse including heroin,marijuana, opioid or pain medication abuse. Chronic smoking. Abuse of androgens in the past. Determine if you need a testosterone level test. Testosterone tests are performed when a person displays certain characteristics. Tests are commonly done for the following reasons: If a man is having infertility problems If a man is having sexual problems If a boy under 15 years of age shows early signs of puberty or an older boy shows no signs of puberty If a woman develops male features, such as excessive hair growth and a deep voice If a woman has irregular menstrual periods If a man with prostate cancer is taking certain medicines If a man has osteoporosis Be aware testosterone levels vary. Levels of testosterone vary from man to man (and woman to woman). Testosterone levels will vary during the day, and vary from day to day. Levels are generally higher in the morning and lower later in the day.
Go to the doctor for a testosterone test. Be prepared for additional tests. Get an oral test. The most common test is for “total testosterone,” which is the testosterone that is bound to other proteins in the blood. Consider what affects the test. Choose a testosterone replacement therapy. Look for symptoms of low testosterone in men. Check for symptoms of low testosterone in women. Decide if you are at risk for low testosterone. Determine if you need a testosterone level test. Be aware testosterone levels vary.
https://www.wikihow.com/Test-Peripheral-Vision
How to Test Peripheral Vision
Your peripheral vision picks up on movement coming from your sides, and it helps you navigate through the world. If you think you have issues with your peripheral vision, make an appointment with your eye doctor so they can test you. They'll likely give you a simple visual field exam, in which you'll be asked to cover one eye and identify different objects in your visual field. If they want to do further testing, they might have you look into a machine that flashes lights in your peripheral vision. You'll be asked to push a button every time you see a flash to determine your peripheral vision strength.
Start with a simple Confrontational Visual Field Exam. For this peripheral vision test, your eye doctor will sit right across from you and ask you to cover one eye. You'll be asked to stare straight ahead while they slowly bring one of their hands from one side into your peripheral vision. Say “OK” or “I see it” when you detect their hand moving. This is a standard test during most eye exams. You may be asked to repeat the test several times with each eye. Make sure you keep staring straight ahead. You're only cheating yourself if you try peeking to the side a little in order to catch an earlier glimpse of their hand. Participate in an Automated Perimetry Exam. If your eye doctor wants to further test your peripheral vision, they may ask you to place your chin on a chin-rest and stare straight into a cone- or dome-shaped contraption. There will be an object or marking in the center of the cone/dome for you to stare at. The machine will create flashes of light that you should be able to glimpse in your peripheral vision, and there will be a button for you to press every time you do see one of them. Only press the button when you detect a flash of light. Pretending to see things that you don't probably won't help you “do better” on the test, and may just mask vision issues that need to be addressed. Map your peripheral vision with a Target Screen Exam. This test may be used if your eye doctor wants a more detailed analysis of your peripheral vision. You'll sit about 1 metre (3.3 ft) from a screen with a target in the center of it. You'll stare straight at the target and verbally tell your doctor every time you detect movement elsewhere on the screen. In the process, the machine that conducts the test will create a map of your peripheral vision. This will allow your doctor to identify any weak spots, gaps, or areas of concern. Discuss your results and any recommended treatments. In most cases, problems with peripheral vision are caused by underlying conditions such as glaucoma. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you'll probably be treated with prescription eye drops and possibly laser surgery. In some cases, wearing eyeglasses with prism lenses can slightly improve peripheral vision. Especially if your peripheral vision has been affected by an injury, undergoing regular eye exercises with a physical therapist may help as well. Prepare a 60 by 30 cm (24 by 12 in) piece of cardboard for use. The sheet of cardboard can be larger than these dimensions, but not smaller. If it is larger, use a ruler and pencil to draw a 60 by 30 cm (24 by 12 in) rectangle on it. Along one of the long edges of this 60 x 30 rectangle, stick a pushpin at the halfway point (so it's 30 cm (12 in) from each end). You can also use a piece of rigid foam board instead of cardboard. Draw a large half-circle within the 60 by 30 cm (24 by 12 in) rectangle. Tie one end of a piece of string to the pushpin, and the other end to a pencil placed at the midpoint of the opposite long edge of the cardboard. Keep the string pulled tight and move the pencil back and forth over the cardboard sheet. The string will guide it to make a half-circle shape. Draw a smaller half-circle with a 2 cm (0.79 in) radius. Wind the string around the pencil until the distance between the pencil and pushpin is reduced to 2 cm (0.79 in). Trace a second, much smaller half-circle onto the board. This smaller circle will become the cut-out for your nose. Cut your cardboard into the shape of a rainbow. Use sturdy scissors or a utility knife to cut along both the larger and smaller half-circles. It doesn't have to be perfect, but take your time to ensure a smooth curve to your rainbow-shaped board. If this is part of a child's science project, an adult should supervise this task or do it themselves. Scissors and especially utility knives can be very dangerous. Tape a cup to the underside of the board to serve as a handle. Pick a spot roughly halfway between where the pushpin and pencil were when you started tracing. Use double-sided tape or glue to attach the bottom of a disposable plastic cup to what will be the underside of your board. You'll hold the cup with both hands to keep the board in position while taking the test. Insert a pushpin into the apex of the rainbow shape. Stick the pushpin you used earlier back into the cardboard, this time just short of the spot where you originally placed the pencil to start tracing. This will serve as your focal point while you take the test. The pushpin might stick all the way through the cardboard, so be careful not to prick your finger on it while testing! Cut 6 rectangular strips from red, yellow, and green construction paper. Each strip should be 10 by 2 cm (3.94 by 0.79 in). Use rigid construction paper, or use markers to color strips of a rigid white paper (like index cards). You can use a different combination of easy-to-distinguish colors, but red, yellow, and green are the ideal combination. Use scissors to give half of the colored strips a pointed end. Take 3 of the strips (one of each color) and trim off two of the corners on one of the short sides of each. This will create a triangular shape at one end of each of them. When your friend uses one of these triangular strips during the test, make sure they hold it with the pointed end up. Hold the board to your face with your nose in the small cutout. Use the handle (the attached cup) to hold the board just below eye level. The bridge of your nose should remain in contact with the small cardboard cutout. Keep the board steady and level in front of you during the test. Stare at the pushpin while a partner holds up a colored paper strip. Focus your eyes on the pushpin that's stuck in the cardboard, and don't look away from that spot. While you do this, have a friend hold up one of the colored strips at one of the far ends of the board—that is, at either “end of the rainbow.” Your friend needs to remain as still as possible during the test. It may be easiest for them to sit or stand directly across from you, past the pushpin. But keep your focus on the pushpin, not them. The paper strip should be beyond your field of vision when at the starting point. If you can detect it being there, make sure you're staring straight ahead and that your partner is holding the paper strip in the corner of the board. Tell your helper when you first notice movement. Have your friend slowly slide the paper strip along the curved edge of the board. As soon as you're able to detect movement in your peripheral vision, let your friend know by saying “OK” or something similar. They should pause for a moment, then continue sliding the paper strip. If you want to keep a record of your results, have your friend quickly mark this point on the underside of the board with a pencil before proceeding further. Because of how peripheral vision functions—relying more on the rods in your eyes that are sensitive to movement, rather than the color-sensitive cones—you should notice that something is moving before you can make out its shape or color. Continue the test until you detect color and shape as well. As your friend continues to move the paper strip into your field of vision, indicate when you can see more details. For instance, say “red” and then “triangle” when you see that they are using the red strip of paper with the triangular top. If desired, they can mark these spots with pencil on the underside of the board as well. Repeat the test on the other side and with the other strips. You can do the test as many times as you like, but consider doing it 3 times on each side to test your left and right peripheral vision. For a more accurate test regarding your perception of color and shape, have your friend use one strip of each color on each side, in random order. For instance: red triangle to your right; yellow rectangle to your left; yellow triangle to your right; green triangle to your left; red rectangle to your right; green rectangle to your left. Change the conditions of the test slightly, if desired. For example, you can reduce the light level in the room, give your eyes a few minutes to adjust, and repeat the test to see how your results compare. Or, you can write random letters or numbers on the strips and tell your friend as soon as you can read them.
Start with a simple Confrontational Visual Field Exam. Participate in an Automated Perimetry Exam. Map your peripheral vision with a Target Screen Exam. Discuss your results and any recommended treatments. Prepare a 60 by 30 cm (24 by 12 in) piece of cardboard for use. Draw a large half-circle within the 60 by 30 cm (24 by 12 in) rectangle. Draw a smaller half-circle with a 2 cm (0.79 in) radius. Cut your cardboard into the shape of a rainbow. Tape a cup to the underside of the board to serve as a handle. Insert a pushpin into the apex of the rainbow shape. Cut 6 rectangular strips from red, yellow, and green construction paper. Use scissors to give half of the colored strips a pointed end. Hold the board to your face with your nose in the small cutout. Stare at the pushpin while a partner holds up a colored paper strip. Tell your helper when you first notice movement. Continue the test until you detect color and shape as well. Repeat the test on the other side and with the other strips. Change the conditions of the test slightly, if desired.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cinnamon-French-Toast
How to Make Cinnamon French Toast
To make cinnamon French toast, start by whisking eggs, milk, and cinnamon together in a large bowl until they're completely incorporated. Next, dip slices of bread into the mixture, allowing it to soak both sides of the bread. Then, melt butter in a large skillet before adding the pieces of bread to the pan. Once the toast is golden brown on one side, flip it with a spatula to cook the other side. Continue dipping and frying slices of toast until you've used up all the bread.
Choose a type of bread to use. Many people exclusively use generic white bread for this recipe. However, most kinds of bread can be used to make cinnamon French toast. When choosing bread, avoid bread with large holes in it as it won't hold the custard mixture very well. Instead: Use slices of homemade cinnamon swirl bread to enhance the cinnamon flavors in this recipe. Crumbly country-style breads make a sturdy, eggy French toast. Use slices of French bread to make decadent, chewy cinnamon French toast. For a firmer texture, use stale bread instead of fresh bread. Create the custard mixture. Whisk the eggs, milk, and cinnamon together in a large mixing bowl. If you don't have a whisk, use a large fork instead. Stir the mixture until the eggs are completely incorporated into the milk. Preheat a large skillet. Choose a large flat-bottomed metal or cast-iron skillet. Place the skillet on the stove over medium heat and add two tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted and is bubbling, the skillet is hot enough to use. If the butter begins turning dark brown or smoking, turn down the heat to avoid burning the butter. Dip the bread into the custard mixture. Place a slice of bread into the custard mixture and press it down gently with a fork. Use the fork to flip the bread over and soak the other side. As soon as the bread is completely soaked, remove it from the custard mixture and place it on the skillet. Fresh bread should be soaked quickly to avoid crumbling. Stale bread can be soaked slightly longer as it's sturdier. Cook the toast. Let the French toast brown in the hot butter until the bottom is golden brown. Check the color by using a fork to peek under the slice. Next, flip the toast and allow the other side to cook until it's golden brown. If your skillet is large enough, you can cook several slices at once. However, take care not to crowd the pan or the bread won't get crispy. Set the cooked slices aside. After the French toast is golden brown, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Continue dipping and frying slices of toast until you've used up all of the bread. If you run out of the custard mixture, mix up another batch and continue cooking. Keep large batches of French toast warm by placing them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius.) Combine the syrup ingredients. Find a deep metal sauce pan with thick sides. Next, add the white sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, water, and vanilla extract. Use a whisk or large spoon to mix the ingredients into a slurry. Boil the mixture. Place the saucepan on your stove over medium-high heat. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, and let it come to a boil. When the mixture is boiling, you will see large bubbles rising rapidly to the surface. Lower the heat to medium-low. Once the mixture is boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer. A mixture is simmering when small, active bubbles rise to the surface. Continue simmering the mixture until it thickens into a syrup. This process will take about ten minutes. Stir the mixture while it simmers. Let the syrup cool. Remove the syrup from the heat and set it aside. Let the mixture cool for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the syrup is room temperature, serve it over cinnamon French toast, pancakes, sausages, or waffles. Serve the toast with traditional toppings. Many people enjoy eating cinnamon French toast with standard French toast toppings. Most toppings are sweet or creamy and add a delicious variation of flavor. These toppings can include: Sweet syrups, such as cinnamon syrup, maple syrup, or fruit syrup Butter Whipped cream Fresh berries Crumbled bacon Make a sweet and salty sandwich. The sweet flavors of cinnamon French toast pair perfectly with crunchy, savory sandwich fillings. Add some fillings to two pieces of toast and serve the sandwich dry or with maple syrup. For example: Create a sandwich with breakfast foods such as bacon, a fried egg, and sausage. Make a cinnamon Monte Cristo with melted gruyere cheese and sliced ham. Craft a decadent, creamy sandwich by filling cinnamon French toast with crispy bacon and tangy goat cheese. Serve cinnamon French toast with ice cream. Cinnamon French toast makes an excellent dessert. First, place a slice of hot French toast on a plate. Next, add a generous scoop of French vanilla ice cream. The warm cinnamon flavors pair wonderfully with the cold, creamy vanilla notes of the ice cream. Top the dessert with whipped cream, cinnamon syrup, or a dash of cinnamon sugar.
Choose a type of bread to use. Create the custard mixture. Preheat a large skillet. Dip the bread into the custard mixture. Cook the toast. Set the cooked slices aside. Combine the syrup ingredients. Boil the mixture. Lower the heat to medium-low. Let the syrup cool. Serve the toast with traditional toppings. Make a sweet and salty sandwich. Serve cinnamon French toast with ice cream.
https://www.wikihow.com/Blow-Smoke-from-Your-Mouth-Without-Using-a-Cigarette
How to Blow Smoke from Your Mouth Without Using a Cigarette
If you want to show your friends a cool trick, try blowing smoke from your mouth without using a cigarette. One way to blow smoke is to use cold air from your freezer. After opening your freezer door, inhale deeply through your nose. After you take your breath of cold air, breathe out through your mouth. You'll need to do this in a cold setting, so keep your face in the freezer. The combination of your warm breath on a cold surface or in a cold area will make visible smoke. For another effect, after inhaling the cold air, exhale onto a piece of cold glass. The difference in temperature between the cold glass and your warm breath will make the smoke.
Find a cold air source. Using cold air will help you create water vapor from your mouth, which will appear to be smoke. If it is winter, use the cold air outside, or use the cold air coming from your freezer. Using winter air is easy to do, but because many people know how to do this, it's not a very clever way to produce smoke. Try to use a freezer if possible because it will give you a more exciting effect. Keep in mind that because the source of cold air from the freezer is smaller, smoke may be harder to produce or be more difficult to see. Take a deep breath. Open your freezer and inhale deeply. Try to place your face as far in your freezer as possible so that you can inhale the most cold air. If you are outside, just inhale the cold air around you. Exhale. After you have taken a deep breath of cold air, breathe out through your mouth. You will need to do this in a cold setting, so don't remove your face from the freezer. The combination of your warm breath on a cold surface or in a cold area is what causes the visible smoke. For a more visible, lasting effect of smoke, try blowing on a piece of glass. After you have inhaled the cold air, exhale directly onto the glass. This glass will need to be very cold as well so that the difference of temperatures between the cold glass and your warm breath will create the effect of smoke. After blowing on the glass, the cloud of smoke you have produced will condense onto the glass, making it last longer than if breathed into the air. This "smoke" is produced because as you blow warm air, the water vapor molecules produced by your breath transfer energy to the colder air. This causes the water vapor molecules to move more slowly and bind together to form the fog of tiny droplets of liquid water, which is actually what you are producing. Purchase theatrical smoke creators. There are a lot of products on the market for creating fake smoke on stage, one of which is called "Pure Smoke." This product is similar to an e-cigarette, but instead of inhaling the smoke, you can squeeze the trigger and it will generate vapor. This device takes AA batteries for its battery pack, which is connected to a long wire that reaches the squeezable trigger mechanism. The mechanism is made to be attached to your chest, but can be placed anywhere. A hose then runs from the mechanism to the dispenser tip, which you can place near your mouth so it would appear as if you are smoking. Pure Smoke creates similar vapor to that of fog machines used on stage, but in lesser quantities. When purchasing this product, you will receive 11 cartridges, which is about 850 puffs of smokes. It may be a little pricy to some, but it's effective! Make sure when buying Pure Smoke that you are buying the kind specifically to create fog or fake smoke on stage. There are other types of pure smoke used for Hookah and electronic cigarettes, so you'll want to avoid those. Create or buy toy cigarettes. These can be very useful if you are trying to trick someone and make them believe you are smoking a real cigarette. They can be purchased online, or you can create your own. The trick to these cigarettes is to blow out -- don't inhale. To make toy cigarettes, take a white piece of paper, roll it up, and tape it closed. Place cotton at one end and then pour a white powder into the other end. Now, blow from either end and it will look like you are smoking a cigarette! Be aware that these cigarettes don't last very long. They allow you to make a few puffs of smoke, but because you are just making smoke with the powder inside the cigarette, you won't be able to use it for hours on end. Use Smarties. A really unique way to create smoke is by using the powder that ground up Smarties create. You can do this by grinding up the candy and rolling it into a piece of paper like a toy cigarette, or you can use the wrapper. When using the wrapper, smash the Smarties inside the wrapper, keeping both sides wrapped and then open up one end and gently inhale the Smartie dust and breathe out. Unlike the toy cigarettes, you will inhale the smoke from the Smarties, but make sure you don't take too deep of a breath. Try to keep the air in your mouth, not letting it go to the back of your throat and into your diaphragm.
Find a cold air source. Take a deep breath. Exhale. Purchase theatrical smoke creators. Create or buy toy cigarettes. Use Smarties.
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Dog-Overcome-a-Fear-of-Fireworks-or-Thunder
How to Help a Dog Overcome a Fear of Fireworks or Thunder
To help your dog overcome a fear of fireworks or thunder, close all of the windows, blinds, curtains, and doors to minimize the stimulation. You can also give your dog a safe place to hide, like a crate or under your bed. If you're anticipating a large storm or fireworks display, try plugging in a pheromone diffuser to give off synthetic pheromones that can help dogs feel safe. Alternatively, put a thundershirt on your dog to help it feel secure. If your dog is so fearful that it tries to escape, harm itself, or loses control of its bladder, see your vet to discuss using tranquilizers or sedatives.
Minimize the stimulation. Insulate your dog from the bright lights and loud noises of storms and fireworks. Bring the dog indoors, and close all windows and doors. Draw the curtains so the dog can't see the flashes. If appropriate (not during an electrical storm) put the TV on with the volume low, to act as a distraction. Remember to act normally and go about your normal business so as to send out the message that everything is OK and you aren't worried. Give the dog a safe place to hide. A fearful dog instinctively wants to hide. If the dog chooses to go to ground and hide under a bed or behind a sofa then let it. You may wish to provide additional security by laying a blanket over the edge of the bed to provide additional sound insulation. If the dog is crate trained, it may wish to go to its crate. Cover most of the crate with a thick blanket so that it is even more cave-like and secure than normal. Place something with your scent on it inside the crate to add to the dog's feelings of security. If your dog is not crate trained then consider doing so as part of your strategy for helping him overcome this fear. Use pheromones. When a lot of fireworks are anticipated plug-in DAP diffuser in your house beforehand. These devices give off a synthetic dog pheromone that makes dogs feel safe and secure. The diffusers help to give an anxious dog heightened feelings of security, and can diffuse some of its anxiety. Put a Thundershirt on the dog. These work by fitting the dog snugly and pressing against its body. This is akin to swaddling a young baby, which gives a sense of security and safety. For some dogs it takes the edge off of the anxiety and helps to bolster their confidence. Consider using medications. Some dogs are so fearful they try to escape, harm themselves, or lose control of their bladder or bowels. If your dog has this type of extreme anxiety then get it checked by your vet. If there is no medical explanation for the dog's extreme fear, then the vet may be able to prescribe medications to calm the dog during the event. There is no one drug that is perfect, but one useful combination is diazepam and propranolol. Diazepam is a tranquilizer, which lessens the feelings of anxiety, while propranolol is a beta blocker, which prevents the heart from racing. This combination helps to keep the animal relaxed during a scary event. Acepromazine (ACP) sedates the dog but it still experiences the fear. So externally the dog seems improved, but it is still fearful. This is why this drug has fallen out of favor. There's a new product called Sileo that's licensed for the treatment of sound phobia in dogs. Simply place the gel on the inside of the dog's cheek to help keep it calm. Sileo is a prescription-only product, so talk to your vet about getting some if you think this may be a good solution for your pup. Act normally. It is important that the owner ignores any fearful behavior the dog is displaying. While it is perfectly natural to want to reassure an animal in distress, in reality it trains the dog to give in to the distressed behavior. Retraining is doomed from the start unless you understand this. By acting unconcerned you send out a strong message that you are not worried and therefore the dog has nothing to be fearful of. Never force a dog to face its fears head on. In other words, don't take a fearful dog to a fireworks show and expect it to adjust. This is a technique called sensory flooding and it is inhumane. The dog is bombarded by what it fears and instead of overcoming that fear, the dog may become traumatized and emotionally damaged instead. Expose the dog to a very low level of the feared sound. Train the dog to remain calm during the sound by rewarding calm behavior with a treat or affection. This is different than sensory flooding because you are using very low levels of sound and working gradually. To do this, purchase a CD of the sound the dog fears, for example fireworks or thunderstorms. The idea is to play the CD on the lowest possible volume so that the dog remains calm. Praise the dog and reward it for being calm in the presence of the sounds. If possible, leave the CD playing quietly in the background for an hour at a time but don't leave the dog alone while it is playing. Gradually increase the volume of the feared sound. Once the dog is regularly taking no notice of the quiet background sounds, turn the volume up a tiny amount. This should be slightly louder than previously, but not enough to make the dog shows signs of anxiety, such as lip licking, pacing, whining, shivering, or shaking. Again, reward the dog with love or treats for being in the presence of the alarming noise, but not being fearful of it. Repeat this exposure until you are sure the dog is not reacting at all, and then you are ready to turn the volume up one more notch. Expose the dog to the CD sounds on a daily basis. If at any stage the dog becomes fearful, restart the next session with the volume one notch lower. Don't forget to act very relaxed yourself while doing this training. The dog needs to see that you are unconcerned. It may take a large amount of time, but with determination and dedication, it is possible to help your dog overcome its fear of fireworks or thunder.
Minimize the stimulation. Give the dog a safe place to hide. Use pheromones. Put a Thundershirt on the dog. Consider using medications. Act normally. Never force a dog to face its fears head on. Expose the dog to a very low level of the feared sound. Gradually increase the volume of the feared sound. Expose the dog to the CD sounds on a daily basis.
https://www.wikihow.com/Grill-Filet-Mignon
How to Grill Filet Mignon
To get the best flavor from your filet mignon, brush it with a bit of oil before grilling. Then, if you have a charcoal grill, create a hot side and a cool side with your coals. Cook the filet over high heat for 2-5 minutes. Alternatively, to cook a filet mignon on a gas grill, cook the filet until the internal temperature reaches 120-160 degrees Fahrenheit. Either way, once the filet is done cooking allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting in to it.
Choose a thick cut of meat. The thicker cut of meat you get, the better. That's because with a thicker cut it's easier to get a nice, crispy crust on the outside without overcooking the inside. The best thickness for filet mignon is anywhere from 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) thick. That may seem like a very thick cut, but remember that the steak will shrink a bit as it cooks. Go to your local butcher and ask him to cut the filet from the tenderloin. This ensures both a fresher cut and the ability to specify how thick you want your filet to be. Oh, and you get to support your local butcher instead of a supermarket conglomerate. What if you have a thin cut of filet mignon? Don't fret, but adjust your cooking accordingly. Instead of slow-cooking your filet, you'll need to sear it over extremely high heat for a short period of time to get a crispy outside and a juicy, medium-rare inside. Resist the temptation to outfit your filet with additional rubs or smother it in marinades. Beware of recipes that call for rubs or marinades when it comes to filet mignon. All you need is salt and pepper. Using rubs or marinades on filet mignon is likely to make the meat less tasty, not more. Decide whether to salt the filet before or after grilling. Some cooks choose to salt the steak after cooking it, and that's perfectly acceptable. Most cooks, however, salt the filet before grilling, although many of them make the mistake of salting too soon before cooking. Salt at least 40 minutes to an hour before grilling. Salt brings moisture out to the surface of the steak. Wouldn't that be bad news for a moist, juicy steak? you ask. It is, if you don't salt far enough in advance. For the first 30 minutes of salting, moisture comes out to the surface of the steak, accumulating in small puddles. At this point, cooking the steak would be ill-advised. After 30 minutes, some of the moisture drawn out by the salt seeps back into the meat. The process is called osmosis , and it also makes for more tender meat. The longer you leave your steaks out after 40 minutes, the more of the salty water travels back into the steak, flavoring and tenderizing it. Wait for the filet to come to room temperature. Most cooks do this while they're waiting for the salt to do its thing. Meat that has come to room temperature before cooking cooks faster and more evenly. Gone are the days of charred outsides and cold insides. If possible, use lump charcoal over briquettes and try to stay away from gas grills. Gas grills aren't horrible, but they don't burn hot and can impart a gasoline smell to your precious steaks. (Ew.) Stick to charcoal instead. Funny as it might seem, using charcoal instead of gas gives you greater control over the cooking process. That's because charcoal is a really solid heat source. It burns hot — much hotter than gas — and burns steadily. If you know how to master charcoal, it gives you a better final product. Briquettes are fine, but they're nothing special. Many of them have unwanted additives that give off a faint aroma, so if used, they should be white all over before you start grilling. Lump charcoal burns hotter, is easier to adjust the temperature, and is all-natural. Position your coals to form a hot side and a cool side in your grill. Move all your coals over to one half of the grill; that will be your "hot" half. The half without any coals will be your "cool" side. Brush your filet with a little bit of oil. Many choose to use a neutral oil, like groundnut oil, because it doesn't have much of a taste. Olive oil is perfectly acceptable for a more distinct taste. Remember that a little oil goes a long way. Use no more than a tablespoon for each filet. Decide whether to cook your filet primarily over high heat or low heat. There are pretty much two camps when it comes to how to cook meat: the high heat camp and the low heat camp. The high heat camp is straightforward: Cook the filet for 2-5 minutes per side over high heat, searing it to seal in the juices. While this method can certainly produce a fine filet mignon, the "searing to seal in the juices" idea has been debunked. In fact, the temperature to which you cook the meat is the most important factor in keeping meat juicy. Placing it over high heat will accelerate the loss of juices. The low heat camp uses this fact — the hotter the temperature, the more juices lost — to champion a different approach. Instead of searing first, the meat is cooked over indirect, "cool" heat until it's just below its ideal temperature. It's then seared to develop a crust and depth of flavor. Cook your filet over indirect, "cool" heat until the filet is about 15° - 20° F from your ideal temperature. Placing over indirect heat will slow the loss of juices, cooking the steak while keeping it moist. Don't be afraid to stick a meat thermometer into your filet. It's a myth and old wives' tale that piercing your filet with a thermometer one time will cause all its juices to run out. (If you don't have a thermometer, you can always use the finger test , although it's less reliable.) 120° F (48.8° C) = Rare 130° F (54.4° C) = Medium rare 140° F (60° C) = Medium 150° F (65.5° C) = Medium well 160° F (71.1° C) = Well done For a medium-rare filet, transfer it over to the direct, "hot" side of the grill when its temperature reaches 110° to 115° F. Sear the meat on both sides, using tongs to flip the filet when necessary. Remove the filet when its internal temperature is 5° F away from its ideal temperature. The steak will continue cooking even after it has been removed from the heat. Make sure to let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into it. Cover the steak with aluminum foil and let rest for a while, even if the temptation is killing you. A steak that is cut into immediately after cooking will lose more of its juices than a steak that is allowed to rest for 10 minutes. When a steak is cooked, its muscles tighten up on the outside. This pushes all the juices to the inside of the meat, where the muscles aren't as tight because they're not as hot. If you cut into the center of your filet immediately after cooking, the juices accumulated there will simply run out, leaving you with a drier steak. If you let your filet rest, however, the muscles begin to relax and the juices move from the center of the steak back out, dispersing more evenly. You'll hold on to 7% more weight in juices by waiting an extra 10 minutes after cooking has finished. Pepper your steak generously. Many chefs hold off on peppering the steak until after it's been grilled because they don't want the pepper to be burned while grilling. If you're the type of chef who doesn't mind burned pepper mingling with your filet mignon, go ahead and pepper when you salt the filet. If not, pepper now, right before serving. Serve and enjoy your perfectly cooked king of steaks. Savor each tender, buttery, succulent bite and give thanks to the being that created such a delicious cut of meat.
Choose a thick cut of meat. Resist the temptation to outfit your filet with additional rubs or smother it in marinades. Decide whether to salt the filet before or after grilling. Wait for the filet to come to room temperature. If possible, use lump charcoal over briquettes and try to stay away from gas grills. Position your coals to form a hot side and a cool side in your grill. Brush your filet with a little bit of oil. Decide whether to cook your filet primarily over high heat or low heat. Cook your filet over indirect, "cool" heat until the filet is about 15° - 20° F from your ideal temperature. For a medium-rare filet, transfer it over to the direct, "hot" side of the grill when its temperature reaches 110° to 115° F. Remove the filet when its internal temperature is 5° F away from its ideal temperature. Make sure to let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into it. Pepper your steak generously. Serve and enjoy your perfectly cooked king of steaks.
https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-Fake-News
How to Spot Fake News
To spot fake news, look for red flags, like sloppy website design and frequent spelling or grammatical errors. Additionally, keep an eye out for URLs that try to mimic legitimate news sources, like abc.co instead of abc.com. You should also look for a byline so you can research the author and make sure they're a legitimate journalist. If you're still not sure about a story, try going to websites that debunk fake news stories, like FactCheck.org and Politifact.com.
Look for spelling errors and dramatic punctuation. You might find an occasional typo in an authoritative news source, but lots of spelling mistakes and poor grammar are red flags. A reliable story's content should meet academic standards. Be skeptical if you see phrases in all capitals, excessive punctuation (!!!), and other attention-grabbing devices. Meeting academic standards doesn't mean using complicated words and sentence structures. Rather, it means an article (or a television or radio script) is written clearly, supports its claims with evidence, and is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Make sure an article is current. Check the news story's date, as older articles might include outdated information. Additionally, someone on your newsfeed might have shared an old story that has been disproven or is controversial when taken out of context. For example, suppose someone shared an article about a military conflict from 5 years ago, but the nations involved are now at peace. If you read the story without checking the date, it might seem like those nations were once again at war. Check for expert quotes that support the story’s claims. Good journalism relies on authoritative sources and citations. Look for direct quotations from experts that actually support the story's claims and weren't taken out of context. For instance, if an article is about a new treatment for a disease, it should cite doctors who specialize in that disease. Make sure a quote is consistent with the content of the news story. Suppose an article claims that a supplement is definitely a new cure for arthritis and quotes a doctor who said, “Preliminary findings are promising, but we need more research.” The article took the quote out of context and exaggerated the doctor's statement. Run a reverse image search. When you right click an image, you'll see an option to search Google for the image. When you search for the image, you'll be able to see other websites that have featured it. A credible news story should include its own photography. Be skeptical if you see that a photograph is a stock image or stolen from another source. Figure out the news story’s purpose. Ask yourself why the author and publisher created the article or broadcast. What is the information's purpose, and who benefits from it being spread? A credible story should report facts without trying to promote some ulterior motive. For example, some news stories are satirical and meant to entertain. You could also come across a story that's meant to sell a product. Suppose an article about a supplement that cures arthritis was published by a company that produces the supplement. That article is a marketing device, not a credible source of information. Consider how the story makes you feel. Check your own biases and emotional reaction. If the story fills you with rage or makes you feel smug about your beliefs, it might not be a balanced source of information. Ask yourself, “Is this story trying to trigger an extreme emotional reaction? Is its tone balanced and informative? Does it seem preachy or eager to confirm an opinion?” Search for the author’s other work. Find out who wrote the story and whether they're a knowledgeable source. Look for other published works, where they were educated, and their professional experience. If there's no byline, which names an article's author, ditch the article. When you run a search on the author, it's wise to cross reference your findings. For instance, you might find the author's website, where they claim they've won 3 Pulitzer Prizes. However, when you check the full list of winners, you find that no one with their last name has ever won a Pulitzer. Learn about the publisher’s point of view. Go to the organization's website and visit its “About” section. Check if they include satirical information or a specific viewpoint other than reporting objective facts. See if they include anything about employing professional news journalists, or if their content is created by people without professional experience. For instance, The Onion's About page mentions its readership is 4.3 trillion, which is a lot more than the Earth's population. Aside from obvious satire, be skeptical if an organization talks about conspiracies or advancing a particular ideology. Look for strange URLs, sloppy website design, and other red flags. A suspicious news website might have an unusual URL that tries to mimic a legitimate news source, such as abc.com.co instead of abc.com. In addition, a credible news organization has its website professionally designed. Be skeptical of sloppy, amateurish formatting and frequent spelling or grammatical errors. Check the publisher’s advertisements. Read or listen to the ads featured on websites, in print, or on television and radio broadcasts. A news story on a topic related to an advertised product or service isn't reliable. For instance, suppose you're reading an article about a cure-all supplement. If you see ads for the supplement, don't trust the article. Search for articles on the topic published by other news organizations. When you come across a news story, run a search on the topic to verify its authenticity. See if other news organizations are reporting on it, or if there's just one random source making unsubstantiated claims. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), The New York Times , The Washington Journal , National Public Radio (NPR), and The Atlantic are just a few of the most respected news organizations. Consult fact checkers. In addition to reputable news sources, there are a number of websites that debunk fake news stories. If you come across a suspicious story, see if it's been vetted by sites such as: FactCheck.org ( http://www.factcheck.org/ ) Politifact ( http://www.politifact.com/ ) The International Fact-Checking Network ( https://www.poynter.org/channels/fact-checking ) Ask someone you know who has expertise on the topic. When in doubt, get in touch with someone who could help you better understand the topic or recommend reliable sources. It could be a teacher or professor, librarian, or someone who works in the industry discussed in the suspicious article. For instance, ask your history or social studies teacher about a suspicious article you read about foreign affairs. If you read an article about a new diet fad, talk to your biology teacher or a medical professional in your social network.
Look for spelling errors and dramatic punctuation. Make sure an article is current. Check for expert quotes that support the story’s claims. Run a reverse image search. Figure out the news story’s purpose. Consider how the story makes you feel. Search for the author’s other work. Learn about the publisher’s point of view. Look for strange URLs, sloppy website design, and other red flags. Check the publisher’s advertisements. Search for articles on the topic published by other news organizations. Consult fact checkers. Ask someone you know who has expertise on the topic.
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Football-Helmet
How to Draw a Football Helmet
To draw a football helmet, start by drawing a large circle with a smaller circle inside it toward the bottom. After drawing the circles, draw a curved line at the bottom that looks like the lower edge of a helmet. Next, draw a slanted letter "A" extending from the lower half of the helmet. Then, connect the bottom tip of the "A" with the upper line of the letter. Finally, outline the details of the face mask and shell of the helmet, and add details, like a team logo.
Draw a big circle. On the lower half portion of the big circle, draw a smaller circle. Draw a curve line that will serve as the outline of the helmet. Draw a slanted "A" on the right side of the drawing. Draw a vertical line at the tip of the lower side of the "A" and connect that line with the upper line of the "A" using a curved line. Outline the drawing to complete the details of a face mask. Outline the shell of the helmet. Add designs as desired. Colour accordingly. Draw a big circle and then add an oblong on the lower left portion. Draw a small triangle. Draw a quadrilateral adjacent to the triangle. Attach a pentagon below the quadrilateral. Add a slanted vertical line on the lower left portion of the big circle and close this shape by adding a curved line. Outline the drawing to make out the details of the face mask. Add details to draw the shell of the helmet. Add more specific details and design to the helmet. Colour as desired. Draw a circle. Draw a rectangle for the protective plate. Draw a trapezoid with a horizontal line below it. Draw another larger trapezoid with two horizontal lines above it. Draw a series of vertical lines to outline the details of the helmet. Based on the outlines, draw the helmet. Add more details to the helmet such as stripes, logo, and interior details. Erase the unnecessary outlines. Color your football helmet! Draw a circle to outline the helmet. Draw an elongated oval intersecting with the circle drawn earlier. Draw the lower part of the protective plate by making an irregular polygon. Draw a curve with a triangle on the right edge to make the upper part of the protective plate. Draw a square on the upper front part of the helmet. Draw the helmet using the guidelines. Add more details to the helmet. Erase the unnecessary outlines. Color your football helmet!
Draw a big circle. Draw a curve line that will serve as the outline of the helmet. Draw a slanted "A" on the right side of the drawing. Draw a vertical line at the tip of the lower side of the "A" and connect that line with the upper line of the "A" using a curved line. Outline the drawing to complete the details of a face mask. Outline the shell of the helmet. Add designs as desired. Colour accordingly. Draw a big circle and then add an oblong on the lower left portion. Draw a small triangle. Attach a pentagon below the quadrilateral. Add a slanted vertical line on the lower left portion of the big circle and close this shape by adding a curved line. Outline the drawing to make out the details of the face mask. Add details to draw the shell of the helmet. Add more specific details and design to the helmet. Colour as desired. Draw a circle. Draw a rectangle for the protective plate. Draw a trapezoid with a horizontal line below it. Draw another larger trapezoid with two horizontal lines above it. Draw a series of vertical lines to outline the details of the helmet. Based on the outlines, draw the helmet. Add more details to the helmet such as stripes, logo, and interior details. Erase the unnecessary outlines. Color your football helmet! Draw a circle to outline the helmet. Draw an elongated oval intersecting with the circle drawn earlier. Draw the lower part of the protective plate by making an irregular polygon. Draw a curve with a triangle on the right edge to make the upper part of the protective plate. Draw a square on the upper front part of the helmet. Draw the helmet using the guidelines. Add more details to the helmet. Erase the unnecessary outlines. Color your football helmet!
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Palm-Lines
How to Read Palm Lines
While there's no evidence that reading your palms can actually tell your future, it can still be a fun hobby to practice on your own or with your friends. To read your palm, you'll want to select your dominant hand, or the one you use the most. Look at the deep, large lines that cross your palm to get general information about your personality and well-being. For example, the curved line that runs from the base of your thumb down towards your wrist is your life line. A long, deep life line is thought to indicate that you are in good health and will have a positive, easy life. Other main lines include the heart line, head line, and fate line. If you're interested in more specific details, look at your secondary lines, such as the money line that descends vertically from the base of your pinky.
Choose your dominant, or active, hand to read palms. When you start your reading, check the hand you use most often since it's considered your active hand. Your non-dominant hand is your passive hand, and it is usually not examined since the lines may not be as prominent during the reading. Hold your hand out in front of you with your palm is face-up so you can easily read the lines. Compare your active and passive hands to see if there are any differences. The lines on your passive hand are your inherited traits while the lines on your active hand indicate how hard you've worked to develop yourself. Read the life line to determine your well-being and passion for life. The life line is the long curved line that runs from your wrist up around the base of your thumb. The life line might reveal experiences you've had and how they affect your outlook on life. The length of the line shows how others influence your life while the depth of the line displays the ease you'll have for life moving forward. If you have a short or shallow life line, it may mean that you may get sick or feel weak often. Deep and long life lines could signify that you're in good health and rarely get sick. Check if your life line has any other lines branching upward or downward. Upward branches toward your fingers mean positive changes are coming, and downward branches reveal negative events. The life line doesn't dictate when you'll die, so don't get worried if it is short. Look at the head line to find your learning style and desire for knowledge. Locate the headline directly above your life line extending horizontally across your palm. Longer head lines may represent that you think through situations methodically while shorter lines mean you're more impulsive. Check the depth of the line, since deeper lines can mean you have a great memory and shallow lines could show you struggle to focus. If your head line has breaks in it, then it could mean you will encounter mental strife or that you've had many breakthroughs or epiphanies about your life. Look to see if your head line is straight or wavy. Wavy lines may signify you approach problems creatively while straight lines mean you solve problems traditionally. If your head line connects to your life line, it may mean that you are introverted and thoughtful. The more the headline connects to the life line, the more worried and indecisive you may be. Interpret the heart line to find out your emotional stability. The heart line, also known as the love line, is located above the head line and runs horizontally across your palm. If the heart line starts underneath your index finger, it may mean you are content with your relationships. However, a heart line that starts under your middle finger may represent you may be restless in relationships. Deeper heart lines could show that your interpersonal relationships are significant to your life. The length of the heart line might indicate the length of your relationships, where breaks or forks can represent multiple relationships. If your heart line is curved, it may indicate that you're good at communicating to partners. Straight lines can mean you're stable and approachable, but you may be shy or passive in relationships. Check the fate line to see how your life may be influenced by external circumstances. Your fate line is a vertical line that you may have running down the center of your palm. The fate line can represent how other people or events out of your control will affect your life. If you have a deep fate line, you may have a strong ability to start a career or run a business. A shallow line means you work hard, but your career may change multiple times. Itchy hands may signal that changes might occur in your life soon. Look for the sun line to find out your possible legacy and fame. The sun line, also known as the Apollo line, is a vertical line that's usually located near the bottom of your palm underneath your ring finger. If you have a deep sun line, you may be very successful and possibly gain fame. A shallow line means you're still developing your skills and you'll work hard toward success. If the sun line is broken, you may gain success after overcoming past obstacles. Read the relationship line to learn how you handle commitment. The relationship line, also called the marriage line, is a small horizontal line that wraps around the side of your palm underneath your pinkie. Relationship lines that are long or deep might mean you prefer long-term commitments, while short or shallow lines mean you may experience multiple relationships or revisit old commitments. You may have multiple relationship lines on your palm, which may mean you are passionate in your romantic relationships. Interpret the intuition line to learn your ability to read other people. Your intuition line is a curved line that starts near the bottom of your pinkie and goes down toward your wrist. If your intuition line is pronounced, you may be able to pick up on how others are feeling quickly and sense if they're positive or negative. When you have breaks in your intuition line, it could mean you're empathetic for others, but you should focus on your own mood and emotions. You may not have an intuition line on your palm, but you can still be empathetic and sense others' feelings. Check the health line to see what you're like as a caretaker. The health line is a diagonal or curved line that starts from the edge of your palm by your pinkie and extends down to the center of your wrist. Having a long, deep health line can mean that you're a supportive individual and that you take care of others. Not everyone will have a health line, but it does not mean that you don't care for other people. Breaks in your health line may represent illnesses you or a loved one may have had in the past. Look for a money line if you want to check your future wealth. The money line is a short diagonal line that extends down from the base of your pinkie. Deep, straight money lines may mean you are smart with your investments and you may get wealth later on in life. Wavier, shallow lines might indicate that you may need to put more effort in to become wealthy. Examine the Girdle of Venus to determine your romantic insecurities. The Girdle of Venus is an arced line that goes around the base of your middle and ring finger. If you have a prominent Girdle of Venus on your palm, you may live life deeply and empathize easily with others. A lighter Girdle of Venus may mean you're more insecure with your relationships and can work toward them by building trust in other people. A Girdle of Venus may also represent past trauma that made you lose trust in other people, but you can keep working toward being trusting again. See if there's a Ring of Jupiter to check your leadership qualities. Look under the base of your index finger to see if you have a line wrapping around it, which is the Ring of Jupiter. If you have a prominent Ring of Jupiter, then you may be well-respected and exceed in leadership positions that you're given. If you have a shallow Ring of Jupiter, you might need to keep working toward building your skills to succeed. If you don't have a Ring of Jupiter, you can wear a ring on your finger to possibly increase your luck. Look for the Ring of Saturn to see if you get frustrated easily. The Ring of Saturn wraps around the base of your middle finger and may signify that you have a pessimistic attitude. You might get frustrated or feel like there are many obstacles you need to overcome in life. If you have a Ring of Saturn, try staying optimistic, communicating well, and having empathy for others since this could help the line disappear. Check for a Ring of Apollo to see how creative you are. The Ring of Apollo is a curved line that wraps around the base of your ring finger and may be very rare to have. If you have a Ring of Apollo, it may mean that you repress creativity and do things with a negative attitude. Working hard to have a positive attitude and embracing your creativity might help you remove the line from your palm. If you have a Ring of Apollo, try picking up artistic or creative hobbies, such as drawing, painting, or writing. Interpret your bracelet lines to find the balance between physical and mental self. Bracelet lines appear around your wrist and could determine how balanced you are physically, mentally, and spiritually. Solid, deep lines mean you are balanced and will live a prosperous life, while shallow lines may indicate an imbalance in your self. If you're reading the bracelet lines on a male, look at their left palm. If you're reading the lines on a female, then use the right hand.
Choose your dominant, or active, hand to read palms. Read the life line to determine your well-being and passion for life. Look at the head line to find your learning style and desire for knowledge. Interpret the heart line to find out your emotional stability. Check the fate line to see how your life may be influenced by external circumstances. Look for the sun line to find out your possible legacy and fame. Read the relationship line to learn how you handle commitment. Interpret the intuition line to learn your ability to read other people. Check the health line to see what you're like as a caretaker. Look for a money line if you want to check your future wealth. Examine the Girdle of Venus to determine your romantic insecurities. See if there's a Ring of Jupiter to check your leadership qualities. Look for the Ring of Saturn to see if you get frustrated easily. Check for a Ring of Apollo to see how creative you are. Interpret your bracelet lines to find the balance between physical and mental self.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Into-UCLA
How to Get Into UCLA
To get into UCLA, make sure to take all your standardized tests before December so you'll have the scores by the application deadline. Then, decide which college you want to apply to and note if there are any additional requirements for that school. For example, you'll need to fill out supplemental applications for the Music or Architecture Schools. Finally, create an account on the University of California's website to submit your application online.
Take the most rigorous course available to you. UCLA is an academically rigorous school, so admissions counselors will be looking for evidence you can live up to that expectation. You can take AP or IB classes or honors courses to further demonstrate your ability to keep up at UCLA. UCLA takes into consideration the types of courses available to you, so if your school doesn't offer AP or IB classes, don't worry! That doesn't necessarily mean you don't have a chance at getting in to UCLA. Do as well in your courses as you can. Just taking hard classes isn't enough. Do as well as you possibly can. If you find yourself falling behind, ask your teacher for help or see a tutor. Good grades are important to admissions. Participate in extracurricular activities. UCLA admissions counselors also look for evidence of a wide variety of interests. Pick extracurricular activities that you're passionate about and that you can make a commitment to. UCLA won't rate one type of extracurricular activity higher than another, but they will notice if you don't stick with the same activities for long. If you find that you can't handle your courses and the extracurricular activities you've signed up for, UCLA recommends focusing on your academics. Having a part-time job after school counts toward extracurricular activities. Take on leadership opportunities when possible. Since many UCLA graduates go on to be leaders in their fields, UCLA admissions counselors want to see that you already have leadership qualities. You might be captain of a sports team, hold class office, or be a supervisor at work. Don’t skate through your last year. Once you get to your last year of school, you might think you're set. But because UCLA is such a rigorous school, admissions counselors want to see evidence of commitment. That means continuing to work hard in class and getting the highest grades you can. Sign up for UCLA’s prospective student email list. This mailing list will send you up-to-date information about admissions. It's also a good way to track how you're doing in high school as you get closer to applying. You can sign up at: https://connect.admission.ucla.edu/register/getconnected. Take the SAT, or ACT plus ACT Writing test. You only need to take 1 standardized test – the SAT or the ACT. However, because the ACT doesn't have a writing component, you'll need to take the ACT Writing test as well. There are now 2 forms of the SAT. If you apply to UCLA after 2021, you'll need to take the new version of the exam. Before then, either version is accepted. Take subject tests if you’re applying to the School of Engineering. UCLA's school of engineering likes its prospective students to take the Math Level 2 SAT subject test. They also recommend you take a physics subject test as well. Schedule your exams before December. Freshman applications are only available for admission for the fall semester. In order to take the exam and get your scores in time for the application deadline, you'll need to take your exams by December at the very latest. Take them even earlier if possible. Take the exams more than once if possible. Don't wait until your senior year to take the SAT or ACT. If you can take them in your junior and senior year, you'll have more of an opportunity to improve your score. UCLA will only consider the highest score you earn, so you don't need to worry about a low score pulling down your average. Consider taking a preparation course. The standardized tests are an important part of your application to UCLA. If you're nervous about the exams, or just want to do as well as possible, consider taking a prep course. The Princeton Review offers prep courses. They also publish a series of prep books so you can prepare at home. The Princeton Review offers in-person and online courses. The courses can run between $900 and $1100 and last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Your high school might also offer prep courses. Check with your school counselor. Some local community colleges might offer exam prep as well. You can check with local schools to see if they do and whether there's a fee. Have your scores sent to UCLA. When you register for the SAT or ACT, you can choose where you'd like the scores to be sent. UCLA will not consider your application without these scores, so make sure you list UCLA as one of the destination schools. Check out the webpages for each college within UCLA. All UCLA's schools – with the exception of the College of Letters and Science – admit by major. That means individual departments make the decisions about admitting you. Take a look at each college's webpage and note which majors sound interesting. The College of Letters and Science's list of majors can be found at: http://www.college.ucla.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/ The School of Arts and Architecture's list of majors can be found at: https://www.admission.ucla.edu/Prospect/Majors/aamajor.htm The list of majors for the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science can be found at: https://www.admission.ucla.edu/Prospect/Majors/enmajor.htm The list of majors for the Herb Alpert School of Music can be found at: https://www.admission.ucla.edu/Prospect/Majors/mumajor.htm The details for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can be found at: https://www.nursing.ucla.edu/academics/degree-programs/bachelor-science The majors at the School of Theater, Film, and Television can be found at: https://www.admission.ucla.edu/Prospect/Majors/tfmajor.htm Consider which majors match your interests best. Explore each school and see what majors they offer and where you might thrive. The better your high school course work and extracurricular activities match up with your declared major, the better. Note which majors require supplemental applications, including auditions. All of the schools except for the College of Letters and Sciences require supplemental materials. For the nursing school, this means an additional page or two of paperwork. For the School of Theater, Art, and Television, the supplemental application is more involved. Take a look at each school and see what they require. The supplemental worksheets for the Schools of the Arts and Architecture can be found at http://www.arts.ucla.edu/resource/prospective-students/undergraduate-admission/. They are divided by major, so you'll need to know your major before you print the application. Links to the supplemental applications and audition information for the Alpert School of Music are available at https://www.schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/undergraduate-admission. Each major has different supplemental applications and audition dates. The supplemental application for the School of Theater, Art, and Television can be found at: https://app.getacceptd.com/uclafilmtv. The supplemental application for the School of Nursing can be found at: https://apply.nursing.ucla.edu. Anyone applying to the Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science should consider taking the SAT Math Level 2 Subject Exam. Write down your standardized test scores. You should have your scores sent directly to the school. However, the online application will ask you to list your scores, which admissions counselors will later match up with the official paperwork they receive. Gather any additional test scores. If you've taken any additional exams - including SAT Subjects, AP, IB, TOEFL, or IELTS exams – have those scores in front of you, too. You'll need to list them on your application, and the school may ask you to send official copies. Keep a copy of your transcript in front of you. You don't need to submit an official transcript to UCLA unless you're accepted. However, you will need to refer to your transcript in your applications, so make sure you have it with you. Estimate your annual income. If you're applying for an application fee waiver or the Educational Opportunity Program, you'll need to include your estimated annual income in your application. You should estimate your annual income if you're independent (not living at home). If you live with your parents, it should be their annual income you estimate. Have your Social Security Number handy. If you have a Social Security number, make sure you know it or have the number written down somewhere. UCLA will use your Social Security number to match up admissions paperwork that comes from other sources, like exam scores. If you don't have a Social Security number, that's okay. UCLA can still track your application in other ways. Prepare a portfolio if you’re applying to the School of Art and Architecture. The supplemental application for the School of Art and Architecture requires a portfolio. You can check the school's website for more details. Prepare for an audition if you’re applying to the Schools of Music or Theater, Film, and Television. The School of Music and the School of Theater, Film, and Television both require audition tapes as part of their supplemental application. That application will give you specifics about what to submit. Review the personal insight questions. The personal insight questions on the UCLA application take the place of a general admissions essay. You'll have to choose 4 of 8 possible questions to answer. You can see the questions ahead of time and decide which you want to answer. They're available at: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/freshman/index.html. Look at these questions early. The more time you have to prepare and revise your answers, the better they might end up. Create an account on the University of California’s website. The applications are available at different times depending on which semester you're applying for and what level you're at. Freshmen applications are usually available in August the year before you expect to be admitted. The website where you sign up is: https://admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu/applicant/login.htm. Choose the UCLA campus. Because UCLA is part of the University of California system, everyone applying to a UC school uses the same application. But you'll be able to choose which campus or campuses you want to apply for. The online application will automatically prompt you for this choice – make sure you choose UCLA! Pay the application fee. Once you're ready to submit everything, you'll need to pay an application fee. If you're only applying to UCLA, the fee is $70 for U.S. applicants and $80 for international applicants. The fees go up if you apply to more than 1 campus. You can pay by credit card or by mailing a check to UC Application Center, P.O. Box 1432, Bakersfield, CA 93302. Answer 4 personal insight questions. The online application will automatically prompt you to choose and answer 4 questions. If you've had a chance to review the questions and write up answers, submit those answers when prompted. You'll have 8 questions to choose from, and you'll need to answer 4. Each answer is limited to 350 words.
Take the most rigorous course available to you. Do as well in your courses as you can. Participate in extracurricular activities. Take on leadership opportunities when possible. Don’t skate through your last year. Sign up for UCLA’s prospective student email list. Take the SAT, or ACT plus ACT Writing test. Take subject tests if you’re applying to the School of Engineering. Schedule your exams before December. Take the exams more than once if possible. Consider taking a preparation course. Have your scores sent to UCLA. Check out the webpages for each college within UCLA. Consider which majors match your interests best. Note which majors require supplemental applications, including auditions. Write down your standardized test scores. Gather any additional test scores. Keep a copy of your transcript in front of you. Estimate your annual income. Have your Social Security Number handy. Prepare a portfolio if you’re applying to the School of Art and Architecture. Prepare for an audition if you’re applying to the Schools of Music or Theater, Film, and Television. Review the personal insight questions. Create an account on the University of California’s website. Choose the UCLA campus. Pay the application fee. Answer 4 personal insight questions.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wig-Look-Real
How to Make a Wig Look Real
To make a synthetic wig look real, spray dry shampoo over the hair, which will make the strands look more matte. You can also spray a mix of equal parts liquid fabric softener and cold water onto the hair to make it look bouncier while maintaining its shape. Once you've put the wig on your head, look in a mirror and use a pair of tweezers to pluck a few random hairs from the center part and hairline so it doesn't look too symmetrical. You can also make it look more realistic by styling the wig into a braid, pony tail, or bun, like you'd do your hair normally.
Spray a dry shampoo over the hair to make synthetic strands more matte. Synthetic wigs are often made of plastic, which can have an unnatural shine. Put the wig on loosely and spray the dry shampoo all over like you would your natural hair. Avoid brushing or combing the wig to keep the tousled, matte look. It may be helpful to hold the wig upside-down and spray it with the dry shampoo before putting it on. Apply a mixture of fabric softener and water to condition the hair. Mix equal parts liquid fabric softener and cold water in a spray bottle, and shake the bottle thoroughly. Then, spray the mixture onto the wig and let it air dry for 20-30 minutes. You can also wrap the wig loosely in a towel to make it dry more quickly. This will help make the strands look bouncy and maintain their shape. Pluck a few hairs from the center part and hairline to make it look more natural. Place the wig on your head without securing it, and use a pair of tweezers to remove a few random hairs from the center part and the hairline. Pick out 10-15 hairs along your forehead in various spots, and pull 20-25 hairs from along the center part. Since many wigs are made by a machine, this section can end up looking too “perfect,” leaving you with fake-looking hair. Remember not to go overboard with the tweezing. Avoid removing too many hairs from a particular spot, since that can make the wig look bare. Remove kinks in the hair by steaming the wig on low. If you want to style the wig, use a handheld steamer on a low setting, and comb or brush the hair as you run the steamer over the fibers. For curls, put the hair in curlers and then run the steamer over each curler for 5-10 seconds to set the hair. Make sure the wig is completely dry before you remove the curlers and put on the wig. Style the wig into a ponytail or braid with accessories for a realistic look. Put the wig on your head and secure it in place, and then pull it into a low ponytail or braid. Look in the mirror to make sure you can't see any parts of the wig cap, and then use accessories, like a headband, to cover any imperfections or kinks in the hair. If the hairline on the wig looks unnatural, try tying a scarf around the wig hairline to cover the area. Color the hair to match your personal style. Ask a hairstylist to color your wig for you if it's made of real human hair. Start with a lighter hair color, like blonde or light brown, and add dimension with dark shades around the hairline and part. If you have a dark colored human hair wig, your hairstylist may be able to add highlights for dimension around your face. Style a human hair wig with volumizing spray to prevent flatness. Before styling a real hair wig, spritz volumizing spray at the roots of the hair, and work the product through the hair with your fingers. Then, style the wig as desired and finish with a setting hairspray to keep the wig in place throughout the day. Opt for a cut that is similar to your natural hair and compliments your face. Take the wig to a stylist who is experienced with cutting wigs. Try on the wig in front of them, and bring pictures of hairstyles that you like to give the stylist an idea of the look you want. Sticking with a style that you know looks good on you will help to make the wig look like your real hair. Keep in mind that, unlike real hair, your wig hair won't grow back after a cut. Make sure to visit an experienced stylist! Use hot tools to change the wig's texture. Put the wig on your head and separate the hair into sections with clips. Curl, straighten, or blow dry the hair into whatever style you'd like, just like you would with natural hair. Spray the hair with hairspray to set the style before wearing the wig out. If you're planning to style the hair with hot tools frequently, be sure to use a heat protecting spray to avoid frying or breaking the strands. Measure your head accurately to purchase the right wig size. Measure the circumference of your head around your hairline, along your center part from your forehead to the nape of your neck, and across the top of your head between your ears. Use these measurements to order the wig, or have a professional take your measurements for you to make sure they're as precise as possible. This will ensure that the wig fits snugly along your hairline, but doesn't squeeze or press on your skin. Wear a wig cap to conceal your hair. Style your natural hair in a protective style, such as braids or pin curls, or slick your hair back with gel. Then, place a wig cap over your head. Choose one that's a close match to your skin color to make it look like your scalp. This will prevent any stray hairs from popping through the wig liner. Use wig tape to secure the wig in place for short-term wear. If you're going to be wearing the wig for less than 4 hours, apply small pieces of wig tape around your hairline and behind your ears. This will hold the wig in place so it doesn't shift or fall off while you're wearing it. Opt for shorter pieces rather than long ones, since longer strips can sometimes peel at the ends. You can find wig tape at most cosmetic supply stores, or you can order it online. Apply wig glue along your hairline to position the wig for long-term wear. If you plan to wear your wig for longer than 4 hours, it's best to use wig glue to hold it in place. Dab the glue along your hairline as you're positioning the wig. Then, press down on the hairline to ensure that the glue bonds the wig to your scalp. Wig glue is a gentle adhesive that's safe for use on your skin. When you want to remove it, simply use a cotton swab to dab rubbing alcohol along the hairline and pull the wig away from your head slowly. You can purchase wig glue at most cosmetic supply stores, or you can order it online. Align the wig as close as possible to your hairline for a natural look. When you're securing the wig in place, try to line it up with your natural hairline. Look in the mirror while you're positioning your wig and check to make sure it's not too high or low before you secure it. This will keep the wig looking natural and prevent your forehead from looking too small or large. If you have a receding hairline, you might opt for a wig that has bangs to cover up the area where your natural hairline would be.
Spray a dry shampoo over the hair to make synthetic strands more matte. Apply a mixture of fabric softener and water to condition the hair. Pluck a few hairs from the center part and hairline to make it look more natural. Remove kinks in the hair by steaming the wig on low. Style the wig into a ponytail or braid with accessories for a realistic look. Color the hair to match your personal style. Style a human hair wig with volumizing spray to prevent flatness. Opt for a cut that is similar to your natural hair and compliments your face. Use hot tools to change the wig's texture. Measure your head accurately to purchase the right wig size. Wear a wig cap to conceal your hair. Use wig tape to secure the wig in place for short-term wear. Apply wig glue along your hairline to position the wig for long-term wear. Align the wig as close as possible to your hairline for a natural look.
https://www.wikihow.com/Boil-Chicken
How to Boil Chicken
To boil chicken, first place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a large pot and fill the pot with enough water to cover them. Season the water with salt and pepper to give the chicken more flavor. Add carrots, onions, and fresh herbs for even more flavor if you'd like. Then, bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot and reduce to a rapid simmer for 10 minutes, or until the chicken has an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and let them cool for 10 minutes. Finally, use 2 forks to shred the chicken, or cut it into thin slices with a knife. To boil a whole chicken, follow the same steps, but let the chicken simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours so it cooks all the way through.
Place your choice of chicken into a large pot. If you'd like to boil a whole chicken, put it into a large stockpot that's at least 8 US quarts (7.6 L) in size. To boil pieces of chicken, put as many as you'd like to cook into a big pot so the pot is about 3/4 full. If you're making chicken for several people, plan on serving a couple of pieces for each person. For example, plan on boiling 1 thigh and 1 drumstick for each person you want to serve. 1 whole chicken will generally serve 4 to 6 people. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs to save time or boil bone-in chicken with the skin on for more flavor. Pour in enough cold water or stock to cover the chicken. The amount of liquid you need will depend on how much chicken you're boiling and the size of your pot. Although you can use water to boil the chicken, using vegetable or chicken stock will give your chicken a lot of flavor. Boiling in apple juice or apple cider is another great way to add subtle flavor to the chicken. Put a handful of fresh herbs into the pot. Think about how you're going to be serving and seasoning your final dish. Then, rinse a few sprigs of fresh herbs that will complement the meal and add them directly to the pot without chopping them. You can add a handful of parsley, oregano, thyme, or bay, for every 3 or 4 pounds (1.4 or 1.8 kg) of chicken. For example, if you're using the boiled chicken to make a cold chicken salad, add fresh tarragon to the pot. Use a combination of herbs to give the chicken a greater depth of flavor. Add a variety of vegetables to create a rich flavor. You can put in 2 or 3 vegetables for every 3 or 4 pounds (1.4 or 1.8 kg) of chicken. If you're using aromatic vegetables with a peel, chop them into wedges and add them to the pot along with other aromatic vegetables. Try using: Garlic Onions Celery Customize the flavor of the chicken by adding spices. You should season the liquid with plenty of salt to help the chicken become tender. If you're only boiling a few pieces of chicken, try using about 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt. For a large stockpot full of liquid, use around 1 tablespoon (15 g) of salt. Play around with adding any of these unique spices for 3 to 4 pounds (1.4 to 1.8 kg) of chicken: 1 to 2 dried chilies 1 teaspoon (3 g) of whole peppercorns A 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece of fresh ginger 1 teaspoon (2 g) of cumin 1 teaspoon (2 g) of paprika Boil a whole chicken for 80 to 90 minutes. Put the lid on the pot and turn the burner to high. When the liquid starts to boil and steam escapes from under the lid, remove the lid and turn the burner down to medium-high so the liquid boils gently. Cook the whole chicken until it reaches 165 °F (74 °C) with an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a thigh in order to get an accurate reading. Ensure that you don't touch the thermometer to a bone or the reading might be off. Cook the chicken breasts for 15 to 30 minutes. Turn the burner to high and place the lid on the pot. When steam escapes from under the lid, carefully remove it and turn the burner down to medium-high. Then, boil boneless skinless chicken breasts for 15 to 20 minutes. If you're using bone-in breasts with the skin on, boil them for around 30 minutes. The breasts are finished once they reach 165 °F (74 °C) with an instant-read meat thermometer. Boil chicken legs for 30 to 40 minutes. Put the lid on the pot and heat the liquid over high heat until it begins to boil. Then, remove the lid and reduce the burner to medium-high so the liquid bubbles gently. Since drumsticks contain bones and lots of muscle, you'll need to boil them for 30 to 40 minutes. You can insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken leg to see if the temperature has reached 165 °F (74 °C). Don't accidentally touch the thermometer to the bone or the reading will be inaccurate. Cook chicken thighs in the boiling liquid for 30 to 45 minutes. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat with the lid on the pot. Then, take off the lid and turn the burner down to medium-high. If you're using thighs with bones, boil them for up to 45 minutes or boil boneless thighs for about 30 minutes. The meat should either begin to fall away from the bone or it should reach 165 °F (74 °C) with an instant-read meat thermometer. Remove the boiled chicken and serve it while it's hot. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to carefully lift the chicken out of the hot liquid. If you're trying to remove a whole boiled chicken, try lifting the bottom with a flat spatula and inserting a meat fork into the center of the chicken. Transfer the whole chicken or pieces to a serving platter or cutting board and enjoy the hot boiled chicken. If you boiled the chicken with herbs or vegetables, discard them since they're probably too mushy to serve. Use forks if you'd like to shred the chicken. Shredded chicken is great for tacos, casseroles, or pasta. Take 2 forks and pull against the boiled chicken in opposite directions to shred the meat. If you'd like to shred a lot of boneless chicken, put the meat into the bowl of a stand mixer. Use the beater attachment and turn on the machine to low. The beaters will gently pull the meat apart. Chop or slice the chicken to make even pieces. If you're serving chicken fajitas or want to cover the chicken in a rich sauce, use a sharp knife to carefully cut the pieces. You can make thin slices of chicken or chunk the meat into cubes. If you're working with bone-in chicken, start but cutting the meat off of the bone. Store the boiled chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Place the whole boiled chicken or chicken pieces into an airtight container. Refrigerate the chicken until you're ready to reheat it or use it cold. For example, you could make chicken salad with leftover shredded chicken. You can reheat the chicken in the microwave or add it to a casserole that you're going to bake.
Place your choice of chicken into a large pot. Pour in enough cold water or stock to cover the chicken. Put a handful of fresh herbs into the pot. Add a variety of vegetables to create a rich flavor. Customize the flavor of the chicken by adding spices. Boil a whole chicken for 80 to 90 minutes. Cook the chicken breasts for 15 to 30 minutes. Boil chicken legs for 30 to 40 minutes. Cook chicken thighs in the boiling liquid for 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the boiled chicken and serve it while it's hot. Use forks if you'd like to shred the chicken. Chop or slice the chicken to make even pieces. Store the boiled chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
https://www.wikihow.com/Count-Money
How to Count Money
To count money, start by sorting out your coins by size and value. Put all of your quarters together, all of your dimes together, and so on. Once they are organized, count how many coins there are of each kind and then calculate the value of each stack using multiplication. For example, if you have 17 dimes that are worth $.10 each, that equals $1.70. After you've added each stack, add them all together using a calculator or sheet of paper. Then, separate and add together your bills to get your total.
Gather together all your coins. The first thing to do is get together all your loose coins. Empty out your pockets, purse, wallet or anywhere else you keep coins. Spread them out on a flat surface so all the coins are visible are none of them are overlapping each other. You want to be able to distinguish each coin easily. Organize by size and value. Next, you can split the coins up into groups determined by their value. For example, scoop together all the nickels in one place, all the dimes in another, and so on. Do this until you have little piles of each coin. Then stack up the coins from each pile into a column. Once you've done this you should have a collection of little stacks of coins on the table. The size and color of the coins makes this easy to do very quickly. You could do this in descending order from a high value to low by first stacking all your dollar coins together in one pile, followed by your quarters, dimes, nickels and, finally, pennies. Calculate the value of each stack. Now work your way through the stacks calculating the value of each one and noting it down. For example, if you have a stack of ten 1 cent coins note down that that stack's value is 10 cents. Five 50 cents coins? Write down $2.50. Complete this calculation for each stack. You could also write it down on a tally chart. With headings for each coin denomination, you can tick for each coin you have of that value and then add up the totals. If you have a lot of stacks you will need to clearly identify which ones you have already counted. You can do this just by moving them to one side when they are counted. For example, keep uncounted stacks on your right-hand side and slide them over to your left when they are counted. Add it all together. Once you know the value of each stack you just need to add them all together to get the total. You can add that up as you go and keep a running total to make it quicker. If you think you might forget, writing the value of each stack means you can go back and add it all up together at the end. Consider using a coin sorting machine. If you have a lot of coins or regularly need to process a lot of change for your job, it might be a good idea to get hold of a coin sorting machine. These are devices which sort your coins for you by denomination. Some of the more advanced machines will also count them and tell you the total value. You may find coin counting machines in your bank or store which you can use. But be aware that there will typically be a charge for this service. The most common coin-counting machines in the US generally cost a fee of around 10% of the total value of the change you process. Organize your bills. Once you have counted up all your coins, you can move on to your bills or notes. You will basically follow the same method as with the coins, namely splitting the bills into piles of the same denomination and then calculating the value of each pile. The first step is to spread out your bills on the table so you can clearly see each one. Then separate them out into groups. For example, you could have a pile of $5 bills, one of $20 bills, and so on. Depending on how much cash you have this could be a fairly speedy process and take a little longer. If you have a lot of cash to count, begin with your largest bills. Stack your $100, $50 and $20 bills in their own piles. Then move on to the $10, $5 and $1 bills. Count and record your bills. Now you have organized your bills into separate piles, all you have to do is go through and calculate the value of each pile. If you have five $20 bills, that's $100. Just like the coins you can go through each pile and note down the value on a sheet of paper and add them all together at the end. If you are more confident in your maths and memory skills, you can calculate the total as you go only writing down the final amount when you get to the end. Another way to do it is create a table with headings for each bill denomination in which you keep a tally, and then add up the totals. For example, if you have two $50 bills, three $20 bills, four $10 bills, two $5 bills and 6 single dollar bills, your "totals" column should read, "100, 60, 40, 10, 6." You should add all these bill totals together and hopefully come to a total of $216. Combine your bill and coin totals. The final step is to combine the two totals you have for coins and bills respectively. This will give you the total amount of money you are counting. Write the total down and use your records to keep track of your personal finances, and budgets. If you are going to deposit the money you can place it into special bank deposit bags. You can write the value of the contents on the outside of the bag. For bills, consider paper clipping them to a deposit slip if you plan on depositing the money
Gather together all your coins. Organize by size and value. Calculate the value of each stack. Add it all together. Consider using a coin sorting machine. Organize your bills. Count and record your bills. Combine your bill and coin totals.
https://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Personality-Disorders
How to Understand Personality Disorders
To understand personality disorders, start by learning about how personality disorders are caused. Unlike many mental illnesses, personality disorders develop during childhood and can last a lifetime. Once you have read about the causes, learn the 4 defining features of personality disorders, including distorted thinking patterns and difficulties with impulse control. Then, read about the 3 different clusters of personality disorders, Clusters A, B, and C, to learn about each individual disorder.
Understand how a personality disorder develops. Personality disorders often originate in childhood or adolescence. They involve long-term behaviour patterns and attitudes that significantly differ when compared to what is expected. Beginning in adolescence and continuing into adulthood, the person will have difficulty with personal relationships, co-workers and bosses, coping with stressful situations, and adjusting to change. Learn the role that genetics play. Research has discovered that there are traits passed down genetically that can be linked to symptoms of anxiety, aggression and fear. Grasp the negative effects of verbal abuse. A study involving 793 mothers and their children saw that children subjected to verbal abuse were three times more likely to have a personality disorder than those who were not. The disorders included narcissistic, paranoid and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. It is worth noting that the influence of strong relationships with friends, a teacher or a family member can help to mitigate some of the damaging effects of childhood abuse. Accept the part that childhood trauma plays. A major study performed jointly at a number of US universities, called the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study, examined the role childhood trauma plays in the development of a personality disorder. One study showed a link between the type and frequency of trauma to a specific personality disorder. One such example is that children who had experienced sexual abuse were more likely to develop borderline personality disorder. Appreciate that hypersensitivity may be a sign. Children who are overly sensitive to such stimuli as noise, light, and touch can become withdrawn, nervous or fearful. While approximately 20 percent of infants are considered highly reactive, personality disorders occur in less than 10 percent of these cases. This makes the role of hypersensitivity in these situations far from straightforward. Understand the defining features of personality disorders. The four core features both define and are prevalent in each of the ten personality disorders. Prior to diagnosis, a person must demonstrate noteworthy and prolonged instances of a behaviour disorder in at least two of the four of these features: Distorted thinking patterns Difficulty with impulse control Interpersonal difficulties Questionable emotional responses Appreciate how a diagnosis is achieved. A person is usually referred to a specialist in mental health or personality disorders. The person and/or a family member may fill out diagnostic forms to see whether a particular diagnosis might fit. The specialist also interviews the person and/or family members. After lots of discussion, a diagnosis is given. Understand that personality disorders are considered mental illnesses. They are included in the DSM, which is the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association and is the manual doctors use to diagnose people with mental disorders. Realize that being diagnosed with more than one personality disorder is common. While a patient may present with significant symptoms of one particular disorder, it is not uncommon for a secondary or multiple disorders within the same ''cluster'' to occur. Some people with personality disorders have co-occurring mental illnesses, such as anxiety or depression. Understand how personality disorders are classified. There are three categories, known as ''clusters'', that divide the 10 specific types of personality disorders. These categories are based on the symptoms and shared characteristics of each disorder. Cluster A consists of behavior that is considered odd, paranoid, or eccentric. Cluster B disorders include emotional, unpredictable, or dramatic behavioral disorders. Cluster C is comprised of disorders causing anxiety or fear. Recognize ‘’Cluster A’’ Personality Disorders. Paranoid personality disorder involves difficulty with trusting and confiding in others. The person will hold an unreasonable fear of being taken advantage of. They may perceive threats and danger in many everyday situations where there is none. A person with this disorder fears being betrayed and is often seen as hostile. Schizoid personality disorder involves preferring a solitary existence and showing little emotion. There will be very little interest in seeking close personal relationships and a tendency to be indifferent to any sort of outside criticism or praise. Schizotypal personality disorder can cause someone to act eccentric, with distorted thinking patterns and perceptions. They display extreme discomfort in close relationships and may exhibit a belief that they can read minds or have a sixth sense. Recognize ‘’Cluster B’’ Personality Disorders: Antisocial personality disorder can lead people to place themselves or others in risky, even dangerous situations, without appreciating the consequences of their actions. This person may repeatedly lie, deceive or act impulsively, with little regard for conforming to normal social expectations. Antisocial personality disorder is typically not diagnosed unless the patient is at least 18 years of age. Borderline personality disorder involves very intense feelings and impulsive behavior. People with this disorder often have intense mood swings from bliss to panic to fury. They have a deep fear of abandonment and often have problems with identity. Feelings of chronic sadness and loneliness, along with the inability to make or keep stable relationships, are all a part of this very serious condition. Under extreme stress, feelings of paranoia, numbness and difficulty with memory can occur. Also, brief psychosis (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) can occur. These individuals are at high risk for self-harm and suicide. Histrionic personality disorder is a condition where one craves attention and shows excessive emotion. When they are not the center of attention, a person with this disorder will take necessary measures to draw attention to themselves. They feel the need to entertain those around them. At the same time, this person is easily influenced and dependent on the opinion and approval of others. Narcissistic personality disorder involves an inflated ego. These individuals believe they are better than others, have fragile self-esteem and a noticeable lack of empathy. They will expect to get their own way and will be quite upset if ignored or slighted. They often resent the success of others, causing them to be viewed as selfish and demanding. People with this disorder are not above taking advantage of people or situations. Recognize ‘’Cluster C’’ Personality Disorders. Avoidant personality disorder can look similar to social anxiety. This person expects the worst, worrying about disappointing others or embarrassing themselves. They isolate themselves from employment or activities where they must be around others. They avoid personal and social relationships for fear of rejection or ridicule and tend to live very lonely lives. Dependent personality disorder describes people who handle their fearfulness by relying on others to do things for them. People with dependent personality disorder like to be cared for, behave submissively and appear quite clingy. Making daily life decisions and being alone cause such people to feel very uncomfortable and helpless because of their fear of being unable to care for themselves. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder involves the need for everything to be orderly and controlled. While this person expects a catastrophe to occur if things are not perfect, they set unreasonably high goals and standards for themselves and others. They are quite frugal and worry endlessly about making mistakes, consequently their leisure activities and friendships tend to suffer as a result. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is "not" the same as obsessive compulsive disorder. Do not confuse the two. People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder think these behaviors are perfectly fine and strengthen their sense of control, however, those with obsessive-compulsive disorder don't want to engage in their behaviors and see them as harmful, but feel they have no choice in the matter. Seek and form a support system. Never forget that it is possible to lead a full and happy life with your personality disorder. Having the support of family, loved ones, and close friends is sometimes all a person needs. Others may find it important to create routine and a systematic schedule to feel comfortable and in control. Get involved with outside resources. Such resources include self-help groups and group therapy sessions. For some people who have a personality disorder, being with others who are experiencing similar issues can help them to feel free to be open and honest. Explore the importance of your medical team. There are a variety of therapies that have shown success in dealing with personality disorders. One such therapy is Cognitive Therapy, and forms of this therapy, which work to change negative or detrimental thinking patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was specifically developed to treat those with borderline personality disorder. It has four parts: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. This type of therapy includes one-on-one therapy as well as group therapy. Transference Focused Therapy involves exploring and changing unconscious thought processes with a therapist. Mentalization is performed individually or as a part of group therapy. It explores how a patient thinks, as well as thought patterns of others. Do research mindfully. Reading about your personality disorder may give you useful information, but it could also result in you seeing many stigmatizing, awful things that people might say about it. Be cautious about your research, and avoid negative sources of information. Accept that medication may be a part of therapy. Although there are no medications specifically approved for personality disorders, some symptoms can be controlled or alleviated by medication. For example, symptoms of depression may respond to antidepressants and mood swings may respond to a mood stabilizer. Depending on your disorder, the right medication may allow you to live more normally without your disorder getting in the way as much. If the medication has bad side effects, tell your doctor. They may be able to switch you to something else. If you take medication and start to feel better, don't stop taking it. This means that the medication is working, not that you are "getting over it." Talk to a doctor first. Some medications need to be tapered off gradually, so never decide to stop your meds on your own. Try connecting with other people who have the same disorder as you. A support group, or group therapy, may be able to help you connect with people who face similar struggles. You can offer empathy, advice, and ideas to one another. It can be very helpful to get and give advice to and simply spend time with people who know what you are going through.
Understand how a personality disorder develops. Learn the role that genetics play. Grasp the negative effects of verbal abuse. Accept the part that childhood trauma plays. Appreciate that hypersensitivity may be a sign. Understand the defining features of personality disorders. Appreciate how a diagnosis is achieved. Understand that personality disorders are considered mental illnesses. Realize that being diagnosed with more than one personality disorder is common. Understand how personality disorders are classified. Recognize ‘’Cluster A’’ Personality Disorders. Recognize ‘’Cluster B’’ Personality Disorders: Recognize ‘’Cluster C’’ Personality Disorders. Seek and form a support system. Get involved with outside resources. Explore the importance of your medical team. Do research mindfully. Accept that medication may be a part of therapy. Try connecting with other people who have the same disorder as you.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Vinyl-Furniture
How to Clean Vinyl Furniture
To clean vinyl furniture, start by mixing a few drops of dish soap with warm water. Then, use a soft bristle brush to scrub any dirt and debris from the furniture. Next, remove any stains by dabbing them with a solution of bleach diluted with water. After that, use a rag or towel dipped in clean water to rinse off the bleach and soap. Finally, pat your furniture completely dry with a clean towel.
Mix warm water and soap. Use a mild soap to clean vinyl furniture. Harsh chemical cleaners are not necessary for a routine cleaning where you're not trying to remove set in stains. In a bucket or bowl, mix a small amount of mild soap with warm water. A mild dish soap is a good option for vinyl furniture. The precise amount of soap and water you need depends on how much vinyl you're cleaning. Larger pieces of vinyl furniture will need more soap and water than smaller furniture. Scrub down your vinyl furniture with a soft bristle brush. Opt for a soft, plastic bristle brush. Use this to scrub down the vinyl furniture on all sides. You can use a decent amount of pressure, as vinyl furniture is fairly strong. Scrub as hard as necessary to remove dirt, debris, and any discoloration. Rinse your vinyl furniture with clean water. For outdoor vinyl furniture, it's easiest to use a hose to rinse any soap residue from furniture after cleaning it. For indoor furniture, use a rag or towel dipped in clean water. Make sure to hose or wipe down the furniture until water runs clear. Leaving soap residue on your vinyl furniture can cause damage. Dry your vinyl furniture. Vinyl furniture should not be left to air dry. After cleaning and rinsing your furniture, pat it dry with a clean towel. Make sure to remove all moisture from your furniture after cleaning it. Use bleach and water on mild stains. If you notice any mild stains on your vinyl furniture during a routine cleaning, a small amount of bleach diluted with water can be used to remove them. Make a mixture of about six percent bleach in water. Dab this onto the vinyl furniture and then rinse it completely with water. Make sure to wear gloves when handling bleach. Never put pure bleach onto vinyl furniture. This can cause damage. Remove mildew with ammonium and hydrogen peroxide. To treat built up mildew, mix one tablespoon of ammonium, peroxide, and three fourths a cup of water together. Scrub this into the vinyl furniture until the mildew lifts. Then, rinse the vinyl furniture using a hose or towel. After rinsing, dab the vinyl furniture dry using a clean cloth. Never use ammonium on furniture before or after removing stains with bleach. This can create a deadly gas. Make sure to rinse off your stain remover completely. Every time you use a stain remover on vinyl furniture, make sure to rinse it off completely. Stain removers are harsher than regular cleaners and can cause damage and discoloration if left on. Make sure to rinse the vinyl furniture until the water runs clear after treating vinyl furniture for stains. Cover your furniture when it's not in use. Use a clean sheet or outdoor covering to cover your vinyl furniture when it's not in use. This will protect your vinyl furniture from dirt and debris, preserving it over time. This is also helpful for vinyl furniture that is stored outside, as it helps protect vinyl furniture from sun damage. Wipe away small stains as they occur. If you act fast, you can wipe up stains before they become set. If anything spills on your vinyl furniture, use a rag or paper towel to wipe it up in the moment. This will limit the need to use bleach and other chemicals on vinyl furniture, preserving it over time. Clean your vinyl furniture regularly. If you clean your vinyl furniture on a regular basis, this will prevent stains over time. Aim to clean your vinyl furniture every six weeks to maintain it. To keep on track with cleaning, mark when your vinyl furniture is due for cleaning in a calendar.
Mix warm water and soap. Scrub down your vinyl furniture with a soft bristle brush. Rinse your vinyl furniture with clean water. Dry your vinyl furniture. Use bleach and water on mild stains. Remove mildew with ammonium and hydrogen peroxide. Make sure to rinse off your stain remover completely. Cover your furniture when it's not in use. Wipe away small stains as they occur. Clean your vinyl furniture regularly.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Kids-to-Sleep
How to Get Kids to Sleep
To help your child go to sleep, try turning on a fan or playing white noise through an app on your phone to drown out distractions that may be keeping them awake. If this doesn't work, look for calming, slow music on a CD or playlist and put it on at a low volume to relax your child. Additionally, avoid immediately rushing into the room if your child calls out since they may drift back to sleep themselves. If you feel you need to go back, keep your visit brief by giving them a quick hug and telling them it's time to sleep.
Determine how much sleep your child needs. While every child is different, and while every child will go through occasional periods where they need more or less sleep, there are general guidelines for how much sleep your child needs depending upon his/her age. Once you figure out the number of hours you should be aiming for, work backwards from the time they have to wake up so that you can pinpoint their ideal bedtime. Toddlers (1-3) typically need 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, some of which may be taken up with naps. Preschoolers (3-5) may be phasing out naps, but still usually need a good 11 to 13 hours of sleep each night. Grade-schoolers (5-12) will function best with 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Teenagers (13 and up) still need quite a lot of sleep, and should try to get at least 9 to 9 ½ hours of sleep each night. Create a bedtime schedule. Consistency and predictability is key for children of all ages, so you'll want to be sure to create a clear time-table that your child knows you will stick to in the evening. Decide when homework will be completed, when your child will bathe, by what time they need to be pajamas, and when your bedtime routine (stories, songs, etc.) will start. Work with your child to create the evening schedule. Your child may adapt better and be more willing to go to bed if he/she feels that some degree of control over the evening activities. Sit down with him/her to create the calendar together, and have fun creating a poster or chart which outlines the schedule. Then be sure to put the poster in a prominent place (ideally near a clock) where you can together consult it throughout the evening. Be willing to adjust the schedule as your child grows. If your older child or teenager is having sleep issues, it may be because his/her internal clocks are shifting. he/she may want to stay up later, and may even be unable to fall asleep at an early time. Even so, if he/she has to be up early for school, he/she needs his/her sleep to be able to function and learn. Check in regularly with your older child so that you can together adjust his/her schedule as much as possible so that his/her sleep is kept a priority. Schedule disliked activities for as early as possible. If there's a necessary part of your evening routine that your child hates, consider getting it over with as early as possible so that it doesn't become negatively associated with bedtime. For example, while taking a warm bath is a relaxing part of many children's nightly routine, your child may hate baths (or showers) with a passion. If so, consider scheduling bath-time right after dinner and before quiet play time, so that your child doesn't have to endure it right before bed. Give your child a heads-up as bedtime approaches. Your child will probably be less likely to throw a tantrum over bedtime if you give them adequate warning. This way, they can prepare to switch gears from one activity to the next. For example, give your child a five minute warning before bath-time, and then another five minute warning before you need to head to the bedroom for story-time. Give your child choices. The appearance of choice can be important to kids of all ages, so even though your schedule is firm, you can still find ways to let your child exert some independence. For example, after your child has bathed and changed into pajamas, you can ask: “Now what do you want to do? Do you want to pick out your story or your bedtime buddies?” Include rituals in your bedtime routine. Along with your child, come up with a nightly ritual that you can look forward to, and that as you go through it, will signal to your child that sleepytime is around the corner. For example, perhaps you'll begin by reading two stories while cuddled up, will then sing your favorite lullaby or say your prayers, say your “I-love-you's”, have your good-night kiss, and then lights out. Prepare your child's room for sleep. As part of your nightly routine, you may want to consider “fixing” your child's room for sleep. For example, you can help arrange all of his/her stuffed animals around the bed, or sprinkle “good dream dust” around the room. Use your imaginations, and try to find a way to make your child's room and bed feel like a warm, inviting, magical place for sleep. Chase away the monsters. If your child is scared of the dark or fears that there may be monsters hiding under his/her bed, you may be able to alleviate his/her worries by concocting a special “monster spray” that you can ritualistically spray around his/her bedroom before lights out. Little will he/she know that this magical formula is just water in a spray-bottle! Plan your child's dreams. You may be able to help your child get excited for sleep if you talk together and “plan” out what he/she will dream about: What adventures will he/she go on tonight? Will he/she travel with his/her stuffed animals or friends to Neverland, just like Peter Pan in the story you just read? Be sure to ask your child about their dreams when he/she wakes up. You may even want to help him/her keep a dream journal that you can write and illustrate together. He/she may be more eager to fall asleep at night if he/she knows he/she will be able to make an entry in his/her journal in the morning. Avoid staying with your child while he/she goes to sleep. While your child may want you to stay with him/her until he/she drifts off, and while you might be tempted to grab a few more quiet cuddles, you could be setting yourself up for trouble if your child becomes dependent upon you in order to be able to fall asleep. If your child needs you to cuddle, rock, or sing him/her to sleep, he/she won't be able to fall back asleep on their own during the night should then wake up. This is what is sometimes referred to as “sleep-onset association disorder”. Provide your child with transitional objects. Giving your child with a favorite stuffed animal or blanket can be an effective substitute for your presence. Tuck both your child and his/her buddy, toy, or blanket into bed, and then reassure him/her that the toy will help him/her fall asleep. Design a special sleep pillow for your child. Your child may look forward to sleep if you together design a special sleep pillow (or blanket): decorate it with happy, safe thoughts, pictures, or poems. You can then place a magical “spell” on the pillow that will guarantee your child will have good, fun dreams and restful sleep. Stay (mostly) consistent on the weekends. Overall, it's important to try to stick to as close of a regular sleeping schedule as possible. As a family, you may be tempted move away from your regular bedtime schedule and to sleep in on the weekends. While your child may need an extra hour or so of sleep on the weekend, letting them sleep in much longer than that could make Sunday night (why won't he/she fall asleep?!) and Monday morning (why won't he/she wake up?!) unbearable. Create white noise. Some parents report being amazed at the seemingly instant improvement they see in their child's sleep after adding a source of white noise to the room. This can drown out any distractions from the rest of the household or mask any random “scary” noises your child may focus upon when trying to fall asleep, such as the house settling or pipes clanking. You can purchase white noise machines, download free or cheap white noise apps for a tablet, or even just plug in a simple fan. Play soothing music for your child. If your child isn't relaxed by the noise of a fan or of oceans waves from a white noise machine, he/she may nonetheless respond well to having soft music played. Search for cd's or music apps that play calming, slow music or lullabies. Classical, instrumental music is a good choice, but be aware that some longer pieces have louder, more “stressful” movements that could wake your child up. Spray lavender on your child's pillow. Lavender oil has a calming effect and is known to help some sufferers of insomnia. If your child likes the scent, then consider spritzing his/her pillow a lavender mist. You could also consider putting drops of lavender oil into your child's “monster spray” if you're using that trick, as well. Keep the room dark. In general, it's best for our rooms to be dark when we sleep, and it's especially important to reduce the “blue-light” from electronic devices such as alarm clocks, computers, and phones, which can interrupt natural circadian rhythms. Even so, your child may be uncomfortable sleeping in a completely darkened room. If so, you may want to select a nightlight together. You can also search for nightlights which turn off after a short period (usually 30-60 minutes). These often project scenes onto the ceiling (stars or favorite cartoon characters). You can place it next to your child's bed so that if he/she wakes up in the night, he/she can easily turn it back on. Find the ideal temperature. The quality of our sleep is directly affected by the temperature at which we're sleeping. If we're too hot or too cold, our REM sleep (the period during which we're dreaming) can be interrupted. There's no one ideal temperature for all people: some people rest more easily with the temperature turned low, while others prefer it to be slightly toastier. Experiment with turning the temperature up or down depending upon how your child reports feeling, and make sure that your child's pajamas are comfortable as well. Keep track of Fido. Your child may have an easier time falling asleep if you allow the family pet to curl up in (or near) your child's bed. So long as you don't think that Fido's presence is interfering with your child's sleep, this shouldn't be a problem. You may have to get firm, though, and remove the pet if it looks like it is keeping or waking your child up. Switch out the real pet for a fluffy stuffed-animal substitute, and you should be fine. Control the noise in the rest of the house. If your child is a light sleeper or can't stand going to bed before older siblings, he/she may be on the alert for noises coming from outside his/her bedroom. Do your best to turn down the volume on televisions, radios, and gaming systems, and if possible, make sure they aren't set up immediately outside your child's bedroom door. If you have dogs that are prone to barking, try to keep them as far from your child's bedroom as possible, or give them a chew toy or treat to distract them at least until your child is more deeply asleep. Having a source of white noise or soft music in your child's bedroom can also help block noises from outside his/her room. Help your child develop self-soothing skills. At various stages in your child's life, he/she may need you more, particularly if he/she struggling with anxiety or nightmares. Even so, he/she will need to learn to soothe and calm himself/herself when you can't be there—for example, on sleepovers. Work with your child to practice meditation, prayer, breathing exercises, or even singing to himself/herself so that he/she can learn to relax on his/her own, and hopefully fall asleep by himself/herself. While it's a good idea to practice these soothing techniques regularly (and during the daytime), practice with his/her before bedtime, and remind his/her to try them out if he/she wakes up during the night. Wait before responding to your child's calls. If your child wakes up during the night—or calls out to you shortly after you've put him/her down—avoid running into the room immediately. It's possible that if you wait a few moments, your child will drift back to sleep by himself/herself. Keep your return visits brief. If your child doesn't fall back to sleep, you needn't feel as though you must ignore his/her calls for you. Return to his/her room, tuck him/her back in while reminding him that it's time for sleep, give him/her a quick hug and kiss, and then leave. Offer to check in on your child. Your child may be reassured if you promise to check in after a few minutes—perhaps 5 or ten. That's only a short time he/she will have to be alone, and if he/she can trust that you'll return, he/she may relax enough to fall back asleep. Be sure to actually follow through and check in. If he/she is asleep—great! Be sure to let him/her know in the morning that you came back to give him/her another good night kiss, but that he/she was asleep already. Gently guide your child back to bed if he/she comes out of his room. If your child makes a sudden appearance after having been put to bed, gently but firmly guide him/her back to bed, and repeat the tucking in and saying good night routine. Stay firm (but loving) and consistent. You may have to repeat this several times, but your child will soon learn that he/she can't buy extra awake time by sneaking out of bed. Create a reward system. Your child may respond well to a reward system where you offer him/her stars or stickers for nights that he/she fell asleep on his/her own, stayed in bed, or went to bed without a fuss. After he/she has won a certain number of stars or stickers (for example three), he/she will win a prize like a new book. If this is a new reward system, be sure to offer prizes after only a fairly short amount of time. If you make his/her work for a month before he/she will win his/her treat, he/she may lose focus and motivation. Remain flexible. While it's important to stay consistent, understand that there's no one strategy that will work for all or that should be used by all. You need to know your kid, and know when to break the rules: When is he/she clearly troubled? When is his/her sleep issue a symptom of a bigger problem? When would he/she benefit from a longer cuddle or even a night in bed with you? Consult your pediatrician. Make sure that part of your regular conversation with your pediatrician during your child's check-ups is devoted to discussing your child's sleep habits. It's possible that any new problems could be because of developmental or hormonal changes, or even an illness. Feed your child a healthy snack before bed. Little ones are sometimes unable to sleep because their tummies are rumbling, or they wake up too early in need of breakfast. You may be able to see a big difference in your child's sleep patterns if you prepare them a carbohydrate-rich snack half an hour before bed. Good options are bananas, cereal, or a small peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread, which has the added benefit of protein, which can also keep your child's tummy full longer. Try the tried-and-true warm milk “potion”. Many parents swear by the almost magical effects of a soothing cup of warm milk to help their child relax and drift off to sleep. The milk is a nice combination of carbohydrates and protein, which can help settle your child's stomach and squash any hunger pangs. Also, serving the warm beverage in a favorite mug is comforting and soothing, which can also help explain why so many children respond well to this remedy. To make the drink more appealing, you may want to add a teaspoon or so of honey to the heated milk, or try adding a few drops of vanilla extract. Cut out the caffeine. It should probably go without saying that your child shouldn't be drinking soda (or coffee!) in the evening. However, if your child is struggling to fall and stay asleep, one of the underlying reasons could be because he/she is stimulated from the caffeine he/she has consumed earlier in the day. In order to promote a healthier sleeping schedule, carefully examine your child's diet and cut out any sources of caffeine. Pay attention to the labels of all of their beverages and snacks: caffeine is sometimes found in surprising items, such as what you thought were “un-caffeinated” root beers, juices, or energy waters. Caffeine can also be found in some candy, ice cream, and cocoa drinks, so you many want to limit these treats. Control your child's sugar intake. Even if your child isn't hopped up on caffeine, their energy levels could be pumped up because of too much sugar. Take care to control your child's intake of sugar, particularly after dinner. Provide your child with a complete, balanced diet. Whether you are looking for bedtime snack ideas for your child or looking for ways to improve your child's overall diet, the food choices you offer can have an impact on his/her sleep. Make sure that your child has a well-rounded diet, and be sure to check in with your child's pediatrician before making any major changes. Consider adding some healthy sleep-promoting foods to your child's diet. While none of these foods will magically make your child drift off to sleep, they are all healthy options that may promote better sleep. Try adding any of these to your child's plate: Cherries: these are a good source of melatonin, which is the chemical that helps us regulate our sleep patterns. Jasmine rice: this rates highly on the glycemic index (how long it takes your body to digest the glucose (sugar) in the food. A higher score is better, meaning the glucose is released slowly into the bloodstream, making us less vulnerable to blood sugar crashes. Fortified cereals made with whole grains: search for cereals and grains which are a good source of complex carbohydrates. Quinoa, oatmeal, and barley are also good options. (good complex carbs) Bananas and sweet potatoes: besides being a good source of healthy carbohydrates, both of these contain good levels of magnesium and potassium, which can help relax muscles. Limit beverages before bed. You may begin to see an improvement in sleep patterns if you limit the amount that your child drinks before going to bed. Thus, make sure that your child isn't drinking all throughout the evening after dinner. If your child needs to get up to use the bathroom shortly after being put to bed, he/she will have to start the falling-asleep process all over again. If he/she had managed to get a few winks of sleep in before waking up, then it could be all the much harder for his/her to go back to sleep after this “power nap”. Keep drinks small. While drinking a mug of warm milk may be part of a good bedtime routine, and while you don't want your child to become dehydrated, you don't want to overfill his/her bladder. Otherwise, he/she will be waking up during the night or getting up way too early. Offer your child just a small 2 to 4 ounce mug of milk, for example, or give him/her small sips of water. Visit the bathroom before bed. You should also be sure to have your child go to the bathroom as one of the last steps of his/her bedtime routine. This will help cut down on accidents and hopefully allow your child to stay asleep longer without a full bladder. Get exercise in earlier in the day. Making sure that your child gets sufficient exercise is important for his/her overall health, and it will also help him/her sleep better to have burned off energy throughout the day. Even so, you may find that allowing your child to jump and run around in the hours before bedtime could get him/her too wound up for sleep. Some research has indicated that exercising at a moderate intensity for at least thirty minutes early in the day (preferably in the morning) can positively impact the length and quality of a person's sleep. Avoid rough-housing before bed. Similarly, while it's great fun to allow your children to wrestle together—or to join in with them yourself—you want to avoid encouraging any behavior which will get them overly excited as bedtime approaches. Consider doing a family session of yoga before bed. Yoga isn't a practice just for young, limber 20-somethings! While you want to avoid any strenuous exercise in the evening, your child may benefit from the calming effects of a yoga routine. This can help him/her relax both his/her mind and his/her body as he/she unwinds from a busy day. Recent studies have indicated that yoga practice can lead to improved sleep. Finish homework well before bed. One reason an older child may have trouble falling or staying asleep is if he/she is worried about completing all of his/her schoolwork. If his/her projects aren't finished before he/she goes to bed, he/she may be worried about needing to finish it at breakfast or on the bus, and this nagging worry could be interfering with his/her ability to “shut off” his/her mind and get sleep. Help your child establish a clear homework schedule and create an organizing system to help him/her keep track of his/her homework and due dates. If he/she has a designated time and place to do him/her homework in the afternoon or evening, he/she will be less likely to go to bed with it unfinished. Limit electronics in the hours before bed. Research consistently shows that it is much harder for us to fall asleep immediately after “screen time”. Blue-light emitting devices, such as game consoles, computer screens, tablets, and smartphones are all “blue-light emitting devices,” and exposure to them is thought to interrupt our natural circadian rhythms (our natural sleep cycles). Teenagers seem to be particularly sensitive to the sleep-disrupting effects of these devices. Make sure, then, that your child “unplugs” at least an hour before bedtime. Address any anxiety triggers. Your child may also be suffering from poor sleep because of problems with anxiety or stress. Particularly if this sleep issue is new, take the time to talk with your child about what is going on in his/her life: is he/she worried, nervous, or scared about something? Is he/she having problems with his/her teachers or friends? Once you've identified any underlying problems, be sure to work with your child to come up with coping strategies, meet with his/her teachers if necessary, and if the problem is severe, be sure to meet with your child's pediatrician to get a referral for counselor. Schedule favorite family activities for earlier in the day. Sometimes younger children have trouble going to bed when they feel they're missing out on fun activities with older family members after their bedtime. To reduce this fear of missing out, consider planning activities your younger child likes earlier in the day so they can participate. If older family members do take part in activities a younger child enjoys after their bedtime, they should avoid talking about it and making the younger child feel left out. If your child persuades you to let him/her stay up later than usual one night, and you do activities he/she finds boring, he/she won't be as tempted to stay up late another night.
Determine how much sleep your child needs. Create a bedtime schedule. Work with your child to create the evening schedule. Be willing to adjust the schedule as your child grows. Schedule disliked activities for as early as possible. Give your child a heads-up as bedtime approaches. Give your child choices. Include rituals in your bedtime routine. Prepare your child's room for sleep. Chase away the monsters. Plan your child's dreams. Avoid staying with your child while he/she goes to sleep. Provide your child with transitional objects. Design a special sleep pillow for your child. Stay (mostly) consistent on the weekends. Create white noise. Play soothing music for your child. Spray lavender on your child's pillow. Keep the room dark. Find the ideal temperature. Keep track of Fido. Control the noise in the rest of the house. Help your child develop self-soothing skills. Wait before responding to your child's calls. Keep your return visits brief. Offer to check in on your child. Gently guide your child back to bed if he/she comes out of his room. Create a reward system. Remain flexible. Consult your pediatrician. Feed your child a healthy snack before bed. Try the tried-and-true warm milk “potion”. Cut out the caffeine. Control your child's sugar intake. Provide your child with a complete, balanced diet. Consider adding some healthy sleep-promoting foods to your child's diet. Limit beverages before bed. Keep drinks small. Visit the bathroom before bed. Get exercise in earlier in the day. Avoid rough-housing before bed. Consider doing a family session of yoga before bed. Finish homework well before bed. Limit electronics in the hours before bed. Address any anxiety triggers. Schedule favorite family activities for earlier in the day.
https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-an-Isopod
How to Catch an Isopod
To catch isopods, look for them in dark, damp places, like underneath branches, rocks, and leaves. Just move slowly and carefully when you flip things over so you don't scare the isopods away. If you find one, use a spoon to scoop it up, and place it into a plastic cup. Once you've captured some isopods, you can keep them in an aquarium that's lined with a couple inches of damp soil.
Get a plastic cup and spoon to catch the isopods. Cut a few holes in the lid of a clean, plastic drinking cup to create ventilation. A plastic spoon is good for quickly scooping up any isopods you find and transferring them to the cup. Alternatively, use a plastic container with a lid. Look for isopods in dark, sheltered, and damp places. Isopods like pillbugs and sowbugs are often found under logs, rocks, compost heaps, and leaf litter. Flip logs and rocks carefully, and use the spoon to disturb leaf litter and compost heaps. The isopods will scatter when they are disturbed and exposed to light. Try looking for isopods in your backyard, parks, forests, and around ponds. A flashlight can be useful for spotting isopods. See if the isopod rolls into a ball to spot a pillbug. It's easy to tell pillbugs and sowbugs apart. Pillbugs curl into a ball when they feel threatened whereas sowbugs just scatter. Pillbugs and sowbugs are very common garden isopods. They both make great pets! Scoop the isopods into the plastic cup with the spoon. Take the lid off the cup before you upturn any logs or rustle any leaves. Carefully move the logs, rocks, compost, or leaf litter and begin searching. Place the plastic spoon in front of an isopod as it moves and then transfer it into the cup. Try a different spot once you can't see any more isopods, as they will all be hiding. Lightly tap the spoon on the side of the container to drop the isopod in. Cut a potato in half lengthwise and scoop out each center with a spoon. Place the potato on a chopping board and use a sharp knife to slice it. Isopods love to eat rotting vegetables, so potatoes make great bait. Get an adult to help if you have trouble with the knife. You don't need to wash or peel the potato. Place each potato half skin-side down under a log or in leaf litter. Find a damp, dark place in your backyard to put the potato traps. Position each potato half like a bowl and cover it well with leaves. Make sure that each potato half is covered fully by leaves so that it isn't exposed to the light. Collect isopods from the potato halves after 24-48 hours. Gently move the log or leaf litter to uncover the trap. Lift the trap and use a plastic spoon to scoop out any isopods into a plastic container. Otherwise, tap the potato gently over the opening on the container so the isopods fall in. Make sure the plastic container lid has holes for ventilation. Get a 1 US gal (3.8 L) plastic container with holes in the lid. Either a plastic storage container or a small aquarium is ideal. Use scissors or a drill to punch a few holes in the lid so that air can circulate. This container size is great for 20-30 isopods. Ask an adult for help using scissors or a drill if you need. Add 2 in (5.1 cm) of damp soil to the bottom of the container. Put on some gardening gloves and get soil from where you found the isopods. Spread it out evenly across the bottom of the container. Replace the soil twice each year and remove any dead isopods at the same time. Mist the soil with water every day to keep it damp. Fill up a spray bottle with cool water. Check the soil twice per day and lightly spray it with water to keep it moist. The soil only needs to be damp, not saturated. You don't need to give the isopods drinking water, as they get plenty from the moist soil and their food. Place stones, bark, or crumpled paper in the container to give the isopods cover. Look around your backyard and collect anything that you think the isopods would like. Small twigs and a few leaves work well too! Try to make the container look like the natural habitat. Transfer the isopods into their new home. Use a plastic spoon to carefully move the isopods from the collection container into their new habitat. You can also gently tip the plastic container onto the soil, as the isopods won't get hurt when they fall. Remember to put the lid on the container when you are done. Feed the isopods 1 slice of potato per week. Potatoes are great for isopods because it gives them all of the nutrients and moisture they need. Replace the potato every week with a fresh slice. Isopods also love carrots, lettuce, and oatmeal.
Get a plastic cup and spoon to catch the isopods. Look for isopods in dark, sheltered, and damp places. See if the isopod rolls into a ball to spot a pillbug. Scoop the isopods into the plastic cup with the spoon. Cut a potato in half lengthwise and scoop out each center with a spoon. Place each potato half skin-side down under a log or in leaf litter. Collect isopods from the potato halves after 24-48 hours. Get a 1 US gal (3.8 L) plastic container with holes in the lid. Add 2 in (5.1 cm) of damp soil to the bottom of the container. Mist the soil with water every day to keep it damp. Place stones, bark, or crumpled paper in the container to give the isopods cover. Transfer the isopods into their new home. Feed the isopods 1 slice of potato per week.
https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Cast-Iron-Cookware
How to Store Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron cookware is a great, long-lasting option as long as you take good care of it. Before storing your cast iron, make sure to clean it with warm water. Avoid using soap, which can cause your food to stick to your cookware. You'll also want to make sure to fully dry your cast iron to prevent rusting. Once your cookware is clean, find a dry area to store it in, like on the stove or in the oven. You can also put it in a cabinet or cupboard as long as the area is completely dry. If you're stacking your cookware, put a paper towel between the pots and pans to prevent damage and scratching.
Find a dry area. The most important thing to remember when storing cast iron cookware is that the area you choose must be dry. Moisture is what causes cast iron cookware to rust, so it's important you store cast iron pots and pans somewhere dry. Many people leave cast iron cookware on the stove for storage. If you don't mind having a pot or pan out all the time, this is generally safe. However, remove cast iron cookware when using the stove. You do not want steam or water to accidentally get cast iron cookware wet. You can also store cast iron cookware in a cabinet or cupboard somewhere in your kitchen, as long as you make sure the area you choose is generally dry. Under the sink, for example, may be a bad idea. Leaky pipes could get a cast iron skillet wet, causing rust. Place a piece of paper towel between stacked pans. You may have more than one cast iron pot or pan to store. If you're stacking cast iron cookware, always place a piece of paper towel between cast iron pots and pans. This prevents scratches and other damage. Store your cast iron cookware in an oven. Many people prefer to store cast iron cookware in an oven. This is generally a safe, dry place to keep your cast iron cookware when it's not in use. However, if your cookware has any wooden parts, you should not store it in an oven as this is a fire hazard. When removing cast iron cookware from the oven, make sure to use oven mitts. Cast iron cookware will get very hot inside the oven. Remove the lid prior to storage. Proper ventilation is important when it comes to storing cast iron cookware. You want to make sure any moisture evaporates. Therefore, leave lids off when storing cast iron cookware. Lids can trap moisture, leading to problems like rust. Make sure your pan is seasoned. Seasoning is a process that helps cast iron cookware become non-stick. A seasoned pan will be easier to clean and dry, making rust in storage less likely. If you have not already seasoned your cast iron cookware, do so prior to using and storing. You can season your pan in the oven or on the stove top. The process usually involves coating the pan with some kind of oil, like vegetable or canola oil. Some people prefer to use grease or lard for the process. To season in the oven, you would preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat the pan with oil, lard, or grease and let bake for an hour. Then, remove the pan with oven mitts and wipe off any excess oil, grease, or lard. To season on a stovetop, heat the pan on the stove top until it's hot to the touch. At a light layer of oil, grease, or lard. Leave the pan on the stove top for a few more minutes, then remove. Wipe away any excess oil, grease, or lard. Clean your cast iron cookware properly before storing. You want to make sure your cast iron cookware is completely clean prior to storage. You should clean messes from a cast iron skillet right away, before they become set in. You should wash your cast iron cookware with hot water, never using soap. You should never allow cast iron cookware to soak in the sink, as this can cause rust. You can use a sponge or a stiff, non-metal brush to clean a cast iron pan after use. If there is a lot of set on food mess, add a cup of kosher salt to the pan. Take a pair of tongs and wrap a towel around them. Fill the pan with warm water, and scrub with the salt until the food comes unstuck. Then, rinse the pan thoroughly. Dry your cast iron cookware completely prior to storage. You should never store cast iron cookware that is still wet. This can easily lead to rust. You should dry the cookware as much as you can with a towel. Then, set the pan or pot on the stovetop at low heat. Leave for a few minutes, as long as it takes for the pan or pot to get warm. After a few minutes have passed, use a paper towel to rub the pan or pot with a small coating of lard, grease, or oil. Heat for 5 to 10 more minutes. Allow the pan or pot to cool. Wipe away any excess oil. Now, your pan or pot should be safe to store. Soak the pan in vinegar. Even if you're careful to take every precaution, your cookware may rust. Cast iron cookware is made to last, so rust can usually be successfully removed. If your cookware is very rusted, doing a vinegar soak can help remove rust and restore the pan. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Make enough to fully submerge your pot and pan. You can soak the pan in a bucket or in your sink. Check the pan about once an hour. As soon as most of the rust is gone, you should remove the pot or pan from the vinegar. If you let cookware soak after the rust is gone, the vinegar will eat into the cast iron surface. Once you remove the pot or pan, rinse and dry before storing again. Scrub out any lingering rust with soap. While soap should rarely be used on a cast iron pan, it can be helpful for scrubbing out any rust left after a vinegar soak. Use a mild detergent and warm water to scrub out any remaining rust. Never put cast iron cookware in your dishwasher. A green scrub pad or steel wool would work well. Once you've scrubbed out any remaining rust, dry the pan completely. Re-season the pan. A vinegar soak will remove the cookware's seasoning. You should re-season your pan after removing rust. Re-seasoning methods do vary based on the type and size of cookware, so you may want to do some research first. However, many types of cast iron cookware can be re-seasoned with aluminum foil and oil. Place a piece of aluminum foil in the oven and then preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub vegetable oil over the entire pot or pan. Set the pot or pan upside down over the foil. This will catch any oil that drips down during cooking. Let the cookware bake for an hour, and then cool for 45 minutes.
Find a dry area. Place a piece of paper towel between stacked pans. Store your cast iron cookware in an oven. Remove the lid prior to storage. Make sure your pan is seasoned. Clean your cast iron cookware properly before storing. Dry your cast iron cookware completely prior to storage. Soak the pan in vinegar. Scrub out any lingering rust with soap. Re-season the pan.
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Dysplasia-in-German-Shepherds
How to Diagnose Dysplasia in German Shepherds
If you notice your German Shepherd whining when it walks, limping, or hesitating reluctantly when it needs to move its back legs, it may have hip dysplasia. In young dogs, the first sign of pain may appear as difficulty climbing stairs, jumping into a car, or even just running and exercising freely. Take your German Shepherd to the veterinarian if you notice it having any mobility issues. Your vet will determine whether the issue is hip dysplasia or a related issue by examining your dog's mobility, checking its genetic history, if available, and performing some exams. These tests may include blood and urine samples, a physical exam of your dog's back legs, and radiographs of its hip joints.
Watch for pain in the hips. A common sign of hip dysplasia is painful hips. You may hear whining when your dog walks, or see a decreased level of activity. Your dog may have a tendency to rest the sore leg when standing. He may also move back on forth from one leg to the other. Some dogs may react aggressively if you go to stroke or touch the hip area because of pain. In young dogs, the first sign of pain might be that the German shepherd has difficulty climbing stairs or jumping into a car. They may also not be able to run and exercise freely, as you would expect in a young dog. Look for lameness affecting the back end. Dogs can present at a young age, from six to 12 months, with sudden back end lameness. Other dogs may not present until they are middle aged as their mobility gradually worsens as they age. The lameness may be worse after periods of exercise. Lameness can affect just one leg if one side is worse or both back legs. Your dog may stand with a markedly dropped back end. He may also move in a bunny-hop manner, swinging both back legs forward as the same time instead of moving them independently. If your dog is an older dog, he may walk with a limp. Check for muscle atrophy. When you look at your dog from behind, you may notice there is muscle wastage on the most severely affected leg. You may also notice muscle atrophy of the thighs. Because of this, the shoulder muscles may be larger because they will take up the slack. Monitor for movement hesitation or reluctance. Your dog may hesitate before he moves his back legs. For example, he may hesitate or take longer to push himself up when he's sitting on his back legs. He may also hesitate to run or jump. Your dog may have trouble squatting when he goes to the bathroom. He may also fall over when trying to use the bathroom. Look for narrow hips. Many dogs with hip dysplasia have narrow hips, and their back legs are spaced extremely close together. Take your German shepherd to the vet. If you notice that your German shepherd has any mobility issues, take him to the vet. You want to find out if it is due to hip dysplasia or another related issue. Examine the dog’s mobility. One of the first things your vet will do is watch the way your dog moves. The vet will watch him walk and run, and also examine how the dog copes with stairs. This will help the vet to see which leg is most painful and how badly affected it is. Provide a health history. One of the things your vet may need is a health history. This will include the dog's overall health, when the symptoms started, and any past injuries. The vet may also ask for breeding information to find any genetic connections. Perform a physical exam. The vet will perform a physical examination. The exam includes testing your dog's nerve reflexes by turning the paw upside down and pinching the toes. This helps to ascertain that the problem is physical with the joints rather than neurological with the nerves. The vet will then carefully manipulate the legs, flexing and extending each joint to test if the movement is normal or restricted. This also helps to confirm which areas are tender or sore. Your vet may also draw blood and take a urine sample. Get any additional exams. Based on the exam, the vet may suggest taking radiographs of the dog's hip joints. This is best done under anesthetic because to take meaningful x-rays means putting the dog's legs in positions which would be too painful for the conscious dog. While the dog is anesthetized and relaxed, the vet can perform special tests that involve testing the amount of movement out of the joint to see if it is within normal limits or not. A joint which moves out of joint a significant amount is going to be more painful, because the bones are constantly banging against each other. One problem with diagnosing hip dysplasia is that the radiographs need to be interpreted in light of the clinical signs, such as lameness, and the amount of the discomfort the dog is in. Treat the condition. Hip dysplasia is a painful condition, so your vet will prescribe pain relief for long term use. Typically this is a medication from the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (NSAID) family. Your vet may recommend physical therapy for the joints, and exercises good for hip dysplasia, like swimming. If the problem is severe, there are a number of surgical procedures which can be done. These range from a femoral head excisions, where the femoral head is removed so it no longer bangs against the acetabulum, to a total hip replacement.
Watch for pain in the hips. Look for lameness affecting the back end. Check for muscle atrophy. Monitor for movement hesitation or reluctance. Look for narrow hips. Take your German shepherd to the vet. Examine the dog’s mobility. Provide a health history. Perform a physical exam. Get any additional exams. Treat the condition.
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Duct-Tape-Residue
How to Remove Duct Tape Residue
To remove duct tape residue, try using the edge of a credit card. Hold the edge parallel to the surface you are working on, and slowly scrape up the tape residue with it. You can also remove duct tape residue using a washcloth and warm water. Just scrub the residue with the damp cloth using circular motions until it comes off. If it won't come off, use rubbing alcohol instead of water. For really stubborn duct tape residue, use a hairdryer on the highest setting to soften the residue so it's easier to rub off. Aim the hairdryer at the residue and move it back and forth for a few minutes. Then wipe the softened residue off with a towel.
Scrape the residue off with a dull blade. A butter knife is ideal, but you may also use a putty knife or a razor with an attached guard. Hold the blade flat against the surface and slowly slide the knife over it to scrape off the residue. Be gentle to avoid scratching the surface. If you're worried about scratches, skip scraping. Soak a soft cloth in rubbing alcohol and rub at the area. Dampen the cloth with isopropyl rubbing alcohol from the medical section at any drug or general store. Make sure the cloth is clean and soft to avoid damaging the surface you're treating. Then, gently rub the cloth back and forth over the area until the adhesive comes off. The combination of the rubbing alcohol and friction from rubbing will remove most of it. Acetone or nail polish remover may be used instead, but are more likely to damage painted surfaces. Scrub the area with a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Place about a tablespoon of liquid dish detergent in two cups of water and stir until the mixture is bubbly. Then, dip a soft cloth into the soapy water and use it to gently scrub the residue. Keep rubbing the area until it no longer feels slippery or sticky to the touch. Any gentle or medium-strength soap can be used. Avoid ones that are designed for grease and other tough stains. Dry the surface with a cloth. Rub the surface with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb the water. The surface should no longer feel rough or sticky from the residue. Soak a paper towel in cooking oil and lay it over the residue. Dab a paper towel into any type of cooking oil you have on hand. Lay the paper towel over the residue, then lift it after a few minutes. You can then rub or scrape the residue to get most of it off. Other oily products are also effective, such as baby oil, peanut butter, or mayonnaise. Be careful around absorbent material such as carpeting and clothing. The oil may cause stains. If you're concerned, try a baking soda paste instead. Mix together some coconut oil and baking soda. In a small bowl, combine an equal amount of the oil and baking soda. Mix them together to form a paste. If you don't have coconut oil, try mixing the baking soda or vinegar into warm water. Apply the paste and let it rest for 30 minutes. Dip something soft, such as a cloth or old toothbrush, into the paste. Transfer it over to the surface you're treating and spread it across the residue. Come back within 30 minutes to an hour to finish cleaning. Wash off the paste with warm water. Get a clean cloth and dampen it in warm water. The remaining residue will likely come off as you rub it with the damp cloth. Dry the surface with a cloth. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to dry the water and check for any remaining residue. You may also use a knife or paint scraper to loosen any remaining residue. Heat the residue with a hairdryer for a quick removal. Aim the hairdryer at the residue to soften it. After a minute, it should be heated enough to remove. Scrape it off carefully with a knife or other implement. If it doesn't come off all the way, switch to a different treatment. Spray WD-40 to treat metal surfaces. WD-40 is available at most general and home improvement stores. You can spray it directly onto areas with a lot of residue or dampen a terry cloth to treat smaller patches of residue. Leave it on for a minute, then scrub it off with soap and water. WD-40 is perfect for surfaces such as cars. Read the warnings on the canister to avoid using it on surfaces that it'll stain. Vaseline or car wax works as an alternative to WD-40. Apply a commercial residue remover for a stronger treatment. These products are also available at general stores. There are brands out there designed to remove the residue from commercial tape. Follow the directions on the label and the product will also work well for you at home. Use water pressure or sandblasting to clean rock and concrete. This can only be done on strong construction materials such as rock, brick, and concrete. Aim a high-pressure water system or sandblaster at the material. Briefly turn it on and off until the residue is gone. Be very careful when doing this. These machines can leave marks on most surfaces.
Scrape the residue off with a dull blade. Soak a soft cloth in rubbing alcohol and rub at the area. Scrub the area with a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Dry the surface with a cloth. Soak a paper towel in cooking oil and lay it over the residue. Mix together some coconut oil and baking soda. Apply the paste and let it rest for 30 minutes. Wash off the paste with warm water. Dry the surface with a cloth. Heat the residue with a hairdryer for a quick removal. Spray WD-40 to treat metal surfaces. Apply a commercial residue remover for a stronger treatment. Use water pressure or sandblasting to clean rock and concrete.
https://www.wikihow.com/Graft-Roses
How to Graft Roses
To graft roses, prune the buds and leaves off the rootstock, which should be the stem of a plant with some well-developed branches. Next, cut a T shape into the rootstock with a budding knife, but be careful not to cut through the light green cambium layer. Then, cut off the top and bottom from the stem you want to use as a scion, making sure you have at least one bud eye. You should also push the scion into the T-shaped part of the rootstock with the bud eye facing upwards. Finally, secure the bark flaps around the scion with grafting tape.
Choose the right time. Graft your roses in mid-summer, because this is when the sap inside the plants is flowing. If the sap and nutrients are flowing, there's a better chance the graft will take and the new rose will thrive. The best time for grafting is after the mid-summer bloom cycle, which usually occurs in August. Select a scion. The scion, or the bud, is the plant you are going to be grafting onto another plant. With roses, a scion is often chosen because of its beautiful flowers, because those flowers will continue to grow after the graft. The best scion is a young stem from the plant. The stem should have established leaves, should have flowered recently, and should have some hardwood starting to develop on it. For the best results, choose a stem from which the bloom has just faded. Choose a rootstock plant. The rootstock is the plant to which the graft will be fused. Rootstocks are often chosen because they're healthy and hardy, but they may not have the prettiest flowers. In order for the graft to take, the rootstock must be another rose plant. Two of the most popular rose varieties for rootstock are Dr. Huey and Fortuniana. Keep the plants well watered prior to the graft. Roses need plenty of water to thrive, and the graft will have a better chance of taking if both the scion and rootstock plants are well watered before the procedure. Ideally, start giving both plants daily waterings in the two weeks leading up to the graft. Make sure the roses are watered thoroughly two days prior to the graft, and the night before. Sterilize your knife. Plants are susceptible to viruses, bacteria, and fungi just like humans are. You can prevent the spread of disease by working with sterilized gardening tools, especially when you're carrying out a delicate procedure like a graft. Not only will this help ensure the graft takes, but also that the plant survives. The easiest way to sterilize your budding knife is with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Get a clean rag or cloth damp with the alcohol. Wipe the blade thoroughly, making sure you get the tip, sides, and base of the knife. Be careful not to cut yourself in the process. Set the blade aside to air dry for a few minutes. Prune the rootstock. With clean pruning shears, prune your rootstock plant to remove dead foliage, blooms, and stems. Select a healthy stem with many well-developed leaves for the actual graft site. Use the budding knife to remove all the buds and prickles from the middle section of the stem. Removing the prickles isn't strictly necessary, but it will prevent you from cutting yourself during the graft. Removing the buds is important because you want the buds from the scion to grow, not the ones from the rootstock. When pruning or taking cuttings, cut on a 45-degree angle to reduce damage and increase circulation. Cut a T into the rootstock. With the bud knife, cut an inch-long T shape into the bark of the rootstock. Make sure you do not penetrate the cambium layer, which is a wet, pale green color. Use the tip of the knife to gently open the flaps you created in the bark. The best place for the T cut is near the middle of the stem, between two nodes. Nodes are where leaves and buds grow out from the stem. Cut and trim a stem. Cut off the stem you want to use for the scion. Cut off the top and bottom from the stem, leaving a 2-inch (5-cm) section in the middle. Make sure that section of stem has at least one bud eye, where a new leaf could grow from the stem. Use the budding knife to cut off any prickles, buds, and leaves from the piece. Trim the stem an inch (2.5 cm) below the lowest bud eye. Cut the scion from the stem. Place the knife on the stem above the bud eye. Insert the blade deep enough into the stem to penetrate the bark and the cambium layer. This is the layer just behind the bark that carries nutrients. Cut out the bud eye, making sure you take the bark and cambium layer as well. Insert the scion in to the rootstock immediately. Make sure the bud eye is facing upward, as this means the stem is facing the right direction. As you insert the scion into the rootstock, the bark flaps will open around the scion. Push the scion all the way in to the bottom of the T, leaving the bud eye exposed at the top of the flaps. The cambium layers of the scion and root stock will now be in contact, and this is what will allow the graft to take. Secure the graft with grafting tape. Close the bark flaps over the scion. Wrap a few layers of grafting tape around the graft. Wrap the area above and below the bud eye, but leave the bud eye itself exposed. Don't be afraid to pull the tape gently to stretch it out, as this will ensure the cambium layers stay in contact. Give the plant plenty of water. Grafted plants need lots of water. For the next two weeks, water the rootstock daily to ensure the soil stays moist. You don't want the soil soaking wet, but make sure it stays damp. Trim the first buds from the scion. Once the scion starts to create new growth on the rootstock, it will begin to grow new buds. But while the scion is still establishing itself, the buds can be too heavy and can damage the bud union. To reduce stress on the bud union, trim off the first three or four buds that grow until the graft is fully healed. Trim the buds with a sharp knife or scissors as soon as they emerge. To help give the new plant the best chance, you can also prune the rootstock above the graft. Let the tape fall off on its own. Grafting tape is a special kind of tape, and over time it will naturally decompose and fall off. Do not remove the tape from the rootstock. When enough time has passed, the tape will come off on its own, and this will ensure it stays on long enough for the graft to heal.
Choose the right time. Select a scion. Choose a rootstock plant. Keep the plants well watered prior to the graft. Sterilize your knife. Prune the rootstock. Cut a T into the rootstock. Cut and trim a stem. Cut the scion from the stem. Insert the scion in to the rootstock immediately. Secure the graft with grafting tape. Give the plant plenty of water. Trim the first buds from the scion. Let the tape fall off on its own.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Leeks
How to Clean Leeks
To clean leeks, start by cutting off the part with the roots as well as the dark green, stalky portion on the top, leaving the white and light green portions of the leek. Next, slice the remaining portion of the leek in half lengthwise from the light green top down to the white base, and chop the 2 halves according to your recipe. Then, place all the pieces into a large bowl of water, and swish them around with your hand to get any dirt off. Finally, after soaking the leeks for 5 minutes, drain them and rinse them with fresh water.
Cut off the portion of the leek with the roots. You will be cutting just above the base. Cut off the dark green, stalky portion of the leek at the top. You will be left with just the white and light green portions of the leek. Slice the remaining portion of the leek in half lengthwise from the light green top down to the white base. Chop the 2 halves of the leek according to your recipe for the day. The size of the bits of leek you need may vary depending on what recipe you are preparing. Place all chopped pieces of leek into a large bowl of water, and swish them around with your hand to separate them and encourage any dirt to come out from between the layers of leek. Leave them to soak for 5 minutes. Swish gently with your hand again to allow loose dirt to fall to the bottom. Drain the leeks using a colander. Rinse with fresh water while the leeks are still in the colander to remove any remaining dirt. Dump the leeks gently onto a clean towel, and use the other end of the towel to carefully pat them dry. Cut off the portion of the leek with the roots. You will be cutting just above the base. Cut off the dark green, stalky portion of the leek at the top. You will be left with just the white and light green portions of the leek. Slice the remaining portion of the leek in half lengthwise from the light green top down to the white base. Hold the 2 halves, 1 at a time, under running water separating each layer of leek from the others with your hands. Be careful to watch each layer and make sure that all dirt gets rinsed out. Decide whether your recipe of the day calls for dry leeks or if it is less specific. Press the leek halves between clean towels if the recipe calls for dry leeks. If it is less specific, then you do not need to do this. Chop the 2 halves of the leek according to your recipe for the day. The size of the bits of leek you need may vary depending on what recipe you are preparing. Finished.
Cut off the portion of the leek with the roots. Cut off the dark green, stalky portion of the leek at the top. Slice the remaining portion of the leek in half lengthwise from the light green top down to the white base. Chop the 2 halves of the leek according to your recipe for the day. Place all chopped pieces of leek into a large bowl of water, and swish them around with your hand to separate them and encourage any dirt to come out from between the layers of leek. Leave them to soak for 5 minutes. Swish gently with your hand again to allow loose dirt to fall to the bottom. Drain the leeks using a colander. Rinse with fresh water while the leeks are still in the colander to remove any remaining dirt. Dump the leeks gently onto a clean towel, and use the other end of the towel to carefully pat them dry. Cut off the portion of the leek with the roots. Cut off the dark green, stalky portion of the leek at the top. Slice the remaining portion of the leek in half lengthwise from the light green top down to the white base. Hold the 2 halves, 1 at a time, under running water separating each layer of leek from the others with your hands. Decide whether your recipe of the day calls for dry leeks or if it is less specific. Chop the 2 halves of the leek according to your recipe for the day. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Glue-out-of-Milk
How to Make Glue out of Milk
To make glue out of milk, start by heating 1 cup of milk on the stove until it's warm. Then, add 1 tbsp of white vinegar and cook the solution for about 3 minutes until solid lumps, or curds, start forming. At that point, pour the solution through a strainer to get rid of the liquid, and mix the curds with 1 tbsp of baking soda and 1 tbsp of water. Then, put the mixture back in the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Once bubbles start to form, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool before using the mixture as a glue.
Heat 1 cup (240 mL) of milk over medium heat. Pour 1 cup (240 mL) of milk into a saucepan, then place the saucepan on the stove. Turn the stove on to medium heat and wait until the milk turns warm. Most people recommend skim milk, but you can try other types of milk as well. If this is for an experiment, make a few batches using different types of milk, such as 1%, 2%, and whole. You can even try goats' or sheep' milk. You must use dairy milk for this. Non-dairy milk, such as rice or soy, will not work. Stir in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar. It does not matter whether or not the vinegar is distilled.The purpose of the vinegar is to help separate the curds from the whey. If this is for an experiment, try using distilled vinegar in 1 batch and non-distilled vinegar in another. Cook the solution over low to medium heat until lumps form. Reduce the heat to low, then let the solution heat up, stirring often. After about 3 minutes, you should start seeing solid lumps form. These lumps are the curds! If it is taking too long for the lumps or curds to form, turn the heat up to medium. Pour the solution through a strainer. Set a strainer over a glass, mug, or bowl. Take the saucepan off the stove and pour the solution through the strainer. Keep the lumpy curds caught in the strainer, and discard the liquid whey that's in the glass, mug, or bowl. If you don't have a strainer, pour the solution through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Press the curds down with a paper towel to help further soak up any whey. Mix the curds with 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of baking soda and water. Transfer the curds back into the saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of baking soda and a little bit of water. Stir everything together with a fork or spoon until the texture is consistent. If the mixture is spread so thinly across the bottom of the saucepan that you can see the metal, transfer it into an even smaller pan. Don't use baking powder. It's not the same thing. The baking soda will help turn the mixture sticky, while the water will help bind it together and make it more glue-like. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Set the saucepan back on the stove and turn the heat up to medium. Cook the mixture until it starts to bubble, then turn the stove off. This will take about 1 to 2 minutes. If the glue is still too thin, add some more baking soda and water. Let the mixture cool before you use it as a glue. Turn the stove off and set the saucepan aside. Wait until the mixture cools down to about room temperature. Once it has cooled, you can apply it with a paintbrush. This glue may take up to 2 or 4 hours to set. Clamp pieces together with rubber bands or clothespins until the glue dries for best adhesion. Use the glue within 24 hours and discard the rest. It does not contain any preservatives, so it will spoil within 24 hours at room temperature. You may be able to keep the glue in the fridge for a few days, but put it into a jar first. Dissolve 2 packets of unflavored gelatin in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of water. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of water into a small bowl, then add two 1/2-ounce (14-g) packets of unflavored gelatin. Give the mixture a stir to help dissolve the gelatin. Don't use flavored gelatin of Jello. It is not the same thing. The added sugars will also make the glue too sticky. This may seem like a lot of gelatin for so little water, but the goal is to create a thick base for the glue. You will be adding 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of milk into this later on, so make sure that the bowl is big enough. Set the gelatin aside for 1 hour so that it can thicken. If this is for a science project, you can start working on the rest of your presentation to help save some time. Heat 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of skim milk over medium heat. You want the milk to become warm enough so that it starts to steam. Don't let it come to a boil, however; if it starts to simmer, turn the heat down or take it off the stove. You must use dairy milk for this. Non-dairy milk, such as almond or coconut, will not work. It will only take a few minutes for the milk to heat up. Do this just after the gelatin has finished setting. If you can't use the stove, heat the milk in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds. If your microwave is very strong, 5 to 10 seconds might be better. Stir the milk into the gelatin with a fork or spoon. Take the milk, and pour it into the bowl that has the gelatin in it. Stir the ingredients together until the milk is completely mixed into the gelatin. How much or how long you stir will be a little different each time. You want the color and texture to be consistent. Apply the glue while it is still hot. This glue is very strong, and once it dries, it is waterproof! It is suitable for glass, metal, ceramics, and porcelain. Keep in mind that this glue is not heat-resistant. While you can use it to glue broken dishes, you won't be able to use those dishes in the dishwasher or microwave; the heat will weaken it. Apply the glue with a stiff-bristled paintbrush. If it is too runny, let it cool a little bit so that it can thicken. It should still be warm when you use it, however. Use the glue within 24 hours. Because this glue does not contain any preservatives, it will spoil after 24 hours at room temperature. You can store this glue in a sealed jar in the fridge, but you'll have to warm it up in a pot of hot water before re-using it. If you want to make this glue last longer at room temperature, add 2 drops of clove oil.
Heat 1 cup (240 mL) of milk over medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar. Cook the solution over low to medium heat until lumps form. Pour the solution through a strainer. Mix the curds with 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of baking soda and water. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Let the mixture cool before you use it as a glue. Use the glue within 24 hours and discard the rest. Dissolve 2 packets of unflavored gelatin in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of water. Set the gelatin aside for 1 hour so that it can thicken. Heat 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of skim milk over medium heat. Stir the milk into the gelatin with a fork or spoon. Apply the glue while it is still hot. Use the glue within 24 hours.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cheese-Sandwich
How to Make a Cheese Sandwich
To make a grilled cheese sandwich, start by spreading 1 tablespoon of butter onto 2 slices of bread. Next, heat a skillet over medium heat and put in one slice of bread, buttered side down. Then, add 2 slices of cheese and top it with the other slice of bread with the buttered side facing up. Grill the sandwich for 3 minutes before flipping it over in the pan. Finally, continue cooking it for another 2 minutes until the other side is golden and the cheese is melted.
Butter two slices of bread. Spread ½ tablespoon of butter on each slice of bread. Only coat one side of the bread; leave the other side bare. You can use any type of bread you want, but sourdough works especially well in grilled cheese sandwiches. For a twist, pour some olive oil into the skillet instead of coating the sandwich with butter. Heat up a skillet over medium heat. You do not need to oil the skillet because the bread already has butter on it. Layer the bread and cheese onto the skillet. Place a slice of bread, butter-side-down, onto the skillet. Add 1 to 2 slices of Cheddar cheese on top of the bread. You can also try another type of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, for a gourmet sandwich. Add some extras, if desired, then the last slice of bread. You can leave your sandwich plain, or you can pile some extra ingredients on top of the cheese. When setting down the last slice of bread, make sure that the buttered side is facing upwards this time. Add cooked, sliced or crumbled bacon on top of the cheese. Place a slice of ham on top of the cheese. Sprinkle dried herbs, such as basil, oregano, or rosemary, on top of the cheese. This will work especially well if you put herbs on your sandwich. Add slices of tomato and cooked bacon. Grill the sandwich until it starts to turn a light brown color. This will take about 2 to 3 minutes. You can also wait for the cheese to start melting instead. Flip the sandwich over and continue grilling it. Once the sandwich has started to turn golden-brown and the cheese has melted, slide a spatula under it and flip it over. Grill the sandwich for another 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the sandwich. Use a spatula to transfer it from the skillet and to a plate. Leave the sandwich whole, or cut it in half. You can cut it vertically or diagonally. Slice a Ciabatta roll in half lengthwise. You can also try another type of bread roll instead. Layer the ham and cheese on top of the bottom slice. Set the bottom half of the roll down, cut-side-up. Place 2 slices of ham on top of it, followed by 2 slices of Swiss cheese. If you don't like Swiss cheese, you can try another type of cheese, such as Monterey Jack. Prepare the honey-mustard spread. Scoop the mayo into a small cup or bowl. Add the honey, dried mustard, and poppy seeds. Stir everything together with a fork or mini whisk until evenly combined. Spread the honey-mustard over the top roll. Flip the top half of the bread roll over so that the under/cut side is facing you. Use a butter knife to spread the honey-mustard across the roll. Assemble the sandwich. Place the top half of the roll down onto the cheese, with the honey-mustard side facing down. For a fancier sandwich, stir a pinch of poppy seeds into ¼ tablespoon of melted butter, then spread it across the top of your sandwich with a pastry brush. Bake the sandwich, if desired. To turn this into a tasty, gourmet sandwich, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the oven reaches the correct temperature, place the sandwich onto a baking sheet and tuck it inside. Bake the sandwich for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve the sandwich. If you baked the sandwich, let it cool for about 3 to 5 minutes before digging in. If you want a fancier presentation, cut the sandwich in half. Stick a fancy, sandwich/cocktail toothpick through the middle of each half. Spread some butter onto your choice of bread. Cut 2 slices of crusty bread, such as French bread. Spread some softened butter over one side of each slice of bread. For a fancier sandwich, try pesto, olive oil, or hummus. You can also use mayo or a thick, creamy salad dressing, such as Ranch, Italian, or Green Goddess. Layer the lettuce on top of the bottom slice. Place the bottom slice down, buttered-side-up. Place 1 to 2 leaves of lettuce on top. If the lettuce leaves are much larger than the sandwich, cut them into halves or thirds first. Some types of lettuce have a very thick stem in the middle. Reduce bulk by cutting this stem out with a sharp knife. Add some spice with onion. Cut a thin slice off of a red onion. Separate the slice into rings. Place as many rings as you want onto the lettuce. You can leave the onion rings off if you want to. Top it off with some tomato slices. Cut off two thick slices of tomato. Stack them on top of the lettuce and onion. A thick, meaty tomato would work the best for this. Add some reasoning, if desired. Add a sprinkle of salt and a dash of pepper on top of the tomato slices. How much you use is entirely up to you! Finish it off with a few slices of cheese. Carefully lay 1 to 2 slices of sharp, white Cheddar on top of the sandwich. Make sure that they are covering the tomatoes entirely. They will keep your sandwich from getting soggy. If you don't like Cheddar, try Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Provolone instead. Place the final slice on top and serve the sandwich. For an extra-fancy touch, slice the sandwich in half diagonally from corner-to-corner. Stick a fancy toothpick or cocktail stick through each sandwich half to hold it together.
Butter two slices of bread. Heat up a skillet over medium heat. Layer the bread and cheese onto the skillet. Add some extras, if desired, then the last slice of bread. Grill the sandwich until it starts to turn a light brown color. Flip the sandwich over and continue grilling it. Serve the sandwich. Slice a Ciabatta roll in half lengthwise. Layer the ham and cheese on top of the bottom slice. Prepare the honey-mustard spread. Spread the honey-mustard over the top roll. Assemble the sandwich. Bake the sandwich, if desired. Serve the sandwich. Spread some butter onto your choice of bread. Layer the lettuce on top of the bottom slice. Add some spice with onion. Top it off with some tomato slices. Add some reasoning, if desired. Finish it off with a few slices of cheese. Place the final slice on top and serve the sandwich.
https://www.wikihow.com/Let-Go-of-a-Failed-Relationship
How to Let Go of a Failed Relationship
It can be emotional when you feel like a relationship has failed, but with some time and support, it will be easier to let go. Recovering after a break up can take a long time, so allow yourself to cry and reflect for as long as you need. If you find yourself missing your ex, remind yourself why the relationship ended, and that it's truly for the best. It's important to stop communicating with your ex during this time, so don't text or call them for a while. Make time to hang out with friends and family, who will remind you of the good things in your life. You could also use your free time to take up a new hobby, like painting, yoga, or hiking.
Give yourself time. It's okay to mourn the end of the relationship. Whether you were together for a few months or you lived together for years and shared pets, you have the right to your complicated emotions. Allow yourself to cry, reflect on the experience, and accept that it's really over. Use this time to reflect. Write down your feelings in a journal and really get in touch with why you're feeling that way. Giving yourself time may help you get over the relationship faster. Some people like to set an "end mourning date." Of course, this doesn't mean that you'll be over the relationship at that point--but it does mean that you'll start making a conscious effort to move on. Let your emotions loose. If you feel like crying in bed all day, go for it. If you want to cry or vent to a friend about all of your frustrations, do that too. Just remember to only do this for as long as you need to, don't rush out into a new relationship in a week just because your ex is or to make them jealous. Remind yourself why the relationship is over. It's natural for you to long for your ex and to wish he/she was still by your side--after all, you're used to having them around, even if it wasn't comforting all of the time. But you have to stay strong and remind yourself why the relationship is over. Though it may hurt, try thinking of a moment when you were deeply unhappy in the relationship. Write it on an index card or save it on your phone and carry it around with you. Look at it whenever you're regretting your decision or wondering why you and your ex aren't together anymore. Learn to recognize negative thought patterns. Bitterness, guilt and regret can make for a debilitating emotional cocktail when you're trying to get over a relationship. You can teach yourself to recognize bitter thought patterns, though, by writing them down and then later examining them to find your emotional triggers. If you can pinpoint the things that set you off running into an emotional swamp, you can learn to walk around it. Read back over your journal as if it belonged to someone else. What is it that seems to set this other person off? What advice would you offer them? What should they avoid? Circle words or phrases that show up repeatedly. When you find yourself thinking of that word or phrase (maybe your ex's name, maybe a particular place or concept) interrupt yourself. Have a mantra or song prepared to recite or listen to as a way of interrupting yourself and rewarding yourself for avoiding that negative thought. Avoid self-destructive behaviors. Taking up smoking just because you're feeling angry about a relationship won't do anything to help you feel better about yourself. Indulging in self-loathing that takes the form of drinking or drugs will only draw out the grief process, because you'll have to start from scratch. If it's a distraction you're looking for, why not make it a healthy alternative? Instead of smoking, try taking up bicycling, art projects, or picking up an old instrument you'd lost touch with. Stop communicating with your ex. Stop texting or calling. Don't try to have an awkward mature lunch with your ex once a week when it's over. Though you may be able to be friends with your ex one day, it needs to be after you've learned to be separate. The potential for damage at this point is great, and communicating with your ex will make it much harder for you to let go of the relationship. If you need to stop hanging out with your mutual friends for a while, do it. If you really want to see them, hang out with them by making special plans. You're not being cowardly by doing this--you're just protecting yourself. Likewise, find new social places to hang out--there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and parks to check out that don't have any emotional baggage. If you run into your ex, you don't have to run in the other direction. Be mature and say hello, but you don't need to stop to have a painful conversation. Stay away from social media for a while. Though you may be tempted to log on to your Facebook to see if there are any pictures of your ex with a new cutie, this will only prolong your pain and may even make you feel a bit obsessive. Even if you're determined not to contact your ex on social media, you won't be able to stop wondering if he saw your latest photos or your latest post. Don't get on social media again until the thought of seeing your ex's photo doesn't make you feel an intense spectrum of emotions. Alternatively, try blocking or "unfriending" your ex. This can be a very tangible way of signaling that the relationship is over. Get rid of things that remind you of your ex. Do a relationship spring cleaning. If you can't bear to throw them out entirely, put them in a garbage bag at the back of your closet. Even if the stuffed animal your ex won for you during your first date at a carnival is your favorite item, throw it in a bag with everything else. If you have a few things that belong to your ex-- sweatshirts, books, electronics--return them immediately. You can have a friend drop them off for you to minimize the pain. Remodel, redecorate, make your place your own. Especially if you had been living together, get rid of old things even if they don't remind you of your ex. Move your furniture around, and add some plants for decoration and peace. Do whatever you have to do to make your space feel new. It's important and healthy to try not to keep too many things from your lives together. Take a mini-vacation. While you can't just pack up all of your things and move to Hawaii the second you break up with your ex--unless you're lucky--visiting relatives or a location you've never been will help make your world a little larger for the time being. This offers necessary perspective and is a good start to enjoying yourself and starting to do things that you want to do. Spend more time with your friends. When you're ready, it'll be fun to catch up, laugh, and get back to having long and intense conversations with your friends. Use your new free time to reconnect with old friends, strike up new acquaintances, or to turn an acquaintance into a friend. Do the things you couldn't do in your relationship. If your partner hated sushi, organize a group lunch at the best place for sushi in your town. If your ex couldn't stand going to live metal shows, get some friends together and head for the mosh pit. Spend time with your family. Especially if you've been preoccupied with your relationship, perhaps you haven't been able to spend as much time around your family as you might like. They'll be on your team and give you a chance to relax, reconnect, and even enjoy some home cooking for a change. Plus, spending time in your hometown might give you a chance to reconnect with childhood friends, old stomping grounds, and enjoy yourself. Find joy in new activities. Instead of doing the same old things that you and your ex used to do, try pursuing a new interest, finding a new hobby, or by getting completely out of your comfort zone. Explore your creative side. Try writing a song, composing a poem, painting or sketching. Express yourself in way you never had before but always hoped to try. Try a new form of exercise. Take that yoga or Zumba class you've always been wanting to try. Not only will exercising make you feel less stressed out and more centered, but you may find a new passion. Do something completely out of your comfort zone. Try a type of food you've never eaten before, go hiking even if you're not outdoorsy, or even go sky diving if you're feeling adventurous. Pick up a new hobby, like knitting, coin collecting, bird watching, or anything else that makes you feel calm and dedicated. Find peace on your own. Though staying busy with a flurry of friends and fun activities is a great way to take your mind on your ex, if you really want to let go of the failed relationship, then you have to be able to be comfortable with yourself. Eventually, you may even relish the opportunity for some solo time. Take walks a few times a week. Connect with nature by exploring local parks or lakes. This is not only great exercise, but the perfect opportunity to reflect. Read. Get lost in a book and spend hours just reading with a cup of tea. Write. Write in your journal, or try working on a short story. See what you can learn about yourself just by writing. Enjoy being single first. Don't try to look around for the next rebound opportunity the second that you break up. Instead, take the time to enjoy being single and doing whatever you want whenever you want it. Many people in relationships would love to be single--at least for a little while--so you should look at it as an adventure instead of as a problem. If someone asks you out before you're ready, don't be afraid to tell them, "It's too soon" especially if you think you might be interested. You'll be doing both of you a favor by not rushing it. If there's something there, it should still be there later when you are ready. Have fun meeting people and flirting. Part of being single is the thrill of serendipity. Who knows who you might run into at the grocery store or the library. Talking to new people is an important step in moving forward. When you're ready, go on a date. Let your friend set you up with a mutual acquaintance or even set up an online dating profile. It's important to take it slow and have fun meeting new people without setting any expectations. Articulate your desires for new relationships and be honest. If anything, what do you wish you might have done differently at the beginning of your last relationship? Here's your chance to start things off on the right foot. Don't be afraid to speak your mind. If any "deal breakers" pop up in the first few dates, don't ignore them just because it feels good to be dating again.
Give yourself time. Let your emotions loose. Remind yourself why the relationship is over. Learn to recognize negative thought patterns. Avoid self-destructive behaviors. Stop communicating with your ex. Stay away from social media for a while. Get rid of things that remind you of your ex. Remodel, redecorate, make your place your own. Take a mini-vacation. Spend more time with your friends. Spend time with your family. Find joy in new activities. Find peace on your own. Enjoy being single first. Have fun meeting people and flirting. When you're ready, go on a date. Articulate your desires for new relationships and be honest.
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Movie-Tickets-Online
How to Buy Movie Tickets Online
Before you buy your movie tickets, find a movie theater by opening up an online search engine and typing "movie theaters near me." Once you hit search, select the closest theater and click on the name. When you reach the theater website, click on the movie you want to see, and select the showtime that will let you reach the theater in time. Then, select how many tickets you need and choose your seats. If everything looks correct, enter your credit card information and confirm.
Search for movie theaters online. Go to a search engine and type "movie theaters near me." You can also simply type in the tile of the movie you want to see if you are using Google. Then select the theater of your choice by clicking on the name. After searching nearby theaters there will be a list of your local movie theaters and their locations. On some search engines, there may also be a list of movies that are currently in theaters. If you searched a movie title using Google there will be a list of showtimes for the movie at nearby theaters. You can also go to a third party movie ticket website like Fandango and enter your zip code to find a list of theaters near you. Be wary of third party websites that are unfamiliar to you. Purchasing a ticket from an unauthorized seller may mean your ticket gets refused by the theater. If you aren't sure if a site is authorized to sell the tickets, contact the movie theater before purchasing your tickets. Select a movie. If you aren't sure what movie you want to see, you can click on the title in the movie listings to view IMDB data, trailers, and reviews to help you decide. Find the movie on the list, then you will need to specify which showing you want to see. Select a showtime. Check the list of upcoming times listed below the film. Click on the showing you want. The movie times should all appear as clickable links in your browser. Some theaters use third party sites to handle their online ticket sales. You may be redirected to one of them when you click on the showing time. Be sure to select a showing that will allow you enough time to get to the theater. Most theaters offer discounted matinee showings at times when the theater is not busy. Matinee times can vary depending on your location and the movie, but are usually showings earlier in the day. Consider going to an early movie if you want to save a few dollars. Specify the number of tickets you will need. You will also need to specify how many children, adults or seniors will be with your group because they will generally get lower ticket prices. Typically, child tickets are for children under 11, and senior tickets are for viewers over 60. These age policies may vary at theaters so be sure to check the age policy on the ticket page to be sure. Most theaters also offer discounts for students, however you will have to have your current student identification card and bring it to the theater when you pick up your tickets. Choose your seats. Many theaters now have seats that are labelled with rows and numbers, and sell tickets with assigned seats. This helps make sure everyone in your group will get a spot and can sit together. Enter your payment information. You will usually need a major credit card to purchase your tickets. Type any required personal billing information, the credit card number, expiration date and security code as indicated in the text fields. If you have any gift certificates or vouchers you will be able to enter those apply those on the payment screen as well. Be aware that most theaters charge a convenience fee for allowing you to purchase tickets in advance. This will appear at checkout. Check your order confirmation. A confirmation page will usually appear once your payment has been processed. You will also likely receive a confirmation email. Some movie theaters and ticket websites can even send a text message link to the confirmation to your phone. Print the order confirmation. You can click on the print button on the web page or go to the email and print the information from there. Most movie theaters have a barcode included on the confirmation that can be scanned to verify your purchase. If you had the confirmation sent to your phone, click on the link to pull up the barcode. Bring the confirmation to the movie theater. You will need to show up a few minutes before the show to check-in and get your snacks. Usually you can skip the ticket sales line and bring your confirmation directly to the usher. The usher will scan a barcode on your confirmation and direct you to the location of the theater. Some theaters may have an electronic kiosk that scans your confirmation or allows you to type in the confirmation number and prints your tickets.
Search for movie theaters online. Select a movie. Select a showtime. Specify the number of tickets you will need. Choose your seats. Enter your payment information. Check your order confirmation. Print the order confirmation. Bring the confirmation to the movie theater.
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Window-Screen
How to Fix a Window Screen
To fix a window screen, start by removing the screen from the window and prying out the window spline with a screwdriver. Then, cut a new screen out of mesh material to fit your frame and place it inside the frame. Lastly, roll a new window spline into the screen to secure the mesh. If you want to repair a small hole or tear, unravel the strands around the cut. Then, use a sewing needle and string to sew the screen back together.
Remove the screen from the window, keeping it inside its frame. Usually, window screens pop out easily, but they can be held in by small clips. Check for clips before you try to remove the screen and, if present, unfasten each one. When you've removed the screen, lay it down on a flat surface. Take out the window spline. A window spline is a rubber or plastic strip that holds the screen in the frame. When replacing your window screen, you will need to remove and replace the spline as well. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the spline out and, when it's fully removed, throw it away. Replacement splines can be purchased at most hardware or home repair stores. Cut your new screen out of mesh material. Purchase a roll of mesh material from a nearby hardware store, then cut it into a rectangle 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) larger than your screen. If the new screen is too large, you can always trim it with a utility knife. If you do not need to completely replace your window screen, skip this step. Aluminum mesh is popular because it is sturdier than other screen meshes. Align the mesh screen to the frame. Keep the mesh material straight and taut to ensure an even fit. Use a utility knife to cut the replacement screen to size if it is too large. The material should slightly overlap on each side but not exceed 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm). If you do not need to replace the mesh screen, keep your screen in its frame and continue to the next step. Mesh material will usually curve to one side. Place the mesh in with the curved side down so it is easier to work with. Place a brick or heavy object in the center of the screen. A brick or other heavy object will help give your screen an even amount of slack and tension. Before you place the brick on the screen, place the spline loosely around the corners of your frame and roll the 2 adjacent sides back in. When you place the heavy object on the screen, you'll be able to prevent sagging. Roll the rest of the window spline back into the screen. When you've rolled in all 4 sides, remove the brick or heavy object from the screen. Put the screen back into the window and tighten any existing clips. If your window screen still seems loose, repeat the process again with a lighter or smaller object. Unravel the strands surrounding the hole or tear. To prepare the screen for darning, unravel a few strands from the perimeter of the tear to use as your thread. As you do so, take care to not make the holes and tears any larger than they already are. One or two strands is more than enough. For larger holes or tears, you may not be able to darn it. In this case, you may need to patch the hole. Line up the screen seams neatly. Match the two ends of the screen evenly for a neat and secure seam. There should be little-to-no space gap in the middle. If you cannot line up the two ends without leaving a noticeable hole in the middle, you may need to patch the screen instead of darning it. Weave the strands through the screen with a sewing needle. Once the torn edges are lined up, use a needle to weave the thread through the screen strands. If you don't have strands of screen material available or do not want to risk making the hole bigger, use a heavy-duty, polyester thread. Make the stitches as small and identical as possible. Choose a needle with a large eye that can accommodate the screen strand. If you have sewn the hole or tear and it is still noticeable, cover it with a patch. Finish darning the screen with a securing stitch. A securing stitch will prevent the darn from coming undone. Make a small stitch at the end of the hole or tear, then stitch over it again. At the end of the stitch, make a small knot and pull it tightly to finish the securing stitch. Cut the damaged area into a neat rectangle. Using a sharp knife, cut a clean hole around the screen tear to remove all irregularities. Make this new hole as small as possible to keep the repair simple. If the damaged area is already rectangular, trim the sides to make it even. If the damage takes up more than a quarter of the window screen, you may need to replace the entire screen. Leave at least ⁄ 2 –1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) of screen material between the hole and the window frame. The closer a hole is to a frame, the harder it is to repair. Cut a piece of patch screen material for the damaged area. The new patch should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger than the rectangular hole. Any smaller and your patch may not securely cover the hole. Measure the patch before you cut to make sure you cut the right length. Loosen the weaving around the opening and the patch. Slack ends around the openings will help the patch adhere to the damaged screen. Bend each end on the sides of the patch at a 90-degree angle to help it lock into the screen. Keep the ends of the opening flat. Weave the patch's ends through the screen. Work the bent ends of the patch through the open screen's weaving. When they're locked in, bend the wires of the patch flat on the other side of the screen to hold the patch in place. Some patches have an adhesive backing while others do not. If yours does not, secure the patch with a clear, waterproof silicone glue.
Remove the screen from the window, keeping it inside its frame. Take out the window spline. Cut your new screen out of mesh material. Align the mesh screen to the frame. Place a brick or heavy object in the center of the screen. Roll the rest of the window spline back into the screen. Unravel the strands surrounding the hole or tear. Line up the screen seams neatly. Weave the strands through the screen with a sewing needle. Finish darning the screen with a securing stitch. Cut the damaged area into a neat rectangle. Cut a piece of patch screen material for the damaged area. Loosen the weaving around the opening and the patch. Weave the patch's ends through the screen.
https://www.wikihow.com/Serve-Cabernet-Sauvignon
How to Serve Cabernet Sauvignon
To serve cabernet sauvignon, start by chilling the bottle in the fridge for 20 minutes or in an ice bucket for 5 minutes so it's between 63 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the perfect temperature for cabernet sauvignon. Then, uncork the bottle and let it sit for 1 hour to aerate it, or pour it into a wine decanter so it aerates faster. Next, when you're ready to serve the wine, pour it into a wine glass with a large, round bowl and a wide rim. As you're drinking the wine, hold the glass by the stem so you don't warm the wine with your hands.
Choose your desired wine. When choosing a Cabernet Sauvignon, remember the phrase "old before young." You will find with age, the characteristics of the wine have mellowed and smoothed. Younger wines are generally sharper and may overpower foods they are meant to compliment. Cool the bottle at a temperature range of 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17.2 degrees Celsius) to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). Many people make the mistake of either over chilling a Cabernet Sauvignon or letting it stand at room temperature. Room temperature is a proper term to use when referring to the serving temperature of a Cabernet Sauvignon, however there is a stark difference between room temperature in Florida and room temperature in Iceland. A good guide to reaching the proper serving temperature for a Cabernet Sauvignon is to place the bottle in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or in an ice bucket for 5 minutes. Properly aerate the wine. Aerating, or airing, the wine is the best way to open it up to its full flavor. This is the process of letting the air blend with the wine, which reduces the high carbon dioxide levels that may be present. It also removes the accompanying odor that can mask the true aroma. Uncork the bottle and let it sit open for an hour. Pour the wine into a wine decanter. The wider opening of a decanter allows aerating to occur faster. A decanter is a container that is used to hold the wine after it has been decanted. Decanters are normally used as serving vessels for wine. Decant the wine. Decanting is the process of separating sediment from the wine. Contrary to popular belief, sediment does not always indicate a wine has gone bad. Sediment in red wine is created over time by the breakdown of pigments and tannin within the wine. As time matures the wine, small amounts of these 2 compounds gradually settle at the bottom of the bottle. Leave the wine bottle in an upright position for 24 to 36 hours prior to decanting. As much as 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) of the bottle of wine may not be consumed due to sediment, depending on the age of the wine and the grapes used. Choose the proper glass. Bolder, more full-bodied and complex wines like the Cabernet Sauvignon benefit from a wine glass that is large, round and has a wide rim. Hold the wine glass by its stem. This prevents the wine from warming due to the temperature of your hands. Warming a wine above its desired serving temperature will yield unwanted and unpleasant characteristics within the wine. The alcohol in wine will give a sharpness to the taste if the wine is served above its optimal temperature. Pour the wine. Use a wine funnel with a filter. This helps with the aerating process and filters out the sediment from the Cabernet Sauvignon. Stop pouring the wine at the widest part of the glass. This allows for optimal aeration and you can swirl the wine without spilling it.
Choose your desired wine. Cool the bottle at a temperature range of 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17.2 degrees Celsius) to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). Properly aerate the wine. Decant the wine. Choose the proper glass. Pour the wine.
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-DJ-Name-That-Isn%27t-Taken
How to Find a DJ Name That Isn't Taken
To find a DJ name that isn't taken, start by coming up with a few different name ideas that are as unique as possible. You can come up with unique name ideas by modifying your real name, or you can reference something that's important to you, like your favorite book or your hometown. Then, search for each name online to see if someone is already using it. You can do a basic search engine query, as well as look up the name on social media and on a trademark database. There are also free name-finding websites you can use.
Run a simple search engine query. By far the quickest, most direct way to see if a DJ name is taken is to do a thorough search on your search engine of choice. If another DJ has already chosen your name, his or her website or social media page will usually be included in the results. Keep in mind, however, that obscure artists may not appear on the very first page. Remember that the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. While seeing another DJ pop up in the search results can be a strong hint that the name you've chosen is already taken, not seeing another DJ isn't necessarily proof that the name isn't taken. For definitive proof, it's best to couple your initial search with one of the other methods below. Use a name-finder utility. One way to check whether a certain name has been taken is to use an online name-finding site. These sites usually check large databases of site listings to tell whether the domain name you input has already been registered. Best of all, many of the best name-finders are 100% free. Note again, however, that just because someone hasn't already purchased a website that uses your stage name in its address doesn't mean that no DJ has already taken your name — someone using your name may just not have a strong online presence. Use a social network search utility. In the modern world, even the smallest bands and musical artists often have pages on social network sites like Facebook. Searching popular social networks for usernames or pages that match your DJ name is one great way to check whether it's been taken. Since the most popular social networks are free to join, you have a good chance of uncovering even the most obscure artists this way. While Facebook is the most popular social network site on the planet, it's far from the only one. Thus, you'll save lots of time by using one of several online utilities that instantly search multiple social network sites (like namechk.com) rather than searching each individually. Search a trademark database. Musical artists' names can legally be trademarked by their owners — this includes names like R.E.M., which have alternate meanings, names like Paul McCartney, which are simply the artist's actual name, and, of course, DJ names. Thus, searching a trademark database is one fairly definitive way of determining whether a name is already taken. If you can find a trademark registered for the DJ name you've chosen, this means that someone else has already taken your name and has legal grounds to force you to change yours if there's a likelihood you may be confused as artists. Some trademark databases are free to search, while others may cost a small fee. For a fairly definitive list of trademark databases, consult uspto.gov, the official site of the US Patent and Trademark Office. Understand the legal protections trademark holders have. If you find out that the DJ name you want for yourself has already been trademarked, you may be out of luck. Trademark owners have a legal claim to their trademark, especially in cases where you are likely to be confused with the trademark holder (like, for instance, if you are both active musicians in the same geographical area). This risk increases if your logo, font choices, and aesthetic direction seems to match or imitate the trademark holder's. Musical artists can (and have) sued rivals who were unwilling to cooperate with a name change. Luckily, there are ways around this sort of trademark infringement. The most direct is simply to change your DJ name. You may also be "off the hook" if you can prove that you don't directly compete with the trademark holder — for instance, if you're only well-known in New York State and the copyright holder is only well-known in Florida, you may not need to change your name until one of you begins touring and promoting your act on the other's home turf. Keep things short and sweet. Try to think of famous DJs with names that contain more than four syllables. If you can think of any, there are probably only one or two in your mind. Most DJs don't have especially long names, and with good reason — the longer your stage name is, the harder it is for people to remember and the less likely it is that it will sound "catchy". For example, imagine that a new DJ who specializes in spinning diss tracks wants to call himself "Diss-establishmentarianism". While the "diss" pun is amusing, this name will have a hard time catching on — if the DJ's fans have a hard time remembering his name (let alone pronouncing it), his word-of-mouth potential is seriously limited. Pick something timeless. Don't name yourself after a passing trend, a sub-genre of electronica that may not be popular in a few years, or anything else that doesn't have long-term appeal. These sorts of names immediately date you and make it harder to capture new listeners' attentions after your name loses significance. Instead, pick a name that has lasting relevance — something that won't sound silly a few months or a few years down the road. For example, imagine that an up-and-coming DJ named himself "DJ Harlem Shaker" during the height of the meme's popularity in February 2013. This a bad move — within just a few months, the meme's popularity had faded dramatically, so this DJ's name would probably sound hackneyed. Consider the aural effect your name creates. Ideally, the syllables in your DJ name should complement each other and produce the effect you want to convey when spoken. Some names sound smooth and pleasing, while others sound cold and sinister — depending on the type of music you play, you may want to choose to use softer or harsher sounds in your name. For example, words with g's, k's, z's, t's and hard c's tend to be hard and edgy and are considered cacophonous, or phonetically unpleasant. In contrast, words with many l's, w's, long o's, y's, s's, and soft c's tend to sound soft and fluid and are considered euphonious, or phonetically beautiful. A DJ might want to go with either of these styles, so choose your own sounds accordingly to make the name appropriately gritty for your persona. Make sure your name passes the radio test. In radio broadcasting, the names of people, places, and events that are being promoted on-air should ideally pass something called the "radio test". This isn't as complicated as it sounds — the radio test is just a simple way of telling whether your name will be intelligible to listeners who can only hear it spoken — not written out. Generally, the more complex your DJ name is, the harder it will be for people to understand on the radio. A name that passes the radio test should be easy to understand just from the way it sounds while spoken. It shouldn't be hard for the announcer or the listener to pronounce or spell — remember, people who will be hearing your DJ name on air may not have ever heard of you before. For instance, imagine that there's a DJ named "DotComrad3." This name would have a hard time passing the radio test. Someone reading it on-air might have to say something like, "If you liked the song you just heard, check out the artist's website — www.Dotc0mrad3.com. That's w, w, w, dot (as in a period), "Dot" (as in the word "dot"), c, zero (not o), m, r, a, d, 3 (not e)." This is a serious mouthful for the radio announcer to get through — if he doesn't make a mistake, there's a good chance many of the listeners will. Consider logo/artistic design when picking a name. If you're looking to make a career out of your DJing skills, you may want to consider a potential name's aesthetic qualities before making a final decision. Some names naturally lend themselves to good-looking logos and on-stage designs, while others may require you to do a little more work to pick visual components that "fit". There's no right or wrong answer here — this is just a question of how far you're willing to go in service of your image as a DJ. For example, a DJ who calls herself "White Tiger" might naturally want to use lots of tiger imagery in her on-stage show. She might, for instance, wear a tiger mask on stage while she spins her music. If she has access to a projector, she might even project psychedelic tiger designs onto herself during her show. On the other hand, a DJ with a name like "DJ Palindrome" has a logo that practically designs itself. Since palindromes are words that are spelled the same way forwards and backwards, DJ Palindrome's logo might look like this: PalindromemordnilaP — basically, as if it's reflected in a mirror. Decide whether or not to include “DJ” in your name. This is the age-old question that every DJ has to face at one point or another: whether or not to include "DJ" in his or her name. There's no right or wrong answer here — many of the modern world's most famous DJs (like Tiesto, etc.) have decided to forego the "DJ" prefix, while many others choose to keep it. It's up to you! In general, including the "DJ" may give a slightly more "old-fashioned" or "classic" flavor to your image because of the tendency of old-school hip-hop DJs to include "DJ" in their stage names (see: DJ ). This is by no means universal, however, so try to consider each name on a case-by-case basis. Use a musical reference. One old standby for any musician's name is to make a reference to a musical concept or piece of terminology. Some of the most famous artists of all time have used this well-worn trick (see: The Beat les, The Moody Blues , etc.). Ideally, if you do this, you might want to make reference to musical terms that are likely to be understood by a wide audience — for instance, while almost everyone knows what a "beat" is, not everyone will know what the term "syncopation" means. Below are just a few ideas for the types of words you may want to incorporate into your name: Musical terminology (beat, note, tempo, chord, song, symphony, etc.) Music genres (rock, disco, techno, etc.) Specific songs or bands (for example, Radiohead, Phoenix, and The Rolling Stones are all named after other bands' songs). Modify your own name. Some musical artists, including DJs, choose to simply use their real name as their stage name. Others, however, modify their name in a way that makes it catchy or memorable. Some even choose to change their name in a way that makes it a pun or play on words — your ability to do this, obviously, depends on what your actual name is. For example, M.I.A, the Sri Lankan rapper with international hits like "Paper Planes", uses a name that is a play on her own (Maya), as well as a reference to the abbreviation for the term "Missing in Action". Another well known example is Eminem — this name is a reference to the artist's initials (MM, for Marshall Mathers) as well as the phonetic pronunciation of his old stage name (M&M). Include ideas that are important to you. If there are certain things, places, people, or ideas in your life that are extremely important to you, consider referencing them (or just outright including them) in your DJ name. There are a huge range of possible topics to draw from that range from silly to grim — whatever is important to you in life is fair game. Below are just a few ideas of the sorts of things you may want to consider using in your name: Religious references (see: Matisyahu) Political references (see: Rage Against the Machine) Literary references (see: Modest Mouse, As I Lay Dying) References to specific people or places (see: Lynyrd Skynyrd) Be familiar with the world’s most famous DJs. Sometimes, it's easiest to come up with a good name simply by studying other people's name. However, when you're trying to get inspiration from the names of great DJs, remember that your ultimate goal is to stand out from the pack — not blend into it. Just a few of the most influential DJs and beatmakers ever from the worlds of dance music and hip hop are listed below — there are many, many more: DJ Shadow Tiesto Belleville 3 A-Trak Grandmaster Flash Diplo Jam Master Jay Deadmau5
Run a simple search engine query. Use a name-finder utility. Use a social network search utility. Search a trademark database. Understand the legal protections trademark holders have. Keep things short and sweet. Pick something timeless. Consider the aural effect your name creates. Make sure your name passes the radio test. Consider logo/artistic design when picking a name. Decide whether or not to include “DJ” in your name. Use a musical reference. Modify your own name. Include ideas that are important to you. Be familiar with the world’s most famous DJs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Dreadlocks
How to Clean Dreadlocks
Before washing your dreadlocks, wet them with water in the shower and put a modest amount of shampoo on your hand. Then, rub your hands together before rubbing the shampoo into your scalp and the roots of your dreadlocks. Once the shampoo has been in your hair for 2 minutes, tilt your head down so it runs through your locks as the water rinses it out. After you get out of the shower, squeeze each lock to get rid of excess water and dry your hair thoroughly.
Wet your dreadlocks. Start by running some water lightly over your dreadlocks in the shower. There's no need to completely saturate them, as the more water your locks absorb, the harder it will be for the shampoo to infiltrate them. For best results, use warm (not too hot) water. Portion out a small amount of shampoo. Squeeze a modest amount of shampoo into your palm. It's better to use a little shampoo at a time so you can control how much soap actually goes into your locks—you can always use more later if it's not enough. If you're using a solid bar shampoo, rub it between your hands until it forms a rich lather. Always use a shampoo that doesn't leave a residue of any kind. Dreadlocks should not be maintained using gels, waxes and other additives, and a residue-forming shampoo will likewise only add to buildup rather than washing it away. Look for natural, organic types of shampoo that are free of chemicals which help soften and style. Work the lather into your scalp. Press both hands into your scalp and distribute the shampoo into the spaces between the roots of the dreadlocks. Use the tips of your fingers to give your scalp a good scrub to free dead skin and remove excess sebum. Don't neglect to clean and care for the roots. Since this is where your dreadlocks attach, they need to be strong and healthy. Rinse the shampoo through the locks. Let the shampoo sit for 1-2 minutes. Then, tilt your head downward so that the lather runs through your locks as you rinse. Gently squeeze the shampoo lather into the dreadlocks. Make sure that there's no shampoo residue remaining in your hair when you're finished washing. If you want, you can use a little extra shampoo to touch up each lock individually. Just don't overdo it, or it will be more time-consuming to rinse and cause loose hairs to frizz. Dry thoroughly. After you get out of the shower, you'll want to make sure that you let your dreadlocks dry completely. Squeeze each lock with a towel to press out the water absorbed into them. Allow your locks to air dry, or use a hair dryer on a low heat setting to speed the process along and ensure that they're not left damp. If too much moisture remains in the locks, they can start to come unlocked and smell, or even grow mold. ”Dread rot” is when moisture becomes trapped in the matted hair for so long that it begins to mildew. As your dreadlocks continue to set up and tighten, you may have to start using a hair dryer more often after washing to ensure that the hair inside the locks is getting dry. DO NOT mix together the baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid, mixing the two causes a chemical reaction which neutralizes any cleansing power the two substances have on their own (which is a lot). In a sink or wash basin, dissolve ¾ cup of baking soda in a few inches of warm water. It is completely safe to use on your hair and scalp. If you like using essential oils, you can add them to the cleansing solution during this step. A tablespoon of lemon juice will help kill any odors and prevent mildew. It is recommended that you only use this method to clean your locks once every couple of weeks, as the baking soda can make your hair dry and brittle over time. For more regular washings, use a residue-free shampoo. Soak your dreadlocks for 5-10 minutes. Submerge your dreadlocks into the baking soda solution up to the roots. Soak your locks for up to 10 minutes, or longer if you're in need of a deep clean. As your dreadlocks soak, the baking soda will strip away dirt, oil, debris and other unwanted buildup. If you don't have the time or space needed to soak your dreadlocks, you can mix up the solution and pour it directly over your head for a quick cleanse. Rinse with cool water. Remove your dreadlocks from the baking soda bath and wring out the excess solution. Turn on the faucet or hop in the shower and give your locks a quick rinse to clear away any lingering traces of the baking soda solution or foreign matter. Rinse until the water runs clear. Be sure that your scalp gets some direct exposure to the water as well. The dirt, oil, dead skin and other detritus that's been removed from your hair will be visible in the discoloration of the water. You might be surprised how much cleaner your locks will feel afterwards! Have ready a large bottle of water and vinegar, mixed at a 3:1 ratio, enough to rinse over your scalp and lightly through your dreads. Pour this through your locks after rinsing out the baking soda solution. This will neutralize any remaining baking soda, balance the pH of your scalp, and smooth loose hair frizz. You can leave this in (any vinegar smell will dissipate as it dries) or rinse it out. Towel or air dry. Give your dreadlocks ample time to dry. If you're in a hurry, use a hair dryer on the ends and shafts of your locks and allow your roots to finish air drying. Your dreadlocks should be dry before you cover them with a hat, tam or scarf. Otherwise, these items will trap remaining moisture in the locks and make it harder for it to escape. Squeeze as much water out of your locks as you can before letting them air dry or trying other drying methods. Wrapping your dreadlocks in a dry towel can help draw water out of them at a faster rate. Wash your dreadlocks regularly. Contrary to popular misconceptions, dreadlocks require washing just as much as other hairstyles. You should aim to shampoo and roll your dreadlocks every three or four days when they're new. Once they've fully locked up, you can get by washing them once a week, or more often depending on your hair type and the amount of oil your scalp tends to produce. Most people who wear dreadlocks wash them at least once a week. If you have particularly oily hair, or if you exercise, work outside, get dirty or sweat a lot, you may benefit from more frequent washings. You can still bathe regularly between washings without having to shampoo your locks. Take care of your scalp. Dreadlocks put a lot of weight on the scalp as they get heavier and pull. It's essential that you keep your scalp clean and moisturized in addition to your locks themselves. Whenever you're cleaning your locks, take a few moments to massage your scalp vigorously with your fingertips. This promotes proper blood flow and will strengthen the follicles, meaning you won't have to worry about your locks becoming brittle or falling out. Itching and discomfort can be a sign that your scalp or roots are in poor condition. As your hair grows, keep your dreadlocks waxed and twisted to tighten up the new growth close to the scalp. Freshen your locks with essential oils. Use a couple drops of tea tree, peppermint or rosemary oil along with your shampoo, or treat your locks with them separately. Essential oils moisturize, cut down on itchiness and irritation around the scalp and leave your hair smelling pleasant. They are far preferable to perfumes, spray-in fragrances and scented cleansers, as they won't damage your locks or leave behind any residue. Just a hint of essential oils can combat the “dirty hair” smell that naturally accumulates on thick dreadlocks. Avoid conditioners and similar products. Conditioners are designed to soften and detangle hair, which is the last thing you want if you have a head full of dreads. In general, there should be no reason to condition your dreadlocks. You should also be cautious about any other products that contain oils, waxes or knot-fighting agents. Regular use of these products can damage the structure of your dreadlocks and make them much harder to maintain. A good residue-free shampoo, and optionally pure aloe gel and salt-water tightening spray should be all you need to keep your dreadlocks clean and looking great. For dry scalp or dreads, very light applications of coconut oil will help moisturize without conditioning.
Wet your dreadlocks. Portion out a small amount of shampoo. Work the lather into your scalp. Rinse the shampoo through the locks. Dry thoroughly. DO NOT mix together the baking soda and vinegar. In a sink or wash basin, dissolve ¾ cup of baking soda in a few inches of warm water. Soak your dreadlocks for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Have ready a large bottle of water and vinegar, mixed at a 3:1 ratio, enough to rinse over your scalp and lightly through your dreads. Towel or air dry. Wash your dreadlocks regularly. Take care of your scalp. Freshen your locks with essential oils. Avoid conditioners and similar products.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cage-Skirt
How to Make a Cage Skirt
To make a cage skirt, start by measuring from your waist to your ankle for a full length skirt, or from your waist to your knee for a knee length skirt to decide how much fabric you'll need. Next, sew the short ends of the fabric together to make the skirt, and sew ribbon pieces onto your fabric to hold the boning. Then, fold over an inch of fabric at the top and sew it down before pushing another piece of ribbon through for the drawstring waist. Finally, slide boning material behind the ribbons on the skirt to create the hoops and give the skirt volume.
Take measurements for your cage skirt. Use a tape measure to take the measurements. Make sure to write these measurements down and keep them to guide you through your project. circumference of waist circumference of hips distance from waist to mid-thigh distance from waist to knee distance from waist to mid-calf distance from waist to ankle Decide how long you want your skirt to be. If you want a full length cage skirt, use your waist to ankle measurement; if you want a knee length cage skirt, use your waist to knee measurement; etc. Note this number for when you go to purchase your fabric. Decide how full you want your skirt to be. To do this, lay the boning in a circle on the floor around you and keep widening or narrowing the circle until the hoop is the size that you want the largest part of your skirt to be. You can also use a simple math equation to figure out how long to make your boning strip. For example, if you want your skirt to be 30" across at the widest part, multiply 30 by Pi (3.14) and use the rounded result (94inches) as your boning length. Calculate how much fabric you will need. The total amount of fabric you will need is based on your choices for the length and width of the skirt. Add one inch to the width for the hem and add two inches to the length for the hem and waistband. Have your desired fabric cut to this length and width or do it yourself. Purchase your fabric. Unless you plan to wear the skirt on its own, you can use any color or type of fabric that you want. The skirt or dress that you wear over your hoop skirt will cover it. However, you will want to consider a couple of things as you choose a fabric. Consider the transparency of the dress you will wear the cage skirt underneath. If the dress or skirt that you will wear the cage skirt underneath is light or slightly transparent, you will want to choose a light color fabric for the cage skirt. Consider the ease of sewing with the fabric. You may have a hard time completing this project if you choose a slippery fabric like satin. To make this project easier, opt for a light cotton or some other easy to sew fabric. Determine how many hoops you will need. The hoops should be spaced about 4-5 inches apart to make sure that your skirt has a nice shape. Therefore, the number of hoops that you will need will depend on the length of your skirt. Divide the length of your skirt by 4 or 5 to find this number. For example, a skirt that will be 35" long should have 7 hoops because 35 divided by 5 equals 7. You may end up using one less hoop than you calculate since you will need to leave 2 inches below your bottom hoop and a couple of extra inches above your top hoop. Determine the length of each piece of boning for the hoops. The hoops should become smaller as you move from the bottom to the top of the skirt. Therefore, if the length of boning for your bottom hoop is going to be 94", the next hoop might be 87 inches, then the next one might be 80", and so on. Add up the lengths to determine how much boning material you will need to purchase. Purchase your boning material. There are some different things that you can use to provide structure for your hoop skirt. Choose something that works for your budget and seems sturdy enough to create the structure you desire. Some materials you can use include: 1/4" plastic strapping material used for wood shipments. Home Depot throws this away so often they'll just give it to you 1/4” steel or plastic boning material (look for it in the sewing sections at crafts stores) 1/4” poly tubing (look for it at a hardware store) Cut your boning material to the lengths that you have chosen. You will need some strong scissors to cut your boning material. Measure before you cut each piece. You may also want write the measurement on a piece of paper and tape it to each piece to help you keep the pieces organized. Determine how much ribbon you will need. You will need 1” wide ribbon to secure the hoops to the skirt.The amount of ribbon you will need will depend on your number of hoops and the width of your largest piece of boning. So for a skirt with seven hoops and a 94" piece of boning, you would need 658" of ribbon (94 times 7 equals 658). You will probably need to convert this number into feet or yards to make purchasing the ribbon easier. Purchase your ribbon. Pick a strong ribbon material. Avoid lace or mesh ribbons. The color of the ribbon does not matter if you will only be wearing your cage skirt underneath another skirt or dress. If you plan to wear the hoop skirt alone, then you will want to choose ribbon colors that go well with your fabric. Cut your ribbon into pieces that are the same length as the longest measurement for your fabric. So if your fabric measures 35” by 94”, then you should cut your ribbon pieces into 94” strands. You will need the same number of ribbon pieces as boning pieces. Sew together the short ends of your largest piece of fabric. This large piece will be the skirt. Before you sew, fold your fabric in half width-wise and match up the two shorter ends of the fabric so that they are perfectly even. You can pin the edges together or just sew them together right away. When you sew the ends together, make sure to leave about ½ inch of material at the seam. Pin the ribbon pieces to your skirt fabric. Pin the ribbon pieces to what will be the inside of your skirt. Remember to space the ribbons about 5” apart, but also leave 2” below the lowest ribbon and an extra 2” (7” total) above the highest ribbon. Sew the ribbon pieces onto your skirt. Sew along the long edges of the ribbon pieces. Stay very close to the edge of the ribbon as you sew so that you will be able to slide the boning into the space between the skirt and the ribbon. Do not close off the seam at the ends of the ribbon. Make sure that you can lift up the ribbon a bit and that you can slide the boning into the tube you have created. Create the waist for your skirt. Take about an inch of fabric at the top of your skirt and fold it in half. Pin the fabric and then sew it leaving about ½” of space between the thread and the edge. When you are done you will have a closed tube of fabric at the top of your skirt. Cut a small hole in the tube you have created. Attach a safety pin to a piece of ribbon and close it. Use the safety pin to help you work the ribbon through the tubing. When the safety pin comes out the other side, remove the safety pin and gently tug the ends of the ribbon to cinch the waist. You can even try on the skirt at this point to get the waist to where you will want it to be. Slide the boning material into the spaces between the ribbon and skirt. Make sure to slide the correct lengths into the correct spaces. After you have the pieces in place, sew the edges of the ribbon to prevent the boning from coming out. Double stitch the edges to make them extra secure. Try on your cage skirt! After you have finished sewing the boning into place, you are done. Try on your hoop skirt to see how it looks. Wear it under another skirt or a dress to get the full effect.
Take measurements for your cage skirt. Decide how long you want your skirt to be. Decide how full you want your skirt to be. Calculate how much fabric you will need. Purchase your fabric. Determine how many hoops you will need. Determine the length of each piece of boning for the hoops. Purchase your boning material. Cut your boning material to the lengths that you have chosen. Determine how much ribbon you will need. Purchase your ribbon. Cut your ribbon into pieces that are the same length as the longest measurement for your fabric. Sew together the short ends of your largest piece of fabric. Pin the ribbon pieces to your skirt fabric. Sew the ribbon pieces onto your skirt. Create the waist for your skirt. Slide the boning material into the spaces between the ribbon and skirt. Try on your cage skirt!
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Anonymous-Report-to-Child-Protective-Services
How to Make an Anonymous Report to Child Protective Services
To make an anonymous report to child protective services, start by collecting as much information as you can about the situation, such as the child's name, their parent's names, address, age, and a description of their abuse or neglect. Since there are many child protective services across the country, call ChildHelp on 1-800-422-4453, who will direct you to the relevant authority. Alternatively, search online for your state or region, followed by “Child abuse hotline” to find the right organization for your area. However, if you suspect that a child is in immediate danger, don't hesitate to call 911.
Gather information about the situation. A vague and unfounded suggestion that a child may be in danger is likely to be of little help to the agency. Gather as much information as you can, including the name of the child, name of the parents, address, estimation of age, and a description of what you believe to be the abuse or neglect, including what you personally witnessed. Examples include seeing bruises or wounds, a reasonable belief the child is not being fed properly, or unusually filthy clothing, especially if fouled with bodily wastes or fluids. Be careful not to inflict your personal standards on the situation. Dirty or torn clothing may be from poverty, but not rise to the level of neglect. Categorize your information. In general, the law protects minor children from abuse and neglect. A child doesn't have to be physically injured before the state agencies will act. Abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual, and mental injury to a child. It can happen when the parent or caregiver specifically injures the child or consistently fails to protect the child from being hurt. Use of a child under the age of consent for sexual gratification is abuse, even if there is no physical injury. Neglect occurs when the parent does not supply the child's basic needs. It can be physical, such as inadequate food and failure to provide medical care. It can also be mental and emotional, including neglecting education and the child's emotional development. Chronic truancy can be considered child neglect in some circumstances. Choose the correct agency. "Child protective services" is often used as a catch-all term for the network of social service agencies around the country. The actual agency you need might be called "social services," "family services," or "child welfare." If you have any doubts, call first and ask which agency is the correct place to report suspected cases of child abuse. Call 1-800-4ACHILD (1-800-422-4453). All reports can be kept anonymous, although you may be encouraged to give your name. This hotline has access to a network of welfare agencies around the country and can direct your report to the proper authorities. Do an online search for your state's child abuse hotline. When you search for "[your state] child abuse hotline," the results will typically take you right where you need to be. Some state hotlines actively discourage anonymous reports, but your name will be kept confidential if you identify yourself. The United States Health & Human Services website also has a directory of state child abuse report hotlines. Call 911 if there is an emergency situation. The dispatch system may capture your phone number. If you want to remain completely anonymous, you will have to find a public telephone. Use your common sense to determine if a situation is an emergency. 911 is not for suspicions of child abuse. It is for situations where you believe someone needs assistance from police, fire, or ambulance services. For example, if you see or hear a child being beaten or if the child calls for help. If you find a child that has been abandoned or believe children have been left alone at home for an unreasonable time. If you see or hear someone threaten a child with a weapon. A child that is visibly injured. A child who is sick beyond normal, for example, you believe the child is starving. If a child tells you they have been sexually abused or you see signs, such as blood in his underpants. Locate the mailing address for the social services agency. You can look up the mailing address on the state agency's website or call the central number and ask for the best mailing address. You will not be required to identify yourself for this basic information. Submit a report in writing. This is not the preferred way, but a letter written to the social services agency will be taken seriously. However, unless you know someone you can address it to, it will go to the central mail room and may be significantly delayed in getting to someone with authority to act. However, it is completely anonymous. Give as much information as you can. If you have it, give the child's name and age. You must be able to give an address, including the city and county. Other good information is the name of the parents and a brief and succinct description of what you have seen or suspect. Be as specific as possible. Affix proper postage and mail the report to the agency. Give or mail your letter to a mandated reporter. This is someone who, by law, must report suspected child abuse and neglect. Common mandated reporters are school personnel, doctors, law enforcement, and psychologists. If you believe a school-age child is being abused or neglected, you can tip off the teacher or school nurse with a letter. These trained professionals can evaluate the child and make the report through official channels.
Gather information about the situation. Categorize your information. Choose the correct agency. Call 1-800-4ACHILD (1-800-422-4453). Do an online search for your state's child abuse hotline. Call 911 if there is an emergency situation. Locate the mailing address for the social services agency. Submit a report in writing. Give or mail your letter to a mandated reporter.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Eye-Problems-in-Boston-Terriers
How to Treat Eye Problems in Boston Terriers
Unfortunately, Boston terriers can be prone to eye problems, so it's important to treat issues as soon as they arise. While you should always take your dog to the vet for a professional diagnosis, you should pay attention to any symptoms so you can tell the vet what you see. For instance, if your dog's eye constantly waters, looks red, and is covered by a film, it may have a corneal ulcer. Your vet will likely prescribe antibiotic drops, which you'll need to apply at least once a day.
Watch for signs of a corneal ulcer. Your dog's eye may water a lot to the point that it looks like he's crying. The eye can look red and you might see a layer of film over your dog's eye. These can all be signs of a corneal ulcer. A corneal ulcer is like a burst blister on the surface of the clear part of the eye (the cornea). Monitor your dog's behavior. If your dog is in pain because of an ulcer, he may hold the eye partially closed or rub his eye with a paw. Your Boston terrier might look like he's squinting or sensitive to light. If your dog has a corneal ulcer, you'll probably be able to tell that he's in pain based on how he's acting. Ulcers are painful and if they become infected or erode deep into the eye they can cause permanent scar tissue which interferes with vision. Get the eye examined. Take your dog to the vet for a diagnosis. The vet will look at your dog's eye to check for inflammation and ulcers on the surface of the cornea. The vet will also take samples to look for bacterial or fungal infection. A blood sample may be needed to rule out a viral infection. The vet will check to see how deep the ulcer is. Serious ulcers can erode the eye deeply which can put the eye in danger. Follow the vet's treatment plan. Usually, the vet will prescribe antibiotic drops to heal the ulcer and prevent infection. Most ulcers clear up within a week. If your dog isn't responding to treatment, he may need a minor procedure. The vet may need to give your dog local anesthetic and rub at the cornea with a dry cotton swab. This removes any damaged cells that are preventing the eye from healing. Rarely, the vet may need to put the Boston terrier under full anesthetic to lightly puncture the the surface of the eye. This helps healing cells latch onto the ulcer so that it also heals. Learn what increases risk of corneal ulcers. Boston terriers have large corneas which means that more of this delicate surface is exposed. It could easily get knocked or scratched during play. Fashion trimming (cutting the the whiskers above the eye, especially in show dogs) increases the risk of corneal ulcers. Boston terriers need the extra protection that they get from the whiskers. Whiskers give them an extra sense of location and warning of danger so they don't knock into objects. Look for signs of corneal dystrophy. Your Boston Terrier's eye might look milky or white if he has corneal dystrophy. At first, only the corner of your dog's cornea might look white, but it can quickly spread so that the whole cornea looks thick and white. The cornea may also look swollen with fluid. Boston terriers inherit this condition where fluid builds up between the layers of cells in the corneal. Eventually, painful ulcers on the eye develop. Get a medical diagnosis. Since corneal dystrophy will begin to affect your dog's vision, take him to the vet as soon as you suspect he has the eye problem. The vet will do a thorough examination and will look at your dog's eyes under a slit-lamp (a microscope with a bright light). The vet will look for thickening of the cornea, ulcers, and inflammation in the eye. The vet will also check your dog's eye pressure to rule out other eye conditions. Treat secondary ulcers. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for the milkiness of corneal dystrophy. Your vet will try to treat the secondary corneal ulcers caused by the corneal dystrophy since these are painful and can damage eye health. Your dog will probably need antibiotic eye cream to treat the ulcers. Consider surgery. The vet may suggest placing a contact lens over your dog's eye or doing surgery to graft tissue over the eye. Another surgery is available that lifts the flap of the eyeball and back of the eyeball to treat corneal dystrophy. Surgery can prevent ulcers, but it may cause scarring that can damage your dog's vision. If your dog doesn't have ulcers and you notice he's in pain, see the vet immediately. Ulcers may be forming. Check for redness and swelling. Your Boston terrier has a third eyelid that sits on the inner corner of the eye. Normally, you don't pay it much attention since you don't really see it. But, if a gland on the third eyelid pops forward, you'll see a large round red swelling mass (like a cherry) in the inner corner of your dog's eye. The job of the third eye is to travel across the cornea to protect it. The third eye also has a gland that makes tear fluid do lubricate the eye. Take your Boston Terrier to the vet. Realize that cherry eye usually doesn't cause your dog any pain. But, if you think your dog is bothered by it or you're unsure whether or not he actually has cherry eye or a different eye problem, see the vet. Veterinarians are unsure what causes cherry eye, but it's thought that the connective tissue around the gland weakens. This can cause the gland to pop forward. Do surgery to treat cherry eye. Surgery is really the only way to remove cherry eye, although it's purely a cosmetic decision. The veterinary surgeon will tuck the gland in the correct position and stitch it in place. Your dog will be under anesthesia and won't feel any pain. Be aware that the gland may pop out again requiring surgery again. If you're unsure about surgery, the vet may offer to try steroid ointments. If these don't work, you may choose the surgery. Look for signs of dry eyes. If your dog's eyes aren't making enough natural tear fluid, the eyes can become too dry. You might seen a thick, sticky discharge constantly coming from the eyes. Your Boston terrier's eyes can also appear dull, irritated and red. Dry eyes are more common in middle-aged to older dogs. Boston terriers are prone to developing dry eyes. Watch your dog's behavior. Since your dog's eyes are irritated, he can't blink away debris and lubricate the eyes. You'll probably see him blink frequently as he tries to relieve irritation. He might also squint or try to keep his eyes shut. Dry eyes can also be a result of trauma like scratches or infections. Take your dog to the vet. If you suspect your dog has dry eyes, you'll need to take him to the vet to rule out infection. The vet will examine your dog's eyes and test for tear production. During this test, the vet will place a special paper into the corner of your dog's eye to see how much tear film your dog makes in one minute. This information is used to make a diagnosis. The vet will also check your dog's eye pressure to rule out glaucoma and will look for corneal ulcers which could be causing the inflammation. Lubricate your dog's eyes. The vet will recommend an over-the-counter eye treatment or prescription medication. You'll need to apply watery artificial tears every hour. If you're using thicker drops, you'll need to use them 4 to 6 times a day. Newer products that contain hyaluronic acid only need two applications a day. Realize that dry eyes will need to be managed for life since there is no absolute treatment. If the vet prescribes a medication to encourage tear production, you'll most likely need to use it twice a day, dropping to once a day after the eyes improve. Look for cloudy eyes. The lens of your dog's eye might seem cloudy and bluish-gray. The cataract covering the lens can look crackly or like a chip of ice. It may appear suddenly or develop over several years. Eventually, as the cataract covers more of the lens your dog may go blind. The Boston terrier is a breed that is genetically predisposed to developing cataracts early in life or as part of the aging process. Monitor your dog's behavior. Blurred vision caused by cataracts can make it difficult for your dog to see and you may notice his behavior become clumsier. He may seem less sure of his surroundings. To compensate for this loss of vision, you might notice your dog develop a high-stepped walk. You may also notice your dog: Bumping into things. Not recognizing people. Misjudging distances. Get a medical diagnosis. If you think your Boston terrier has cataracts, make an appointment with the veterinarian as soon as possible. The vet can usually make a diagnosis simply by looking at your dog's eyes and a veterinary surgeon can confirm the diagnosis. If your dog is older, the vet will determine if your dog has cataracts or if his eyes are simply changing as part of the aging process. Get surgery for cataracts. If your dog has a large cataract interfering with his vision, consider getting it removed. Cataracts are usually treated by surgically removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial one. This treatment requires specialist surgery which can be expensive. Surgery can restore vision, but it's important to do the surgery before your dog's vision gets too bad. You could also consider getting the cataract broken down by a laser. This procedure is called phacoemulsion. It's also an expensive specialist procedure.
Watch for signs of a corneal ulcer. Monitor your dog's behavior. Get the eye examined. Follow the vet's treatment plan. Learn what increases risk of corneal ulcers. Look for signs of corneal dystrophy. Get a medical diagnosis. Treat secondary ulcers. Consider surgery. Check for redness and swelling. Take your Boston Terrier to the vet. Do surgery to treat cherry eye. Look for signs of dry eyes. Watch your dog's behavior. Take your dog to the vet. Lubricate your dog's eyes. Look for cloudy eyes. Monitor your dog's behavior. Get a medical diagnosis. Get surgery for cataracts.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Bong
How to Clean a Bong
To clean a bong, start by emptying it and rinsing it out with warm water to remove any solid particles. Once the old bong water and any spent herb is gone, fill the bong part way with some warm water. Next, take your bong apart and add an abrasive, like coarse salt or rice, and a cleaner, like isopropyl alcohol or vinegar, to the base of your bong. Then, plug the holes and shake it, allowing the abrasive and cleaner to scrub away any grime. After 5 minutes, rinse the bong out and repeat the cleaning process if necessary.
Gather supplies. Before cleaning your bong, you'll need to round up some supplies, including: a sink or basin; coarse salt, rice, or baking soda; rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or another cleaner; clean water; and latex gloves. Empty the bong and rinse and fill it with warm water. While wearing your latex gloves, empty out your bong as well as you can. Pour out old bong water and remove any spent herb. Then give it a good rinse with warm water to remove any remaining solid particles. Finally, fill the bong part way with some of the warm water you're using. Disassemble your bong. Take it apart so that the individual pieces can be cleaned. Remove all movable parts, including the pipe and mouthpiece. As you take your bong apart, check for any damage such as chips or cracks. You'll need to replace any damaged pieces before using your bong again. Add coarse salt and rubbing alcohol to your bong. Next, you'll need to add an abrasive and a cleaner into the base of the bong so that they can work together to clean the inside. Coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol typically work best for this, but you can also use vinegar and rice or baking soda. Alternatively, you can use something like Formula 420, in which case skip the salt. Pour it in and proceed as normal. Plug the holes and shake it up. Use your hands, fingers, and thumbs to plug or block the open holes of the bong so that your abrasive and cleaner don't cause a big mess. Shake it for about five minutes to get the best possible result. Rinse and repeat. Empty the cleaning solution into a sink and rinse it out completely with clean water. Repeat the cleaning process as many times as you need to, but once is usually enough. Presoak your bong in warm water and dish soap. If your bong is especially dirty, it might be best to soak it in a sink, basin, or bathtub full of warm water and just a squirt of dish soap. Let your bong soak for about an hour or two before you start the cleaning process. Be very conservative with the dish soap. If you use too much, your bong might produce an unpleasant soapy aftertaste the next several times you smoke. Soak small pieces in plastic bags. Put all of the small pieces of your bong into resealable bags with about a tablespoon of coarse salt. Fill the resealable bag with enough rubbing alcohol to completely submerge the pieces. Shake the bags for a few seconds and then let the pieces soak for several minutes. Then, rinse them off with clean water. Use a cotton swab or pipe cleaner. Use either plastic cotton swabs or pipe cleaners to scrub around the nooks and crannies of your bong, where resin and water stains are harder to reach and remove. Dip them in a little bit of rubbing alcohol before scrubbing. Get rid of water stains with lemon juice. To easily remove water stains in your bong, put some warm water and lemon juice in the base and swish it around. Then, rinse your bong out with cold water. Use filtered water in your bong. The minerals in tap water and unfiltered spring water can cause water stains to form in your bong. To prevent this, always use filtered water when you smoke. It's also a good idea to use filtered water when cleaning your bong, or at least rinse it with filtered water after cleaning. Change out the water in your bong daily. If you change out your bong water each day, your bong will stay much cleaner. When old water sits in your bong, mold can form. This is pretty gross on its own, but mold also means mold stains, which can make cleaning your bong a more extensive process. Clean your bong once a week. This is another way to keep mold from forming and ultimately avoid getting mold stains. Try to do at least a brief cleaning weekly to keep your bong squeaky clean. Store your bong in a bong bag or hard case. Since your bong is made of glass, it's susceptible to cracking and breaking if you aren't careful. When storing and traveling with your bong, consider keeping it in a protective bag or case to keep anything from happening to it.
Gather supplies. Empty the bong and rinse and fill it with warm water. Disassemble your bong. Add coarse salt and rubbing alcohol to your bong. Plug the holes and shake it up. Rinse and repeat. Presoak your bong in warm water and dish soap. Soak small pieces in plastic bags. Use a cotton swab or pipe cleaner. Get rid of water stains with lemon juice. Use filtered water in your bong. Change out the water in your bong daily. Clean your bong once a week. Store your bong in a bong bag or hard case.
https://www.wikihow.com/Watch-Less-TV
How to Watch Less TV
It can be hard to cut back on how much TV you watch, but if you want to regain some of your free time, it's possible! Set your DVR to record your very favorite shows. Then, set a time limit for how many shows you can watch each day. When you're not using your TV, unplug it or hide it behind a cabinet with a closed door. In addition, avoid eating in front of the TV, since this can encourage longer and more frequent TV watching.
Limit your TV viewing to one room. At some point in recent history, it became popular to put televisions in every room of the house. But having access to TV everywhere you turn only leads to unnecessary viewing. Limit your TV watching to one room of your house to reduce temptation and ultimately watch less TV. Use TiVo or DVR. Using a television recording device, like TiVo or DVR, can allow you to save the TV shows that you like. Having your favorite TV shows saved will reduce the time you spend aimlessly browsing and flipping channels, causing you to watch less TV. Cover your TV when not in use. Keeping your TV in a cabinet (with a door that closes) or simply placing a tapestry over it when it is not in use can lead to a reduction in your TV time. When you can't see the TV, you are much less likely to turn it on. Cancel your cable. Many people today are ditching their cable in favor of internet television services, like Netflix or Hulu. Once again, this practice eliminates the ability to mindlessly flip channels and leads to less time in front of the TV. Unplug your TV when not in use. If you make it more difficult for yourself to watch TV, it gives you a better opportunity to exercise some willpower. One way to achieve this is to unplug your TV when it's not in use. Keeping your TV plugged in actually wastes quite a bit of energy, so pulling the plug is also a great choice for your pocketbook and the earth. Track your TV time. You have probably heard that the first step to tackling a problem is to admit that you have one. If you suspect that you might be watching too much television, take a week to prove it. For one week, watch as much television as you normally do, but keep a log. At the end of the week add it up, and astonish yourself with how much time you've been wasting in front of the screen. Once you have your weekly amount, think about all the other things you could have done with that time. It could have been 10 hours studying, 15 hours at the gym, or 20 hours practicing guitar. Set a daily time limit. One popular tactic is to allow yourself only a certain number of hours (or minutes) of TV time per day. Start by limiting yourself to one hour per day. Then, once you are comfortable with that amount, maybe try to do half an hour per day, or one hour every other day. Use TV as a reward. Rather than simply giving yourself TV time each day “for free,” you may want to use TV as a reward. For example, if you work out for 45 minutes, maybe this earns you 45 minutes of TV time. If you finish that letter you've been meaning to write, maybe this earns you another 15. This way, you're still getting your hour to unwind in front of the TV, but you've also completed some important tasks in the process. You may want to create a list that details the number of TV minutes certain tasks are worth. You may still want to enforce a daily cap (such as 1-2 hours). Avoid eating in front of the TV. Eating in front of the television is an addicting habit. Not only has this been shown to have negative effects on your waistline, but it encourages longer and more frequent TV watching. Break the habit! Focus on eating your food when its time to eat, and pay close attention to the TV when it is time for TV. Use some willpower. You can use any trick in the book, but ultimately your choice to watch less TV is going to come down to willpower. Willpower is like a muscle: the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. Watching less television is an important lifestyle adjustment that can have very positive benefits for you. Try to be strong and follow the goals you have set for yourself. Exercise. Exercise seems to be the answer to everything, right? Well studies have actually shown that people who exercise regularly have a lowered desire to watch TV! So not only will getting active distract you and give you something else to do, but if you commit to do doing it regularly, it will lessen your TV addiction. Call a friend. It is common for people to flip on the television anytime that they feel lonely. If you find yourself in this position, turn off the TV and phone a friend instead. That conversation will definitely be more uplifting and better at countering feelings of loneliness than another episode of Mad Men. Play board games. If you and the people you live with are huddled up around the TV every night, try changing the scene and pull out some board games. Board games can be a lot of fun for people of all ages. Depending on the game, they encourage interaction, cooperation, strategy, critical thinking, and having a sense of humor. Start up a game and then look around: you are sure to see a room full of smiles. Listen to podcasts. If you really craving some form of passive entertainment, try listening to a podcast. Podcasts exist on almost any subject and in a variety of genres (comedy, storytelling, non-fiction, etc.) But listening to podcasts still helps you reduce your screen-time. Best of all, podcasts are totally portable! You can tune in from your car, the bus, or walking down the street. Find podcasts through a podcast app, the iTunes store, or through a basic internet search. Go to the movies. If you really have the itch to take in some audio-visual entertainment, take yourself to the movies instead of lounging on the couch. Going to the movies is a great way to get out of the house, it's a fun activity to do on a date or with a friend, and it creates a much more immersive experience than watching TV at home. Plus, a movie is presented in a limited quantity: you'll only watch those 90 (or so) minutes, and then you'll be done.
Limit your TV viewing to one room. Use TiVo or DVR. Cover your TV when not in use. Cancel your cable. Unplug your TV when not in use. Track your TV time. Set a daily time limit. Use TV as a reward. Avoid eating in front of the TV. Use some willpower. Exercise. Call a friend. Play board games. Listen to podcasts. Go to the movies.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-House-a-Better-Place-for-Animals
How to Make Your House a Better Place for Animals
If you want to make your house a better place for animals, make it safer by hiding electrical wires that an animal could chew on and electrocute themselves. Another way is to remove any plants that might be toxic to animals. For example, Cali lilies and philodendrons can cause vomiting and drooling in cats while aloe plants are just as toxic to dogs. You can use the ASPCA's website to research plants that are toxic to your animal, and if you aren't sure the type of plant you have, take a photo of it to your local gardening center.
Hide visible electrical wires. Chewing on electrical wires can be very hazardous for animals. For example, an animal could get electrocuted from chewing on an electrical wire. Electrocution can lead to several medical problems, including burns and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Given these risks, it is very important for you to identify and hide any visible wires (e.g., television cables, power cords for phones and computers) that an animal could get to. Electrocution typically happens in younger animals (less than two years old), since they are very curious about their surrounding environment. Additional clinical signs of electrical injury include difficulty breathing and coughing. Electrical injury requires veterinary care. Make sure your windows latch securely. Cats and dogs can be especially prone to falling out of windows. In fact, cats fall out of windows so frequently that there is name for the occurrence: 'High-Rise Syndrome.' Ensuring that your windows stay securely in the closed position will help prevent your dog or cat from being able to slip out of the window and potentially injure themselves. Although it may be expensive, it may be worth investing in windows with secure latches. Visiting your local home improvement store can help you decide which type of window would work best for your budget. Remove any toxic plants in your home. As beautiful as houseplants can be, they can also be quite toxic to animals, particularly dogs and cats. For example, Cali lilies and philodendrons are very toxic to cats and can cause drooling and vomiting, among other clinical signs. Aloe plants are toxic to dogs, and can cause such signs as vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors. The ASPCA website ( https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants?field_toxicity_value []=01) has a comprehensive list of plants that are toxic and nontoxic to dogs and cats. If you are unsure what types of plants you have in your home, consider taking pictures of them and visiting your local gardening store for additional information. Prevent your animal’s access to cabinets and trashcans. Our kitchen and bathroom cabinets typically contain cleaning agents and/or medications that could be very harmful to animals if ingested. For example, painkillers, vitamins, and diet pills are all toxic to animals. Childproof latches are very helpful in keeping out animals who are crafty enough to open doors or lids. Spoiled or rotten food can contain toxins, such as the botulinum toxin, that can make animals very sick. Prevent your animal’s access to rodent traps. Some rodent traps contain rodenticide, which is extremely toxic to animals. In fact, rodenticide poisoning is a very common cause of poisonings in animals. Rodenticides have anticoagulants, which can cause severe bleeding problems in animals. Clinical signs of rodent poisoning include lethargy and weakness, and tend to get worse over time. If you have a rodent problem and choose to use rodent traps, it is advised to make the traps as inaccessible to pets as possible. Rodenticide poisoning requires immediate veterinary care. Use Teflon-free appliances. This is critical if you have birds. Teflon, which is a chemical commonly found in non-stick appliances, is highly toxic to birds. It causes a potentially fatal respiratory condition called 'Teflon toxicosis.' A heated non-stick appliance, such as a skillet, emits a noxious fume that can cause a bird to become extremely weak and start gasping for air. If you are unsure if your appliances are nonstick, you may want to consider purchasing new appliances that you know are not nonstick. Provide accommodations for older dogs or cats. As animals get older, they can develop medical problems, such as arthritis, that can be uncomfortable and make normal activities more challenging. To assist them in their old age, provide older dogs or cats with additional bedding or padding to make their sleep area more comfortable. Carpet-covered ramps or stairs will help older dogs and cats get up or down from their usual resting spots or in and out of a car (more applicable for dogs). You can look for the ramps and stairs at your local pet store. Alternatively, you could visit your local home improvement store to find these items and design them to be more pet- friendly. No-skid carpets and foam floor mats are helpful for older dogs who may be unsteady on their feet. Refrain from rearranging furniture if you have a blind dog or cat. Rearranging the furniture could cause them to bump into something and potentially injure themselves. Elevating food and water bowls to shoulder or elbow height is helpful for older dogs and cats with arthritis or back problems. Create a quiet space for cats. Cats need space for peace and quiet. Try to set up an area of your home for your cat that is away from a lot of noise and distraction. This area can also serve as a safe hiding place for a cat who is easily spooked by thunderstorms or loud noises. Place cages for your pocket pet and/or bird away from drafts. Pockets pets and birds are very sensitive to temperature changes and extremes. Try to keep their cages away from any source of drafts (e.g., drafty windows, air vents, fans). If you have other pets, it is also preferable to keep pocket pet cages on a raised surface, such as a table. This would prevent your other pets from being able to get to your pocket pet. Maintain a comfortable cage environment for your reptile. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals and need special cage accommodations to ensure their maximal comfort. This will likely require you to purchase additional lights and cage accessories. For example, you will need incandescent light bulbs and 'basking' lights to warm up the cage to the ideal temperature. Reptiles also need ultraviolet light. Light bulbs can be purchased at your local pet store that provide this type of lighting. When the outside humidity is low, especially during the winter, misting your reptile several times a week can help keep him comfortable. Specific needs vary between reptile species, so be sure to research your specific type of reptile to determine what will work best for him. Learn the benefits of environmental enrichment. Environmental enrichment is very important for any animal's welfare and well-being. Having an enriched environment keeps animals physically and mentally stimulated by providing novel and potentially challenging experiences. An enriched environment also allows animals to exhibit their natural behaviors (e.g., chasing, hunting). Environmental enrichment needs can vary from species to species, so it is important to do your research to determine what will work best for the animal you have. Provide environmental enrichment for your cat. You can create an enriching environment for your cat in several ways. For example, you can provide him with a steady rotation of toys so that he does not become bored with what she plays with. Giving him toys that match his personality can keep him even more entertained. Toys that dangle are good for cats that like to chase things and use their hunting skills. Moving the toy away from his visual field will make it harder for him to chase and catch, and will make playtime more interesting for him. Scheduling regular playtime with your cat is an important component of environmental enrichment. Aim to play with your cat twice a day for about 5 to 15 minutes per session. Consider switching out his toys every few days. Puzzle-feeders provide both mental and physical stimulation. You can place dry food inside these toys so that you cat has to put in extra effort to get to the food. Window perches are an excellent way to enrich your cat's environment by providing him with visual stimulation. Cat videos featuring typical cat prey (rodents, birds) can also keep him busy, especially in the winter when there isn't much to see outside. Training your cat provides great environmental enrichment by giving your cat mental and physical challenges. The main key to training a cat is making bad behavior undesirable and making good behavior extremely desirable. Create an enriching environment for your dog. Just like cats, dogs need a variety and steady rotation of toys to prevent boredom. A good rule of thumb is to provide your dog with three toys at a time and rotate them out on a regular basis (e.g., about every five days). Dogs can benefit from watching dog videos when you are not home. Dog videos are more suitable for dogs who may become highly reactive when seeing something outside that they cannot get to. Puzzle feeders are a great way to provide your dog with environmental enrichment. Leaving the television or radio on when you are not home, or giving your dog a toy that makes noise, can stimulate his auditory sense and be enriching for him. Hiding treats around the house can help your dog use his sense of smell, which can keep him entertained and happy. Regular playtime with you is another way to provide environmental enrichment for your dog. Dogs can be trained to do many tricks or tasks, such as sitting, playing fetch , and playing dead. The process of learning the tricks and tasks will be enriching for your dog, as long as you make it a rewarding and positive experience (e.g., verbal praise, treats). Enrich your pocket pet's environment. Pocket pets tend to be very energetic animals and need enrichment to keep them busy and active. As with dogs and cats, pocket pets need toys and plenty of them. Rather than going out and spending a lot of money on toys at your local pet store, you can make your own toys out of items such as empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls. If you would like to purchase toys at the pet store, consider purchasing nibbler and chew toys. Ramps and stairs are useful if your pocket pet's cage is multi-level. Just make sure that the ramps and stairs are solid to prevent his feet from getting stuck. Exercise wheels are a great way for your pocket pet to exercise, but are not suitable for all pocket pets. For example, exercise wheels can seriously injure a guinea pig's back, but are fine for a hamster or mouse. Playtime outside of the cage is important for pocket pets. Before letting your pocket pet out of his cage, make sure that your other pets are blocked from the area. Also, make sure to cover up any furniture that he could nibble on, and block his access to potential hiding places (e.g., under and between furniture). Enhance the environment of your bird's cage. When outfitting your bird's cage, make sure to include several perches of varying diameters and textures to keep his feet healthy and prevent a specific foot condition called 'bumble foot.' Select a perch diameter that will allow your bird to firmly grip the perch without falling off. Birds tends to like puzzle-feeder toys, as well as plush toys that they can snuggle up against. Be mindful that large birds can destroy toys quickly, so you may have to purchase toys for your bird on a regular basis. Contrary to popular belief, it is not recommended to provide birds with a mirror. Birds can be trained. For example, you can teach your budgie to step up. Cater to your reptile's enrichment needs. Provide environmental enrichment for your reptile. The environmental enrichment needs for reptiles are different from those of other animals typically kept as pets. For example, reptiles need perches, branches, and rock piles in their cages to give them places to climb and hide. It is also good to hide food throughout a reptile's cage to encourage the natural tendency to forage for food. Doing your research on your specie of reptile (e.g., feeding habits, reproductive biology, natural aging process) is critical in providing the right type of environmental enrichment for him. Veiled chameleons prefer to drink water from dew-dampened leaves instead of a water bowl. For this type of reptile, you would need to set up either a misting system or a rainforest environment to allow water to accumulate on the foliage in his cage. If you are not too squeamish, feeding live crickets is good environmental enrichment for bearded dragons.
Hide visible electrical wires. Make sure your windows latch securely. Remove any toxic plants in your home. Prevent your animal’s access to cabinets and trashcans. Prevent your animal’s access to rodent traps. Use Teflon-free appliances. Provide accommodations for older dogs or cats. Create a quiet space for cats. Place cages for your pocket pet and/or bird away from drafts. Maintain a comfortable cage environment for your reptile. Learn the benefits of environmental enrichment. Provide environmental enrichment for your cat. Create an enriching environment for your dog. Enrich your pocket pet's environment. Enhance the environment of your bird's cage. Cater to your reptile's enrichment needs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Give-Your-Hermit-Crab-a-Bath
How to Give Your Hermit Crab a Bath
To give your hermit crab a bath, start by combining water and Oceanic Salt, which you can buy from a pet store. Then, remove your crab from its tank and put it in the bath. Next, swish the water around so it goes into the crab's shell, which will encourage it to come out. Once the crab comes out of its shell, allow it to crawl around in the container and replenish the water in its shell. After a few minutes, remove your crab from the bath and place it back in its tank to keep it from drowning in the salt water.
Find the right container. You can use just about any bowl or small container to serve as a hermit crab bath if you intend to help the crab bathe itself. If you are going to keep a hermit crab bath inside the tank, you may want to use a small water bowl designed for pets in tanks to ensure the crab can enter and exit the water easily. Choose a bowl with a flat bottom so the crab can easily maneuver while in its bath. If you will not be present as your crab bathes, ensure it is able to easily get out of the water. Hermit crabs can knock over light bowls, so if you leave a bowl in the tank, ensure it is heavy enough that the crab can't knock it over. Create a salt water mixture. Hermit crabs drink freshwater, but need to be bathed in a salt water solution. There are a number of products available for sale at your local pet store to help you add the right kind of salt to your water. Products like Hermit Crab Salt or Oceanic Salt provide the right sort of salt content for your hermit crab bath. Use distilled, room temperature water instead of tap water to ensure there are no chemicals that could harm your hermit crab in the water. Use one teaspoon of salt per every one hundred milliliters of water for the best mixture. Fill the container to the correct level. Once you have your container and your salt water mixture, you will need to fill the container to the correct height to serve as a hermit crab bath without putting the crab at any risk. Do not fill the container so the hermit crab would be completely submerged in water, instead make it so the top of the water will be just below the top of the hermit crab's shell. If you are keeping the crab bath in the tank, make sure there are pebbles in it and a way to exit the water so the crab does not end up trapped in the container. Be careful not to let your hermit crab drown. Hermit crabs love a good bath, but don't forget that they are land crabs and require oxygen to breath. Keeping the crab submerged in its bath for too long could kill a hermit crab. Do not leave the hermit crab unattended in the bathing container if you are bathing your crab separate from its tank and it is unable to climb out of the container on its own. Only keep your hermit crab in the water for a few minutes, then return it to its tank. Remove your crab from its tank and place it in the bath. Be gentle when removing your hermit crab from its tank to avoid stressing the crab out too much. Use slow movements when approaching the crab and don't make sudden movements while you are holding it. Taking your crab out of its tank too often can stress the crab out and cause it to retreat to inside its shell for extended periods of time. Try to make the process a pleasant one for the crab by being gentle and slow moving. Move the crab around a bit once it’s in the water. Once you place the crab down into the salt water solution, it may be too afraid of the process to recognize that it is now in a salt water bath it will really enjoy. Swish the crab around a bit so the water in the container comes into contact with the crab's legs and splashes into the shell to make sure it understands that it is in the water. Leave the hermit crab alone for a minute after to allow it to come out of its shell. Allow your crab to come out of its shell and move around. After a minute or two the crab will begin to emerge from its shell and crawl around in the container. Allow it to move around freely as it bathes itself and replenishes the water in its shell it uses to stay moist. Let the crab explore the container and move about freely as it cleans itself. Don't leave the crab in the water for too long. Allow it to crawl around for a few minutes, then remove it when it either seems like it is trying to find a way out or recedes back into its shell. Return your clean hermit crab to its tank. If you do not leave a bathing bowl in your hermit crab's tank, you will need to return it to its home now that it's nice and clean. Be careful not to frighten or stress out your crab in the process. You may want to allow your crab to crawl around on a paper towel first to dry off a bit. Be gentle as you remove the crab from its bath and return it to its tank. Do not bath your crab more frequently than once per day, as otherwise it may become stressed out and refuse to leave its shell. Be sure to bathe your hermit crab as needed. Hermit crabs require frequent baths in salt water in order to maintain their health, but there are some variables that may affect how often your hermit crab needs a bath. Hermit crabs require bathing daily if the humidity levels in the habitat of the crab are less than 70%. If the crab lives in a habitat that maintains higher than 70% humidity, bathing may be infrequent and sporadic, as the moisture levels in the air will enable to crab to maintain proper moisture levels in its skin. Regardless of humidity level, bathe your hermit crab if you notice mites or small insects crawling around on your crab.
Find the right container. Create a salt water mixture. Fill the container to the correct level. Be careful not to let your hermit crab drown. Remove your crab from its tank and place it in the bath. Move the crab around a bit once it’s in the water. Allow your crab to come out of its shell and move around. Return your clean hermit crab to its tank. Be sure to bathe your hermit crab as needed.
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Scuff-Marks-from-Car-Vinyl
How to Remove Scuff Marks from Car Vinyl
If you need to remove scuff marks from your car vinyl, try using vinegar and a magic eraser. First, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray the mixture onto the scuffed surface, let it soak in for a moment, then wipe it down with a magic eraser scrubbing pad. These pads are abrasive enough to buff out scratches, but won't damage the vinyl. If you have more serious scuffs, try adding a little baking soda to your vinegar cleaning spray. Or, purchase a heavy-duty auto interior degreaser. In most cases, you'll need to mix this concentrated cleaner with 4 parts water before using it.
Create a homemade vinegar-based cleaner. If you don't want to purchase a specially made degreaser or scuff remover, you can try making a homemade cleaner first. Combine equal parts of white vinegar and water. Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle. Use a magic eraser to buff out scuffs. Whether a brand name or generic product, you can find magic eraser scrubbing pads at your nearest home goods, home improvement, or department store. They're the easiest and most effective pad to use when buffing out scuffed or scratched vinyl. Further, they won't wear away of the vinyl surface like a more abrasive pad would. Spray the cleaner onto the scuffed surface and wipe. Spray enough to saturate the scuffed portion of the vinyl panel. Use the magic eraser to wipe it down using long, even strokes. Wipe away residue with a microfiber towel when you're finished. Try adding baking soda to your cleaning solution. For deeper or more serious scuffs, you may need a little extra abrasion. Try adding enough baking soda to form a thin paste. If you've added a cup (240 mL) each of water and vinegar, try adding two or three tablespoons of baking soda. Mix well until the baking soda is well suspended. Purchase an auto interior degreaser. Purchase a degreaser concentrate if you've already tried wiping the surface down with a homemade cleaner, or if you just want to use a professional-grade detailer. You can find degreasers for car interiors at your local automotive or home improvement store. Since it's a concentrated product, you'll have to dilute the degreaser when you're ready to use it. Dilute your degreaser in four parts of water. If you're using a store-bought degreaser, you'll need to dilute it before using it on your car vinyl. Mix one part degreaser with four parts of water. Then pour your solution into a clean spray bottle. Spray the scuffed surface and scrub. Spray your diluted degreaser or homemade cleaner directly onto the scuffed vinyl. Scrub with your magic eraser using smooth, even motions until you've removed the scuff. For tight spaces that you can't spray directly, you can spray the scrub pad. If the space is too tight for the scrub pad to access, try using a hard bristle toothbrush. Replace your pad as necessary. The vinyl surface texture will determine the number of scrub pads you'll need. Smoother surfaces will most likely require only a single pad. If the texture is rougher or more rubberized, you'll likely wear through a pad and will need to replace it as necessary until you've removed the scuff. Wipe away residue with a microfiber towel. When you've finished buffing out the scuff, you'll be left with residual cleaner and light debris. Wipe it away using a dry microfiber cloth. Using microfiber will leave you with a lint-free finish. Purchase a complete scratch removing kit. Consider purchasing a professional kit if the scuff is more than just superficial or if you're dealing with scratched vinyl. The kit will include a glue to fill in the deep scuff or scratch, an activator to dry the glue, and a dye that matches your vinyl color. You can order a scratch removal kit online for about 50 US dollars. Your kit will come with a factory-matched dye to blend in with your vinyl color. When you order your kit, you can search for your car's make and model to identify the correct vinyl color. Sand the scratched area. Use a piece of 220 grit sandpaper to smooth over the scratch or deep scuff. Try to remove any roughness around the scratch so its edges are flush with the vinyl surface. Some scratch removal kits provide sandpaper. If you don't have any fine grain sandpaper on hand, you can check kits' contents before ordering and purchase one that supplies sandpaper. Clean the area after sanding. Wipe down the area with a damp cloth. If the area is greasy or grimy, clean it with a homemade vinegar solution or store-bought auto interior cleaner. Use a clean microfiber towel to dry the area. Apply glue to the scratch and spread. If the area is still at all damp after wiping it down with microfiber, wait for it to dry completely before applying glue. Dab a small amount of the superglue that came in the scratch removal kit. Smooth the glue over the scratch using a narrow palette knife. If your kit provided a glue activator, apply it over the glue to instantly harden it. Sand and clean the glue when it’s dry. If you haven't used an activator, wait for the glue to dry completely. Use your 220 grit sandpaper to smooth over the glued surface. Then wipe down the area with a damp cloth, and dry it with a microfiber towel. Apply multiple light coats of factory-matched dye. The dye will come in an aerosol sprayer. Spray a light, even coat over the patched area, and hold a piece of cardboard under the area to help protect surrounding surfaces. Wait for the dye to dry, and reapply until you've achieved even coverage. If you have a heat gun handy, you can use it to dry the dye faster. Hold it about 12 inches (about 30 cm) away from the dyed surface.
Create a homemade vinegar-based cleaner. Use a magic eraser to buff out scuffs. Spray the cleaner onto the scuffed surface and wipe. Try adding baking soda to your cleaning solution. Purchase an auto interior degreaser. Dilute your degreaser in four parts of water. Spray the scuffed surface and scrub. Replace your pad as necessary. Wipe away residue with a microfiber towel. Purchase a complete scratch removing kit. Sand the scratched area. Clean the area after sanding. Apply glue to the scratch and spread. Sand and clean the glue when it’s dry. Apply multiple light coats of factory-matched dye.
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Country-Song
How to Find a Country Song
To find a country song, start by opening Google and typing in the lyrics in quotation marks, adding the word “lyrics” after it. If you can't remember any actual lyrics, try to think of other details about the song, like the general topic or if the singer was a man or woman, and use that in your online search. Then, search the results in YouTube or iTunes to confirm that it's the song you were thinking of.
Download Shazam or MusicID on your mobile device. If you're listening to a country song currently and can't figure out what it is or who it is by, open up one of these apps on your phone, activate it, and hold it up to the sound source. These apps are very effective at recognizing songs and giving you the name of the artist and the name of the tune. Hum the melody into SoundHound. This free app analyzes the melody and presents you with a list of possible options. Midomi is another program that works in a similar way. Even if you're not a great singer, the program can recognize the intervals that you're singing. Hum along as much of the melody as you can remember. NameMyTune and WatZatSong present your singing sample to people online, making it somewhat more reliable than a computer. People usually get back to you pretty quick with a list of options. Record the song and upload it to AudioTag. If you don't have any of these options available to you, try to record as much of the song as you can on your phone. It doesn't have to be a great-quality sound file, just good enough for someone to recognize it. When you're back at your computer, you can upload it to AudioTag. This is a bot program that analyzes the music much like Shazam, but on the computer. Recording the track, if you can, is a great way of learning what it is later. Play the track around to other people, to see if you get any hits. Try to pick out the melody on a virtual keyboard. While these methods are traditionally reserved for classical music, Musipedia or MelodyCatcher allow you to play the melody of a song on an online keyboard, which it then analyzes. There are a variety of pop, rock, and country songs as well. Narrow down your search. You have to know something about a song to find it. Anything that you can remember about the song will be helpful in narrowing down your search. Is the song sung by a man or a woman? Does it sound old or new? Any country song with AutoTune or electronic drum fills isn't going to be by George Jones. What's the song about? try to remember any words from the song at all. try to remember the content of the song. Search for any lyrics you remember. Open Google and type any lyrics that you remember in quotation marks. Then type the word "lyrics" and any other context that you can remember. See what comes up, then search for the song in YouTube or iTunes or some other database of your choice. The chorus is best, but any lyrics are helpful. Cowboy Lyrics is the best country music lyric database on the internet, but Google will usually take you there. It tends to skew more toward classic country, rather than contemporary pop country, though, so it might be hard to find what you're looking for. Describe the video, if you've seen it. If the song was less memorable than the video that you saw, try to describe it. What happens in the video? What's the plot? Describe the video in as much detail as possible in your search. Keep it short and to-the-point: "country music video car wreck on a dirt road" Search for new top releases on the country charts. If you're fairly certain the song was new when you heard it, check out what new singles were released in the last couple weeks, and what country songs are climbing the charts. Make a playlist of the songs and listen to them to see if your song is in there. If not, you might find one you like even more. Listen to country radio. If you hear the song being played, write down some of the lyrics so that you can search them on the Internet later. Some radio stations announce the title of the song and the artist after the song is over, but others may not. Either way, you can hear the song again and learn more about tit. Write down the name of the station and the time that you heard the song. Lots of radio stations put playlists online, if they don't call them out on air. You could also call the DJs of the radio stations and try to describe the song.
Download Shazam or MusicID on your mobile device. Hum the melody into SoundHound. Record the song and upload it to AudioTag. Try to pick out the melody on a virtual keyboard. Narrow down your search. Search for any lyrics you remember. Describe the video, if you've seen it. Search for new top releases on the country charts. Listen to country radio.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Razor-Clam
How to Clean a Razor Clam
To clean razor clams, scrub the sand off of them with your hands or a sturdy scrub brush. Next, open the shells by submerging them in boiling water, followed by cold water. Then, use your hands to pull the clam meat from the shell. Once you've removed the meat, slice off the tip of the neck, then cut a slit from the foot up to the neck. Afterwards, remove the gills, stomach, and the crystalline style, then slice the foot of the clam and pull out the intestines. Finally, rinse out the inside of the clam until all you see is clean, white meat.
Clean the sand off of your clams. Before you get started, give your clam shells a nice scrub so that you won't transfer any sand onto your clam meat during the unshelling. You don't need to use any soap or cleaning product to wash off the sand. All you need is water and friction. Put your clams into a colander or steamer basket that fits into a pot. If you have too many clams to put them all into the colander or steamer basket, then you can split them into batches for cleaning. Grab a few towels or oven mitts to help you safely handle your clams. If you don't have a pot that's large enough, then you can use a heat proof bowl. Boil a pot of water. Bring your water to a rolling boil. You can leave it in the pot for the next step, or you can pour it into your heat proof bowl if you're using one. While the amount of water doesn't have to be exact, it's best to use about 1 quart (1 liter) for every 15 clams. Dip the colander or steamer basket into the pot. Completely submerge your clams to get them to open their shells. While they're in the water, gently shift the colander back and forth to encourage the clams to open. Wait 10 seconds, then remove the clams. The clams will have opened their shells with the meat exposed, but you need to cool them down quickly so that the meat doesn't cook. Accidentally cooking the clam in the boiling water will ruin its texture and flavor. Have a bowl of cold water prepared and waiting for use before you insert the clams into the boiling water. Submerge the clams in cold water. You can use either cool or ice water to chill your clams. The cold water will prevent the clams from cooking improperly. Wait until your clams are completely cool before handling them to avoid burns. Pull the clams from the shells. Use your hands to remove the clam meat. Place the clam meat into a clean container. If the clam is not completely detached, cut its four abductor muscles with a sharp knife. Remove the tip of the neck (the siphon). This is the tough part of the clam, so most people choose to slice it off. You will want to remove it as close to the tip as possible to preserve the meat. Cut a slit from the foot of the clam up to the tip of the neck. One side of the clam should have a sharp tooth-like texture that resembles a razor-blade or zipper. Follow along the razor-blade with your knife to open the meat. Lay your clam flat. Spread the clam to reveal its inner parts. You can lay it on a cutting board or plate so that you can easily make your cuts as you remove the inedible parts of the clam. If you are experienced in the kitchen, you may choose to hold the clam in your hand; however, doing so risks you cutting your hand. It's best to use a hard surface instead. Cut off the gills. You will see the fleshy brown gills near the center of your clam. Use your knife to carefully detach them from the rest of the clam meat. Cut down below the gills and rinse thoroughly to remove any hidden sand. The gills are not dangerous to eat, but most people prefer to remove them before cooking them. The mouth of the clam, called the palp, is in the same place as the gills. You will be removing these parts together if you scrape away all of the fleshy brown area. Squeeze near the digger (the foot) of the clam to reveal the stomach. Look for the dark sack-like part of your clam, which is the stomach. Press the meat below the stomach to make it easier to cut it away. Use your knife to remove the stomach, which may take several passes with your blade. Rinse the area to remove the gunk that seeps out. Continue to cut and rinse until all of the dark stomach sludge is gone. Locate and remove the clear rod that is inside the clam. Razor clams contain a crystalline style that allows them to break up their food, and you must remove it before eating the meat. While you're cutting away the stomach, you should see the rod slide from inside the clam. If it doesn't come away on it's own, press the clam to push it out, then remove it with your fingers. Don't mistake the crystalline style for a worm. It's a natural part of the clam. It will look like a piece of plastic. Slice the digger (the foot) and lay it open. The digger looks like a long rectangular piece that extends from around the center of your clam. You can choose to first cut it away from the rest of the meat or to leave it attached for cooking, depending on your personal preferences or the directions in your recipe. Pull out the intestines. Inside the foot you will see what looks like dark sludge. These are the intestines, which need to be cleared away. You can pluck them out or run your knife beneath them. Rinse the area until all you see is clean, white clam meat. Hold each clam under running water. Once you've cut away all of the innards, you'll want to give your clams a final rinse. For best results, rinse them individually under your tap. Allow each clam a few seconds under the water. Place the clams into a clean dish. As you finish washing each clam, transfer it into your preparation dish. Continue until all of the clams are clean. Drain away any excess water. After you're done washing the clams, drain off any water that has accumulated in your dish. Cook or store your clams. Proceed with your recipe or freeze your clams for later. You can always prepare part of the batch and save the rest. If you want to freeze your clams, place them in a storage bag or container. Add a little water before putting it in the freezer.
Clean the sand off of your clams. Put your clams into a colander or steamer basket that fits into a pot. Boil a pot of water. Dip the colander or steamer basket into the pot. Wait 10 seconds, then remove the clams. Submerge the clams in cold water. Pull the clams from the shells. Remove the tip of the neck (the siphon). Cut a slit from the foot of the clam up to the tip of the neck. Lay your clam flat. Cut off the gills. Squeeze near the digger (the foot) of the clam to reveal the stomach. Locate and remove the clear rod that is inside the clam. Slice the digger (the foot) and lay it open. Pull out the intestines. Hold each clam under running water. Place the clams into a clean dish. Drain away any excess water. Cook or store your clams.
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How to Make a Genogram
To draw a genogram, start with a template online, draw one by hand, or purchase genogram creation software to make your outline. Once you have your outline, use symbols to represent relatives and relationships, like squares for men, circles for women, and horizontal lines for marriages. Next, organize the chart by placing the oldest generation you want to include at the top of the chart. Work your way down and add any relationship or family events, like divorce or death.
Determine your reason for creating a genogram. The purpose of your genogram will help you to focus on the type of family information you want to collect. It's also likely to help you decide with whom you will share the completed diagram––sometimes the information might be considered upsetting or too sensitive for some family members, so you'll need to judge that depending on the context. Genograms can focus on a number of hereditary patterns and issues including substance abuse, mental illness, and physical violence, as well as many physical illnesses. Genograms can provide health care workers with a visual document that tracks the history of your current mental or medical proclivities through your family bloodline. Understand what you are looking for. Once you know why you're making a genogram, whether it's for a healthcare provider, school project, or just to get to know you and your family more, knowing what it is you want to learn can help you to organize how you go about populating your genogram. Genograms are like family trees. Only in addition to looking at the branches, you also look at the leaves on each branch. You'll not only learn who is in your family, but how everyone is connected through physical and emotional relationships. For example, a genogram can tell you who is married, divorced, widowed, etc. It will also tell you how many kids each union (typically between two individuals) has, what each child is like, and what the individual relationships are between members on more than just a physical level. Think about what kind of information you want to learn from making your genogram. Do you want to know who in your family has depression, addictions, or a history of cancer? Perhaps you want to know more about why your mother and her mother never get along, by looking for the right clues you'll be able to make a genogram that serves your goals. Decide how many generations you need to represent in your genogram. This will give you a clear idea of who you will need to approach for information to complete your diagram and whether this will be possible given people's ages and geographical location. Luckily, you can always use email, Skype, and other communication devices to get in touch with family members that you may not be able to meet in person. Knowing how far back you need to go will also make the process easier and quicker. Do you want to start with your grandparents? Maybe you want to go further back to your great grandparents. Deciding how far to go back will give you an idea of who you need to contact. Develop a set of questions to ask yourself and your relatives. Use what you wish to learn from your genogram to come up with some questions to ask so that you can get the most information as quickly as possible. Here are some examples: ”Beginning with your grandmother, what was her name, who was she married to, and when/how did she pass away? What was her ethnicity?” ”How many children did your mother's parents have?” ”Did [name of family member] abuse drugs or alcohol?” ”Did [name of family member] have any mental or physical illnesses? What were/are they?” Write down what you know already. Chances are, you already know quite a bit about your family history, especially if you're close with one or more of your family members. Take a look at the questions you've formed and see how many you can answer on your own. Talk to family members. Once you've exceeded your own knowledge, it's time to talk to family members. Ask questions about family relationships and significant events. Take good notes. While the questions you have written down will help you with the outline of what you're trying to learn, you may also get useful information you didn't think about when you listen to stories from your family members. Be mindful that these discussions may be difficult for some family members. Be prepared to listen to lots of stories. Stories are some of the best means by which we remember and transfer information––encourage these as they arise by listening attentively and asking open-ended questions that motivate the person to share more information. Search through family books and documents, and the internet. Sometimes your family won't be able to remember everything you need to know, or they may not wish to share it with you. Web searches or family books can be used to cross check what you've learned from your family or fill in some gaps. However, you should be sure that this information is accurate if you decide to use it. Look at your own history. You have a wealth of information within your own personal history that can help you with a baseline. Gather information from your own medical records. Take into account what medications you may be using, as you can use this information to find out if any of your family members take the same, or similar medication for a condition. Learn the familial relationships. When making a genogram you'll need to know how everyone in your family is connected. Research the unions between family members, gathering information on marriages, divorces, children, etc. Take note of who is married, who is divorced, who may be living together outside of marriage. Is anyone widowed? What about separation, or forced separation? Depending on what you're trying to learn from making a genogram, you may have to ask some deeper, and sometimes uncomfortable questions to determine relationships. You may have to know if anyone in your family had one-night or very short term relationships and how many. Or, if anyone was ever in a forced relationship. Be mindful of who you are talking to and what kinds of questions you are asking as this could be uncomfortable for some. Learn the emotional relationships. Now that you know how everyone is connected, it's time to learn what kind of emotional relationships your family members have/had. Uncovering the answers to the emotional questions will be extremely useful when trying to determine any psychological factors in your family. Are members of a union loving? Do members get along? Maybe some of your family can't stand each other. As you dig deeper, look for patterns of abuse or neglect. You can go even further and differentiate between physical and emotional components. Design your genogram. Genogram templates are available online or you can start from scratch and fill one out by hand. You can also purchase software programs designed specifically for creating genograms. Use standard genogram symbols to represent family members and relationships, both normal and dysfunctional. The symbols act as a visual indicator of the information you gathered in your interviews. You can draw the standard genogram symbols by hand or by using the "draw" or "shapes" options in a word processing program. Males are indicated by a square. When indicating a marriage, position the male symbol to the left. Women are indicated by a circle. When indicating a marriage, position the female symbol to the right. A single horizontal line indicates marriage and two slanted lines separation. The oldest child is always below and to the left of his family, whereas the youngest should be below and to the right. Other available symbols help you describe family events such as pregnancy or miscarriage, illnesses and deaths. There is even a diamond symbol to represent pets. Organize the chart based on family interactions beginning with the oldest generation you want to represent at the top. For example, you may decide to start your genogram with your grandparents or even your great grandparents. Genograms can be used to show the diversity in family relationships as well as patterns of illnesses. A genogram includes symbols to indicate family interactions such as conflict, closeness, estrangement, etc. Emotional relationships have specific symbols that help keep the flow of the genogram clear. There are also symbols that denote sexual and physical abuse as well as mental and physical disorders. Look for patterns. Once you've made the genogram, look carefully to see what patterns can be identified. There may be hereditary patterns or particular psychological tendencies that are very noticeable when grouped together in this way. Be careful about making assumptions. The data is one thing, but avoid using it to confirm that your family has a particular disease, or mental issue. Talk to a medical professional about any potential for hereditary problems of this type. Avoid using the genogram to make assumptions about the motivations of family members as well, or using this to confront them. While you might find your aunt has a tendency to quit every job she has ever had while your cousin has always seemed to steal other people's boyfriends, it's not a good idea to use the genogram to "prove" your point that a family member needs psychoanalysis. Be very careful to avoid approaching your family members in a judgmental way as a result of making a genogram; talk to your family or personal counselor before proceeding to reach conclusions from a self-generated genogram. If you're writing up the family history, patterns established in a genogram can be very helpful as a way of explaining why ancestral family members left one geographical area for another, what sorts of relationship issues members had and may help to unearth other family members who were not officially recognized.
Determine your reason for creating a genogram. Understand what you are looking for. Decide how many generations you need to represent in your genogram. Develop a set of questions to ask yourself and your relatives. Write down what you know already. Talk to family members. Search through family books and documents, and the internet. Look at your own history. Learn the familial relationships. Learn the emotional relationships. Design your genogram. Use standard genogram symbols to represent family members and relationships, both normal and dysfunctional. Organize the chart based on family interactions beginning with the oldest generation you want to represent at the top. Look for patterns.
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How to Prepare for a Winter Storm
To prepare for a winter storm, start by stocking up on enough non-perishable food, like canned soup and pasta, to last at least 3-4 days. Additionally, make sure to get extra diapers, formula, baby food, and pet food if you have young children or pets. Then, fill up some containers with water or get bottled water from the store in case your pipes freeze. You should also buy fresh batteries to put in your flashlights, and consider getting a cordless cellphone charger, since cordless home phones won't work when the power is out.
Get a snow shovel. Get a quality snow shovel so you can dig yourself out if need be. You may also need to shovel to dig your car out once the storm is over. Try the shovel out before you buy it. Check that you can use it comfortable, especially if you have physical challenges. Consider getting a small snow shovel to dig snow out of smaller corners. Rock salt is not an effective snow melter. While it can melt snow, a shovel will move much more snow quickly. Rock salt and other ice melt treatments are meant for ice, and not effective for snow. If you need to remove snow do so physically. Rock salt and other ice melters can be devastating for your local water and soil, as well as your vehicles and sidewalk. If you must use chemical treatments on paved surfaces, use it only when necessary and only where needed. Buy flashlights and battery-powered lamps. Put fresh batteries in your lamps and flashlights if a storm is coming. Go for a model that can power your cell phone if you can. You can even make a homemade flashlight. Stock up on candles and holders. In case your flashlight suddenly gives out or you run out of batteries, you can light your home the old-fashioned way. LED candles and lanterns are a safer alternative to traditional candles. Fire from candles during a blackout is a real risk, especially with small children. If you use candles, put them in safe holders. Keep them away from anything flammable never leave them unattended; and put them out before going to bed. Fill some shelves with non-perishable food. Stock up on canned soups and vegetables, powdered food, and grains like rice and pasta. Make sure you have enough to last your family at least three or four days. Find a hand-operated can-opener too. Eat the perishable food first. The non-perishable items are for eating if there is a prolonged emergency. The perishables should be used up first. Cook meats ahead of time to make them safer if the power goes up. Uncooked hamburger meat is dangerous within hours, but cooked may be safe for quite some time. If you drink coffee, consider methods that do not require electricity: French press style, for example, or instant coffee. Your drip coffee pot or Keurig may not work. If you have pets, be sure to stock up on pet food as well. Fill up some containers of water. If you're worried about the pipes freezing, stock up on some water. You can buy it bottled – either in small bottles or in gallon jars. You can also simply recycle a few gallon jugs or purchase some, then fill them from the tap. Consider drinking water and cooking use. You may need more than you think when it comes to not only drinking, but cooking as well. Fill up your bathtub, if you have one. You may need water for flushing the toilet. Water can be manually added to the tank after a flush. Gather blankets and warm clothing. You may already have these items, but remember you will need enough blankets to keep you warm without any heat and in adverse conditions. Consider purchasing mittens, thick woolen socks, and a hooded sweatshirt, if you don't already own these items. Locate your first aid kit. You never know what kind of injuries or emergencies will happen when the lights go out. Buy a first aid kit if you don't have one, and familiarize yourself with the contents. Check through your kit to make sure you have sterile bandages, disinfectant, antibiotic ointment, and over-the-counter painkillers available. Get your hands on a camping stove or grill. A gas-powered camping stove is a wise investment for any emergency situation. If you have an electric stove in the kitchen a camp stove is almost a necessity. Be sure you use it with proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and have plenty of backup fuel. Find some matches. You can use these to light your gas range, camping stove, and candles. Do not rely on lighters, as these can run out of fuel or break down all too easily. Ensure you have a phone you can use. Get a cordless cellphone charger if you can. Landline phones work during power outages because the power comes from the phone company. However, cordless home phones will not work when the power is out. Many states require at least one wall plugged phone, which receives power from the telephone connection, in all households. Stock up on diapers, formula, and baby food. If you have an infant, make sure you have a few days of supplies for them. Consider getting disposable diapers, as you may not be able to do laundry. Buy powdered milk, as fresh milk may spoil. Get a refill on your prescription medications. If you're not due for a refill, call your doctor and explain that you're worried about running out during the storm. Get enough to last you for several days. In some states, pharmacies are permitted to issue emergency refills when there's a dangerous weather alert. Check your state's regulations. However, it does not good to have medicine available at the pharmacy if you are unable to get through the roads. Consider investing in a battery-operated radio. \ It's best not to rely on cell service or wireless connections during a storm. With a radio, you can get news without wall power. Make sure the batteries are good. You can buy a motion charging radio, as you can with a flashlight. Winterize your home. Protecting your house and outbuildings from the cold can save you a lot of money and hassle down the line. Insulate walls and attics, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and install storm windows or cover windows with plastic. Clear rain gutters and repair roof leaks in order to avoid clogging and flooding. Cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm. Consider hiring a contractor to check the structural strength of the roof. Make sure your roof can sustain the unusually heavy weight of snow and ice. Insulate pipes and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid them freezing. Invest in a carbon monoxide detector. If you ever need to run a gas stove inside your home for heat or cooking, you'll definitely want a carbon monoxide detector on-hand. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, but deadly. Keep your supplies fresh. Check the batteries in your flashlights every so often, and make sure you have enough potable water and non-perishable food to last your family at least 48 hours. Once every year or two, replace your current stock of canned goods with a fresh batch Consider investing in a generator. If the power frequently goes out where you live, consider getting a portable or stationary electrical generator. Generators cost anywhere form $400 to $10,000 dollars. Run the generator outdoors. Do not run it in your house or garage. Plug equipment directly into the generator. Do not use your home's electrical system while the power is out, as this could harm utility crews. Keep the heat in. Losing heat is definitely uncomfortable, but you can survive it if you keep yourself warm. Stop your pipes from freezing. Go around your house and turn on every faucet so that it's dripping just slightly. Keeping the water moving through the pipes should help prevent them from freezing. Seal up any drafts. Put towels at the bottom of any doors that have a gap, or around drafty windows. If your windows are single-paned, close the curtains or pin a blanket up over them to keep the heat in. Keep yourself warm. Bundle up in warm clothes and stay near your loved ones. If you're all in a room together you'll help keep each other warm with your body heat. Dress in layers. Put on a thin layer of synthetic clothing close to your skin and cover as much as your body as you can. Long underwear or warm leggings will help. On top of that, wear as many layers as you need to keep warm, finishing with a pair or two of warm socks and a sweatshirt or coat with a hood. Wear a head covering. You lose a lot of heat from the top of your head, so keep it covered. If you don't have hooded clothing, wrap a scarf or towel around your head, or put on a warm winter hat. Stay in bed. Put as many covers as you need onto your bed, and hop in. Keeping your body heat in an enclosed space under the sheets will help you stay as warm as possible. Cuddle up. Join forces with a freezing roommate, family member and even the family pets.. Keep the fridge closed as much as possible. This will help it stay cool in spite of the lack of power, and keep your food from spoiling as quickly. Only open the refrigerator when it's absolutely necessary, grab what you need, and close it up. Place frozen items outside. Make use of Mother Nature's freezer, and put them in a snowbank outside. If temperatures are below freezing, you could also keep refrigerated items on an enclosed porch. Plan some entertainment. It can help you stave off boredom while you wait for the power to return. Play cards. Use a classic deck for games like Blackjack, Poker, War, Go Fish, Crazy Eights or Egyptian Ratscrew. Read a book (to yourself, or aloud for others). Try to pick an engrossing epic that will keep you engaged and entertained for hours, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Harry Potter novels, or whatever interesting book you happen to be reading. Get artsy. Draw on pads of paper, or do handcrafts like crocheting or knitting. Stay updated. Having current information is vital in an emergency, so make arrangements to stay informed. Watch updates on the news or listen to the radio for as long as you can before the power goes out. Use social media for updates. If you don't have access to a battery-operated radio, follow national and local disaster agencies (such as FEMA) on Facebook and Twitter. Check periodically for updates. Use SMS messaging if your land-line service is down. You can send an SMS via basic text messaging, or through Twitter updates. Get the phone numbers or Twitter handles of all your family members, keep them handy, and make sure they know how to reach you. Keep tabs on your family members. Try to find out where everyone is before the storm and make a plan to stay in a safe location. If you're going to be separated from anyone, set up a pre-determined time and method for touching base again (such as connecting via text message every 12 hours).
Get a snow shovel. Buy flashlights and battery-powered lamps. Stock up on candles and holders. Fill some shelves with non-perishable food. Fill up some containers of water. Gather blankets and warm clothing. Locate your first aid kit. Get your hands on a camping stove or grill. Find some matches. Ensure you have a phone you can use. Stock up on diapers, formula, and baby food. Get a refill on your prescription medications. Consider investing in a battery-operated radio. Winterize your home. Invest in a carbon monoxide detector. Keep your supplies fresh. Consider investing in a generator. Keep the heat in. Keep yourself warm. Keep the fridge closed as much as possible. Plan some entertainment. Stay updated.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Burn-Scars
How to Get Rid of Burn Scars
To get rid of burn scars, apply an over-the-counter topical cream 2-3 times a day, which will help fresh scars recede and prevent itchiness. After several days, apply an emollient cream once a day to help the surrounding skin absorb the scar. You should also keep the burned tissue out of the sun, which can make the burn darker and much more visible. If you have a second-degree burn scar, treat it with silicon gel pads, which help lighten scar tissue. If you've tried all of these techniques without success, ask your doctor for a referral to a burns specialist to discuss your treatment options, such as regular massages or laser therapy.
Use an over-the-counter moisturizing cream if the scar itches. Burn scars are often itchy. If you scratch them with your fingernails, the scar may tear open or bleed. Instead, apply an OTC moisturizer to the scar. Apply the cream 2–3 times a day by gently massaging it into the scarred area. Select a fragrance-free moisturizer to avoid agitating the burn scar and, for the same reason. Avoid medicated anti-itch creams. Moisturizers are great to use while the burn scar is still fresh. They'll help the scar recede and prevent it from growing large and unsightly. However, do wait until any blistering has healed before applying a moisturizer to the scar. Put an emollient cream on the scar to protect it from damage. Once any blisters on the skin have healed, the scar won't be at risk of or breaking open. Wait another 3-4 days until the scar tissue stops feeling tender. At this point, apply an emollient cream at least once per day. Emollient creams will moisturize the scar and help it reabsorb into the surrounding skin. They'll also reduce redness and protect the scar tissue from being damaged. Emollient creams are heavier and thicker than moisturizers, although not as heavy as an ointment. Purchase an OTC emollient cream at any large drugstore or pharmacy. Keep the burned tissue out of the sun. The ultraviolet rays produced by the sun can darken the color of your scar, making it much more visible. To keep the scar from darkening, use clothing and sunscreen to protect the scar from sunlight. Practical steps you can take include: Wearing a large-brimmed hat if the burn is on your face or neck. Wearing loose clothing that covers the scarring if it's on your body. Applying sunscreen (at least 30 SPF) to the burn if you can't cover it with clothing. Apply silicone gel sheets to second-degree burn scars. Silicone gel sheets hold medical silicone gel against the burn scar, which has been proven to help lighten and remove scar tissue. The sheets are adhesive, and will stay against your skin once you press them firmly into place. Purchase silicone gel sheets at any pharmacy or drugstore. Since they aren't medicated, you won't need a prescription. For best effects, keep the gel sheet on for 12 hours at a time. In order for the silicone gel to work, it's important that you keep the burn scar and surrounding skin clean. Wash your burn scar with soap and water before you apply the silicone gel sheet. If you don't, you'll trap irritants and bacteria under the gel sheet and risk infecting the scar. Do not apply silicone gel sheets to an open burn blister. Meet with a doctor or burn therapist to discuss your options. If you've tried to get rid of burn scars with OTC creams and silicone gel sheets but not had any luck, you need to meet with a medical professional. Start by talking with your general practitioner, who may refer you to a dermatologist or burn specialist. These professionals can help you figure out the best course of action for your particular burn scars. Receive weekly massages to loosen and shrink the scar. Receiving a massage from a professional massage artist will stretch and loosen the burned skin. This will make the scar tissue more flexible and less sensitive, and will also allow the scar to lighten in color. Ideally, receiving massages over a long period of time (e.g., 6 months) will lighten the scar tissue enough that it's no longer visible. If you've seen a burn-scar therapist, ask them to recommend a massage artist who has worked with burn victims before. Perform massages on yourself at home if your doctor allows. Massage treatments can be expensive, and often the massage techniques used are fairly straightforward. If it's alright with your doctor or burn specialist, once you've received 3–5 professional massages, begin massaging yourself at home. Common techniques include stretching, rolling, and kneading the burned area(s). You can learn these techniques by watching your massage therapist perform them on your burn scars. If the burn scar is in an area that you cannot reach, ask a friend or family member to massage you. Ask about laser treatments to remove large, dark scarring. Large scars that comprise hairless, shiny, raised skin can be tough to remove. One of the common methods of lightening them is through laser treatments. The application of lasers may remove the scars' dark red color and soften the scar tissue, although it may take 1-2 weeks before you begin to see results. Laser treatments can also decrease pain and itching caused by the scar. Talk with your doctor or burn-scar therapist to find a doctor who can perform the laser scar removal. The therapist may recommend that you receive laser treatments in addition to—or instead of—massages. While combining laser treatments with massage won't necessarily help you get rid of your scar tissue any faster, the added massages will help loosen the scar tissue in ways that laser treatments won't. Consider steroid injections to reduce raised, thick burn scars. Thick, dense scars that won't shrink with massage or laser therapy can often be treated with steroid injections. When steroids are injected directly into scar tissue, they shrink the size of the scar and soften the tissue, often over a period of 5-7 days. Ask your doctor if steroid injections will help get rid of your burn scar. These injections can be administered by your general practitioner or by a burn-scar specialist. Thick, raised, smooth burn scars are medically referred to as “keloid” scars. In some cases, keloid scars may expand and grow past the limits of the initial burn. Ask your burn therapist about surgery if other methods aren’t effective. In the case of severe or widespread scarring (e.g., from third-degree burns), surgery may be the only means of removing the scarred tissue. In most cases, surgery is performed to increase the burn victim's range of motion, since large patches of scar tissue can restrict movement. However, surgery can also have cosmetic benefits by reducing the darkness and size of burn scars. Discuss the types of surgery available. Depending on the type and severity of your burn scars, your burn therapist may recommend different types of surgery. For example, to increase the mobility of the burned skin and lessen the scar's appearance, the therapist may recommend a Z-plasty. Or, if the scarred skin needs to be fully replaced, they'll suggest a skin flap or a fat graft. In a skin flap surgery, the surgeons will remove healthy skin (along with muscle and fatty tissue) from a non-burned part of your body and graft it over the burn scar. For a fat graft, the surgeon will remove fat from a non-burned part of your body and insert it beneath the burn scar. Other types of surgery often performed on burn scars include tissue expansion and dermabrasion. Performing a tissue expansion allows doctors to stretch out the skin beneath your scar tissue and, eventually, to scrape off the scar tissue, leaving healthy skin tissue in its place. In a dermabrasion, the doctor will scrape off the top layer of your burn scar to smooth the scar's overall appearance.
Use an over-the-counter moisturizing cream if the scar itches. Put an emollient cream on the scar to protect it from damage. Keep the burned tissue out of the sun. Apply silicone gel sheets to second-degree burn scars. Meet with a doctor or burn therapist to discuss your options. Receive weekly massages to loosen and shrink the scar. Perform massages on yourself at home if your doctor allows. Ask about laser treatments to remove large, dark scarring. Consider steroid injections to reduce raised, thick burn scars. Ask your burn therapist about surgery if other methods aren’t effective. Discuss the types of surgery available.
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Parrots-to-Make-Less-Noise
How to Train Parrots to Make Less Noise
To train your parrot to make less noise, start by giving it a treat, like yogurt-covered nuggets, and verbal praise any time that it stops screaming. When your parrot makes a loud noise, ignore it completely or leave the room for at least 10 seconds to show the bird that it's an undesirable behavior. Additionally, try to speak softly to your parrot and reward it every time it mimics your quiet voice. You can also limit your parrot's light exposure by closing the curtains in the afternoon or covering its cage, since too much light can cause aggressive, loud behavior in parrots.
Clicker train your parrot. Parrots are very trainable, respond well to clicker training, and will appreciate the mental stimulus. Mental activity will help decreasing squawking significantly. Clicker training a parrot not to squawk is parallel to clicker training a dog not to bark. Get a clicker and small, ingestible parrot treats. First associate the clicker and treat with one another. In front of your pet, click the clicker and “immediately” give the treat afterwards. Do this until your parrot starts watching expectantly for a treat after the clicker--this is a sign that they have successfully associated the two together. Use the clicker as you would a treat. The clicker replaces the need of providing a treat, which can be expensive over time, messy, and difficult if your bird is a picky eater. Mark each correct behavior with a click. If needed, follow up a click with lots of praise and treats to fortify the “clicker and treat” association. Reward good behavior. Any time your parrot stops screaming when you've left the room, or mimics your soft, muted tones, give your parrot a delicious treat, praise, or click if you are clicker training (keep reading for the last method). Try a variety of treats with your parrot until you learn what it likes. Then use the treats that it responds the best to, but reserve these "special treats" for training purposes. Eventually, your parrot will associate that treat with its good behavior. Birds tend to prefer colorful treats with a lot of flavor. Some bird experts recommend treats like Nutri-Berries or yogurt-covered nugget treats designed for parrots, like Kaytee Yogurt Dips. Break treats into small portions. This allows your parrot to eat quickly and remain focused on the training, without getting too distracted by the reward. Reward your bird immediately after it obeys you. It's important for the reward to be seen by your bird as a quick and immediate response. Otherwise, your parrot may not make that association. Give your parrot verbal praise every time you give it a food reward for its good behavior. Avoid punishment with yelling or making loud noises. This is what people naturally use when correcting behavior problems in pets, but it sends the message to your parrot that acting out will be rewarded, and it won't help you train your parrot. If you scream at your parrot, it may become frightened and make more noise, or it might believe that you're joining in, something wild flocks naturally do. Ignore your parrot when it screams. It will take some patience, but ignoring attention-seeking behavior is the best way to train your parrot out of its excessive screaming. Even a facial expression can give your parrot the reward it was looking for. It's best to leave the room and completely ignore your parrot when it screams for attention. Be prepared for louder screaming. Just like a toddler throwing a tantrum screams louder when it doesn't receive a reaction, your parrot will scream even louder. But be patient and be consistent, and eventually it will stop. Return to the room once your parrot has been silent for at least 10 seconds. When you return, give your parrot the attention it is craving. Over time this will cement in its mind that desirable behavior is rewarded and undesirable behavior is ignored. Teach your parrot to speak softly. You won't be able to make your parrot stop talking altogether, but you may be able to train your bird to whisper or speak softly instead of screaming. Practice, patience, and consistency are key when trying to train your bird to stop screaming. Continue to ignore undesirable behavior. Speak softly to your parrot. Use hushed tones, or "communicate" with it through whistles. Be consistent. Consistency is the key to any animal behavioral training. Doing things one way some of the time and another way other times will only confuse your parrot. Praise and reward it every time it behaves well, and ignore it every time it acts out. Use strobe light training. Note that strobe lights may be very unpleasant for birds. This should be treated as more of a last resort, rather than as a standard training method. Set up a strobe light near the cage, controlled by a remote control switch. Any time the bird screams, you can trigger the flashing strobe light without being the room (entering the room would be seen as a positive in the bird's eyes). Your parrot will find the strobe light unpleasant, and will quickly learn that acting out results in undesirable flashing lights. Accept parrot behavior. Screaming is a natural behavior, and you simply can't completely stop it. Parrots are exceptionally vocal, especially during waking hours and before bed. If you cannot handle a loud pet, consider a different home for your parrot. Allowing your parrot to scream during the morning and evening may be helpful in training it not to scream throughout the day. Parrots are also curious and bright creatures. Training your parrot will give it mental stimulus and interesting things to learn. The mental task might decrease squawking on its own. Turn out the lights. Some birds feel over-stimulated when exposed to too much sunlight. Parrots generally need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each night. Exposure to more than 12 hours of light each day can lead to elevated hormone levels, aggressive behavior, and increased noise output. Close the curtains in the afternoon to limit sunlight exposure, and put a sheet or cover over your bird's cage when you go to bed. Make sure there's enough air flow coming in under the sheet you use. Do not use polyester, as this fabric does not breathe well. For best light blocking, use a black cloth. Keep the noise down. Some parrots respond to environmental sound with their own sound. If you're watching television or listening to music at home, keep it at a relatively low volume. Keeping things quiet at home may produce a calmer, quieter bird. Talk quietly. Birds will often quiet down to hear what you are saying. Try providing white noise for your parrot, especially if it screams when you're not home. The television is fine (at a low volume), but be wary of leaving nature shows on, as the sound of birds squawking could provoke more noise from your parrot. Avoid quick movements. It's possible that you or someone in your household is moving too quickly around your bird, causing it to feel anxious or over-stimulated. Move slowly around your bird, and encourage everyone else in your household to do the same. Always supervise children when they handle or interact with the parrot. Discourage children from running through or around in the room your parrot is in. This may frighten or excite your bird. Take note of its reactions. It's possible that your bird is distressed by the sight of certain physical characteristics. Wearing a hat around your bird may cause it to feel uncertain or anxious about who you are. Likewise with certain types of eyewear, and even certain colors in clothing. If your bird is only making excessive noise on certain occasions, it could be in response to something that's different about you or someone in your home. Try to avoid wearing whatever upsets your bird, or expose it to it slowly and gradually so it becomes used to it. Check for health issues. Sometimes screaming can be caused by pain, and it's worth a trip to an experienced avian veterinarian to check that your parrot doesn't have health issues. Blood feathers (aka pin feathers) may be difficult to diagnose at home. A blood feather is a new, growing feather, which will always have a vein and artery that runs the length of the feather. If irritated or broken off, this feather can cause bleeding. It is not usually life-threatening, but can be painful for your bird. Apply pressure to the site of the bleeding. If it continues to bleed, you may need to take your bird to the vet to have that feather removed. Overgrown toe nails can be painful for parrots, making it difficult to perch properly and posing a risk of getting snagged and broken on fabrics around the house. Ensure that your parrot's needs are being met. Check that the cage is not too small, that your parrot has plenty of suitable toys to play with, and that it has enough food and water. Parrots need a diet of around 70% pellets of formulated parrot food, supplemented with plenty of healthy vegetables and the occasional fruit. Parrots require at least an hour of playtime with you. Also expect to provide plenty of interaction throughout the day in addition to at least 1 hour of play. If you're unable to provide this, consider finding another home your parrot. Parrots need ten to twelve hours of sleep every day or they can bite or scream; you can use a bought cage cover or simply a blanket to cover their cage every night to ensure they receive enough sleep. Change up your bird's toys. If your bird is prone to boredom but responds well to toys, it's possible your bird needs new stimuli on a regular basis. Try giving it a new toy every few weeks, and change up what type of toys you give him. Birds like toys with a variety of sizes and stimulating textures that are conducive to chewing or standing on. Toys with sounds can be particularly attractive to parrots. Birds like mirrors. It allows them to look at themselves, and some birds may think they are seeing a different bird. Provide your parrot with interactive toys. Something with a ladder or some type of puzzle component will engage your bird and challenge it intellectually. Make sure the toys you choose are not too big or too small for your bird. Give your bird reassurance. Birds in the wild participate in "flock calls" as a way of communicating with other birds and ensuring the safety of the flock. If your bird is prone to squawking when you leave the room, it could be its attempt at sending you a flock call. Try squawking back at it from the other room to let it know where you are and reassure it that you're safe.
Clicker train your parrot. Reward good behavior. Avoid punishment with yelling or making loud noises. Teach your parrot to speak softly. Be consistent. Use strobe light training. Accept parrot behavior. Turn out the lights. Keep the noise down. Avoid quick movements. Take note of its reactions. Check for health issues. Ensure that your parrot's needs are being met. Change up your bird's toys. Give your bird reassurance.
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Relationship-with-Your-Snake
How to Build a Relationship with Your Snake
To build a relationship with your snake, sit near its tank a lot so it gets used to your scent, which will make it more comfortable with you. Also, try to take your snake out of its tank at least 4-5 times a week so it gets used to being handled. When you take your snake out, you can hold onto it using your hands, or you can keep it on your lap while you're relaxing. You can also bond with your snake by placing new branches and objects in its tank for it to climb on.
Leave your snake alone for the first week you have it. When snakes are first introduced into a new home, it takes them some time to acclimate to their environment. Leave the snake in its tank while it takes the time to adjust. After a week, you can start interacting with your snake. If you've waited a week and your snake is still acting aggressive, wait for 3-4 more days before trying again. Rearrange your snake’s tank occasionally so it gets used to your presence. Move its water dish, home, and any branches around the tank so your snake gets comfortable with you in its environment. Be careful not to touch your snake while you're moving things. Use slow and deliberate movements so you don't scare your snake. This will help it learn that you aren't going to cause any harm. If your snake makes an S-shape with its neck while it's looking at you, it may be getting into striking position. Pull your hand out slowly so your snake doesn't try to bite you. Hold your hand in front of your snake’s head so it gets used to you. Snakes recognize things by smell, so your snake needs to get comfortable around your scent. Try holding your hand about 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) away from your snake's head so it can smell you. If it gets into striking position, slowly move your hand out of the way. If your snake doesn't react, try moving your hand closer. If you're worried about bites and your snake is aggressive, consider wearing thick gloves as a layer of extra protection. Touch your snake while it’s still inside the tank. Once your snake is acclimated to its new environment, try lightly touching the back of its body near the tail. Put your hand in from the side rather than directly over the snake so it's more comfortable. Slowly work closer to touching close behind its head. Avoid trying to touch the snake's head right away since it might get scared and bite. Never try to grab your snake by its tail since it will most likely try to spin around and strike you. Continue familiarizing yourself with your snake for 1 week. Rearrange the tank once per day, and hold your hand in front of your snake 3-4 times at different times. Over a week's time, your snake will get used to your presence and is less likely to strike or bite you when you try to handle it. If your snake is still acting aggressive, don't try to handle it until it gets calmer. Wash your hands before handling your snake. Thoroughly wash your hands right before you reach into the tank. That way, you don't spread any germs to your snake when you're about to hold it. Scoop your snake up by the middle of its body. Slide your hand underneath your snake's body halfway between its head and tail. Squeeze your snake lightly until you have a firm grip around its body. Slowly and confidently pick the snake up and out of its enclosure, using your other hand to support the rest of its body. Don't try to act nervous or timid while you pick up your snake because it will be able to sense your body language. Instead, stay consistent and firm so your snake gets used to being handled. Intertwine the back third of your snake around your arm or fingers. While supporting the middle of the snake's body with one hand, let the back end rest on top of your arm and in your hand. Wrap larger snakes around your arm and smaller snakes in between your fingers so it doesn't flail around while you're holding them. If you have a constrictor snake, such as a ball python or a boa, let it wrap around your arm so it feels comfortable. If you have a thinner snake, like a garter or corn snake, keep the back of the snake wrapped between your fingers so it's less likely to slither away. If your snake is larger than 4 ft (1.2 m) long, have another person help hold it for every additional 3 ft (0.91 m). Point the snake’s head away from your body. Snakes may try to strike anything that moves quickly in front of their heads, so avoid keeping your snake pointed towards your body when you first start handling it. Guide the snake's head in the opposite direction by pushing on its neck with your arm. Use slow and confident movements so your snake gets used to the behavior. As your snake gets more comfortable around you, it's okay to let your snake look in your direction. Just make sure to watch for any striking behavior. Sit near your snake’s tank often so it can get used to your scent. When you aren't handling your snake, try to spend time in front of its tank so it stays familiar with your scent. This will help your snake grow accustomed to you so it will know not to strike while you're around. The more familiar you are with your snake, the less aggressive it will be over time. Make sure to spend at least a few minutes near your tank each day. Take your snake out of its tank 4-5 times a week. Try to handle your snake as much as you can so it gets used to being around you. Aim to hold your snake for at least 20-30 minutes each day so it has a chance to spend time with you. Avoid handling your snake 2-3 days after you feed it since it will need time to digest. Let your snake slither around the area near you when you hold it. When you hold your snake, set it on your lap so it has a chance to slither around you. Make sure to keep it supervised so it doesn't slither away from you or get lost in your home. This works best for large snakes like pythons and boas. Smaller snakes move faster and may get away easier. Keep your snake on your lap while you’re relaxing. While you're playing video games, watching TV, or reading a book, keep your snake on your lap so it can spend time with you. Make sure not to make any sudden or fast movements and stay quiet so your snake doesn't get scared. Keep your snake out of its tank for only about 30 minutes at a time so it doesn't lose any body heat. Give your snake new branches and objects to climb in its tank. Change the environment inside of your snake's tank so it has new places to explore and hide. After you've finished adding the new enrichment to your tank, put your snake back inside and let it slither around while you watch.
Leave your snake alone for the first week you have it. Rearrange your snake’s tank occasionally so it gets used to your presence. Hold your hand in front of your snake’s head so it gets used to you. Touch your snake while it’s still inside the tank. Continue familiarizing yourself with your snake for 1 week. Wash your hands before handling your snake. Scoop your snake up by the middle of its body. Intertwine the back third of your snake around your arm or fingers. Point the snake’s head away from your body. Sit near your snake’s tank often so it can get used to your scent. Take your snake out of its tank 4-5 times a week. Let your snake slither around the area near you when you hold it. Keep your snake on your lap while you’re relaxing. Give your snake new branches and objects to climb in its tank.
https://www.wikihow.com/Smoke-In-Your-Room-Without-Getting-Caught
How to Smoke In Your Room Without Getting Caught
To smoke in your room without getting caught, block the gap under your door with a towel, which will stop the smoke from escaping into the house. Alternatively, open a window or turn on a ventilator to get rid of the smoke. When you've finished your cigarette, spray some air freshener or light an incense stick to disguise the smell. However, don't use too much, since this can make people suspicious. If your clothes smell like smoke, change into a new outfit and put your old clothes in the wash. You should also brush your teeth or eat a breath mint if you're worried about someone smelling smoke on your breath.
Keep the smoke contained. Part of covering up the smell of smoke will involve keeping it contained. If the smoke drifts out of your room there is a chance that someone will smell it. Make sure any place smoke could escape through is completely covered up before smoking in your room. If you have any vents in your room cover them with a towel. Cracks under your door can release smoke from your room. These can be covered with a towel as well. Use air fresheners. Although the smell of smoke can be quite strong, introducing other scents in your room can help cover smoke up. These air fresheners won't likely remove the smell of smoke but they will make it less obvious. Review some of the following scents you can use to help mask the scent of smoke in your room: Deodorizing sprays will work best to cover up the smell of smoke in your room. Air fresheners or scented air sprays can help mask the smell of smoke. Burning incense can make the smell of other smoke less distinct. Don't overuse them as this can actually cause people to become suspicious. Clean yourself up. Although you may have kept the smell of smoke out of the air in your bedroom it will likely still cling to you. The smoky smell can stick to your hands, hair, and clothes and will be noticeable on your breath. Even if your room doesn't smell like smoke you should still make sure you yourself don't smell like it before going out. Wash your hands after smoking. Make sure your clothes don't smell like smoke. If your clothes smell consider changing them. Your breath will likely smell like smoke. Use mouth wash, brush your teeth, or at least eat a mint before leaving your room. You may want to shower after having a smoke to get the smell out of your hair. Switch to e-cigarettes or vaporizers. Cigarettes give of a highly noticeable smell that can get you caught if you are smoking indoors. Switching to vaporizers or e-cigarettes can remove the smell of smoke, allowing you to smoke indoors without much worry of being discovered. Many vaporizers are odorless or will have a much different scent than smoke. Gather your materials. A sploof is a tube capped with a dryer sheet that will turn the smell of your smoke into the smell of fresh laundry. The first step in building your sploof will require you to gather the necessary materials. Collect the following items to build your sploof: Find a cardboard tube or PVC tube. A cardboard tube from a toilet paper roll works fine. Dryer sheets will be used to absorb and cover up the smell of the smoke. Grab something to attach the dryer sheets or a sock to the end of the tube. Rubber bands will work great for this. Some recommend adding activated carbon to your sploof. This can be found at pet stores. Build your sploof. After you have gathered the materials needed to build your sploof it's time to assemble it. Building your sploof in a certain way will allow you to exhale the smoke through it and cover up the smell of the smoke. Follow these simple steps to build your sploof. Grab about three dryer sheets and cover one end of the cardboard tube with them. Secure the dryer sheets in place by putting a rubber band around them. Fill the length of the tube with the rest of the dryer sheets you have. You can also add the activated carbon to your tube at this point. Exhale through the sploof. Now that your sploof has been created it's time to put it to use. Whenever you want to smoke exhale through the sploof. Whatever smoke passes through the dryer sheets will come out smelling fresh, covering up the smell of your smoking. Always exhale through the sploof, pushing the smoke through the dryer sheets. Change your dryer sheets if you notice their scent fading. It's likely that some smoke will not pass through the sploof so take care to cover up the smoke in other ways as well. Use ventilation to your advantage. While it is a good idea to plug up any areas you don't want the smoke to escape from, you may want to send the smoke in another direction. By using ventilation that you think is safe you can keep most of the smoke out of your room and away from anyone else who might smell it. Keep your window open and smoke out of it. Ceiling vents will usually have a fan that will pull the smoke up and out of the room. Make sure your smoke won't accidentally get carried into another room or near another open window. Keep your room clean. Smoke clings to everything it touches and can remain there for a long while. The longer your room smells like smoke the greater the chances of being discovered are. Keep your room as clean as you can in order to reduce the amount of cigarette smoke particles that might linger. Wash your walls with a non-abrasive and all-purpose cleaner. Keep carpets clean using carpet cleaners and deodorization products. Vacuum the floor after you've used these products. Baking soda can be applied to furniture and then vacuumed up to remove odor. Always remove old cigarette butts from your room. Even after being smoke they can still give off a powerful odor. Try using air purifiers. Although many air purifiers and filters won't be able to fully remove or contain the smell of smoke, they can help reduce it. Try using these air filters to reduce the amount of cigarette particles in your room and cut down on the strength of the odor. Ionizing and HEPA filters work best. Plants are natural air filters and will constantly be working to clean the air in your room.
Keep the smoke contained. Use air fresheners. Clean yourself up. Switch to e-cigarettes or vaporizers. Gather your materials. Build your sploof. Exhale through the sploof. Use ventilation to your advantage. Keep your room clean. Try using air purifiers.
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Stock-Portfolio
How to Build a Stock Portfolio
If you're ready to invest some capital, you can build your own stock portfolio to make you a profit over the long term. If you're young, consider investing in high-risk stocks as well as low-risks. This can be a bit of a gamble, but if it pays off, you're set to make a lot of money. If you're older, it's probably best to stick to low-risk stocks, which you can rely on to earn you a modest profit. Whatever your age, make sure to diversify your portfolio across sectors to protect against fluctuating prices in individual sectors. Try to buy stock in companies that are trading for lower than they're worth to increase the value of your portfolio.
Know what you're willing to invest. As you invest, you'll need to balance your potential risks against your potential rewards. A portfolio's assets are typically determined by the investor's goals, willingness to take risks, and the length of time the investor intends to hold his portfolio. Some of the most important factors to consider in making these decisions are: The investor's age. How much time the investor is willing to spend allowing his investments to grow. Amount of capital the investor is willing to invest. Projected capital needs for the future. Other resources investor may have. Decide what kind of investor you'll be. Portfolios usually fall somewhere in the spectrum between aggressive, or high-risk portfolios, and conservative, or low-risk portfolios. Conservative investors simply try to protect and maintain the value of a portfolio, while aggressive investors tend to take risks with the expectation that some of those risks will pay off. There are various online risk assessment tools you can utilize to help assess your risk tolerance. Understand that your financial goals may change over time, and adjust your portfolio accordingly. Generally, the younger you are, the more risk you can afford or are willing to take. You may be better served with a growth-oriented portfolio. The older you become, the more you'll think about retirement income, and may be better served with an income-oriented portfolio. Even during retirement, many still need some portion of their portfolio for growth, as many people are living 20, 30 or more years beyond their retirement date. Divide your capital. Once you've decided what kind of investor you'd like to be and what type of portfolio you want to build, you'll need to determine how you intend to allocate (spread around) your capital. Most investors who are new to the market don't know how to pick stocks. Some important factors include: Determining which sector(s) to invest in. A sector is the category a given industry is placed in. Examples include telecommunications, financial, information technology, transportation and utilities. Knowing the market capitalization (aka market cap), which is determined by multiplying a given company's outstanding shares by the current price of one share on the market (large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, etc.). It is important to diversify holdings across a variety of sectors and market capitalization to lower a portfolio's overall risk. Understand the different kinds of stocks. Stocks represent an ownership stake in the company that issues them. The money generated from the sale of stock is used by the company for its capital projects, and the profits generated by the company's operation may be returned to investors in the form of dividends. Stocks come in two varieties: common and preferred. Preferred stocks are so called because holders of these stocks are paid dividends before owners of common stocks. Most stocks, however, are common stocks, which can be subdivided into the categories below: Growth stocks are those projected to increase in value faster than the rest of the market, based on their prior performance record. They may entail more risk over time but offer greater potential rewards in the end. Income stocks are those that do not fluctuate much but have a history of paying out better dividends than other stocks. This category can include both common and preferred stocks. Value stocks are those that are "undervalued" by the market and can be purchased at a price lower than the underlying worth of the company would suggest. The theory is that when the market "comes to its senses," the owner of such a stock would stand to make a lot of money. Blue-chip stocks are those that have performed well for a long enough period of time that they are considered fairly stable investments. They may not grow as rapidly as growth stocks or pay as well as income stocks, but they can be depended upon for steady growth or steady income. They are not, however, immune from the fortunes of the market. Defensive stocks are shares in companies whose products and services people buy, no matter what the economy is doing. They include the stocks of food and beverage companies, pharmaceutical companies and utilities (among others). Cyclical stocks, in contrast, rise and fall with the economy. They include stocks in such industries as airlines, chemicals, home building and steel manufacturers. Speculative stocks include the offerings of young companies with new technologies and older companies with new executive talent. They draw investors looking for something new or a way to beat the market. The performance of these stocks is especially unpredictable, and they are sometimes considered to be a high-risk investment. Analyze stock fundamentals. Fundamentals is the term given to the pool of qualitative and quantitative data that are used to determine whether or not a stock is a worthwhile investment in a long-term analysis of the market. Analyzing a company's fundamentals is usually the first step in determining whether or not an investor will buy shares in that company. It is imperative to analyze fundamentals in order to arrive at a company's intrinsic value - that is, the company's actual value as based on perception of all the tangible and intangible aspects of the business, beyond the current market value. In analyzing the fundamentals of a company, the investor is trying to determine the future value of a company, with all of its projected profits and losses factored in. Analyze qualitative factors. Qualitative factors, such as the expertise and experience of a company's management, various courses of industry cycles, the strength of a company's research and development incentives, and a company's relationship with its workers, are important to take into account when deciding whether or not to invest in a company's stock. It's also important to understand how the company generates its profits and what that company's business model look like in order to have a broad spectrum of qualitative information about that company's stock options. Try researching companies online before you invest. You should be able to find information about the company's managers, CEO, and board of directors. Look at the price-to-earnings ratio. The P/E ratio can be figured as either the stock's current price against its earnings per share for the last 12 months ("trailing P/E") or its projected earnings for the next 12 months ("anticipated P/E"). A stock selling for $10 per share that earns 10 cents per share has a P/E ratio of 10 divided by 0.1 or 100; a stock selling for $50 per share that earns $2 per share has a P/E ratio of 50 divided by 2 or 25. You want to buy stock with a relatively low P/E ratio. When looking at P/E ratio, figure the ratio for the stock for several years and compare it to the P/E ratio for other companies in the same industry as well as for indexes representing the entire market, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500. Comparing the P/E of a stock in one sector to that of a stock in another sector is however, not informative since P/E's vary widely from industry to industry. Look at the return on equity. Also called return on book value, this figure is the company's income after taxes as a percentage of its total book value. It represents how well shareholders are profiting from the company's success. As with P/E ratio, you need to look at several years' worth of returns on equity to get an accurate picture. Look at total return. Total return includes earnings from dividends as well as changes in the value of the stock. This provides a means of comparing the stock with other types of investments. Try investing in companies trading below their current worth. While a broad spectrum of stock investments is important, analysts often recommend buying stock in companies that are trading for lower than they are worth. This sort of value investing does not, however, mean buying "junk" stocks, or stocks that are steadily declining. Value investments are determined by comparing intrinsic market value against the company's current stock share price, without looking at the short-term market fluctuations. Try investing in growth stocks. Growth stocks are investments in companies that exhibit or are predicted to grow significantly faster than other stocks in the market. This involves analyzing a given company's present performance against its past performance amid the industry's ever-fluctuating climate. Avoid dipping into investments. Once you've invested capital in a stock, it's important to let the stock grow for at least a year without selling your shares. Consider for all intents and purposes that this money cannot be withdrawn and spent elsewhere. As part of investing for the long term, determine the amount of money you can afford to commit to the stock market for five years or longer, and set that aside for investing. Money you'll need in a shorter period of time should be invested in shorter-term investments such as money-market accounts, CDs or U.S. Treasury bonds, bills or notes. Diversify your portfolio. No matter how well a stock might be doing at the moment, the price and value of stocks are bound to fluctuate. Diversifying your investment portfolio can help you avoid this pitfall by spreading around your money to a number of stocks. A well-diversified portfolio is important because in the event that one or more sectors of the economy start to decline, it will remain strong over time and reduce the likelihood of taking a significant hit as the market fluctuates. Don't just diversify across the spectrum of asset classes. Some experts recommend you should also diversify your stock picks within each asset class represented in your portfolio. Review your portfolio (but not too often). Anticipate that the market will fluctuate. If you check your stocks every day, you might end up feeling anxious over the value of your investments as things go up or down. But by the same token, you should check on your investments periodically. Checking your portfolio at least once or twice a year is a good idea but research has shown that making rebalancing changes (selling the gains from those holdings which have been profitable and buying shares of those which have lost value) more than twice per year does not offer any benefit. Some experts recommend checking on the quarterly earnings reports of a given company to see if your predictions for that company are holding true. Make changes as necessary, but don't jump ship every time a share reports a minor decrease in value. Also important to keep in mind is tax implications of selling: if this is an account into which you've invested after-tax dollars (non-IRA or similar type of brokerage account), then try not to sell anything at a gain for at least one year in order to receive long-term capital gains rather than ordinary income tax treatment on your profits. For most people, the capital gains rate is more favorable than their income tax rate.
Know what you're willing to invest. Decide what kind of investor you'll be. Divide your capital. Understand the different kinds of stocks. Analyze stock fundamentals. Analyze qualitative factors. Look at the price-to-earnings ratio. Look at the return on equity. Look at total return. Try investing in companies trading below their current worth. Try investing in growth stocks. Avoid dipping into investments. Diversify your portfolio. Review your portfolio (but not too often).
https://www.wikihow.com/Fight-a-Traffic-Ticket
How to Fight a Traffic Ticket
Fighting a traffic ticket can be a challenge, but if you have hard evidence that the officer made a mistake, you can win the claim. Valid evidence includes witnesses to testify that you were in the right and images proving your innocence. For example, if you didn't stop at a crosswalk because the paint was faded and you didn't see it, you might be able to clear your ticket with an image proving this. You'll need to follow the instructions on your ticket to dispute it. In many states, you can have a trial by mail where you write your argument in a letter. If the officer fails to send in his account, you'll win by default. Otherwise you may have to go to a hearing. Although you don't have the right to an appointed attorney, you can still hire a traffic attorney to help you.
Check your ticket for accuracy. Immediately after the officer gives you the written citation, make sure all the information is correct, including anything identifying you or describing your car. Missing or incorrect information on your ticket may be grounds for dismissal. It has to be significant, however. For example, if the officer says you have a navy blue BMW when you, in fact, have a black BMW, this probably is not a big enough difference to justify dismissal of your speeding ticket. If the officer writes the ticket for a red Honda Civic when you actually have a navy blue BMW, that's a different story. Make note of the exact code sections you're cited for violating. The officer will either check off or write down the exact sections of the city or state traffic code he claims you didn't follow. If you don't understand what you did wrong, ask the officer on the scene before she leaves. You want to make sure you understand exactly why you were pulled over and why you're being given a ticket. Find out the exact procedure for contesting your ticket. Typically the citation itself will have contact information for either paying your fine or disputing the ticket. Record all relevant details from the scene of the incident. As soon as possible, make a record of the time of day when you were stopped, where you were stopped, what the weather was like, how much traffic was on the road, how long you were detained, and any other relevant information. Since many laws rely on subjective judgment, all of these details can help support your understanding of the situation. For example, in 20 states – including California, Texas, and Utah – speed limits are not absolute and you can make a judgment call as to whether it is safe to exceed the speed limit. Although you could still get a ticket, you could use circumstances from the time of the incident to argue you were operating your vehicle safely. Take statements from witnesses. If you had anyone in the car with you, or if there were people nearby who saw you get pulled over, find out if they're willing to make a statement on the record about what they saw. If you have eyewitnesses who are willing to testify on your behalf, make sure you have their names and contact information before you leave the scene. Passengers or bystanders who will testify to your version of events can help you convince the judge that you were right and the police officer's observations were inaccurate. Take pictures of the area from your perspective and the perspective of the officer. If the officer observed you from a different location before pulling you over, go there and take pictures of what he would have seen. This is especially important if your case depends on an obstruction or other dangerous condition. For example, if you had to swerve to avoid a huge pothole and were pulled over and given a citation for an illegal lane change, photos of the pothole would support your argument that your actions were justified. You can almost always argue that the officer was not in a good position to see what happened, especially if there are obstructions or if there was heavy traffic. Find out what devices or equipment the officer used. If the officer's position that you violated the law is based on information provided by a piece of equipment, you will need to verify that the equipment was functioning properly. Before you go to trial, request copies of maintenance records and schedules for any of that equipment. If the machines weren't calibrated or maintained according to industry standards, you may be able to get your ticket dismissed on the grounds that the officer's decision was based on unreliable information. For example, most radar guns need to be re-calibrated either once a month or once every other month. If the gun was not calibrated, or if the officer did not check the calibration when he issued the ticket, you may be able to get your ticket dismissed. Get identifying information from the officer. Make sure you have the officer's name, his badge number, and his patrol car number. If the officer who issued your citation filed a report or made any notes about the traffic stop, you are entitled to copies of those as well. Weigh the pros and cons of fighting the ticket or simply paying the fine. Given the time and effort it would take to fight a traffic ticket, if the infraction is minor and the fine is small, you might be better off simply paying the fine and moving on with your life. Determine whether you can argue that your actions were due to a mistaken fact. Although ignorance of the law is never an excuse, a legitimate and understandable mistake of a key fact may get you off the hook. For example, if you didn't stop at a crosswalk because the paint was so faded it was barely visible, the judge might cut you some slack. However, arguing that you didn't stop because you didn't know you were supposed to stop at a crosswalk won't help you. Decide if your actions were legally justified or were necessary to avoid harm. Even though you technically violated a traffic ordinance, in some circumstances you must make an illegal maneuver to avoid something far more dangerous. For example, if you were swerving to avoid hitting an animal crossing the road, you might be able to get a ticket for an illegal lane change dismissed. However, keep in mind that you have to be able to prove that your version of events happened. If there was nobody else in your car who saw the animal and it's going to come down to your word against the word of the police officer, you're probably better off to simply pay the fine. Your own inattention or personal need aren't the same thing as avoiding harm. The harm you avoid must be something you didn't cause. For example, if you were having a fight with your sister on your cell phone and ran a red light, that argument would not excuse your actions in the event a police officer pulled you over and wrote you a ticket. Analyze the code sections you were cited for violating. Find a copy of the code and break the section down into elements. If one of the elements is missing in your case, you can't be held liable. Look at the portions of the code where personal judgment come into play. Many traffic laws are not absolute and rely on the driver to make an honest assessment of what conduct is best given weather and highway conditions. For example, speed limits aren't absolute in more than a dozen states – this means that even if you get a ticket for exceeding the speed limit in those states, you can still make an argument that the speed at which you were traveling was safe given the totality of the circumstances. Nearly any violation that has the word "unsafe" in it implies a subjective judgment was made on the part of the police officer. Any time you are cited for an unsafe movement, the door is open for you to argue that from your position, your actions were in fact safe. If highway signs or signals figured into your citation, check them against the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, published by the Federal Highway Administration. The MUTCD is a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices. If you can demonstrate that the relevant sign or signal didn't meet applicable standards, your ticket may be dismissed on those grounds. Find out if you can have an attorney represent you. Although you don't have the right to an appointed attorney, you may be able to hire a traffic attorney who can help you fight the ticket. Consider traffic school. In many jurisdictions, you can attend traffic school and have a minor violation dismissed. Typically this option is only available for first-time offenders or for relatively minor infractions. If it's your first ticket in the jurisdiction, you may be able to take a special "no contest" plea in which you pay a reduced fee and the violation doesn't add points to your license or go on your insurance. Find out if you have the option of trial by declaration. In many states you can have a trial by mail. You write a letter explaining why you shouldn't be held liable for the violation, and then the officer writes in with his side of the story. If the officer fails to write in, you win by default. However, if you lose by mail you can still request an in-person hearing. Request an in-person hearing, if necessary. You may have automatically been assigned a hearing date, or your city may require you to request a hearing date. If you're responsible for requesting a hearing, do so as soon as possible after you get your ticket so you have a greater choice on dates and times. In most jurisdictions, the police officer who issued your citation is required to show up at your hearing. If he does not appear, your ticket may be dismissed automatically. If your ticket already has a date on it, consider having it changed. Typically the officer who issued your ticket already has that date in his schedule and plans to attend several hearings that day. If you have the date of your hearing changed, there's a greater possibility the officer won't show up. Requesting a continuance also may increase the chances that the officer isn't available to show up. Appear at your hearing. Dress in clean, professional clothing and arrive early for your hearing. Bring copies of all documents along with any evidence or witnesses you wish to present. Treat all court staff with respect. If there are other cases being heard before yours, take a seat and wait your turn. When you are called to come forward, address the judge as "your honor" and don't speak unless you are asked a question. Leave your mobile phone or any other electronic devices at home or in the car – don't try to bring them with you into the courtroom. Organize your documents and evidence before you get there so you aren't shuffling through papers if the judge asks for something. Present your defense. When the judge calls on you, explain briefly why you are not liable for the traffic violation. Keep your argument succinct and stick to the facts. If you've brought witnesses to testify on your behalf, keep your questions brief and make sure they stay in line with what you're trying to prove rather than digressing. Listen while the officer presents her side of the story. You can make notes if there's something you want to ask her about. But don't interrupt her or argue with her. Don't insult the police officer or accuse her of lying. If it comes down to an argument between you and the police officer without any factual evidence, the judge probably will believe the police officer. Ask the officer questions. After the officer has finished her testimony, the judge will give you an opportunity to ask her questions. You want to establish some doubt in the officer's mind, as well as in the judge's mind. The officer may have walked into that courtroom absolutely convinced that she was correct in giving you a ticket, but if you can place doubt in her mind she may become less sure of herself. If the officer isn't entirely sure, the judge won't be sure either, and might dismiss your ticket. Create uncertainty in the officer's mind by challenging her subjective conclusions. Police officers often don't know the exact wording or interpretation of a law. The officer who pulled you over may not have realized that she has to make a judgment call every time she writes a ticket for violating a law that requires safe or responsible vehicle operation. Ask the officer how she came to the conclusion that your driving was unsafe or irresponsible, and then provide her with evidence she didn't have at the time. For example, suppose she gave you a ticket for an unsafe lane change. She only saw you swerve erratically into the left lane and then back into the right; however, she didn't see the deer crossing the road that you swerved to avoid. This information might change her judgment, since it would be safer for you to swerve than to hit the deer. You also can impeach the officer's testimony by challenging her observations. This is why you talked to witnesses and took photos of the scene. For example, suppose you ask the officer to describe the weather conditions when she pulled you over, and she says it was bright and sunny. If you have a photo showing that the conditions actually were gray and cloudy, use it to cast doubt on her observations. When she later says she's certain your car was the one that was speeding, you get the opportunity to ask her how certain she is – as certain as she was that it was bright and sunny? Accept the judge's ruling. After both sides have presented all evidence, the judge will decide if you are liable for the violation or not. If the judge rules against you and you decide you want to appeal, ask the court clerk for information on the appeals process.
Check your ticket for accuracy. Make note of the exact code sections you're cited for violating. Find out the exact procedure for contesting your ticket. Record all relevant details from the scene of the incident. Take statements from witnesses. Take pictures of the area from your perspective and the perspective of the officer. Find out what devices or equipment the officer used. Get identifying information from the officer. Weigh the pros and cons of fighting the ticket or simply paying the fine. Determine whether you can argue that your actions were due to a mistaken fact. Decide if your actions were legally justified or were necessary to avoid harm. Analyze the code sections you were cited for violating. Find out if you can have an attorney represent you. Consider traffic school. Find out if you have the option of trial by declaration. Request an in-person hearing, if necessary. Appear at your hearing. Present your defense. Listen while the officer presents her side of the story. Ask the officer questions. Accept the judge's ruling.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-to-Contest-a-Parking-Ticket
How to Write a Letter to Contest a Parking Ticket
To write a letter to contest a parking ticket, start by briefly and clearly stating the facts of the incident, including details about when you arrived, where and how you parked your vehicle, and when you returned. In the next section, explain why you should not have received a ticket. Then, conclude the letter by asking for the ticket to be repealed and the fine to be waived. You should attach any relevant evidence, including photos of the scene, signed witness statements, or a receipt for vehicle repairs if you were unable to move your car because it was disabled. Finally, send your letter to the address listed on the ticket via certified mail.
Take photographs of the scene. When you receive a parking ticket that you suspect is unwarranted, take photographs of the scene to use as evidence in your appeal letter. Take pictures of your car parked in the location where you received the ticket. Also take pictures of any relevant signs, markings on the road or curb, or parking meter. You will attach these photos to your letter. Locate the address. On the ticket you received, you may find instructions on how to appeal the ticket. This address will most likely be the court clerk's office or the agency that issued the ticket. The address may be a specialized department for appeals or correspondence. If there is no address on your ticket, contact the court clerk in your county and ask where to direct your appeal letter. Review the law. Your ticket will state what vehicle code section or sections you have been charged with violating. Search online for your state's vehicle code and look up the specific violation sections relevant to your case. From the text, you should be able to determine whether you violated the law, or whether the citing officer misinterpreted the law or the facts of the situation. State the facts. Begin the body of your letter by briefly and clearly recounting the facts of the incident. To make your letter easy for the reader to understand, keep your facts in chronological order. Include details about when you arrived, where and how you parked your vehicle, and when you returned. Mind your tone as you write. Although you may be feeling angry or frustrated, keep those emotions out of your letter. You may be tempted to use sarcasm or emotional language, but you should endeavor to sound logical and clearheaded. Do not give the reader a reason to assume that your emotions have clouded your recollection of the facts. For example: “On November 11, 2015, at 5:50pm, I parked in a metered space in front of the grocery store at the intersection of 12th and G street. I paid for fifteen minutes before going into the grocery store. At 6:00pm, I returned to my vehicle. Although there should have been 5 minutes left on the meter, the meter read zero, and an officer was writing me a ticket. I tried to explain to the officer that the meter was incorrect, but he ignored me.” Explain why you should not have received the ticket. The second portion of your letter should explain why you did not deserve the ticket you received. This is the place to explain how the officer misinterpreted the law or the circumstances of the incident, or if you believe you had a valid excuse for violating the law, such as breaking down in a loading zone and being unable to move your vehicle. Again, keep your tone professional as you make your explanation. Even if the ticketing officer was mistaken in writing your ticket, do not insult the officer in your letter. For example: “I should not have received a ticket because I paid for fifteen minutes of parking time and returned to my vehicle after only ten minutes had passed. The meter must have malfunctioned, because it failed to accurately monitor my parking time.” Make a request. Conclude your letter by telling the reader what you would like him or her to do. In this case, you should ask the reader to repeal the ticket and waive the fine. If you have not yet paid the fine, also ask the reader to extend the due date of your fine until after your appeal has been addressed. Attach evidence. Include any evidence that might help prove your claim that the ticket is invalid. Your evidence can be any of the following: Photographs of the scene of the incident; Signed witness statements from anyone who confirm what you have written (such as a passenger who can verify that you did not park illegally); or A receipt for vehicle repairs (if you received a ticket as a result of your vehicle being disabled and you not being able to remove it). Send your letter via certified mail. Send your appeal letter via certified mail and request a return receipt. This way, you can verify that your letter was actually delivered, and you will receive a return receipt proving that you sent the letter prior to any deadline to submit an appeal. Call the clerk to confirm. If you do not get a response from the clerk or citing agency within a few days, call the office to confirm that they received your letter. If the office did not receive your letter, mention that you have a return receipt that states when your letter was delivered. Ask the office when you can expect a response. Attend a hearing if necessary. The clerk or agency may schedule a hearing to resolve your case. On the date of the hearing, arrive early, dress professionally, and wait for your case to be called. Be prepared to state the facts as clearly and concisely as you did in your letter, and bring copies of any evidence you submitted. The judge will ask you to clarify any details about your position before making a decision.
Take photographs of the scene. Locate the address. Review the law. State the facts. Explain why you should not have received the ticket. Make a request. Attach evidence. Send your letter via certified mail. Call the clerk to confirm. Attend a hearing if necessary.
https://www.wikihow.com/Break-up-With-a-Married-Man
How to Break up With a Married Man
Breaking up with a married man is tough when you still have feelings for him, but you can do it if you clearly and effectively express your desire to end the relationship. If you're unsure about your decision to break things off, make a list of reasons why the relationship isn't working for you anymore. You can also try talking to a trusted friend or family member to gain some perspective on the situation. When you're ready to talk to him, pick a quiet place to meet so you can express yourself without distractions. Use “I” statements to stay focused on your feelings and needs, like “I think we should end our affair. I am tired of lying and sneaking around.”
Consider why you have decided to break up with him. If you are anxious or uncertain about whether or not it is the right decision to break up with the married man, it may help to make a list of the reasons why the relationship is not working. You may feel it is time to end the relationship due to frustration with his inability to leave his wife, guilt due to his constant lying to you and to his family, or anger at being “the other woman”. It can help to remind yourself of the reasons why it may be time to end the affair as you prepare to have the break up conversation with the married man. Many married men who have affairs will offer very similar excuses as to why they are cheating on their spouse and why they cannot leave their spouse. For example, “I haven't divorced her because of the children,” “I don't love her anymore and I don't think I ever did”, or “We don't sleep together and haven't for a very long time”. Though you may have believed these excuses when you first became involved with the married man, over time you may get tired of hearing these excuses and be frustrated that the married man seems incapable of leaving his spouse, even when he claims to be unhappy or unfulfilled. It will likely be up to you to end the relationship, as the married man may be content to string you along and continue to use the same excuses. Reach out to family and friends. Though you may not want to tell your family or close friends about the affair, you can lean on them for support in other ways. Spending quality time with family and friends, away from the married man, can help you gain perspective on the relationship and remind yourself that you have other meaningful relationships in your life besides the affair. If you do have a family member or friend you feel you can confide in, talk to them about your feelings around the affair and your decision to end it. Sometimes expressing your emotions and feelings to a sympathetic ear can help you figure out the motivations behind your decision and feel you have support in your decision to walk away from the relationship. If you do not feel comfortable sharing your feelings with anyone, you can write down your thoughts in a journal or a diary. Working through your emotions on the page may help to prepare you for the break up conversation and give you an outlet to vent about the relationship. Re focus on your needs and your priorities. It's important that you prepare yourself in active ways by re focusing on your needs and your priorities. Practice self care by eating a balanced diet , exercising regularly, and getting eight to nine hours of sleep a night. You can also take up stress-management techniques like yoga or meditation. Taking good care of yourself will help you to move on from the relationship after the break up, both physically and mentally. Rather than devote your time to analyzing what went wrong with the relationship, focus on a new hobby or passion, or on developing stronger skills at your job. Prioritizing your career and your well being over the needs of the married man can help you to feel empowered and stable on your own. Set up a time where you are both alone and can talk privately. The break up conversation will likely be intense and difficult so set the scene by choosing a time and place where you can be alone and talk in private. This could be a quiet bench in a park or a private spot in a coffee shop. Choose a location that feels neutral and secluded enough to give you both space to talk and listen. Choose a private place to talk in public rather than having the talk in your home. If the man reacts negatively, this can help keep you safe. Express yourself clearly and calmly. Because you are the one instigating the break up, you will need to take charge of the conversation and be clear about your intentions. Try to keep your voice calm and controlled, as getting emotionally may signal to the married man that he can try to comfort you and avoid the break up conversation. Using a calm and clear tone will make it apparent that you are serious about your desire to end the relationship. For example, you may begin by telling the married man you need to discuss your relationship and your unhappiness or discomfort with the situation. "I would like to talk to you about our relationship. I am not happy with our relationship and I think we need to address the status of our relationship." Use “I” statements. To ensure you are understood clearly by the married man, focus on “I” statements, such as: “I feel that you are not committed to our relationship and I am not comfortable being the other woman,” or “I think we should end our affair. I am tired of all the lying and sneaking around.” At this point, the married man may try to persuade you to change your mind or use excuses he has used in the past. Resist this by providing reasons why you think it is time to end the relationship and by being clear that you have made your decision. Using “I” statements will show you are being accountable for your decision and are expressing your feelings without blaming or accusing the married man. This will keep the conversation controlled and prevent it from devolving into a shouting match. Be firm about your desire to end the relationship. Once you have stated your intentions to end the relationship, be firm about your decision by rejecting any excuses the married man may use and walking away if he tries to persuade you to change your mind. For example, you may say: "It's no use arguing about this anymore. I'm not going to change my mind and I hope you can respect my decision by not contacting me in any way. I think we both need time apart to accept the break up." You may want to cut communication with him to give him time to accept your decision and to avoid being tempted to renew the relationship. Avoid calling, texting, or emailing him, and do not answer any of his messages if he reaches out to you. Doing this will show him you are serious about your decision to end the relationship and will also help you to move on from the relationship.
Consider why you have decided to break up with him. Reach out to family and friends. Re focus on your needs and your priorities. Set up a time where you are both alone and can talk privately. Express yourself clearly and calmly. Use “I” statements. Be firm about your desire to end the relationship.
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Cyst-on-Your-Face
How to Remove a Cyst on Your Face
To remove a cyst from your face at home, try wetting a washcloth with warm water and applying it to the cyst until the washcloth cools. Use the warm compress 3 or 4 times a day for several days or until the cyst clears up. Also, do not try to squeeze the cyst, since doing so could cause inflammation and make the cyst worse. If you notice symptoms such as soreness, redness, warmth, or discharge from the cyst, or if the cyst doesn't clear up after 30 days, see your doctor for an evaluation and treatment.
Try using a warm compress. Wet a washcloth with warm water. Don't use hot water, or it can inflame the skin. Press the washcloth lightly against the cyst and surrounding area. Leave it on until the washcloth becomes cool to the touch. You can repeat twice if the washcloth cooled down too quickly, and you can do this procedure a few times each day. The warm compress can help to disperse the protein or oil in the cyst and speed healing; however, it does not work in all cases. Using a warm compress on your cyst can cut its lifespan in half. Do not try to pop or squeeze your cyst by yourself. Trying to pop or squeeze your cyst will likely only make it worse. This is because cysts can penetrate quite deep into the skin, and if you try to do this procedure on your own (without the help of an experienced physician) you are unlikely to do it effectively. Instead, you may worsen inflammation and cause the cyst to come back even worse than it was initially due to incomplete drainage and inadequate healing. Your cyst may also become infected. Therefore, always see a physician for this procedure rather than trying it on your own. Recognize signs of complications. If your cyst has become infected or inflamed, you will want to see a doctor for guidance regarding treatment. Pay attention and look out for any of the following signs and symptoms: Soreness or tenderness around the cyst Redness around the cyst Warmth on the skin surrounding the cyst Grayish-white fluid leaking from the cyst that is often foul-smelling Any of these are an indication that your cyst may be infected or inflamed. Any cyst in your eye should be examined immediately by a medical professional. Move on to medical methods if the cyst doesn’t go away on its own in a month. If you experience complications of your cyst, or if it fails to resolve on its own (and especially if is bothering you in terms of pain or cosmetic appearance), do not hesitate to see your doctor. There are many medical options available for the treatment of facial cysts. Make an appointment with a dermatologist. If your health care coverage requires a referral to see a specialist, you will want to arrange for an appointment with your primary care physician first. Give your doctor an accurate description of your medical history, and explain to him or her the detailed history of your facial cyst. Inquire about incision and drainage. Because cysts are generally fluid-filled, if your doctor punctures the surface of the cyst, much of the material inside can be drained (i.e. removed), thereby greatly speeding up the healing process. The one downside to this method, however, is that it does not prevent recurrence of the cyst down the road. To the contrary, although this method is extremely effective in the short-term, it frequently leads to recurrence of the cyst later on. However, it is worth a shot and may very well be the cure you are looking for! The doctor will pierce the cyst with a sharp object and ensure that all the keratin, sebum or other substances are ejected from the cyst so that it can heal. Incision and drainage will require careful cleaning and dressing to avoid infection. Follow your doctor's instructions after the procedure to maintain good hygiene in the area. Never pop open a cyst at home or on your own, as doing it improperly could result in infection and scarring. Move on to surgical options if your cyst recurs. If you find that you have a persistent cyst, and if you have been unsuccessful at treating it via the other methods, it may be time to consider surgery. Generally, in order to proceed with surgery, your doctor will want little to no inflammation around your cyst. As a result, if your cyst is inflamed, you may need to undergo a corticosteroid injection first to diminish the inflammation prior to surgery. You can opt for more mild surgery where just the front wall of the cyst is removed and the rest is left to heal on its own. Alternatively, the entire cyst can be removed surgically. This gives the greatest chance of preventing recurrence or any further problems down the road. This procedure will involve sutures for about a week afterwards, at which point you will return to your doctor to have them removed. If you are opting for a complete cyst excision, ask your doctor if it is possible to have an incision through the mouth in order to avoid a scar. This is a new surgical technique that is becoming more common, as it is cosmetically preferable. Follow post-op instructions carefully. After surgery, carefully follow all the surgeon's directions for optimal healing. Because the cyst was removed from your face, attention to proper healing is key in order to avoid cosmetic concerns down the road. Potential complications of surgery can include scarring, infection, and/or damage to facial muscles. Ask your doctor about oral antibiotics. These can be an option for people with frequent facial cysts. If you get facial cysts often, your medical provider may prescribe a course of oral antibiotics to prevent more cysts from appearing.
Try using a warm compress. Do not try to pop or squeeze your cyst by yourself. Recognize signs of complications. Move on to medical methods if the cyst doesn’t go away on its own in a month. Make an appointment with a dermatologist. Inquire about incision and drainage. Move on to surgical options if your cyst recurs. Follow post-op instructions carefully. Ask your doctor about oral antibiotics.
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-You-Have-Prostate-Cancer
How to Know if You Have Prostate Cancer
To recognize if you have prostate cancer, look for symptoms like slower or more frequent urination, blood in your semen, or any new pain in your lower back, hips, or thighs. If you notice these symptoms, visit your doctor for a clinical diagnosis. Your doctor will most likely perform a rectal exam to feel for abnormalities in the size and texture of your prostate, as well as a blood test to measure levels of the proteins made by the prostate. Your doctor may also want to take a small tissue sample from your prostate to have it examined for cancer cells. If the test is positive, your doctor will grade the severity of the cancer on a scale of 1 to 5, which will help them know which type of treatment to pursue.
Keep in mind that age is the most significant risk factor for developing prostate cancer. Men younger than 40 have a rare incidence of prostate cancer, but the chances increase rapidly after 50 years of age. Statistics show that 6 out of 10 cases of prostate cancer are found in men 65 and older. It has been hypothesized that the increase risk with age may be due do DNA and anti-cancer protective mechanisms becoming weaker with age and thus more susceptible to cellular and genetic mutations. Mutations often lead to abnormal cells, such as cancer. Factor in your ethnicity. According to the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is more common in men of African descent than in white or Hispanic men. Additionally, the age of the onset of prostate cancer is also earlier in black men. A study of 12,000 men showed that 8.3% of blacks and only 3.3% of white men were diagnosed when they were less than 50 years of age. Studies have also shown that black men also have higher PSA levels (prostate-specific antigen levels, which is one test used to determine a diagnosis) and more advanced stages of disease at the time of diagnosis. This may reflect a combination of dietary and genetic factors; however the exact cause is unknown. Consider your family history. A positive family history plays a role in the development of prostate cancer. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles a man's risk for developing the disease. The risk is higher in men with several affected relatives. For example, men who have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have a higher incidence of prostate cancer. The BRCA2 gene mutations seem to be associated with more aggressive and advanced stage of prostate cancer at time of diagnosis. Studies have shown that certain mutations in inherited genes may potentially raise the risk for prostate cancer but accounts for a small fraction of cases. Examine your diet as a factor. Men with diets high in animal fat may be at slightly higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Studies have shown that excess animal fat, especially from red meat and high-fat dairy, can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may also increase risk for developing prostate cancer. Don't rely on symptoms alone. While symptoms do accompany some stages of prostate cancer, there are almost no symptoms in the early stages. Consult your doctor concerning your risk factors to determine the best screening regimen for you. If you do experience any of the following symptoms, it is very important to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Look for decreased urination force and speed. Several prostate cancer symptoms are tied to urination. You may notice that no matter what you do, you urinate more slowly and with decreased force. You may also experience burning while urinating dor similar reasons. The urethra (a tube that carries urine from your bladder through your penis) passes through the center of the prostate gland. Tumor growth enlarges your prostate enlarges, which then presses on the urethra. This results in a weak urine stream and inability to start and stop urinating quickly. Obstructive symptoms usually indicate significant progression of the disease. Symptoms of urinary obstruction can also increase the likelihood that the cancer has metastasized to the bones or lymph nodes. Pay attention to more frequent urination. You may find yourself getting up several times during the night to urinate. Tumor growth can constrict your urethra, which makes it more difficult to empty your bladder completely. The urethral compression also causes the bladder to fill more easily, additionally causing the urge for frequent urination. Look for blood in your semen. Semen passes along a series of tubes and structures on the way to the urethra for ejaculation. The pressure from a growing tumor can cause blood vessels along this path to break and leak blood into your semen. You will notice a pink color or bright red blood in your semen (which is normally a milky white color). Note any new pain in the lower back, hips, or thighs. This is usually a “bony pain” that feels deep and throbs, often for no apparent reason. You may find it starts randomly and is difficult to relieve. This type of pain may indicate metastatic prostate cancer meaning that the cancer has spread into your bones. The pain is a result of the cancer spreading into the spine and pressing on your spinal nerves. The tumor may be big enough to compress the nerves of the spinal cord, which can cause numbness. Learn the screening guidelines. Different organizations (American Cancer Society, American Urological Association, American College of Physicians, etc.) differ in their screening recommendations. While some recommend yearly screenings after a certain age, the CDC does not recommend PSA-based screening in men unless they have symptoms. The most important factors in prostate cancer screening for the individual rely on personal, informed decision making. Consider getting screened based on your age. While different medical organizations have differing opinions on when and how to be screened for prostate cancer, it is generally a good idea to consider screening at: 40 years of age for the highest risk individuals — Men at the highest risk have more than one immediate family member who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer at a relatively early age. 45 years old for those with high risk — This population generally includes African American men and individuals with one close relative (father, son, or sibling) who has been previously diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65. 50 years old for men with an average risk — Average risk is essentially all other men. Note that this only applies to those with a life expectancy beyond the next 10 years due to the slow-spreading nature of prostate cancer. See your doctor. While you may be able to identify symptoms that suggest prostate cancer, only your doctor will be able to accurately diagnose the disease. If you have symptoms and risk factors for prostate cancer, your doctor will initially perform two tests and weigh the results along with your symptoms (if any) to determine the next step. These initial tests include: A digital rectal exam (DRE), which is where your doctor inserts his finger into your rectum and presses on your prostate to feel for abnormalities relating to size, firmness, and/or texture. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level test, which measures a protein made by the prostate. This involves drawing blood to check your PSA levels. In general, a PSA under 5 ng/mL is considered normal, and a PSA above 10 ng/mL indicates a risk of cancer. However, a high PSA level may also indicate non-cancerous conditions such as infection or inflammation. A continuous rise in PSA level may indicate prostate cancer. Consult your doctor about other test options. Your doctor may also order a biopsy with an ultrasound probe. This means taking a small tissue sample from your prostate, which a lab will examine for cancer cells. MRI and PET/CT scans may also be used to evaluate the stage of your cancer. These imaging devices help determine the size of your prostate and the metabolic activity of the prostate (cancer cells are metabolically more active than normal cells and therefore can be detected by PET scan). These scans may be able to detect any metastatic lesions as well. Consider your Gleason score. Pathologists grade prostate cancer using the Gleason score. The grade indicates the cancer's appearance and how quickly it is growing. The pathologist will grade on a scale of 1 – 5. 1 means the cancer tissue looks very much like normal prostate tissue, and 5 means the cells are abnormal and scattered throughout the prostate, indicating an advanced stage and aggressive cancer. The higher the Gleason score, the more likely that the cancer will grow and spread quickly. Based on this number, your doctor will know which type of treatment to pursue. Ask your doctor for a prognosis. Generally, if the disease is localized to the prostate, it is curable. If the cancer is susceptible to hormone treatments, the prognosis is considered to be favorable. The three-year survival rate for prostate cancer is 100% for local invasion, 99.1% for regional invasion, and 33.1% for distant metastasis. Look into a radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. If the cancer is only in the prostate, it can generally be treated with a radical prostatectomy, which means surgically removing the prostate. For older males with a life expectancy of less than ten years who have not displayed symptoms, it may be advisable to observe the condition before committing to surgery. This is because surgery on the prostate can cause additional complications that include urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Ask your doctor about radiation therapy for locally invasive prostate cancer. For prostate cancer that has progressed beyond the prostate to local regions of the body, radiation therapy is usually prescribed. In addition, deprivation of androgens (hormones that maintain male characteristics) may help to decrease the spread of the disease. When the prostate cancer has become locally invasive, treatment aims to decrease the spread of the cancer. Consider options for metastatic prostate cancer. Once the prostate cancer has invaded other parts of the body, treatment regimens will usually entail reducing the amount of testosterone produced in the body, which can be a more radical approach to reducing androgens than with locally invasive disease. Anti-androgens — These medications will aim to block androgens from expressing their effects on the proper hormonal tissue receptors in the body to reduce testosterone production. GnRH antagonists — These medications will bind to receptors in the pituitary gland and help to suppress the production of testosterone. Luteinizing hormone-releasing agonists — These medications will also affect the androgen producing pathways of your body to reduce testosterone. Orchiectomy — This procedure calls for the complete removal of the testes. This is usually reserved for patients who are non-compliant with their medications.
Keep in mind that age is the most significant risk factor for developing prostate cancer. Factor in your ethnicity. Consider your family history. Examine your diet as a factor. Don't rely on symptoms alone. Look for decreased urination force and speed. Pay attention to more frequent urination. Look for blood in your semen. Note any new pain in the lower back, hips, or thighs. Learn the screening guidelines. Consider getting screened based on your age. See your doctor. Consult your doctor about other test options. Consider your Gleason score. Ask your doctor for a prognosis. Look into a radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. Ask your doctor about radiation therapy for locally invasive prostate cancer. Consider options for metastatic prostate cancer.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Stained-Toilet-Bowl
How to Clean a Stained Toilet Bowl
To clean a stained toilet bowl, try soaking a pumice stone in water for 10-15 minutes and then scrubbing the stains with it. You can also try scouring away the stains with a dryer sheet. For mold or mildew stains, apply white vinegar, bleach, or tea tree oil and then scrub the stains with a toilet brush. When you're finished, flush the toilet 3 times to rinse away the cleaning agent.
Check your manufacturer’s instructions. Before you begin cleaning your toilet, it is best to check your manufacturer's instructions. Certain products can damage the inner-workings of your toilet--such as the flapper--while others may cause discoloration. Look for a brand name printed or engraved on your toilet. Perform an Internet search for "[your toilet brand] + safe cleaning products." You can also look for a phone number to the manufacturer and give them a call. Plunge the bowl to remove some of the water. If the toilet bowl is full of water due to a clog, then plunge it before you clean it. This will help the water to go down and make it easier to clean the toilet bowl. . Scrub with a toilet brush and cleaner Before you can tackle tough stains, you must perform a general cleaning of your toilet. In order to do this, you will need some form of cleanser and a toilet brush or an old dish brush. Simply apply the cleanser of your choice to the inside of your toilet bowl and around the edges. Then use the brush to remove debris, and flush. You may want to wear disposable gloves while you do this. Some cleansers to choose from include: Store-bought products, such as Comet, Soft Scrub, and other toilet cleansers. DIY alternatives, such as baking soda, white vinegar, borax, or bleach. Pour in white vinegar and let it soak overnight. If your toilet is very dirty, it may benefit from an overnight soak before scrubbing. Pour 1/2 cup (118 ml) of white vinegar into your toilet bowl and close the lid. Leave it to sit overnight. If there are stains around the rim of the toilet, then drape pieces of toilet paper over them and pour vinegar over the toilet paper to ensure that vinegar will stay on the stains. Determine the cause of your stains. Depending on the nature of your toilet stains, you may use a variety of products to eradicate them. The most common sources of toilet stains are hard water, mold, and mildew. Look for the following symptoms to determine what type of stains are present for you. Hard water - These stains will appear as rings around your inner toilet bowl. They may be pink, red, brown, or white. Mold - Mold stains can occur anywhere on your toilet. Mold will be slightly fuzzy and can be blue, green, yellow, gray, black, or white. Mildew - Mildew can also occur anywhere on your toilet, but is common near the top of the toilet bowl or on the toilet tank. Mildew usually starts out white, but may turn yellow or brown in time. Apply lemon Kool-aid. Hard water stains are both common and unsightly. Fortunately, you can remove them using items you may already have at home. One choice is lemon Kool-aid. Simply sprinkle 1 package of lemon Kool-aid around the toilet bowl, wait 1 hour, and use a toilet brush to scrub away stains. Lemon Kool-aid is available at most grocery stores for as little as $0.25. Use a pumice stone. Pumice stones are excellent at scrubbing away hard water stains. Use a pumice stone you already have at home, or purchase a "pumie" (a pumice stone on a stick designed for this purpose). Soak your pumice stone in water for 10-15 minutes, then use it to scrub away stains. Scrub with a dryer sheet. Dryer sheets are another great product for scouring away hard water stains. In fact, used dryer sheets seem to work even better than brand new ones! Wear a pair of rubber gloves, then use an ordinary dryer sheet (used or unused) to scrub away stains. Use white vinegar. Beyond being unsightly, mold in your bathroom can contribute to health problems. Fortunately, getting rid of mold is not difficult. Add 1/2 cup (118 ml) of white vinegar to your toilet bowl or spray it directly onto mold. Then, scrub mold away with a toilet brush. Apply bleach. Another tried-and-true product for removing mold is ordinary bleach. Add 1/4 cup (59 ml) of bleach to your toilet bowl, or spray diluted bleach directly onto mold. Then scrub mold away using a toilet brush. Try tea tree oil. A less commonly-used, but still very effective product for removing mold is tea tree essential oil. Add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to your toilet bowl or spray a tea tree oil solution (5-10 drops of oil to a bottle of water) directly onto any moldy spots. Scrub with a toilet brush. Flush your toilet at least 3 times. If left to sit for too long in your toilet, all 3 of these products could potentially damage the inner-workings. As such, it is important to flush these products out of your toilet system. After scrubbing with any of these products, be sure to flush the toilet at least 3 times. Select which product you'd like to use. Mildew in your home is linked to respiratory problems and other health concerns. In addition to being ugly, it is important to remove it from your toilet for these reasons. To remove mildew, you can use the same products as you would for mold--white vinegar, bleach, or tea tree oil--but the procedure is a little different. To begin, select which product you want to use. Create a spray bottle. Place the solution of your choice--bleach water, vinegar water, or water with 10-15 drops of tea tree oil--into a spray bottle. You can re-purpose an old spray bottle you have at home, or purchase a new one. Flush your toilet to drain as much water as possible. Mildew loves water and thrives in damp environments (like your toilet). In order to clean it effectively, you need your toilet to be a little bit dry inside. So flush your toilet to start the cleaning process. Spray the inside of your toilet with the solution. While the inside of your toilet is empty (or as close to empty as possible), use your spray solution to coat the inside of your toilet bowl with your cleanser. Scrub with a toilet brush. As quickly as you can (before the toilet refills with water), vigorously scrub the mildew from the inside of your toilet bowl. You may need to repeat this process until all of the mildew is gone.
Check your manufacturer’s instructions. Plunge the bowl to remove some of the water. . Pour in white vinegar and let it soak overnight. Determine the cause of your stains. Apply lemon Kool-aid. Use a pumice stone. Scrub with a dryer sheet. Use white vinegar. Apply bleach. Try tea tree oil. Flush your toilet at least 3 times. Select which product you'd like to use. Create a spray bottle. Flush your toilet to drain as much water as possible. Spray the inside of your toilet with the solution. Scrub with a toilet brush.
https://www.wikihow.com/Achieve-Pastel-Hair
How to Achieve Pastel Hair
To achieve pastel hair, you'll first need to bleach it to platinum blonde or white, then apply whatever color of dye you'd like to use. Make sure you test the bleach on a small section of your hair to see how long you need to leave it in. After your bleached hair has dried, mix your pastel dye with white conditioner, which will form the base. Apply the dye evenly to your hair and cover it with a shower cap or aluminum foil. After 20 minutes, wash a strand of your hair to see if the color is how you want it. If it's too light, leave your hair to keep dyeing. Check it every 5 to 10 minutes until you're happy with the color. Then, wash and dry your hair. If there are any uneven patches, touch them up with more dye.
Choose your bleach. If your hair is not platinum blonde or white, you will need to bleach your hair. The lighter your hair, the better the pastel color will take. If this is your first time bleaching your hair, start with a bleach kit. The kit contains dye and peroxide to bleach your hair. Bleach kits will be labeled as white, blue, or purple. Blue and purple add in cool tones to help combat brassy-ness. Blue is more ideal for canceling out orange hair, and purple is best for yellow. White bleach is normal, with no added tones. If this is your first time bleaching or dyeing your hair at home, you may want to seriously consider going to a hair salon to get your hair bleached. Bleaching is the hardest part of this whole pastel hair process and improperly bleached hair can end up looking really fried and dead. Consider going to a hair salon to get your hair bleached and they do the pastel dyeing yourself (or have them do the whole thing). Make sure your hair is not freshly shampooed before you begin bleaching. Bleach will irritate your skin when it comes in contact with your scalp. To avoid this, or at least lessen the irritation, you should not wash your hair for several days before you plan on bleaching it. The natural oils of your hair will help to reduce the irritation caused by the bleach. Using a toner over already yellowy-blonde hair may be enough to lighten your hair. Try this before using bleach. Virgin Snow by Manic Panic is a great toner and won't set you back too much cash. Alternatively, if the toner just doesn't cut it you may use a bleaching method such as this. A less harmful way to lighten your hair is a bleach bath. (a bleach bath is a mixture of half bleach, half shampoo) Choose your kit based on the developer. The developer (peroxide) comes in either 10, 20, 30, or 40 volume. Bleach kits will not contain 10 volume, however, because it is not meant for this use. Do not use a kit with 40 volume developer, it is too strong and can damage your hair badly. If your hair is already light blonde, use a 10 volume developer. While you may find it odd to bleach your hair when you are already blonde, using a 10 volume developer will help to open up your hair and make it more receptive to the pastel dye. If your hair is light to medium brown or strawberry blonde, use a 20 volume developer. If your hair is dark brown or black, use a 30 volume developer. Keep in mind, the higher the volume of developer, when you use it with bleach, or determines how FAST it processes. NOT how light your hair will get. Perform a strand test. Strand tests will help you to see how long you need to process your hair. Section off a small piece of hair and make sure to keep it away from the rest of your hair. Mix one spoonful of the bleaching powder from your kit with one spoonful of the peroxide developer. Dip your small section of hair into the mixture. Wait five minutes and then wipe the dye off with a cloth. Continue dipping the strands and waiting five minutes until the strands are the color you want your hair to be. This amount of time will be how long your need to bleach your whole head of hair for. Do not rely on the results of your strand test too heavily. Different areas of hair will process at different speeds, and might even have different chemicals on them. Prepare your bleaching area. This will be the same area you dye your hair in. Lay down old towels (ones that you don't mind staining) or newspapers on any of the surfaces near where you will be working, as dye has a tendency to stain everything it touches. You will also need a tint brush with a pointed handle, some latex (or rubber) gloves, and a non-metallic bowl. You should also place an old towel around your shoulders. If possible, ask a friend to help you with the actual bleaching process, as it can get a little tricky to just do by yourself. If your bleaching kit did not come with a tint brush, you can buy one at any beauty supply store. Mix the lightener packet and developer. Follow the directions on the bleach kit box to properly mix up the bleach. You will want to use a bowl that you do not care about or that is white, as bleach can suck the color right out of ceramics. Plastic bowls are the best for mixing dyes. Divide your hair into sections. Use the pointy handle of your tint brush to divide your hair down the middle of your head so that your part is directly in the middle of your hair. Then divide your hair from ear to ear so that you have four sections of hair. Use plastic clips to hold these sections in place. Don't use metal clips; they may have a chemical reaction with the bleach. Bleach your hair. If you have a friend around, now is the time to ask for their assistance. If not, make sure you are standing in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing. Take a thin section of hair from the top of one of the back quarters. 'Paint' that strand with the dye, starting 1cm (0.39 inches) to 2.54cm (1 inch) away from your root and going all the way down to the bottom of the strands. Brush your hair with the dye from top to bottom (the direction that your hair grows) leaving your roots at the top uncovered (you will dye it later.) You should wait until later on to bleach your roots because roots tend to process quicker than the rest of a strand of hair. Flip the dyed strand over. Repeat the same process with the strand below each dyed later, continuing to flip each dyed layer over to reveal the next layer of undyed hair. You will have to work quickly, as bleach starts working almost immediately. When you are done with one quarter, move onto the next until all of the quarters of hair are dyed. Add a second layer of bleach to the first quarter you dyed. Do this when that quarter of hair has turned golden blonde. This time, run the tint brush from the root of your hair all the way to the end of each strand. Repeat this process with each section of hair. Monitor your hair color. When your dyed hair has reached a pale blonde color (that is more white than blonde) it's time to rinse the bleach out. Wash it out with shampoo. In preparation for the dyeing process, you should use a pre-color shampoo. Do not use conditioner, as it will make the dye job uneven. Rinse your head thoroughly. Your hair may or may not be platinum when you are done. The instructions on your bleach will likely say you can leave it on for 50 minutes. That is a bad idea. If your hair is still dark (or very orange) after 30 minutes, you may need to bleach again. It's better to bleach two times for 30 minutes than to do it once for nearly an hour. It is not common for hair to bleach white! The lightest you need to have your hair when bleaching is a pale yellow. Once your hair has reached the pale yellow point, you need to use a high lift blonde permanent color, or a toner, to make it white. Bleaching past white is dangerous, as once it is white, there is no more pigment left and will break (fry, melt, fall off) if chemically processed much further. Dry your hair. If you can stand to, blow dry your hair to speed up the dyeing process--blow drying your hair with high heat will help your hair absorb the dye. Pour white conditioner into a mixing bowl. It is absolutely essential that the conditioner be white. The conditioner acts as the base that you will mix the dye with. Once you have pour the conditioner into a mixing bowl, add the color. The best color dyes to work with when making pastel dye include Manic Panic, Pravana, Crazy Color, and Special Effects, among others. (Splat is not suggested) Start by squirting a small amount of the dye into the conditioner. Mix these two ingredients together so that the color is thoroughly worked into the conditioner. As a general rule, the color you see in the bowl will be the color that your hair gets dyed. Continue to mix in the dye until the color in the bowl is the color you want your hair to be. If you are concerned about the dye washing out of your hair, add enough dye that the mixture becomes one shade darker than you ultimately want your head to be. Apply the mixture evenly to your hair. Start at the roots of your hair and work the dye from the roots to the ends of your hair. You can choose to use either an applicator, brush or your hands to do this. Sometimes, your glove-covered hands will actually work the best. If you have a friend around, ask them to look for any spots you may have missed, or have them apply the dye to your hair for you. No matter what application technique you go with, even saturation of the dye is essential. Pile your dyed hair on top of your head and cover it in a shower cap. Putting your hair in a shower cap while you wait for the dye to process is essential. The shower cap ensures that the dye does not dry out (thus resulting in a patchy dye job). The processing time depends on how dark you want your hair to be--generally for a normal (versus light or dark) pastel color, you will want to let the dye process for 30 to 45 minutes. However, the length of time is up to you--keep an eye on your color while it is processing. Check to see if your hair has processed. After 20 minutes or so, wash one strand of your hair and check to see if it is the color you want. If it is too light, let the dye continue to process. Continue to check every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure that the color does not become too dark. Wash your hair with cool water. Once your hair has reached the desired color, rinse it out with cool water. You do not need (and should not use) shampoo or conditioner. Don't be alarmed that color will wash off your head and down the drain--this is natural and will not affect your dye job. Dry your hair to check for uneven dye spots. Wet hair always looks darker than dry hair, so it is important to let your hair dry before you freak out. Use a blow dryer and dry your hair thoroughly. Redye any uneven spots. If you find that one section of your hair is lighter than another (and you don't want it to look that way) re-apply dye to that spot and let it process again. Make sure to check on it often to make sure it doesn't become darker than the rest of your head. Mix some of the dye into your normal conditioner. If you want to keep up your new color, adding some of the dye to your conditioner will help to keep your color from fading.
Choose your bleach. Make sure your hair is not freshly shampooed before you begin bleaching. Choose your kit based on the developer. Perform a strand test. Prepare your bleaching area. Mix the lightener packet and developer. Divide your hair into sections. Bleach your hair. Flip the dyed strand over. Add a second layer of bleach to the first quarter you dyed. Monitor your hair color. Dry your hair. Pour white conditioner into a mixing bowl. Start by squirting a small amount of the dye into the conditioner. Apply the mixture evenly to your hair. Pile your dyed hair on top of your head and cover it in a shower cap. Check to see if your hair has processed. Wash your hair with cool water. Dry your hair to check for uneven dye spots. Redye any uneven spots. Mix some of the dye into your normal conditioner.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Origami-Mouse
How to Make an Origami Mouse
To make an origami mouse, first fold a square piece of paper in half diagonally both ways and unfold it. Then, fold the bottom left edge up to the vertical center crease. Repeat with the bottom right edge, then unfold both edges. Now, do the same thing with the top left and right edges, but don't unfold them. Lift up one of the flaps and fold the corner over to the vertical crease along the existing creases. Repeat with the other flap so you have two new smaller flaps. Next, fold one of the flaps down and bring the diagonal edge up to the horizontal crease in the center. Do the same thing with the other flap. Flip the model over, and fold the bottom point up so it's halfway between the horizontal crease and the top point. Then, fold up the bottom corners so the folds make a straight, diagonal line between the ends of the horizontal line and the bottom point on the model. To make your mouse's ears, turn the model over and mountain fold it in half lengthwise. Next, take the flap on top and fold it over and then back. Turn the model over and repeat with the flap on the other side. Stick your finger into the ear flaps to make them round. To make your mouse's tail, fold the long half of the model in on itself so the end is pointing downward. Then, bring the end of the tail up and push it inside of that fold. Finally, open the tail and fold the corners in so that it's thinner.
Get a square piece of paper to make your origami mouse with. Any kind of thin paper will work, although paper designed specifically for origami may be easier to work with. If you don't have square paper, use scissors to cut regular paper into a square. You can use any color of paper to make your origami mouse with. If you want a realistic-looking mouse, go with a brown, black, or white piece of paper. If you want something that's more whimsical and fun, try brightly-colored paper or paper with a pattern on it. Fold the paper in half diagonally both ways and then unfold. Crease the paper with your fingers after each fold. When you're finished, you should have 2 long creases that intersect in the middle of the paper. Orient the paper so it looks like a diamond after you make your 2 folds. Fold the bottom left and right edges up to the vertical crease and unfold. Try to make the edges line up with the crease as much as possible so there's no gap between them. Also, be careful not to overlap the edges at the crease or you may have some problems folding your origami mouse later on. Don't forget to crease and unfold the edges after you fold them. Repeat with the top left and right edges of the paper but don’t unfold. Just like you did with the bottom edges, fold the top left and right edges to the vertical crease. This time, however, don't unfold the edges. Crease along the folds with your fingers and then leave the edges folded down. When you're finished, the paper should be folded in a kite shape. Lift the flaps and fold the corners over to the vertical crease. After you lift up the flaps that you made with your previous fold, take the left and right corners of the paper and push them toward the center crease. Then, flatten along the existing creases so you have 2 new, smaller flaps sticking up on the model. Push the new, smaller flaps down so they're lying flat. The new flaps should naturally form along the existing creases that you made with your previous folds. Fold one of the flaps down and fold the bottom edge up to the top edge. Start by folding one of the small flaps down toward the bottom of the model and creasing along the horizontal fold. Then, bring the bottom, diagonal edge up to the horizontal crease you just made. Finally, crease along the new fold. When you're finished, bring the folded flap up and behind the other flap so it's not in your way. Repeat with the other flap. Fold the flap down and crease along the horizontal line. Then, bring the bottom edge up to the horizontal fold you just made and crease the new fold. Bring the folded flap up so it's next to the other folded flap. Flip the model over and fold the bottom point up above the horizontal crease. This fold doesn't need to be precise—it doesn't matter how far above the horizontal crease you fold the bottom point, as long as it's above it. However, try to position the point so it's about halfway between the top point on the model and the horizontal crease. Remember to crease along the fold with your fingers. Fold up both bottom corners. You want to fold the corners up toward the horizontal crease, but not all the way. Instead, stop when the folds make a straight, diagonal line between the ends of the horizontal crease and the bottom, middle point of the model. Turn the model over and mountain fold it in half lengthwise. A mountain fold is a fold that's done away from yourself so that the crease looks like the peak of a mountain (as opposed to a valley fold, which would be done toward yourself and look like a valley). The model should easily fold in half lengthwise along the vertical crease you made earlier. After you mountain fold the model in half lengthwise, lay it flat so you're only looking at one side. At this point, you should be able to see the beginning of your mouse's ears and nose. Fold the flap over and then bring the corner back to make an ear. First, fold the flap over so that it's lying flat on the shorter half of the model (the half that will eventually become your mouse's face and nose). Then, take the corner and fold it down and back so the edge is perpendicular with the top, horizontal edge of the model. Crease the fold so the ear stays in place. Flip the model over and repeat with the other flap. Make sure the flap is lying flat on the shorter half of the model. Then, fold it down and back and crease along the fold. Now your mouse should have 2 ears! Insert a finger into the ear flaps to make them round and 3-dimensional. The edge of each ear should have an opening that you can easily stick a finger into. Once your finger is inside, use another finger to press on the outer crease to round it out and give the ears some shape. Don't worry about making the ears perfect. You can always go back in later and round them out some more. Fold the long half of the model in on itself to start the tail. First, use your fingers to press down on the top, horizontal edge of the model so the long half of the model is flat. Then, continue pressing the edge of the model down while pressing the sides of the model inward. Keep pressing until you've folded the long half in on itself and the end is pointing downward. Crease the diagonal fold along the top edge of the model. Bring the end of the tail up and push it inside of the fold you just made. Flatten the end of the tail and push it upward with your fingers so it goes inside of the diagonal fold. Once the end of the tail is pointing upward, crease the diagonal fold again to secure the tail inside of it. The angle of the tail doesn't need to be precise. The tail just needs to be pointing up and be tucked inside of the diagonal fold. Open the tail up and fold the corners in to make it thinner. Once the tail is open, take each corner and fold it toward the center crease inside of the tail. This fold doesn't need to be precise, but the closer you fold the corners to the center crease, the thinner your mouse's tail will be. After you fold the corners inside of the tail, crease the folds and then close the tail. Once you're done folding the tail, your origami mouse is finished!
Get a square piece of paper to make your origami mouse with. Fold the paper in half diagonally both ways and then unfold. Fold the bottom left and right edges up to the vertical crease and unfold. Repeat with the top left and right edges of the paper but don’t unfold. Lift the flaps and fold the corners over to the vertical crease. Fold one of the flaps down and fold the bottom edge up to the top edge. Repeat with the other flap. Flip the model over and fold the bottom point up above the horizontal crease. Fold up both bottom corners. Turn the model over and mountain fold it in half lengthwise. Fold the flap over and then bring the corner back to make an ear. Flip the model over and repeat with the other flap. Insert a finger into the ear flaps to make them round and 3-dimensional. Fold the long half of the model in on itself to start the tail. Bring the end of the tail up and push it inside of the fold you just made. Open the tail up and fold the corners in to make it thinner.
https://www.wikihow.com/Sleep-at-Your-Boyfriend%27s-House-for-the-First-Time
How to Sleep at Your Boyfriend's House for the First Time
If you're planning to sleep at your boyfriend's house for the first time, make sure to pack all the essentials like your toothbrush, makeup remover, retainer, and clothes for the morning. If you're an early riser, you might want to let him sleep in, so bring a phone charger or book so you can keep yourself entertained until he wakes up. When you decide to turn in for the night, stick to your normal nighttime routine, but you might want to streamline it to avoid making your boyfriend wait too long. Also, prepare yourself for a restless night because your body probably isn't used to sleeping next to another person.
Choose a discreet bag. You don't want to seem like you've prepared to move in for a week; but you'll likely want a few essentials to make the morning after easier. You'll also want to be able to brush your teeth and remove any makeup if you wear it. See what you can fit in whatever bag you usually carry with you. If you normally carry a very small clutch or wallet, you'll need to bring something slightly bigger or only pack the bare essentials. If your boyfriend lives far away and this is part of an overnight trip to visit him you can get away with packing a lot more. After all, you'll need everything you would regularly travel with. Pack for your nighttime routine. You probably don't want to get into the awkward situation of having to ask to borrow a toothbrush, but simply choosing not to brush your teeth can be awkward too. Pack anything that you simply can't live without. You may want to bring makeup remover if you wear makeup. Some women would rather go to bed with their makeup on than have their boyfriends see them without it. However, this can be bad for your skin, and if he's your boyfriend he's going to see you without makeup eventually. Pack anything you'll need for dealing with your hair. Some women need to tie their hair into a rag at night but choose not to when they stay with a boyfriend. Of course you're not going to put your hair up in curlers on this special night, but maybe you want to pack a brush, comb, or detangling spray. Pack anything for the morning after. There's a long list of things people bring with them in anticipation of the next morning. Think about what you'll need for your morning routine and how long you think you and your guy will hang out before you head home. If you're an early riser, bring your phone charger and a book or magazine. That way, if you're awake well ahead of him, you can keep yourself entertained if need be. If they fit in your bag easily, you might want to bring a pair of shoes that are easier to walk in than your date shoes. Don't forget any medications that you need to take regularly.You can't be sure what time you'll be getting home in the morning. Pack protection if you need it. If you plan on being physically intimate, bringing condoms is always wise. Don't assume your boyfriend will have condoms at his house. Bring your own. If you're not sure whether or not you'll be having intercourse, bring some along just in case. Condoms are the only birth control method that also protects against sexually transmitted infections. Bringing lube or any other sexual accessories you like can be a good idea, too. Bring cash. This is a good rule of thumb any time you plan on going out for the night. In case things go awry or you haven't made plans about how you'll get home, it's good to know you have some contingency cash on hand for emergencies. Cash is good to carry in case you both decide to spontaneously go out for drinks or ice cream or breakfast. You can't always assume he'll be paying. Wear a versatile outfit. You may end up spending the morning or even most of the day with your boyfriend. If you went over to his house in a very confining outfit or something only appropriate for a late-night date, you'll probably feel uncomfortable walking around the park the next morning or grabbing a casual breakfast in that. It's great to keep some items in your wardrobe that you feel sexy in but that can be easily thrown on in the morning. Know what you want. This is the first thing to consider when deciding what the first night together will entail. Don't assume that just because you're sleeping over for the first time you're obligated to have sex. However, if that's what you're hoping for, plan for it. Having sex can be a way of bringing you two closer together and forming an even more intimate bond. Sex can also bring up tricky issues such as questions about monogamy, sexual history, sexual health, and potential pregnancy. If you're not up for talking about these things with your guy, you may not be ready for the responsibility of being sexually active with him. It's okay to feel ambivalent about sex, especially the first time. If you aren't ready to make a decision right now, that's okay. Just make sure that you're able to make a fully informed and consensual decision in the moment if sex comes up. Talk to your boyfriend about expectations. This might feel awkward at first, but it's a conversation that will come up eventually. There are a number of ways you can ask about your boyfriend's expectations while still being charming and even flirtatious. If you want to keep the conversation flirty, you can ask what the sleeping arrangements will be. Say something like, “So, do you think we'll be sharing a bed or should I bring my own sleeping bag?” If you want to be more direct, you can say something like, “I know we've never had a sleepover before. I'm really excited, but I'd also like to talk about each of our expectations for the night. I'm wondering how you feel about sex and if you think we're ready.” If you already know exactly what you want and feel certain about it, you can simply start with that. Say something like, “Hey, I'm really excited to sleep over, but I want you to know ahead of time that I am not ready to have sex with you” or, “I'm so excited to stay over at your house tonight. I feel really ready to take things to the next level with sex.” Stay firm but flexible. If you've already made a decision for yourself, such as choosing to have sex or not have sex, that's great. However, sometimes the specific circumstances may influence how you feel and you might change your mind in the moment. That's okay. Listen to your gut. You may have not planned on having sex but find yourself feeling extremely comfortable and excited to try it. You may have planned on having sex, but if you suddenly feel uncomfortable or nervous, it's okay to change your mind. Make sure that your decision is based on your feelings, not on pressure from your boyfriend, your friends, your parents, or other external pressures. Enjoy each other’s company. You may be nervous about spending the night for the first time. However, remember that your boyfriend appreciates you for who you are. Not only that, he's surely just as nervous as you. Take some of the pressure off by relaxing together and doing things you normally enjoy together. Your boyfriend is probably nervous about you seeing what his house and room look like. Put him at ease by letting him know anything you like or appreciate about his living space. You can say something like, “I really like that poster you've got on the wall,” or, “Wow, this is a great location you've got.” If his place isn't that great to hang out in, you can go for a walk or a drive. Take your date elsewhere and come back just to sleep. Do your nighttime routine. This may involve washing your face, brushing your hair and teeth and doing anything else you need to do before going to bed. Of course, at home you may have a more involved routine, but keep it streamlined for tonight. That way, you won't spend all of your time in the bathroom with your boyfriend wondering what you're doing. You don't need to explain what you're doing in the bathroom. He may wonder, but that's fine. If you usually braid your hair at night or tuck it up in a rag, you might want to skip that for the first few nights you spend together, if you're comfortable with that. Prepare to not sleep very well. The first night you spend the night with another person, your brain actually stays a tiny bit awake during the night as a way of keeping you safe. You may wake up when your boyfriend moves around or changes positions in the bed. Don't plan to sleep over at your boyfriend's house for the first time the night before a big day at school or work. You may need to catch up on sleep with a nap the next day, even if you try to go to bed early. Wear what you feel comfortable in. If you hadn't planned on sleeping over, you may not have brought a change of clothes or thought about planning for what you'd sleep in. Even if you did plan, it may not have made sense to bring pajamas or a change of clothes. What you wear to sleep will depend on how comfortable you feel with your boyfriend and your level of intimacy. If you end up having sex or being physically intimate in other ways, you may feel comfortable sleeping with nothing on at all, or sleeping in only your underwear. If he lives with his family, you'll want to sleep in something conservative in case a parent or sibling barges in or you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. You can always ask to borrow a T-shirt to sleep in. Many guys find that endearing. Go to bed when you’re ready. When it's time to go to bed because you're both tired, it's time to go to sleep. If you're sleeping in the same bed, you'll need to find a comfortable position for both of you. There may also be things that make it hard to get comfortable, such as: If he snores. You may want to bring a pair of earplugs, just in case! If one of you steals the blankets or you like very different sleeping temperatures. If he likes to cuddle and you don't (or vice versa). Let him sleep in. If you wake up first, it's considerate to let your boyfriend sleep in a bit. After all, you'd probably appreciate the same courtesy. If you wake up first, you can either stay in bed cuddling with him or head to the bathroom to complete your morning routine so that when he wakes up you already look fresh. If he wakes up first, he may head to the bathroom before you're up to brush his teeth and make himself presentable, too. Gauge how you’ll spend the morning. You both might want to spend the morning and even most of the day together, but you might not. Hopefully, you already know what your plans are for the day. If you didn't make plans, don't assume that you'll be spending all morning together. Did you talk about having breakfast? If not, you can suggest something or ask what he'd like to do. You can say something like, “Do you want to make breakfast together?” or, “I'd love a cup of coffee. Is there a good place nearby?” Does one of you have to go to work or school? If you do, let him know. You can say something like, “I have to be at work in an hour, but I'd be happy to have a quick coffee together, if you want.” You can also say, “Do you have plans for the day? I'm free, but I understand if you've got things to do.” Of course, your boyfriend should care for you and have lots of respect for you, so don't feel shy about letting him know if you do or don't want to spend the morning together. You should be able to express your feelings honestly in a healthy relationship. Leave something behind if you want. This is a fairly common flirtation tip. Even though you're already in a relationship, it can be a great way to get your guy excited. It can also be a nice way to leave him something that keeps him thinking about you and ensures you'll see each other again soon. Some things you might “accidentally” leave behind include: A piece of clothing A piece of jewelry you always wear Your toothbrush or makeup The book you're reading The DVD series you're watching together Be respectful if he lives with his family. If he lives with parents or siblings, you want to be respectful in their presence. Follow any house rules and behave modestly. If his parents have specified that you'll sleep in separate rooms or beds, follow that rule. It could be disastrous if they happen to see that you've gone behind their backs. Avoid displaying too much affection in front of his family. You can of course be sweet to each other, but avoid kissing or petting each other in front of family. Dress modestly for sleep and around the house. Don't get up to go to the bathroom in a T-shirt and underwear, for example.
Choose a discreet bag. Pack for your nighttime routine. Pack anything for the morning after. Pack protection if you need it. Bring cash. Wear a versatile outfit. Know what you want. Talk to your boyfriend about expectations. Stay firm but flexible. Enjoy each other’s company. Do your nighttime routine. Prepare to not sleep very well. Wear what you feel comfortable in. Go to bed when you’re ready. Let him sleep in. Gauge how you’ll spend the morning. Leave something behind if you want. Be respectful if he lives with his family.
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How to Pay Your Mortgage Faster
To pay your mortgage faster, check with your lender to see if you can make extra payments toward your principal balance, which will also help you pay less interest in the long run. You can also pay your mortgage every 2 weeks as opposed to once a month, which will help you pay off an extra month every year. Or, whenever you get a bonus or tax refund, you could put it toward your mortgage to lower your principal balance. Also, consider rounding up your payments to pay your mortgage faster. For example, if you usually pay $750, start paying $800 instead.
Ask if you can make extra payments. The key to paying off a mortgage early is to make extra payments against the principal balance. The lower your principal, the less interest you'll have to pay. Accordingly, check with your lender to see if they will accept extra payments. Some lenders will let you make extra payments but only at specified times. Lenders may also charge prepayment penalties. Call your lender and ask what happens with extra payments. They won't do you any good unless they are applied to the principal. Some lenders apply additional payments toward interest, which benefits the lender more than it does you. Write "Apply excess to principal" on the memo line of your check. Always include this phrase on extra payments to ensure that the money goes to paying off the principal of the mortgage and not the interest. Do this no matter what method of extra payment you choose. Pay your mortgage every two weeks. In effect you can make an extra month's payment each year simply by paying half of your scheduled monthly mortgage payment every two weeks (rather than 12 times a year). If, for example, you have a 30-year mortgage for $220,000 at 4% interest, you'll be able to pay off your mortgage 11 years early by using the every-two-weeks schedule. Let's say your monthly mortgage payment is $600. You would then pay $300 every two weeks—on the first and the fifteenth of every month, for example. To make things easier, automate your bill paying. An alternative is to divide your monthly mortgage payment by 12, and add that amount to each month's payment. For example, if your monthly payment is $600, you could contribute an extra $50, and pay $650 each month. In this way, you'll effectively make an extra month's payment each year. Make an extra contribution once a year. You might not make enough money to pay extra every month. However, if you come into a lump sum of money during the year (perhaps a bonus or raise at work), you should consider directing it toward your mortgage payments in a lump sum. You could also use any tax refund to pay down the principal on your mortgage. If you inherit money from a relative, you could apply part of that windfall to your mortgage balance. Round up your payments. If your mortgage payment is $712, increase it to $750 or $800. Every little bit helps. Choose an amount you can afford and budget for that amount. It may surprise you to learn how a small increase in monthly payments can have a large effect over time in whittling away at your mortgage. Start early. The sooner these efforts begin, the more money you will save in the long run. During the first five-to-seven years of a mortgage, the bulk of your payments go toward interest. Any extra payments go directly toward the principal amount of your loan. Accordingly, pay more in the early years when your monthly installments are primarily interest payments. However, it's never too late to start paying off your mortgage early by sending in extra money each month or year. To see how much you will save, use an online calculator. The AARP website has a calculator that is easy to use. Refinance when a lower interest rate becomes available. With a mortgage refinance (called a “refi”), you get a loan that pays off your current mortgage. A lower interest rate means your monthly payments will be smaller. Make sure that you are not refinancing for a longer term, as this will extend the length and increase the total cost of your mortgage. Most lenders are typically willing to refinance a mortgage. Inquire first with your current mortgage lender, and then check rates at any other bank where you do business. You can also search online for favorable interest rates. Generally a refi should lower your interest rate by at least a full percentage point. Otherwise, it probably isn't worthwhile, considering the origination fees you'll have to pay on the new loan. Refinance into a shorter term. You'll pay off your mortgage faster if you refinance a 30-year mortgage with something shorter such as a 15- or 20-year mortgage. This type of refinance will reduce the total amount of interest that you pay. With a refi, your monthly payments might increase. For example, refinancing a 30-year mortgage at 4.5% with a 15-year mortgage at 3.5% will save you money in the long term, but your monthly payment will be larger. Be sure you can afford the new payments before you sign the papers. Use an online calculator to determine how much you will save by refinancing. Zillow, for example, has an online calculator that is easy to use. Gather required documents. You'll need to show the lender your financial information, so collect this ahead of time. Doing so will make the application process smoother: Proof of income such as two recent pay stubs or a profit-and-loss statement if self-employed Latest tax returns Tax forms such as your W-2 or 1099s Proof of homeowner's insurance Property title insurance Information on your monthly debt load Documentation on assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate, savings accounts, and retirement accounts Don't borrow too much. Lenders may pressure you to take more money than you need. For example, let's say you owe $65,000 on a home worth $140,000. A lender might encourage you to borrow as much as 90% or 95% of your home's value in a conventional loan. In this example you could qualify to borrow $126,000, but that would be almost twice what you actually need. Don't succumb to salesmanship. Remember that your home is at risk whenever you borrow against it. Going deeper into debt doesn't benefit you. Yes, you might pay off your mortgage faster, but now you have a new debt, and your home is still the collateral. Review the terms of the loan. Make sure there aren't hidden fees that will increase the cost of the refinance. For example, pay attention to the closing costs, which can substantially add to the amount you have to repay. Some lenders might claim they won't charge you any closing costs. However, read the fine print: the costs may actually be rolled into the loan rather than appearing as separate items in the closing documents. Those fees are really the main incentive the lender has to refinance your loan. Apply to the principal the money you save by refinancing. A refinance will benefit you the most if you use the money saved to pay down the principal. For example, your monthly mortgage payment might have dropped from $1,000 a month to $650. Contribute that $350 saved to the principal on your loan. Remove your private mortgage insurance (PMI). You are buying this insurance if your mortgage is "conventional" and you borrowed more than 80% of the home's value. PMI costs between 0.05% and 1% of the loan amount—a meaningful sum. Cancel this insurance as soon as possible (it benefits only the lender), and redirect the amount of the PMI premiums toward your principal. You can ask to remove the PMI once your loan-to-value ratio reaches 80%. Your lender is required to remove it once you reach a 78% ratio.
Ask if you can make extra payments. Write "Apply excess to principal" on the memo line of your check. Pay your mortgage every two weeks. Make an extra contribution once a year. Round up your payments. Start early. Refinance when a lower interest rate becomes available. Refinance into a shorter term. Gather required documents. Don't borrow too much. Review the terms of the loan. Apply to the principal the money you save by refinancing. Remove your private mortgage insurance (PMI).
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How to Sleep with Curled Hair
One way to protect your curls as you sleep is by tying your hair in a loose bun to keep it from getting frizzy. As you make the bun, don't twist or wrap your hair too tightly, or you might flatten your curls. Another hairstyle that will keep your curls looking good is the pineapple style. To achieve this look, flip your hair forward over your face and tie it into a very high ponytail on top of your head. Once your ponytail is in place, use a scrunchie to loosely secure it and try to avoid laying down directly on the ponytail. If your hair has a soft texture, make pin curls by wrapping large curls around your fingers and bobby pinning them flat against your scalp.
Tie your hair in a loose bun to prevent frizz. Put some leave-in conditioner in your hair. Then gather your hair into a ponytail on top of your head and twist it loosely. Wrap the twist around itself to create a bun on top of your head. Hold it secure with a soft scrunchie. Don't twist or wrap your hair tightly as you put it into a bun, otherwise, this may dent your hair and flatten your curls. This is the best hairstyle to do if you are short on time, yet want to protect your curls as much as possible. You can also do more than 1 bun if you want more voluminous curls in the morning. For example, divide your hair into 2-4 sections and create a bun for each section. Use the two-strand twist style if you have tight curls or coils. Part your hair down the middle into 2 sections. Divide each section in half again. Take both sections on 1 side of your head, start at the roots, and cross each half over the other until you reach the tips of your hair to form a loose twist shape. Repeat on the other side so you have 1 two-strand twist on each half of your head. Secure each twist with a hair tie wrapped around the end. You can use this hairstyle if your hair is wet or dry. However, if your hair is damp, you will have tighter curls in the morning. This style creates a two-strand twist on each half of your head. However, you can do as many two-strand twists in your hair as you prefer. Tie your hair into a pineapple style to keep your curls from getting squished. Flip your hair forward over your face. Gather it together and tie it into a very high ponytail on top of your head. Use a scrunchie to secure it and try to avoid laying down on the hair in the ponytail. Secure your hair very loosely so that you don't damage your hair. You can also use a clip to secure the pineapple style. Braid your hair to help hold your curl pattern in place. Choose to do either 1 loose braid, multiple smaller braids, or a French braid. A tighter braid will result in a more crimped style when you wake up, while a looser braid will work to keep your natural curl pattern. Secure your braid with a scrunchie. Experiment with trying out a different braid style each night before you sleep to see what style you prefer. After you braid your hair, you can use a sea-salt or wave spray to help set the braids in place. Choose pin curls if you have a soft hair texture. Take each large curl from the bottom and wrap it around your fingers. Make the curl sit flat against your scalp and use a bobby pin to hold it in place. Repeat this until all of your hair is pinned up. When you remove the bobby pins in the morning, you will have soft, bouncy ringlets. Choose bantu knots if you have defined curls. Use a wide-tooth comb to create 8-10 sections in your hair and tie each of these into a ponytail. Separate each ponytail into 2 sections and do a two-strand twist by crossing each half over the other until you reach the end. Wrap each twist up clockwise into a knot against your scalp and hold it secure with a bobby pin. Use a setting product to prepare your hair before you create the sections if required. Wear a silk bonnet while you sleep to protect your bantu knots even more. Use a satin pillowcase to avoid waking up with frizzy hair. Change your regular pillowcase to one your hair is able to smoothly glide over. For the best protection for your curls, choose a hairstyle such as a braid or a pineapple and use this in combination with a satin pillowcase. A silk pillowcase is a good alternative. Avoid sleeping on cotton pillowcases if you have curly or frizz-prone hair. You can also wear a satin bonnet to help protect your hair even more. A satin bonnet also helps if you have acne, as it prevents the oils from your hair touching your face. Wear a T-shirt turban to keep your curls from getting flattened or dented. Flip your hair forward and place the base of a T-shirt on the nape of your neck. Bring the base of the T-shirt around your forehead and secure each side with a safety pin that rests flat on your forehead. Bring your head back up and wrap the sleeves of the T-shirt around your hair. Knot the sleeves together, taking care not to include your curls in the knot, and your curls will be held in place throughout the night. At the end of creating this style, your hair will be sticking up and spilling slightly out of the top of the T-shirt. The T-shirt turban will feel secure and it will be comfortable to sleep in. Plop your hair using a microfiber towel to keep your curls intact. Style your hair into your preferred curls first using a curl styling gel. Then place a thin, microfiber towel on a flat surface. Flip your hair forward so that it rests on the towel and bring the towel over the back of your head. Bring your head back up and tie each long side of the towel together in a knot at the back of your head so that it holds in place. This method will also help to dry your hair as you sleep. If the towel is too difficult to knot, use a clip instead.
Tie your hair in a loose bun to prevent frizz. Use the two-strand twist style if you have tight curls or coils. Tie your hair into a pineapple style to keep your curls from getting squished. Braid your hair to help hold your curl pattern in place. Choose pin curls if you have a soft hair texture. Choose bantu knots if you have defined curls. Use a satin pillowcase to avoid waking up with frizzy hair. Wear a T-shirt turban to keep your curls from getting flattened or dented. Plop your hair using a microfiber towel to keep your curls intact.
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How to Become a Ladies' Man
Being a ladies' man is all about being friendly and a little flirty with women. To become a ladies' man, be as kind and polite as possible by doing things like opening doors for women and helping them carry things. Tell jokes and be lighthearted to make women laugh, especially if they need cheering up. You should also compliment women to make them feel good about themselves. Avoid cheesy pickup lines, since most women don't appreciate them. Instead, try to get to know them on a more personal level too. Ask them about their interests and find things in common so you can keep the conversation going.
Make her laugh. Research shows a humorous man is a desired man. It's theorized a sense of humor is an evolutionary sign of attractiveness because being humorous requires intelligence. Some tests have shown making a woman laugh improves your odds by nearly three to one. If you make a lady laugh, you're golden. Try listening to some comedians, taking their material, and fitting it to your personal situation. Be self-deprecating. Making her laugh is a great way to win her over, but making her laugh at your expense shows great confidence. It might be best to let her get to know you before trying this type of humor. Once she knows you are confident, she will certainly know you are joking when you use self-deprecating jokes. The trick to being self-deprecating is to make her laugh without believing how you just put yourself down. You don't mean it, and she doesn't believe it. "I have the body of a football player — fantasy football." "I walk two miles a day. One to the donut shop, and one home." Compliment women regularly. Guys who have compliments readily available are ready for any situation. Finding the right time to unleash the perfect compliment can flip a switch in another's mind from disinterested to piqued. Avoid cheesy pickup lines and go for something unique and specific to her that will attract her attention. Keep trying and you'll eventually find the right type of compliment that wins women over. Use an uncommon word. Instead of beautiful, use “stunning.” "The confidence you exude is really sexy." "You really know a lot about this subject. You must be very intelligent." Improve your charm. Being charming is not that difficult. In fact, some argue the average man can be a ladies' man and just as charming as any other. Truly being charming is about paying attention to a woman, and turning her on based upon that shared connection. Being able to intelligently converse with a woman is a huge turn on. Learn her keys, what she likes to hear, and time your replies to let her know you're really inside her head. Be genuinely interested in her. Ask her about her likes, dislikes, family, travel plans, dreams, etc. Show your vulnerabilities. Many women are self-conscious, and it's comforting to see a man that has own flaws. Smile often. Confident people smile a lot. It shows charisma. Smiling more often will make you more attractive to women, and it has added health, stress, and psychological benefits. Some studies even suggest it can change your mood and make you happier. Show presence. When you are around others you need presence. You need to grab attention. One way to do this is to take up a larger or higher space. Being larger and higher instinctively conveys strength. Additionally, it has an impact on boosting testosterone levels. Try a few of the following techniques to convey the image that will draw the right attention: Practice good posture. Aside from positive health benefits, looking taller and more confident shows a degree of control. Stand with your arms a little wider than normal, or with your hands on your hips. Keep your arms and legs uncrossed. Crossing your arms and legs gives off a timid vibe. Uncross, remain relatively still and try not to revert back into bad habits of looking defensive. Make a grand entrance. You want to be noticed. Being the center of attention, even if for a brief moment, is key to gaining the eyes of the women in the room. Take your time upon entering by pausing at the entrance where everyone can see you. Arrive on time. Being fashionably late is not really preferred. You don't want to appear to be someone who is disorganized and not in control. Make the entrance fit the situation. There is a fine line between getting everyone's attention and being narcissistic. Look like wherever you are is the place you're most happy. If people believe you're excited about the situation, your positive vibe will rub off. Do not fidget. Moving around a lot gives off an uncertain or nervous appearance. It also distracts from your overall effort of being suave and attention-getting. Instead, the attention will be on the fidgety movement. Find your crutch and try to stop doing it. Avoid biting your nails. Don't pop your knuckles. Try not to tap toes or wiggle feet. Dress to impress. Some research has shown that simply dressing up leads to an increase in perceived attractiveness. Choose clothing that accentuates your features and lines, something that makes you look more muscular. Try a few of the following tips to step your clothing game up: Utilize fewer upper layers if you have a muscular build, and multiple layers if you're on the slender side. Take good care of your shoes, and match them to your choice of attire. Add in nice accessories, like a watch, pocket square, or tie clip to draw extra attention. Give kind gestures at unexpected times. Randomly displaying affection is a surprising way to show her you care. Whether it's a flirtatious pinch, a kiss, a shoulder rub, or a late night phone call, she'll appreciate that you're always thinking about her. Make it a point to pull out her chair somewhere unexpected and goofy, like a fast food restaurant. Ask her if she needs help with anything heavy, or any other way to show your strength. Buy her a small chocolate or treat when she's having a bad day. A card with words of encouragement would be a perfect “thinking of you”-move on a day she has a big test. Be a flirt. Be a sexual person and flirt whenever you can. To flirt appropriately you'll need to be witty. Women enjoy a clever back-and-forth. Flirting is partially teasing and partially showing you're attracted. Try a few approaches similar to the ones below: Make it clear that you're being purposefully goofy, "If you had to choose between me and Brad Pitt, how quickly would you choose me?" Break the touch barrier. A gentle squeeze of the arm, a swipe of the hair, do something subtle and surprising. Hug and kiss at appropriate times. If hugging makes you feel uncomfortable, try a side hug. If you feel more brazen, try a firm hug with a squeeze, or maybe a peck on the cheek. Watch for signals, like winking, biting of the lip, or if she stares at your lips. Pull her in close and slowly kiss her, but be sure you've got fresh breath and aren't too aggressive. Make eye contact as you're going in for the kiss. Don't make it too long. Make it long enough to be memorable, but not exceedingly long. Make sure you only kiss her. Don't use it as an opportunity to touch or grab unnecessarily. Be a genuinely nice guy. People are attracted to someone who can make them feel great. It's scientifically measurable based on the release of dopamine. If you're able to be the guy who makes others feel appreciated, you'll draw plenty of attention. Being a guy who is fun to hang around, who makes people feel good about themselves, someone who is everyone's favorite, is how you single yourself out. At bars, tip well and get to know the servers and bartenders. Learn personal details about doormen and take an active interest in their lives. Adjust your response to the other person's moods. If they're happy, yuck it up. If they're down, genuinely show interest in their pain. Connect on multiple levels. Show the ladies that you care about them without noting their appearance. It's not just about being physical. Compliment something other than her looks. You also need to appeal to her emotional and spiritual sides. Get in her head with a multi-faceted approach: "Your kindness is something that really draws attention." "I can't believe how great a photographer you are!" "When I'm around you it makes me want to strive for greatness." Take it slow. Don't come on too strong right away. Studies show that if you have the interest of another person, being a little aloof may not make them like you necessarily, but it does make them more likely to pursue you. If she perceives you as a challenge of sorts, she'll likely want to win you over. Someone who hinges on her every wish is not a challenge. Take your time in conversation with her. Don't feel like you need to jump at every text message. Be slow to show emotion and think about how you really feel. Do for her as much as you want but be sure not to be the guy who jumps at her wishes. In order for this to work, you also have to show a certain amount of interest. Women want to gain your favor, not grow frustrated. Listen to her patiently. Being a good listener is a sure-fire way to attract women. Face her and be attentive. Try to listen to what she's saying without judging and while trying to empathize. Cease all other activities. Put up your phone and really pay attention. Do not interrupt. Listen until the entire message is delivered. Rephrase what she just said to show you heard her. Ask follow up questions. If you're teaching her something, try to stay patient. Overcome your fears. Bold people capable of tackling any challenge are sexy to women. A guy who can't do anything and shrinks at the first sense of difficulty is not a man women desire. If meeting women has always been intimidating, overcome your fears and you'll be a lot closer to being a ladies' man. Work on improving your self-confidence in this way by owning the fear and resulting failure. Do not blame others for your lack of action. Imagine yourself meeting women, and when you'd normally fold, picture it going perfectly. They laugh at all your jokes and provocatively reply to all your advances. Concentrate on proper breathing. Take deep breaths. Breathe out a little longer than you breathe in, and you're prone to calm down. Embrace rejection as a learning opportunity. All ladies' men have been turned down multiple times. Get stronger with each step backwards. Reevaluate your approach, your moves, your words. Instead of focusing on the failure itself, focus on what you can change for a better result the next time. Convince yourself the rejection is really what is best for your future. There are other people out there and you will meet someone who is better suited to you. Acknowledge rejection as something you've defeated before. This is just the same hurdle. Imagine how you could have been good for them. The ways you would have made them happy, laugh, and love you. They made a huge mistake missing out on you. Change up your routine. When you find something that doesn't work, like a specific outfit, a location, or maybe even the type of woman, try something new. Break out of your routine. What's more, get pumped up about the change. Motivate and convince yourself the new avenues you're going to take are going to be successful. Steer clear of women who look like your ex. This is not about proving something to yourself. Go outside your comfort zone. You will meet a brand new set of women in places you've never been.
Make her laugh. Be self-deprecating. Compliment women regularly. Improve your charm. Smile often. Show presence. Make a grand entrance. Do not fidget. Dress to impress. Give kind gestures at unexpected times. Be a flirt. Hug and kiss at appropriate times. Be a genuinely nice guy. Connect on multiple levels. Take it slow. Listen to her patiently. Overcome your fears. Embrace rejection as a learning opportunity. Change up your routine.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-%22Twinkle-Twinkle-Little-Star%22-on-the-Keyboard-Without-Reading-Sheet-Music
How to Play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on the Keyboard Without Reading Sheet Music
To play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on the keyboard, start by placing your thumb on middle C, which is the C key that's closest to the middle of the keyboard. Remember, C is always the white key that's directly to the left of the 2 black keys. Once you've found middle C, place your ring finger on G, which is 4 white keys to the right of middle C. Then, place your pinkie on A, which is the white key directly to the right of G. When you're ready, play C, C, G, G, A, A, G. Now, place your index finger on D, which is directly to the right of C. Place your middle finger on E and your ring finger on F, which are both directly to the right of D. Once they're in position, play F, F, E, E, D, D, C. From there, place your middle finger on E, your ring finger on F, and your pinkie on G, and play G, G, F, F, E, E, D twice. Finish the song by playing C, C, G, G, A, A, G and F, F, E, E, D, D, C.
Find Middle C on your keyboard. "C" is always the white key to the immediate left of the 2 black keys, and Middle C is the C closest to the center of your keyboard. Put your thumb above the C key. Use this picture to help you find the notes. Find the G key. Count four white keys to the right of Middle C. This is "G."Put your ring finger above the G key. Find the A key. Locate the white key to the right of G. This key is called "A." Put your little finger above A key. Play the keys in the following pattern: "CC GG AA G." Play the keys in the rhythm that matches "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." If you find it helpful, sing at the same time that you press the keys to have a better idea of the rhythm. Note the three keys between Middle C and A that you have not yet identified. These keys are "D," "E" and "F." Put your ring finger above the F, your middle finger above the E, your first finger above the D, and your thumb above the C. Play the following pattern: "FF EE DD C." These keys match the pitches for the words, "How I wonder what you are." Play the next part. Place your little finger above the G, your ring finger above the F, your middle finger above the E, and your index finger on the D key. Play the pitches for "Up above the world so high. " The keys are as follows: "GG FF EE D." Repeat the same pitches for "Like a diamond in the sky": GG FF EE D. Return to the pattern (and fingering) that you played at the beginning of the song. "Twinkle twinkle little star"—"CC GG AA G." Complete the song. "How I wonder what you are" FF EE DD C. Put the whole song together. If you have trouble memorizing it at first, write the letter names of the notes down on a piece of paper and place the paper above or below the keys on your keyboard. Look at the paper while you play until you've memorized the song.
Find Middle C on your keyboard. Find the G key. Find the A key. Play the keys in the following pattern: Note the three keys between Middle C and A that you have not yet identified. Play the following pattern: Play the next part. Play the pitches for "Up above the world so high. Repeat the same pitches for "Like a diamond in the sky": Return to the pattern (and fingering) that you played at the beginning of the song. Complete the song. Put the whole song together.
https://www.wikihow.com/Feel-Good
How to Feel Good
To feel good about yourself, try meditating to help relieve stress and relax your body and mind. In order to meditate, close your eyes and and breathe deeply, focusing on how each breath moves in and out of your body. Alternatively, increase your sense of well-being and happiness by practicing gratitude. For example, keep a gratitude journal and write down instances during the day or week that made you feel grateful. Additionally, set achievable, long-term goals like learning to play an instrument to make yourself feel good from a sense of accomplishment.
Drink lots of water. Not drinking enough water can make you dehydrated, which in turn can make you tired and not function as well. Make sure to drink whenever you feel thirsty, especially if you are hot or getting lots of physical activity. Most men should drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water every day. The average woman needs about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of water per day. However, everyone's needs are different. The best approach is to drink until your thirst is quenched. Exercise. Doing this regularly can help with everything from your learning to your sleeping. It can even potentially reduce the possibility of depression. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin that enhance your mood and aid with happiness and self-esteem. Even a minimal amount of exercise can be beneficial. Some fun forms of exercise include: Taking walks. If you live close to the store, walk instead of drive. You're doing something necessary and getting some exercise at the same time. On your lunch break, take a walk around your workplace. Explore the area where you live on foot. Practicing yoga. Yoga helps manage stress, improves breathing, helps heal the body, and aids in meditation. There are many different types of yoga, so it will be easy to find the routine that will suit you. You can learn yoga online, or find a yoga place near your home. Putting on some music and dancing. This will release happy brain chemicals from exercise and it's fun. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. It's hard to feel good if you're not eating well. Make sure you get 3 healthy meals a day, and eat a few light snacks in between if you feel hungry. While everyone's dietary needs are slightly different, most people will feel best if they: Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean protein (like fish or chicken breast), complex carbohydrates (like whole grains), healthy fats (like those in fish, nuts, olive oil, and avocados), and dietary fiber. Avoid refined sugars, processed foods, and trans fats, and sugary drinks. Eat foods fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is vital for helping your mind and body heal from the stresses of everyday life. Make it a priority to get to a reasonable hour every night, and practice good sleeping habits to get the most out of your sleep. If you suffer from severe insomnia or have a hard time feeling well-rested even after a good night's sleep, talk to your doctor. They may have recommendations, and can even prescribe medications to help you sleep better, if necessary. In addition to getting a good night's sleep, try starting a daily routine to kick off your day. When you have a consistent morning routine, you're more likely to feel like your day is off to a productive start. See your doctor if you feel bad often. If you feel bad much of the time, there may be an underlying physical reason. Common causes for feeling tired or unwell all the time are vitamin D deficiency or thyroid problems. Make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider for a physical, and tell them how you've been feeling. Tell your doctor about your health history, any symptoms you've been experiencing, and any medications or dietary supplements you are currently taking. Sing. Singing, especially group singing, releases endorphins and oxytocin, which create feelings of pleasure and lower stress and anxiety. Group singing, especially, creates a feeling of bonding and community and can alleviate depression and loneliness. Group singing is easy to facilitate. Look in your area for a group or choir, or go out for karaoke with some friends. You don't even have to be a great singer to do it. Some groups don't require auditions, and it's done just for fun. Singing alone also has health benefits. Singing regulates breathing much in the same way as yoga, helping you to relax. Help others. Philanthropy is about using your time, energy, or money to help others. It also provides you with a sense of perspective and a sense of purpose. Research has shown that it can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn makes you feel better. It also can help you connect to other people. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Remember not to judge the people who need such assistance. You don't know their life story. Non-profit organizations run on the energy of their volunteers. Find something in your area that you are interested in and help out. It could be anything from running a theater camp for young children to reading to the elderly. Find something to distract yourself from the moment. This can be something that indulges a favorite fantasy or a special object that takes you back to a happy memory. It can be important to take a break from the stress of the present. Watch a favorite movie or read a favorite book. This will allow you to step into a world that you love. Find a poem, or song, or picture that reminds of a time or person that is important to you. Don't live too much in the past, or in a fantasy world. It is important to connect with the present. Set achievable goals for yourself. This is not to say that you can't dream of one day becoming president, but in the meantime set goals that can be achieved—and then achieve them. You will feel accomplished when you finish. These can be simple, short-term goals or more complex, long-term ones. For example: For instance, if you want to be a rock star one day, you might start by taking a single guitar lesson. Then, you might set a goal to learn to play chords, and eventually work up to being able to play a song you love. Start learning a musical instrument. The sense of accomplishment from picking out a song on the piano or any instrument will make you feel good. Remember, don't be too hard on yourself while you're learning. Clean your room. The activity will keep you occupied. You can listen to music and sing, which is healthy, and you'll have accomplished something when you're finished. Assess yourself for signs of burnout. If you're working too hard or under a lot of stress over a long period of time, you may start to experience burnout. Common symptoms include irritability, fatigue, depression, and cynicism. If you think you might be experiencing burnout, make an effort to set aside time for rest and self-care. Overworking yourself will not only make you feel worse, but will also ultimately make you less productive. Try not to take on too much at once. You can't pour from an empty cup—you have to make sure you're taking time to rest and unwind. Otherwise, you'll just feel exhausted, which will actually make you less productive. Replace negative thoughts with neutral, realistic ones. Everyone is troubled by negative thoughts at times. Too much negative thinking can have a serious impact on your mental and physical health. When you're used to thinking negatively, it can be hard to reframe your thinking in a more positive light. Instead of trying to replace your negative thoughts with positive ones, start by replacing them with thoughts that are neutral and objective. For example, if you find yourself thinking, “I'm so dumb. I'll never understand math,” recognize the negative thought and ask yourself if it's realistic. Try replacing it with something like, “Math is a difficult subject for me. But if I keep studying and maybe sign up for some tutoring sessions, I'll probably get better at it.” Once you get the hang of replacing negative thoughts with neutral ones, you'll probably find it easier to start thinking positively. If you find yourself dwelling on the past or fixating on negative thoughts, try doing something productive, or focus on thinking of 1 or 2 things you might try to overcome the problem you are dwelling on. Be mindful. Being aware of what you are feeling in the moment can help you feel more calm, balanced, and in control. As you go about your daily routine, make a conscious effort to stop from time to time and simply feel what is happening in and around you. Being mindful of your mental, emotional, and physical state can help you identify signs of stress and let you know when it's time for some self-care. Mindful meditation is a great way to train yourself to be more mindful in your everyday life. Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit, and take a few moments to simply breathe and focus on how you are feeling. Practice acknowledging your thoughts and feelings without judgment. For example, you might close your eyes and think to yourself, “I am tired and a little bit cold. I feel tension in my shoulders. I'm feeling a little anxious right now because I keep thinking about that overdue bill.” Learn to meditate. Meditation relaxes your body and mind, relieving stress. It helps you to focus on the present, and reduce negativity. Basic meditation method: sit quietly and close your eyes, relax your body (you may not even realize how tense you are!), and focus on your breathing. Breathe deeply in and out right down to your diaphragm and count your breaths. Don't stress when errant thoughts crop up during meditation. Simply thank them for visiting and let them go. You can practice meditation anywhere: on the bus, on your work lunch break, or right before that massive exam. If you're religious, prayer can operate in a similar manner to meditation. Take a quiet moment and pray with compassion for someone other than yourself; it can be a family member, a stranger, or even the world. Learn gratitude. This means taking nothing for granted and valuing and celebrating the kindnesses that have been done to you. Research has shown that practicing gratitude in your life increases your well-being and your happiness, something that will definitely make you feel good. It also helps alleviate negative emotions. Keep a gratitude journal. Write down instances of kindness and things you are grateful for, like a person who made a positive impact on you. Talk about your gratitude. With a loved one, a significant other, a family member or a friend, discuss what you are grateful for. This will increase your awareness of the good things that were part of your day and help you to not dwell on the bad. Pay attention to the small things. Find gratitude in the warmth of your bed, in something nice someone said to you, or in your favorite snack. Face your problems. Problems and worries have a habit of stacking up, particularly at the most inconvenient times. Facing them as soon as possible, instead of letting them linger, will help your wellbeing. Facing problems can be hard. Issues can be as varied as making rent to confronting a friend over a racist thing they said. Focus on the solution and not the problem. For example, if you're having an issue with your boss , instead of worrying about the problem, talk to them in private and give them specific examples of why you're having that issue. Provide a solution.
Drink lots of water. Exercise. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. See your doctor if you feel bad often. Sing. Help others. Find something to distract yourself from the moment. Set achievable goals for yourself. Assess yourself for signs of burnout. Replace negative thoughts with neutral, realistic ones. Be mindful. Learn to meditate. Learn gratitude. Face your problems.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Dog-to-Come-Inside-the-House
How to Get Your Dog to Come Inside the House
To get your dog to come inside, take control by putting it on a leash and walking it back into the house. Once your dog gets inside, give it a treat so it knows you're not punishing it. Another tactic to try is to lure your dog inside using its favorite squeaky toy or treat. Try calling its name and stepping inside with the toy or treat when it comes towards you. Make sure you let it play with the toy or eat the treat when it comes inside, otherwise your dog may think you're tricking it. If your dog is refusing to come inside, take it for a walk to tire it out. After the walk, your dog will be on a leash so you can take it inside.
Put the dog on a leash. You can bring your dog inside by going to them and placing them on a leash. This puts you in control of your dog by giving you a way to coerce them into the house. Walk out to where your dog is, clip the leash to the collar, and walk them inside. Give them a treat or praise for coming in with you instead of being angry. Don't make them think they are being punished by coming with you. It's best to keep your dog on a leash and under your control when you're first teaching it to come into the house. This will keep your dog safe. Use the same word to call your dog each time. Your dog will learn to come when you call it if you always use the same word, such as "Come" or your dog's name. When your dog is learning to come, give it a treat and lavish it with praise and pets when it responds to your call. You can start out by calling the dog while it is close to you. For example, sit or stand a few feet away from your dog. Say, "Come" and hold out a treat. Praise and pet the dog when it comes. Once your dog associates treats with the call word, you can move out of sight. Overtime, it will learn to come inside when you call it. Lure them inside with a toy. Some dogs may be persuaded to come into the house for a toy. Take the toy and stand at the door with it. Call your dog while waving the toy. Many dogs will be interested in the toy and want to play. If the dog comes towards you, step into the house or toss the toy inside to get your dog to go after it. Make sure to continue playing with the dog when they get inside so as not to make them think it's a trick. Instead, show them that coming inside is fun and rewarding for them. You may want to try a toy that makes noise, like a squeaky toy. Try playing tug-of-war with the dog until you herd the dog inside. Tempt them with a treat. You can try to get your dog to come inside by giving them a treat. Choose their favorite treat and stand at the door. Call them to you while holding the treat. As soon as they come towards you, step inside the house and make them come to you for the treat. Don't immediately shut the door. This could scare the dog or make them feel trapped. Instead, put a couple of treats on the floor and walk further into the house. You may want to give them an additional treat when they come seek you out. After the dog comes inside for the treat, praise them and pet them. Grab a toy and play with them. Help them realize that being inside is a good experience and they won't be punished. Take the dog for a walk. If your dog isn't coming inside, you may want to take them for a walk. Dogs need exercise and mental stimulation, so by taking the dog for a walk, you can tire them out and keep them stimulated. After the walk, you will have them on the leash so you can just take the dog directly into your house and give them a treat. This also shows them that they will be rewarded through positive reinforcement by coming into the house. Praise your dog when they come inside. You want your dog to be happy to come inside. To do this, you need to give positive reinforcement when they come inside. Give praise, pets, or a treat to let them know that they have done well. This also helps them see inside the house as something good and happy instead of scary or punishing. For example, when the dog enters the house, pet them and tell them, “Good dog!” in a happy voice. Make your home a comfortable place. Your dog may not want to come inside the house if they do not feel comfortable there. You want to make sure that your dog has a place to sleep, toys, and things to do. Feed them inside, spend time with them, and make them part of your family. This will encourage them to want to be inside and think of it as a happy place. You should also make the house a comfortable temperature, and give your dog somewhere for them to go if there is too much noise or activity in a room, such as a crate to retreat into. Make sure that nothing in the house is scaring the dog, such as loud or scary people, other animals, or loud noises, such as the TV. Spend time with your dog outside. Don't just always put your dog outside and leave them alone. Instead, spend some time with your dog when they are outside. Walk with them, chase them around the yard, play games with them, or play with toys. If your dog runs off, give them a treat and praise when they return to you. This helps your dog bond with you and want to be around you. Your dog will start to associate being called with getting a treat. Teach your dog the come command. Another way to help your dog come inside is to train them to come when called. Place them on a long rope lead, long enough that they can run around and play. Start by making it into a game by getting your dog to chase you while saying, “Come!” Give the dog a treat, enthusiastic praise, and a special toy when they come to you. Start when the dog is close to you and expand the distance between you as they learn. Start moving towards the house as you call them. Wait to call them inside until after they learn to come to you while out in the yard. If the dog doesn't comply with your command, gently pull them towards you. Don't punish the dog, yell at them, or hit them. Just pull them to you enough to nudge them towards you. This helps the dog learn how that coming when you call them results in happy things, like treats or praise. Avoid calling your dog to you for punishment. You should make your dog associate coming to you with positive experiences, like getting pets, praise, a toy, or a treat. If you call your dog to you to punish them or do something unwanted like a bath or nail trimming, you are giving your dog a negative association with coming to you. For example, never call the dog to you in an angry voice. After calling your dog to you, don't hit them, punish them, or do something unpleasant. Avoid being physically aggressive with your dog. Sometimes, you may be so frustrated with your dog that you want to drag them inside by their collar. This is a negative response which will make your dog fearful of you and being inside the house. You want to avoid making your dog scared of the house. Don't yell at your dog when they come inside the house. This will make them associate coming into the house with punishment.
Put the dog on a leash. Use the same word to call your dog each time. Lure them inside with a toy. Tempt them with a treat. Take the dog for a walk. Praise your dog when they come inside. Make your home a comfortable place. Spend time with your dog outside. Teach your dog the come command. Avoid calling your dog to you for punishment. Avoid being physically aggressive with your dog.
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Oil-Stains-from-Paper
How to Remove Oil Stains from Paper
Oil stains on paper can be really stubborn, but you can try removing them by using a vinegar cleaning solution. Start by mixing your solution out of equal parts water and white vinegar. Then, lay out your piece of paper on a waterproof surface, like a countertop. Weigh down the corners with heavy objects, such as cups, to hold it in place. When you're ready to start cleaning, dampen a cotton ball or swab with the cleaning solution and gently dab it onto the stained area. After you've removed the stain, dry the area by dabbing it with a paper towel before leaving it to air dry. You can also use white chalk powder to remove the stain. Just dab it onto the stained area with a paintbrush, then place the stained piece of paper between 2 blank pieces of paper. Finally, hold a hot iron over the stain to remove it.
Create a cleaning solution with half plain water, half white vinegar. Combine ⁄ 2   c (120 ml) of white vinegar and ⁄ 2   c (120 ml) of plain water in a cup or bowl. Set your solution aside for now until you are ready to clean. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that works like a mild bleach and can be used to clean many types of materials. Lay the affected piece of paper out flat on a hard, waterproof surface. Flatten it out as much as possible. You can place heavy objects on the corners to stretch it out and keep it flat and stable. Remember that the sooner you start working on the oil stain, the easier it will be to remove. Moisten a cotton ball or swab with the cleaning solution and clean the spot. Gently and carefully dab the oil stain with the moistened cotton ball or swab. Be careful not to use too much of the cleaning solution as you could damage the paper you are cleaning if it gets too wet. If the oil spot looks like it is getting too wet, dab it dry with a paper towel or let it air dry so that you don't create a hole in the paper. Keep dabbing rather than letting the vinegar soak in, until the stain appears to be lifted, then you can dry the area. Dry the cleaned area by dabbing it with a dry paper towel and letting it air dry. Once the spot is completely dry you can see if the stain was completely removed. If there is still an oil stain, repeat the process to remove as much of it as possible. Keep in mind that this method will work better the fresher the stain is, older stains may not come out completely but you can reduce their visibility. Get white chalk and a small paintbrush at an art supply store. If you can find chalk powder this is ideal, otherwise just buy a piece of chalk. If you use a piece of chalk you will need to use a knife to shave it into a powder. The paintbrush should be soft-bristled and of an appropriate size to dust the oil spot you want to remove with the chalk powder. White chalk powder works well to absorb grease and oil. Lay out the paper on a hard, flat surface and smooth it out. Try to flatten out any folds, wrinkles, and ridges from the piece of paper. Take extra care to make sure that the part of the paper with the oil spot is as flat as possible. It's important to start working to remove an oil stain from paper as soon as possible so that it doesn't have time to completely dry and set. Use the paintbrush to dust the oil spot with the chalk powder. Dip your paintbrush into the powder you are using and brush it onto the oil spot. The chalk will pull some of the oil stain out of the paper. Sandwich the paper between two clean pieces of white paper. Be careful as you move the paper and try not to disturb the chalk on top of the oil spot. If you knock any of the powder off of the oil stain, lift up the top piece of paper and carefully brush some more of the chalk onto the spot. You can lay one piece of clean paper next to the paper you are cleaning, slide it carefully over, and then lay another clean sheet on top. Warm up an iron on low heat and place it on top of the paper for 5 seconds. Make sure it is covering the oil spot. Remove the iron after 5 seconds and check the oil stain, it will be lighter or possibly completely gone. Repeat the process as needed to continue to lift the stain. Test the warm iron on a blank piece of paper first to make sure that it does not burn so that you don't destroy the piece of paper you are trying to save. If it is too hot, lower the setting and test it again. Depending on how set-in the stain is, this method may not completely remove it, but it will get rid of some of it.
Create a cleaning solution with half plain water, half white vinegar. Lay the affected piece of paper out flat on a hard, waterproof surface. Moisten a cotton ball or swab with the cleaning solution and clean the spot. Dry the cleaned area by dabbing it with a dry paper towel and letting it air dry. Get white chalk and a small paintbrush at an art supply store. Lay out the paper on a hard, flat surface and smooth it out. Use the paintbrush to dust the oil spot with the chalk powder. Sandwich the paper between two clean pieces of white paper. Warm up an iron on low heat and place it on top of the paper for 5 seconds.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Cigarette-Smoke-off-Your-Breath
How to Get Cigarette Smoke off Your Breath
To get cigarette smoke off your breath, brush your teeth after smoking, which will cover up the odor and reduce staining on your teeth. You can also use mouthwash to get rid of any bacteria and improve the smell of your breath. If you don't have a toothbrush or mouthwash with you during the day, chew sugar-less gum or mints, which will mask the smell and keep your mouth from getting dry. Another easy way to reduce bad breath is to drink plenty of water throughout the day, which keeps your mouth moist and washes away bad odors.
Brush your teeth after smoking. Brushing your teeth is something you should be doing twice daily, however, you should also do it after you have been smoking. Brushing your teeth will help to cover up any odor and may help reduce the smell of smoke in your breath. Spend at least two minutes brushing. Make sure your toothbrush is the right size, just big enough to get in all areas of your mouth. Try flossing as well as this can eliminate extra odors, beyond the ones cause by smoking. Try using mouthwash. Mouthwash is designed to quickly rid the mouth of bacteria and leave it feeling and smelling clean. Use mouthwash right after you smoke to help stop bad breath. Alcohol based mouthwashes can irritate your mouth. Look for the ingredient thymol, as it is an antiplaque/antigingivitis agent. Try carrying a small “travel-size” bottle of mouthwash with you. Clean your tongue. Cleaning your tongue can remove many bacteria, which are responsible for bad breath, and may also help reduce odor caused by smoking. Scraping your tongue will help keep it clean and improve your breath. Try to clean your tongue each day. Use a brush or a tongue scraper. Try to reach the back of your tongue, as this is where most bacteria live. Stick out your tongue, move your brush or scraper across the back of your tongue. Stop to check your progress. If there is more discolored areas, scrape again. Be gentle yet firm enough to remove the bacteria. Tongue scrapers may be more effective than a regular toothbrush. Chew sugar-less gum. Chewing sugar-less gum can be a simple way to reduce bad breath. When sugar-less gum is chewed, saliva production is increased, and it washes away bacteria. Try chewing sugar-less gum after you smoke to remove these bacteria. Try chewing the gum right after you smoke. Chewing gum helps prevent dry mouth, which can cause bad breath. You may also want to try sugar-less mints to help freshen your breath. Visit your dentist. Your dentist may be able to help you find more methods that will work for you. They will also be able to check your mouth for any problems caused by smoking such as: Cancer Tooth decay Gum disease Learn which foods and drinks can help. There are some foods and beverages that can actually help improve your breath. While they may not be able to entirely overcome the effects of smoking on the breath, they will still help lessen those effects. The main items to increase are: Water. Staying hydrated reduces dry mouth. Dry mouth can lead to bad breath. Yogurt. Yogurt will add good bacteria to your mouth and stomach, replacing the unwanted bacteria. Use only sugar free yogurt. Parsley. Parsley is reported to have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Although rooted in folklore, some herbs and spices such as cloves, fennel, and anise are believed to reduce bad breath. Learn which beverages to avoid consuming. Some beverages can make your breath even worse. By restricting the consumption of these beverages, you will not add to any bad breath caused by smoking. Coffee Sodas or other fizzy drinks. Highly acidic juices like orange juice. Alcohol Avoid some foods. Spicy or strong foods can impart their scents to your breath. If you plan on smoking, avoid making your breath worse by abstaining from foods such as these: Onions Garlic Milk or cheese Learn how water intake effects your breath. This method is probably one of the easiest to follow. Simply increasing the intake of water throughout your day will help prevent bad breath. While it may not fully counteract the smell of smoking, it will help reduce mouth odor in general. Drinking more water prevents dry mouth, which can cause bad breath. Monitor your water intake. Pay careful attention that you are getting enough water throughout the day. The recommend eight glasses a day is a good guideline, however, your best gauge will be how thirsty you feel. Increase water intake before exercise or if in a hot environment. Pay attention to thirst. If you feel thirsty, don't ignore it, drink water. Drink only water. Avoid any sugary drinks as these can make your breath worse. Fruits and vegetables can also hydrate your body. Make drinking water easier for yourself. Buy a good thermos or water bottle to carry with you. Making sure that you have water with you, even when you aren't near a water source, will make it easier to stay hydrated. Keep track of how many times you fill up and drink your water bottle. Learn what volume of water your bottle holds to track the exact amount of water intake. Start by limiting the amount you smoke. Cut back on the amount of cigarettes you smoke in a day. The less you smoke, the better your breath will become. Plan the times you smoke. Avoid smoking before meetings or social events. If you have a profession that involves speaking, smoke after work. Your health will also improve. Cutting out cigarettes will save you money. Try nicotine replacement therapy. Using a nicotine delivery system, other than smoking, cuts out many of the harmful effects of the smoke itself. Slowly lower the intake of nicotine overtime to break your bodies craving of it. By quitting smoking, you will no loner have to fear bad breath caused by it. Look for some of the following forms of nicotine replacement therapy: Nasal sprays Gums Patches Electronic cigarettes, which replace smoke with vapor, and still deliver nicotine. Delay the craving. If you feel like you are about to smoke, force yourself to wait ten minutes. Keep yourself occupied with another activity for that time. Doing this will allow the craving to pass, or at least, diminish in its intensity. Distract yourself with something that demands your full focus, such as a puzzle. Physical distractions can also help. Try going for a walk or clean your house. Focusing on another task allows the craving to pass and prevents you from giving into it. Don't dwell on the craving during the ten minutes. Ignoring the craving will ultimately help you stop smoking and remove the problem of bad breath caused by it. Get support in your effort quit. Quitting can be very difficult. There is no need to make it even more difficult by going it alone. Use the support of those around you to meet your goal. Ask that they not smoke around you. Ask them to help by not offering any tobacco products to you. Have them remind you of your goals when you feel a craving. Talk with them often about your progress and how well you are doing. Try quitting at the same time with a friend who smokes.
Brush your teeth after smoking. Try using mouthwash. Clean your tongue. Chew sugar-less gum. Visit your dentist. Learn which foods and drinks can help. Learn which beverages to avoid consuming. Avoid some foods. Learn how water intake effects your breath. Monitor your water intake. Make drinking water easier for yourself. Start by limiting the amount you smoke. Try nicotine replacement therapy. Delay the craving. Get support in your effort quit.
https://www.wikihow.com/Plan-a-Trip-to-Las-Vegas
How to Plan a Trip to Las Vegas
Taking a trip to Las Vegas is an exciting, unique experience, and there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind while you're planning your vacation. Stay on the Strip if you want the classic Las Vegas experience, where you'll be close to lots of casinos and tourist attractions. The Strip can be expensive though, so if you're on a budget, consider staying downtown for cheaper hotel rates, and visiting the Strip during the day. You can also save money by booking your trip during the week since the rates always go up on the weekend. To avoid the Las Vegas heat, you may want to plan your trip for the fall and winter months, such as October and November, which are also the cheapest months to fly into Las Vegas.
Decide how long you would like to spend in Las Vegas. Before beginning an itinerary, decide if you would like to spend a few days, a week, or a couple of weeks in Las Vegas. Rates for hotels and flights will become more expensive during Fridays and Saturdays, and you may be able to do everything you want to do before these fares spike. If you only have a few things in mind for the trip, you should be able to accomplish them in a day or two. If you want to see everything Las Vegas has to offer, plan for at least a week-long visit. Visit TripAdvisor for rates on tour and show tickets to get an idea of how much you will be spending before you decide on anything specific. Find the cheapest day to fly into Las Vegas. Flights to Las Vegas are cheaper on weekdays and Sundays, and the most expensive are on Fridays and Saturdays. Search online for cheap flights on websites like Kayak or Orbitz, because they will show you the cheapest flights throughout the week of your travel. Buy your flight and hotel reservations separately, as this will drive down the price. If using a search aggregator like Kayak or Travelocity, you can have the website compile flight prices for three days before or after your desired travel date, allowing you to compare pricing. Decide what part of Las Vegas you want to stay in. Although the Strip is the most popular and classically Las Vegas area, other parts of Las Vegas are also fun to explore. The downtown area will have cheaper hotel rates, but you will not find as many tourist attractions close to where you are staying. Most tourists will stay on the Strip, and the hotel rates will be much higher. If you want to avoid the extra costs, stay Downtown and just visit the Strip during the day. Plan to stay in Las Vegas during the week. Sunday through Thursday is the cheapest time to stay in a Las Vegas hotel, as they hike up the prices during Fridays and Saturdays. By planning to take your trip during the week, you will avoid extra costs and the city will not be as chaotic. Go to Las Vegas during fall and winter months. If you would like to avoid the blistering Las Vegas heat, visit during the colder seasons to stay cool. Although Las Vegas is usually hot year round, you will find some relief in these months. The cheapest months to fly into Las Vegas are August and October, so plan your trip during one of these months to get the best deal. Check the Las Vegas Convention calendar before you book your tickets and reservations. Hotel and airfare rates will skyrocket during major events in Las Vegas, so go to http://www.vegasmeansbusiness.com/planning-tools/convention-calendar/ and make sure there aren't any major conventions during your stay. If there is a large convention that is held at a major venue, like an event center or hotel, consider changing the time of your travel. Purchase an economy hotel room if you are on a budget. Las Vegas hotels will be categorized by different rates, and staying in an economy room is a great way to go if you do not care for luxury and would like to spend your money elsewhere. Visit hotels.com or another hotel reservation site to find the cheapest economy rooms available during your stay. Economy hotel rates will range between 24 dollars a night to 150 dollars a night. Choose a more luxurious hotel room if you have the money. The difference in prices between higher-end and economy hotel rooms in Las Vegas are vast, but so are the accommodations. If you want to live luxuriously during your trip, places like the Palms Casino Resort and the MGM Grand's Skyloft will have amazing views and exciting amenities, but will cost closer to 300 or 500 dollars a night. Book a room through a room-sharing company for a more authentic experience. If you want to really know what life is like for Las Vegans, book a night with a room sharing service like Airbnb and stay in a local's apartment or home. Many room sharing services will give you tips on where to visit from a local's perspective, and if you're lucky, your host may show you their favorite parts of the city. You can find rates as low as 20 dollars a night with Airbnb, but can also rent entire homes for 200 to 1,000 dollars a night as well. Save one day to walk the Strip and wander without a plan. The Strip is the most iconic road in all of Las Vegas, and is constantly bustling with tourists and locals alike. Spend a day walking the Strip and let yourself wander in and out of the many beautiful casinos, restaurants, and bars. This loosely structured day is a great way to start your trip, as you will get a feel of the Las Vegas lifestyle and culture. While you walk the Strip, keep your eyes out for appealing restaurants. At the end of the day, stop by your favorite restaurant for dinner. This will make for an exciting first day, and you will not have to make any plans in advance. Plan and budget for shopping at one of Las Vegas’ famous malls. The Fashion Show Mall is one of the most popular and famous malls, but the Forum Shops at Caesars are the most pretty and picturesque. If you are shopping on a budget and looking for discounts, visit the Las Vegas North Premium Outlet Mall to get reduced prices on designer clothing. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes when shopping, because you will be walking a lot. Depending on what and how much you want to buy, you should plan to save 100 to 300 dollars to enjoy get the most out of your shopping experience. Visit the Paris Hotel and check out the Eiffel Tower. The Paris hotel has a magnificent lobby, complete with streets designed to look and feel like Paris, France. Drink a coffee in one of the French coffee shops and spend time looking at the Eiffel Tower, which is half the size of the real thing. Just like the real Eiffel Tower, you can take an elevator to an observation deck at the top of this replica for 20 dollars. Check out the Neon Museum. Las Vegas is famous for their neon signs and flashing lights, and the Neon Museum holds some of the city's vintage neon signs. The museum has preserved and displayed these signs so you can imagine what Las Vegas used to be like. The museum offers a 19 dollar guided tour and you'll have many chances to take photos. Take a day excursion to visit the Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon. For both amazing, picturesque locations, you can take tours ranging in price from $70 to $600. You can also explore the areas by helicopter, motor coach or by walking. The Hoover Dam is 30 miles (48.3 km) away from Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon is 250 miles away. Plan ahead and make reservations for shows if you need to. Begin creating your itinerary two weeks in advance for the best deals if you plan to purchase tickets to shows, tours, or anything else that requires a ticket for entry. Having a balance between leisure and structure will allow you to get the most out of your trip, and planning ahead will relieve some of the stress. Attend one of Las Vegas’ famous magic, comedy, or cabaret shows. Visit the Las Vegas website for a complete catalog of the shows that will be going on during your stay. Las Vegas is famous for their many entertaining performances, and your trip would not be complete without seeing at least one. Magic shows are a great way to spend a family friendly night in Las Vegas. Some of the most popular ongoing shows in Las Vegas are the Cirque du Soleil, Penn and Teller at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, Absinthe at Caesars Palace, or the Blue Man Group at the Luxor. Tickets to one of these shows will range from 20 dollars to 100 dollars. Purchase a Las Vegas Nightlife Pass if you want to experience VIP lounges at multiple bars. Through TripAdvisor you can avoid cover charges at clubs and bars by purchasing a pass for roughly 800 dollars. This pass will grant you free access to nearly fifty of Las Vegas' most popular bars, night clubs, pool parties, and ultra-lounges through the VIP line. Try your hand at one of Las Vegas’ casinos. As you start to get a feel for Las Vegas, pick one of your favorite casinos and try your hand at gambling by playing a slot machine or playing at a blackjack table. If you are playing cards, it is best to study up on the game before you sit down, as you may lose your money fast if you do not know what you are doing. If you are gambling, do not purchase drinks from the bar. A waitress will approach you and take your order for free. This is how they keep people gambling all night! Some of the most popular and famous casinos include the Bellagio, the Venetian-Palazzo, and Caesars Palace. Set a budget before you start gambling. The best way to go home from Las Vegas with some money left is to set a limit for yourself when gambling. When you go out to the casinos at night, bring only the cash you are willing to spend, and do not take out any more cash once your money is gone. Setting a budget and sticking to it will keep you from overindulging and losing too much money. Set your budget based on the costs of hotel accommodations, travel, shopping, and entertainment. You can use the remainder of your funds on gambling once these other needs are met. Be as responsible as possible. In certain areas, Las Vegas has a culture of indulgence and excess that can take people by surprise. Be responsible with your alcohol consumption and avoid things that go against your personal morals. Even though Las Vegas' motto is “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” this isn't entirely true in the era of social media. Stay true to yourself and do not engage in any behavior you may regret later on when you return home.
Decide how long you would like to spend in Las Vegas. Find the cheapest day to fly into Las Vegas. Decide what part of Las Vegas you want to stay in. Plan to stay in Las Vegas during the week. Go to Las Vegas during fall and winter months. Check the Las Vegas Convention calendar before you book your tickets and reservations. Purchase an economy hotel room if you are on a budget. Choose a more luxurious hotel room if you have the money. Book a room through a room-sharing company for a more authentic experience. Save one day to walk the Strip and wander without a plan. Plan and budget for shopping at one of Las Vegas’ famous malls. Visit the Paris Hotel and check out the Eiffel Tower. Check out the Neon Museum. Take a day excursion to visit the Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon. Plan ahead and make reservations for shows if you need to. Attend one of Las Vegas’ famous magic, comedy, or cabaret shows. Purchase a Las Vegas Nightlife Pass if you want to experience VIP lounges at multiple bars. Try your hand at one of Las Vegas’ casinos. Set a budget before you start gambling. Be as responsible as possible.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Jury-Duty
How to Prepare for Jury Duty
If you've been summoned for jury duty, the first thing you'll need to do to prepare is to fill out the questionnaire included in the letter. Inform your boss that you need time off work for jury duty and bring your letter along in case you need to show proof. When you're choosing your outfit for jury duty, pick something that's business casual such as slacks with a dress shirt or blouse. When you arrive at court, you'll likely be shown a welcome video that explains the jury duty process. After this, all the potential jurors will be sent to the courtroom where the judge will ask various questions to determine if anyone has a bias that would prevent them from being impartial to the case. If you're chosen for jury duty, simply follow the judge's instructions throughout the hearing.
Receive your summons. You will receive a letter in the mail telling you the date you must show up to the courthouse. Read the letter carefully and make note of the date. Postpone if necessary. You probably can postpone your jury service if you have a conflict. Each court accepts requests for postponements in a different way. For example, you will need to call some courts to ask for a postponement whereas other courts will have an online system you can use. For more information, see Postpone Jury Duty. Fill out the questionnaire. You may have received a questionnaire to fill out and bring with you on the day of jury service. Some courts will request that you mail it back before a certain date. Answer all questions honestly and completely. Each questionnaire is different, but you will typically be asked: your name, address, and place of birth your education employment status (self-employed, unemployed, part-time, retired, etc.) the education and employment status of a domestic partner or spouse your experience with the law, e.g., whether you have ever filed a lawsuit, been arrested, been the victim of a crime, or served as a witness or juror whether anyone in your family has worked in law enforcement, the court system, or in the corrections system Tell your boss. If you are employed, then you should tell your boss that you have jury duty. You probably will not be paid by your employer for the days you miss work, though you should check your employment contract or employee handbook. Some employers do pay employees. It is against the law in most states for an employer to try to keep you from serving on a jury. You also cannot be disciplined for attending jury service. Be prepared to show your employer a copy of your summons. Dress appropriately. As a juror, you do not have to dress up in a suit. However, you shouldn't show up to court in your pajamas, either. Instead, wear something business casual: slacks with a dress shirt or blouse. Do not wear anything too casual. Never wear shorts, crop tops, short skirts, or flip flops. Also, remove all hats (unless you wear one for a religious reason). Make sure to cover up your back, shoulders, and stomach. Avoid see-through clothing. Bring a sweater or jacket to put on in case it gets too cold in the courtroom. Check the compensation rate. Every court will pay you for each day that you miss work for jury duty. You should check with the court to find out the compensation rate. Compensation varies. In U.S. federal court, you will be paid $40 a day, or $50 a day after 10 days of service. In state courts, the pay rate varies widely. For example, in Alabama you will make $10 a day, whereas in North Dakota you earn $50 a day. Arrive at the courthouse early. You will need to find parking and go through security. You will then be directed to the appropriate room for jurors. You should leave your cell phone in the car. Otherwise, turn it off before you enter the courthouse. You should not be scrolling through text messages as you sit in court. Watch a video. You will probably be shown a video on what to expect, titled “Welcome to Jury Duty” or something similar. You do not have to take notes. The video is meant to get you comfortable. Go into the courtroom. In the United States, you will undergo a process called “voir dire.” Jurors will be sent to a courtroom where the defendant and the attorneys are already waiting. The judge will then call up panels of 12-14 jurors to sit in the jury box and be asked questions by the judge and the attorneys. In England, things may happen differently. Instead of being asked questions, you will simply be selected by the clerk and told which courtroom to report to. You should bring a book to read, as you may not be selected for the first trial. Nevertheless, you have to wait around because you might be selected later. Answer questions. At random, the judge will call up a panel of jurors to sit in the jury box to be asked questions. The judge will ask you if you can be fair and impartial to both parties. The lawyers may also have questions. It is hard to know in advance what lawyers will ask, but you should always answer honestly. The questions should not be too personal. The judge will also look at the answers to your questionnaire and ask follow-up questions. For example, if you have been the victim of a crime, then the judge might ask if you harbor bad feelings toward all criminal defendants. Speak loudly when answering the questions. A court reporter will be taking down the questions and answers. You can try to get out of jury service by telling the judge that you cannot serve, but at this point, it will be difficult. If you need to postpone your jury service, you should have requested postponement before the day of your jury duty. Listen to the trial. Based on your answers during “voir dire,” the attorneys will decide whether or not to strike you. If both sides allow you to remain, then you will be part of the jury unless the judge thinks you cannot be fair. The trial may start immediately after the entire jury is selected, or you may have a brief break. Before the attorneys begin their opening statements, you will raise your right hand and take an oath to promise to impartially weigh the evidence. Follow the judge’s instructions. The judge will inform you of what you can and cannot do during your breaks. Typically, you will be prohibited from talking about the case and from doing any independent research. You should follow the judge's directions. If you fail to follow the directions, then you might be kicked off the jury and be replaced by an alternate.
Receive your summons. Postpone if necessary. Fill out the questionnaire. Tell your boss. Dress appropriately. Check the compensation rate. Arrive at the courthouse early. Watch a video. Go into the courtroom. Answer questions. Listen to the trial. Follow the judge’s instructions.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Boxer-Dog-from-Biting
How to Stop a Boxer Dog from Biting
To stop a boxer dog from biting, yell “ow” if it bites you while playing so it learns that its bite is too strong. Then, move your hand away slowly to reinforce the idea that you don't want to play because biting hurts. Repeat this process as many times as necessary for your dog to understand. Additionally, offer your dog a chew toy if it starts biting you. If your boxer still bites, ignore it for a few minutes if it bites you, or use a muzzle when out in public to keep others safe.
Teach your dog the strength of his bite. Bite inhibition is what a dog learns about how strong his bite is. Basically, when playing with other dogs, your dog can learn to not bite hard enough to harm another dog. Your dog can learn to do the same with humans, as humans can take even less force than other dogs. It's important to teach the pup to not bite hard first, so that if your pup ever does decide to bite out of the blue, it's less likely to break skin or cause a serious injury. Play with your puppy. The first step in this training is to start playing with your pup. Let him mouth on your hand, though not hard. React when your puppy bites hard. When your puppy actually chomps down on your skin, you need to react. Make a noise like a yelp, or yell "Ow!" Your pup should jump back at your reaction. If your reaction doesn't work, try a different sound. Take your hand away. First, let your hand relax, and then take your hand back. You want to teach your pup that hard biting stops the fun of play. However, don't jerk back, as that could make him think you're playing; he may bite again. Keep repeating the process. Wait a bit to start play again. Once you begin again, repeat the process if your pup bites hard again. Repeat as many times as your pup needs to get the picture. Praise him only for not biting. Never praise your dog for biting, even if the bite is gentle and playful. Make sure he knows that it is not okay to bite and praise him for not biting. Trade skin for chew toys. When your dog starts biting, give him a chew toy instead. That teaches your dog that his teeth belong on the toy, not you. While you want to train your pup not to bite hard, you do eventually want to teach him not to bite at at all, which is where these steps can help. Try skin-safe deterrent. Most pet stores sell deterrents that your dog will not like the taste of, such as bitter apple. When you're playing, try putting the deterrent on your skin. Once the dog tastes it a few times, he'll likely want to stay away from human skin. Keep him distracted. Boxers are high-energy dogs that need a great deal of play. Try very active games such as fetch. These games will help your dog release energy, and at the same time, move him away from biting games. Keep him engaged. Boxers need to have lots of entertainment. Provide enough toys so that he doesn't get bored; when he's bored, he may lash out or bite. Try rotating them out so that when he gets bored with the first couple, you'll have more on hand to pique his interest. Begin by getting your boxer spayed or neutered. This step may not seem intuitive to most new boxer owners. However, this step generally makes dogs less aggressive, so it should be your first step when trying to teach your dog not to bite. Let your boxer socialize with dogs and people. Boxers are highly social animals, and they enjoy being around other dogs, especially boxers. Dogs teach other dogs how much biting is appropriate; when a dog stops playing and bites too hard, that dog is ostracized for a bit. In addition, try letting your dog get to know other people. The more people your dog knows, the calmer he'll be when he meets new people. Therefore, try taking your dog out to socialize. A dog park is a good place to provide socialization. Keep stress under control. Boxers usually bite when they are stressed or frightened. If you know a particular situation is going to stress your boxer out, don't take him. For instance, if he's not used to social situations, don't take him to a big crowd on his first outing. Work up to crowds gradually. Though your dog may be able to work up to these situations when properly trained, when he's first starting out, try to keep his stress down. Give time-outs for biting. When your dog bites, yelp and walk away. Go to another room if possible. Stay away for at least a minute. That teaches the dog that this type of behavior results in the end of your attention. Know when to back off. If your dog is too aggressive and has a history of biting, use a muzzle to keep people safe and to seek professional help at the earliest possible time. Some signs that the dog is behaving aggressively and more likely to bite are: Protecting toys or food Weight forward, head lowered, raised lips, ears back, direct stare Try professional help. Contact a dog trainer or animal behaviorist in your area. These professionals can help you get your dog under control. They may be able to see the key to why your dog is biting when you can't because they know more about dog behavior than you do; they can read a dog's body language without anthropomorphizing it, meaning they won't interpret dog behavior through the lens of human body language.
Teach your dog the strength of his bite. Play with your puppy. React when your puppy bites hard. Take your hand away. Keep repeating the process. Praise him only for not biting. Trade skin for chew toys. Try skin-safe deterrent. Keep him distracted. Keep him engaged. Begin by getting your boxer spayed or neutered. Let your boxer socialize with dogs and people. Keep stress under control. Give time-outs for biting. Know when to back off. Try professional help.
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Bonsai-Tree
How to Start a Bonsai Tree
Before starting a bonsai tree, pick a species that will thrive in your climate and is the right size for your location. Then, remove the tree from its container and clean and trim the roots so they fit into a small pot. Fill the pot with coarse grain soil at the bottom and finer soil on top. Put the tree into the pot and add some more fine soil. After the tree is secure in the pot, leave it in a semi-shaded area for 3 weeks and water it as needed.
Select a suitable species of tree for your climate. Not all Bonsai trees are the same. Many woody perennials and even some tropical plants can be made into Bonsai trees, but not every species will be appropriate for your unique location. When selecting a species, it's important to consider the climate that the tree will be grown in. For instance, some trees die in freezing weather, while others actually require the temperature to drop below freezing so that they can enter a dormant state and prepare for the spring. Before starting a Bonsai tree, make sure the species you've chosen can live in your area - especially if you plan on having an outdoor tree. The staff at your local garden supply store will be able to help you if you're unsure. One particularly beginner-friendly variety of Bonsai tree is the juniper. These evergreens are hardy, surviving all across the northern hemisphere and even in the more temperate regions of the southern hemisphere. In addition, juniper trees are easy to raise - they respond well to pruning and other "training" efforts and, because they are evergreens, never lose their leaves. They are rather slow growing, however. Other conifers commonly cultivated as Bonsai trees include pines, spruces, and cedars of many varieties. Deciduous (leafy) trees are another possibility - Japanese maples are especially beautiful, as are magnolias, elms, and oaks. Finally, some non-woody tropical plants, like jade and "snowrose", are good choices for indoor environments in cool or temperate climates. Decide whether you plan on having an indoor or outdoor tree. The needs of indoor and outdoor Bonsai trees can vary drastically. Generally, indoor environments are drier and receive less light than outdoor environments, so you'll want to choose trees with lower light and moisture requirements. Below are listed some of the most common varieties of bonsai tree, grouped by their appropriateness for either indoor or outdoor environments: Indoor: Ficus, Hawaiian Umbrella, Serissa, Gardenia, Camellia, Kingsville Boxwood. Outdoor: Juniper, Cypress, Cedar, Maple, Birch, Beech, Ginkgo, Larch, Elm. Note that temperate species require winter dormancy or the tree will eventually die. They cannot be grown indoors for long periods of time. Select the size of your bonsai. Bonsai trees come in a wide variety of sizes. Full-grown trees can be as small as 6 inches (15.2 cm) tall to as large 3 feet (0.9 m) tall, depending on their species. If you're choosing to grow your Bonsai tree from a seedling or a cutting from another tree, they can start off even smaller. Larger plants require more water, soil, and sunlight, so make sure that you have all the necessary amenities before making your purchase. Just a few things you'll want to consider when deciding on the size of your Bonsai tree: The size of the container you'll be using The space you have available at your home or office The availability of sunlight at your home or office The amount of care you'll be able to invest in your tree (larger trees take longer to prune) Visualize the finished product while selecting a plant. Once you have decided which kind and what size of Bonsai you would like, you can go to a nursery or a bonsai shop and select the plant that will become your bonsai tree. When choosing a plant, look for a vibrant, healthy green leaf or needle color to make sure that the plant is healthy (however, keep in mind that deciduous trees can have different-colored leaves in the fall). Finally, when you've narrowed your search to the healthiest, prettiest plants, imagine what each plant will look like after it is pruned. Part of the fun of growing a bonsai tree is gently pruning and shaping it until it's exactly how you want it - this can take years. Pick a tree whose natural shape lends itself to the pruning and/or shaping plan you have in mind. (Many bonsai are made to look as if they were an adult tree, including proportion, shape, and foliage.) Note that if you choose to grow your Bonsai tree from a seed, you'll have the ability to control your tree's growth in nearly every stage of its development. However, it can take up to 5 years (depending on the species of tree) for a Bonsai tree to grow from a seed into a full-grown tree. Because of this, if you're interested in pruning or shaping your tree immediately, you'll be better off buying a grown plant. Another option you have is to grow your Bonsai tree from a cutting. Cuttings are branches cut from growing trees and transplanted to new soil to start a separate (but genetically identical) plant. Cuttings are a good compromise choice - they don't take as long to grow as seeds, but they still offer a good deal of control over the tree's growth. Select a pot. The hallmark feature of Bonsai trees is that they are planted in pots that restrict their growth. The most important factor in deciding which pot to use is to make sure the pot is large enough to allow enough soil to cover the roots of the plant. When you water your tree , it absorbs moisture from the soil through its roots. You do not want to have such a small amount of soil in the pot that the tree roots can not retain moisture. To prevent root rot, you'll also want to ensure your pot has one or more drainage holes on the bottom. If not, you can also drill these yourself. While your pot must be large enough to support your tree, you'll also want to maintain a neat, tidy aesthetic for your bonsai tree. Overly-large pots can dwarf the tree itself, giving a bizarre or mismatched appearance. Buy a pot big enough for the tree's roots, but not much bigger - the idea is for the pot to complement the tree aesthetically, but to be relatively unobtrusive visually. Some prefer to grow their Bonsai trees in plain, practical containers, then transfer them to prettier containers when they're full-grown. This is an especially useful process if your species of bonsai tree is a fragile one, as it allows you to put off the purchase of the "nice" pot until your tree is healthy and beautiful. Prepare the tree. If you've just bought a Bonsai from the store and it came in an unappealing plastic container or you've been growing your own Bonsai tree and finally want to put it in the perfect pot, you'll need to prepare it before transplanting it. First, ensure the tree has been pruned to the shape you desire. If you'd like the tree to grow a certain way after you re-pot it, wrap a sturdy wire around the tree or branch to gently direct its growth. You want your tree in tip-top shape before you transplant it to a new pot, which can be taxing for the plant. Know that trees with seasonal life cycles (for instance, many deciduous trees) are best transplanted in the spring. Rising temperatures in the spring cause many plants to enter a state of increased growth, which means they'll recover from pruning and root trimming faster. You may want to reduce watering before re-potting. Dry, loose soil can be much easier to work with than damp soil. Remove the tree and clean the roots. Carefully remove the plant from its current pot, making sure not to break or tear its main stem. You may want to use a potting shovel to help pry the plant out. Most of the roots will be cut before the plant is re-potted into the Bonsai pot. However, to have a clear view of the roots, it's usually necessary to brush away any of the dirt stuck to them. Clean the roots, brushing away any clumps of dirt obscuring your vision. Root rakes, chopsticks, tweezers, and similar tools are helpful for this process. The roots don't have to be spotless - just clean enough that you're able to see what you're doing while you prune them. Prune the roots. If their growth is not adequately controlled, bonsai trees can easily outgrow their containers. To ensure your bonsai tree remains manageable and tidy, prune its roots when you pot it. Cut any large, thick roots and any upward-facing roots, leaving a network of long, slender roots that will sit near the surface of the soil. Water is absorbed from the root tips, so, in a small container, many thin root strands are generally better than a single large, deep one. Prepare the pot. Before placing the tree in the pot, ensure it has a base of fresh, new soil to sit on that gives it the desired height. At the bottom of your empty pot, add a layer of coarse-grain soil as a base. Then, add a finer, looser growing medium or soil above this. Use a soil or medium that drains well - regular garden soil can hold too much water and may drown the roots. Leave a small amount of space at the top of your pot so that you can cover your tree's roots. If your plant comes with a recommended soil texture, it will do best in that kind of soil. Pot the tree. Position the tree in your new pot in the desired orientation. Finish adding your fine, well-draining soil or growing medium to the pot, making sure to cover the tree's root system. If desired, you may add a final layer of moss or gravel. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, this can help hold the tree in place. If your tree isn't staying upright in your new pot, run a heavy gauge wire from the bottom of the pot through the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot. Tie the wire around the root system in order to hold the plant in place. You may want to install mesh screens over the pot's drainage holes to prevent soil erosion, which occurs when water carries soil out of the pot via the drainage holes. Care for your new bonsai tree. Your new tree has just undergone a radical, somewhat traumatic process. For 2-3 weeks after re-potting your tree, leave it in a semi-shaded area, protected from the wind or harsh, direct sunlight. Water the plant, but don't use fertilizer until the roots have re-established themselves. By giving your tree a "breather" after re-potting, you allow it to adapt to its new home, and, in time, thrive. As noted above, deciduous trees with yearly life cycles experience a period of intensified growth in the spring. Because of this, it's best to re-pot deciduous trees in the spring after their winter dormancy has ended. If your deciduous tree is an indoor plant, after allowing it to take root following a re-potting, you may want to move it outside where the rising temperature and increased sunlight can trigger its natural "growth spurt." When your bonsai tree is established, you may want to experiment with adding other small plants to its pot. If carefully arranged and maintained (like your tree), these additions can allow you to craft a perfectly pleasing tableau. Try using plants that are native to the same area as your bonsai tree so that one water and light regimen will support all the plants in the pot equally well. Obtain your seeds. Growing a bonsai tree from a single seed is an extremely long and slow process. Depending on the type of tree you grow, it can take up to 4-5 years for the tree's trunk to become just 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Some seeds also require precisely controlled conditions for germination. However, this method is also perhaps the ultimate bonsai tree experience insofar as it allows you to have total control over the plant's growth from the moment it breaks through the soil. To start, buy seeds of your desired species of tree from a gardening store or gather them in nature. Many deciduous trees, like oaks, beeches, and maples, have instantly-recognizable seed pods (acorns, etc.) that release from the tree on a yearly basis. Because of the ease of obtaining their seeds, these types of trees make great choices if you're aiming to grow a bonsai tree from the seed. Try to get fresh seeds. The time window in which tree seeds can germinate is often smaller than that of flower or vegetable seeds. For instance, oak seeds (acorns) are "freshest" when they're harvested in early autumn and they retain some of their green color. Allow the seed to germinate. Once you have gathered suitable seeds for your bonsai tree, you must care for them to ensure they germinate (sprout). In non-tropical areas with defined seasons, seeds usually fall from trees in autumn, then lie dormant through the winter before sprouting in spring. Seeds from trees that are native to these areas are usually biologically coded to germinate only after they experience the cold temperatures of winter and the gradually increasing warmth of spring. In these cases, it's necessary to either expose your seed to these conditions or to simulate them in your refrigerator. If you live in a temperate environment with defined seasons, you can simply bury your tree's seed in a small pot full of soil and keep it outside throughout the winter and into the spring. If you don't, you can keep your seeds in a refrigerator for the winter. Put your seeds in a plastic zip-lock bag with a loose, dampened growth medium (for example, vermiculite) and take them out in the spring when you see sprouts emerging. To simulate the natural cycle of gradually decreasing, then increasing temperature that takes place from the late autumn to early spring, place your bag of seeds at the bottom of the refrigerator initially. Over the next two weeks, gradually move it up, shelf by shelf, until it's at the top, right next to the cooling unit. Then, at the end of winter, reverse the process, moving the bag down shelf-by-shelf. Introduce your seedlings to a seed tray or pot. When your seedlings have begun to sprout, you're ready to begin nurturing them in a small soil-filled container of your choosing. If you allowed your seeds to naturally germinate outdoors, they can generally remain in the pot that you germinated them in. If not, transfer your healthy seeds from the refrigerator to a pre-filled pot or seed tray. Dig a small hole for your seed and bury it so that its main sprout points up and its taproot points down. Immediately water your seed. Over time, try to keep the soil around the seed damp, but not sopping wet or mud-like, as this can cause the plant to rot. Don't use fertilizer until about 5 or 6 weeks after the plants have established themselves in their new containers. Start small, using only very minor amounts of fertilizer, or you may "burn" the plant's young roots, damaging them with overexposure to the chemicals in the fertilizer. Keep your seedlings in an area of suitable temperature. As your seeds continue to grow, it's important not to expose them directly to cold temperatures or you'll risk losing your young plants. If you live in an area with a warm spring, you may cautiously introduce your new seedlings to a warm but sheltered spot outdoors, ensuring your trees aren't exposed to harsh wind or constant sunlight, provided your species of tree is one that can naturally survive in your geographical area. If you're growing tropical plants or germinating your seeds out of season, however, you may find that it's better to keep your plants indoors or in a greenhouse where it's warmer. Regardless of where you keep your young seedlings, it's important to ensure they receive frequent, but not excessive watering. Keep the soil damp, but not soggy. Care for your young seedlings. Carry on with your regimen of watering and cautious sun exposure as your seedling grows. Deciduous trees will sprout two small leaves called cotyledons directly from the seed before developing true leaves and continuing to grow. As your tree grows (again, usually this process takes years) you may gradually introduce it to larger and larger containers to accommodate its growth until it reaches the size that you'd like for your bonsai tree. Once your tree is fairly established, you can leave it outdoors in a spot where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade, provided that your species of tree is one that can naturally survive in your geographical location. Tropical plants and other fragile bonsai varieties may need to be kept indoors perpetually if your local climate isn't suitable.
Select a suitable species of tree for your climate. Decide whether you plan on having an indoor or outdoor tree. Select the size of your bonsai. Visualize the finished product while selecting a plant. Select a pot. Prepare the tree. Remove the tree and clean the roots. Prune the roots. Prepare the pot. Pot the tree. Care for your new bonsai tree. Obtain your seeds. Allow the seed to germinate. Introduce your seedlings to a seed tray or pot. Keep your seedlings in an area of suitable temperature. Care for your young seedlings.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Paneer-(Indian-Cheese)
How to Make Paneer (Indian Cheese)
To make paneer, heat 1 liter of milk until it is nearly boiling, and turn off the heat. Then, add 3-4 tablespoons of lemon juice one teaspoon at a time, stirring the milk after each addition. Watch to see the curds separate from the whey, and when they do, stop adding the lemon juice. Let the curds and whey cool for a half an hour, and then use a cheesecloth to strain the curds from the whey. With the curds in the cloth, squeeze them to remove any excess moisture, and then shape the cheese into a block. Wrap the cheese tightly in the cloth until you're ready to serve it.
Bring the milk to a temperature just below boiling. Then turn off the heat. It should be about 80`C.Temp(176 f). Add lemon juice or citric acid, 5 ml (one teaspoon) at a time. Stir the milk after each addition until the milk separates; the solid curds part from the green and watery whey. You're looking for just the right amount of acid to cause the gently boiling milk to curdle. If milk does not start to curdle immediately, start by adding only one teaspoon of lemon juice at a time in a stepwise manner until the milk curdles. Do not add more lemon juice than necessary; otherwise the paneer will not be soft, as well as will taste sour and bitter. Stirring gently and continuously throughout this step will not only separate the solid whitish-colored curds from the greenish-colored liquid whey, but will also prevent the curds from sticking to the sides and bottom of the pan. You will know that the curdling process is finished once the curds have stopped precipitating from the greenish colored liquid whey. Allow the curds and whey to cool for half of an hour (or until still warm, but at a temperature you can handle). Then strain the mixture through a cheesecloth in a strainer. Rinse the curds with fresh water. You may wish to save some or all of the whey; it can be used to make your next batch of paneer, producing a slightly more tender cheese than lemon juice. Wrap the cheesecloth around itself in order to squeeze out moisture from the curds. The more you squeeze, the firmer the resulting paneer shall be. Shape the paneer, into a block and wrap it tightly with the cloth. By putting a cutting board or something heavy and flat on top of the paneer, you can force out more moisture, and shape it into a firmer block, suitable for slicing and frying. To get a more rectangular shape, tie a knot and place the cheesecloth bundle in a box without closing it. Place something heavy like a pile of books or a brick on the cheesecloth to press down and give the cheese the box's shape. The longer you press the cheese, the firmer it gets. Not all Indian dishes requires cheese to be made into solid blocks. Stuffed Paneer Naans for example require cheese to be loose. Cut and shape the paneer as desired, depending on the type of dish the paneer will added to. Paneer can be cut and shaped into large circular patties for sandwiches, small cubes for savory gravy or soups, or crumbles for garnishing salads. Soak the block of cheese in chilled water for 2-3 hours. This is optional, as the intention is to improve appearance and texture. Use as directed in your recipe.
Bring the milk to a temperature just below boiling. Add lemon juice or citric acid, 5 ml (one teaspoon) at a time. Allow the curds and whey to cool for half of an hour (or until still warm, but at a temperature you can handle). Wrap the cheesecloth around itself in order to squeeze out moisture from the curds. Shape the paneer, into a block and wrap it tightly with the cloth. Soak the block of cheese in chilled water for 2-3 hours. Use as directed in your recipe.
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Beautiful
How to Be Beautiful
To be beautiful, shower once a day and wash and moisturize your face so your skin looks clean and clear. When you get out of the shower, comb and style your hair, and throw on some makeup if it makes you feel good. You should also wear clothes that fit well and make you feel confident, since you'll look prettier if you feel great in what you're wearing. Try to eat healthy and exercise regularly too, since you'll feel prettier if your body is healthy. Besides looking pretty, work on developing your inner beauty by pursuing your hobbies and being kind to others.
Get a hairstyle that flatters your face. First, use a tube of lipstick to trace your face on a mirror. Then, figure out what your face shape is by looking at the outline. Next, pick a hairstyle that looks great on your unique face shape. Print out pictures of the haircut you want to show them to your stylist. Common face shapes include oval, round, square, heart, and long. If you're having trouble picking out a hairstyle, get your hair trimmed to just above your shoulders, with layering. This style is considered the “perfect haircut” because it looks great on everyone. Hats and hair accessories are also a great option for styling your hair. Use them to show off your personal style. Wear makeup if it makes you feel good. You don't need to wear makeup to be beautiful, but do it if it makes you happy. Use a foundation, tinted moisturizer, or BB cream to even out your skin tone. Then, play around with blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick that make you feel confident. Do a natural makeup look if you don't want to look like you're wearing makeup. Do either a bold lip or a dramatic eye. You don't want to do both at the same time because your look will be too overwhelming. Wear clothes that flatter your body and make you feel great. Every body shape can be beautiful, so don't worry about your size. Instead, focus on choosing pieces that show off your assets and make you feel your best. Donate any pieces that don't make you feel fabulous. Try on everything in your wardrobe and only keep the clothes you love. Show off what makes you feel confident. For instance, wear short skirts to show off your legs or a backless top to show off a sculpted back. Look for great brands and really unique pieces for affordable prices at consignment shops or thrift shops. Practice good hygiene by bathing daily and using personal products. Take a bath or shower at least once a day to keep yourself clean. Additionally, apply deodorant to control your body odor, and use a moisturizer to keep your skin soft and nourished. This will help you maintain clean, healthy skin. Use a mild soap or body wash to cleanse your body. Wash your hair 2-3 times a week or as needed. Use conditioner after washing your hair or between washes to keep your hair soft and smooth. Wash and moisturize your face twice a day. Use a mild cleanser and warm water to clean your face. Pat your face dry with a clean towel. Then, follow with a facial moisturizer to seal in the moisture. Do this every morning and evening for healthy skin. Choose a lightweight day cream for the morning and a thicker night cream for use before bed. Exfoliate your skin twice a week with a chemical or manual exfoliator. For instance, an exfoliating face wash works great. Care for your skin by applying sunscreen and staying hydrated. Cover your skin in sunscreen before spending time outdoors. Doing so will protect you from sun damage and wrinkles. Additionally, drink at least 2 to 10 cups (0.47 to 2.37 L) of water daily so you stay hydrated. This will keep your skin soft and supple with moisture. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that's at least SPF 15. Covering your skin with clothing and wearing a hat to protect your scalp and face will give you better protection against the sun. Care for your hands and feet, including your nails. Your hands and feet go through a lot every day, so give them lots of care. Apply moisturizer to your hands and feet daily before bed. Additionally, trim and file your nails weekly so they are in good shape. If you like, paint your fingernails or toenails once a week. You don't need to do this to be beautiful, but it might make you feel good. Brush your teeth twice a day to maintain your smile. Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride to protect against cavities. This will keep your teeth clean and healthy, which will give you a healthy smile. Make a habit of brushing every morning after you wake up and every evening before bed. Floss before you brush once a day, such as before bed. Get a dental check-up and cleaning every 6 months to keep your smile clean and healthy. If you feel like your teeth are discolored, try teeth whitening solutions. Support your health by exercising daily and eating nutritious foods. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. The best way to keep your body healthy is to eat well and stay active. Talk to your doctor to find out if you need to make changes to your diet or exercise regimen. Aim to get 150 minutes of exercise every week or to exercise at least 30 minutes a day 5-7 days a week. Build your meals around lean proteins and fresh produce. Avoid foods that are processed or high in sugar. However, it's okay to eat your favorite foods in moderation, so don't feel like you need to restrict yourself. You can find vitamins that are formulated to support beautiful skin, luscious hair, and healthy nails. However, ask your doctor before adding these to your diet. Be authentic by staying true to who you are. Being your true self is essential for developing your inner beauty. Reflect on your values , interests, and goals in life. Then, pursue what makes you happy. You can develop your authenticity by doing the following activities: Notice how you feel in different situations, then do more of what feels right. Be open and honest with your friends. Don't worry about being perfect because no one is. Be present in each moment by focusing on your 5 senses. Express gratitude for the good things in your life. Being grateful for what you have will make your inner beauty shine. Instead of complaining about what's lacking in your life, focus on your blessings. Celebrate the people who are important to you, the talents or skills you possess, the opportunities you have, and the small comforts you enjoy. Here are some ways to express your gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal to record the things you're thankful for. Send your close friends cards that tell them how much they mean to you. Give small and meaningful gifts, like a poetry book, necklace, or painted stone. Tell your loved ones how you feel about them. Call people to check on them. Be generous with what you have. You don't need a lot of money to have abundance in life. You may be rich in time, talent, or creativity. Share what you have with others to help make people happy. This will help you have inner beauty. Here are some great ways to be generous: Let people borrow your stuff. Give your time to help others. Share a meal with people in need. Bring snacks and drinks when you go to events. Give gifts to people in need around the holidays. Maintain healthy relationships. Living with constant conflict and dealing with people who are toxic can drain you. This makes it hard to have inner beauty because you're upset or exhausted all of the time. Instead, surround yourself with supportive, positive people who help you be your best self. Make sure you're giving your friends, relatives, and partners the time, attention, and support that they need, as well. Make time for your friends, especially those who've been there for you for awhile. Make new friends to keep you growing and learning as a person. Nurture healthy relationships with family members. Avoid spending time with people who are toxic for you. Let go of bad feelings so you radiate goodness. Carrying around anger, sadness, and hate will weigh you down. While it's hard to let go of your feelings when you've been hurt, doing so will help you find freedom. If you're feeling negative emotions, identify them and why you feel that way. Then, release your emotions by sharing them. This will help you move on. Release your emotions by talking to someone, by journaling, or by exercising when you feel upset. You might also find that being creative helps you find peace. If you're struggling to let go of something that happened to you, write a letter to the person responsible, but don't send it. Instead, tear up or burn the letter to release your feelings. If you're struggling to let go of bad feelings, it may be best to see a counselor or therapist. Get involved in your community by volunteering. Helping others and giving back are both great ways to develop inner beauty. Not only will other people recognize your goodness, you'll also feel better about yourself. Here are some great ways to get involved: Raise money for a local animal shelter. Buy from local businesses to help your community thrive. Volunteer at a local festival. Throw a block party for your neighbors. Start a book club for your community. Volunteer as a reading tutor at your local library or community center. Look for spiritual truth. You can choose to follow a religious path or to look within yourself for what feels like the truth. Connect with your inner spirit by meditating, praying, or reflecting on your values. Decide what's important to you and then pursue your own version of the truth. This will help you develop your inner beauty. If you have a chosen religious or spiritual path, read or listen to the great teachers who share your beliefs. Learn about different spiritual paths if you're comfortable broadening your horizons. Find a way to see yourself as part of something larger so that you can be more compassionate toward your fellow humans. Seek wisdom by learning more and keeping an open mind. Inner beauty means developing understanding and being open to how others experience life. Be a lifetime learner by constantly reading and listening to others. Additionally, allow others to be who they are and try to learn from their experiences. Meditate or reflect on your actions. Read the works of wise people. You can learn a lot from novelists, poets, or historians. Reading can help you gain knowledge and put your ideas into perspective. Listen carefully to the ideas of people you genuinely respect. Explore different cultures through books, movies, and museums. You might even decide to learn a new language!
Get a hairstyle that flatters your face. Wear makeup if it makes you feel good. Wear clothes that flatter your body and make you feel great. Practice good hygiene by bathing daily and using personal products. Wash and moisturize your face twice a day. Care for your skin by applying sunscreen and staying hydrated. Care for your hands and feet, including your nails. Brush your teeth twice a day to maintain your smile. Support your health by exercising daily and eating nutritious foods. Be authentic by staying true to who you are. Express gratitude for the good things in your life. Be generous with what you have. Maintain healthy relationships. Let go of bad feelings so you radiate goodness. Get involved in your community by volunteering. Look for spiritual truth. Seek wisdom by learning more and keeping an open mind.
https://www.wikihow.com/Restart-Steam
How to Restart Steam
To restart Steam, begin by clicking on “Steam” in the toolbar at the top left corner of your Steam session. Then, select “Exit” or “Exit Steam” from the drop down list. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Steam icon in the notification tray of your desktop and select “Exit.” Once the program has closed, return to your desktop and double-click on the Steam icon to relaunch it.
Click on “Steam” in the toolbar at the top left corner of your Steam session. Select “Exit” or “Exit Steam. ” Your current session of Steam will close. Alternately, right-click on the Steam icon in the notification tray on your desktop, and select “Exit.” In Windows, the notification tray is located at the bottom right corner of the desktop; in Mac OS X, the notification tray is located at the top right corner of the desktop. Double-click on the Steam icon on your desktop to relaunch Steam. If the Steam shortcut icon is not located on your desktop, search for Steam in the “Start” menu in Windows, or in the Applications folder on Mac OS X. Exit Steam using steps #1 and #2 from Method One. Press the Windows + R keys at the same time. This will open the Run dialog box. Type the following command into the Run dialog box, then press Enter: steam://flushconfig. This command will refresh your Steam files. Restart your computer, then navigate to C: \Program Files\Steam. Double-click on “Steam” or “Steam.exe” to relaunch the Steam client. This will open Steam directly from the installation folder. Do not open Steam using its shortcut icon located on the desktop. Resume gameplay in Steam as normal. Your Steam files will now be refreshed. Exit Steam using steps #1 and #2 from Method One. Launch Safari and type “steam://flushconfig” into the address bar. Press “Enter,” then close your Internet browser. Restart your computer, then relaunch the Steam client. Your Steam files will now be refreshed, and you can resume gameplay as normal. Launch Terminal and type “steam --reset” at the prompt. Press “Enter. ” The message “Installing bootstrap /home/[username]/.steam/steam/bootstrap.tar.xz” will display on-screen. This message means your Steam files have been successfully refreshed. Restart your computer, then relaunch the Steam client. Your Steam files will now be refreshed, and you can resume gameplay as normal.
Click on “Steam” in the toolbar at the top left corner of your Steam session. Select “Exit” or “Exit Steam. Double-click on the Steam icon on your desktop to relaunch Steam. Exit Steam using steps #1 and #2 from Method One. Press the Windows + R keys at the same time. Restart your computer, then navigate to C: Double-click on “Steam” or “Steam.exe” to relaunch the Steam client. Resume gameplay in Steam as normal. Exit Steam using steps #1 and #2 from Method One. Press “Enter,” then close your Internet browser. Restart your computer, then relaunch the Steam client. Launch Terminal and type “steam --reset” at the prompt. Press “Enter. Restart your computer, then relaunch the Steam client.
https://www.wikihow.com/Kill-a-Cricket-that%27s-Loose-in-Your-House
How to Kill a Cricket that's Loose in Your House
If you've got a cricket loose in your house and want to kill it, you can trap it by leaving a beer can with a few drops of beer inside on its side, as the cricket will be attracted by the beer and get stuck in the can. Alternatively, put a spoonful of molasses and a bit of water into an open jar, and leave the jar out for the cricket to get stuck in. You can also vacuum up crickets around your home, but make sure to vacuum under the baseboards because they often hide there. For a longer term approach, you can set up sticky traps meant for mice or rats to catch crickets.
Place cricket traps. Purchase a few sticky traps (typically meant for rats or mice) and place them around your home wherever you believe there might be crickets. The crickets will walk over the trap and get stuck. Placing a bit of cornmeal in the center of each trap will help attract the crickets to the traps. Use a beer can to catch the cricket. Take a can of beer and empty the contents, leaving behind just a few drops. Leave the beer can lying on its side in the area where the crickets are. The crickets will be attracted to the beer and will crawl in the beer to get to the drops left inside, and get stuck inside. If you like to fish, you can take the crickets you've caught and use them as fish bait. Alternatively, you can cut the can open outside and release the crickets if you want to. Make a molasses trap. This method will allow you to catch crickets without purchasing commercial sticky traps. Take a clean glass jar and place a generous spoonful inside the jar. Add a bit of water to make the molasses just a bit more runny. Place the open jar in the area where you have heard/seen crickets. The crickets will be attracted to the molasses, and will jump into the jar to get to it. The stickiness of the molasses will make it difficult for the crickets to escape. Be sure to clean out the jar regularly. Smash the cricket. This is the most straightforward way to kill a cricket. If you see a cricket that has snuck into your home, and you don't want to catch it, then simply use something like a shoe or a broom and smash the cricket. Try to be as humane as possible when killing the cricket. Give it a few hard smacks so that you can be sure the cricket is dead. Use an insect spray. There are many commercial insecticides readily available. If you have a problem with insects in your home, purchasing a can that you can use to kill a cricket (or any bug that finds its way in) is a good idea. Be careful when using a bug spray. After you've killed the cricket, dispose of the cricket by using a large wad of toilet paper. Flush the dead cricket down the toilet or throw it in a closed trash can. Clean the area where you've sprayed the bug spray with a disinfectant, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Vacuum the cricket up. If you've just got one cricket in your house, all you have to do is suck the cricket up with the nozzle. If you are worried that you may have a cricket infestation, vacuum your home thoroughly, and use the nozzle attachment to vacuum underneath the baseboards all around your home. Hopefully, this will suck up any eggs or crickets that might be hiding. If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, be sure to empty the contents of the container in a trash can outside your home. If you have a vacuum cleaner with a bag, replace the bag immediately after you finish. Throw away the used bag in a trash can outdoors and away from your home. Spray the cricket with pepper spray. If you have some pepper spray on hand, then you can quickly kill the cricket by using some of it on the cricket. Pepper spray is deadly to crickets. Be careful when using pepper spray. It will be painful for you if you get it near your face. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after using the spray. Place a jar over the cricket. If you've only got one cricket in your home, you can catch it easily with a jar. When you find the cricket, place a glass jar quickly over the top of the cricket so that it is trapped inside. Take a thin (but strong) piece of cardboard (a postcard works well, for example) and slide it underneath the opening of the jar. Now you will have a piece of card that you can keep on the top of the jar while you take it outside. Take the cricket far away from your house. If you just let the cricket out outside your front door, the cricket will probably try to find a way back in. Get a cat or a dog. Cats and dogs are great for taking care of any unwanted insects that might sneak into your home. They are much better at finding insects than humans, so if there is a cricket hiding in your home, let your pet do the hard work. Keep in mind that keeping a pet is a big commitment. You shouldn't get a cat or dog for the sole purpose of killing crickets. Make your home less appealing. If you have lots of damp areas in your home, identify them, and try to reduce them if possible. Crickets love moisture, so fixing any problems that may lead to excess moisture will be important. Crickets are also attracted to bright lights, so replace any outdoor lights (e.g. porch lights) with yellow bulbs or sodium vapor bulbs that will be less appealing. Look for any points of entry as well. For example, maybe there is a window that doesn't seal shut. Check your door frames to make sure that there are no spots that a cricket could get through. Hire a pest control company. If you live in an area where insects are a common problem, you can probably find a pest control company that will come and spray your home with an insecticide a few times a year. If you are struggling with a cricket infestation, this may be the easiest way to deal with the problem. Make sure that any pest control company you hire is licensed in your state. If you have pets, be sure to let the company know, and ask them if their products are safe for humans, children, and pets.
Place cricket traps. Use a beer can to catch the cricket. Make a molasses trap. Smash the cricket. Use an insect spray. Vacuum the cricket up. Spray the cricket with pepper spray. Place a jar over the cricket. Get a cat or a dog. Make your home less appealing. Hire a pest control company.
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Nebulizer
How to Use a Nebulizer
To use a nebulizer, unscrew the top of the cup and pour in a single dose of the liquid medication. Secure the mouthpiece to the cup, then attach one end of the tubing to the cup and the other end to the air compressor. Turn the air compressor on, put the mouthpiece in your mouth, and seal your lips tightly around it. Inhale slowly and deeply through your mouth and exhale through your mouth or nose. Continue this for 10-15 minutes until the liquid is gone and the mist stops.
Wash your hands. Start by washing your hands for no less than 20 seconds with soap under running water. Rinse your hands and dry them off with a paper towel. Turn off the faucet using a paper towel. Place the medication into the nebulizer. Unscrew the top of the nebulizer cup and put the prescribed medication into the nebulizer. Many types of respiratory medications for nebulizer treatments come in pre-measured doses. If yours is not pre-measured, measure out the exact amount prescribed for one dose. Secure the top tightly to prevent the medication from spilling out. Don't forget to plug the air compressor into an electrical outlet if it is not battery operated. Medications that can be put in the nebulizer include inhaled beta-agonist and anticholinergics, inhaled glucocorticoids, and inhaled antibiotics. Other inhaled medications are available for the treatment of non-respiratory diseases. Not all drugs can be aerosolized. The jet, or pneumatic, nebulizer is the most common type. Newer nebulizers are designed to deliver the entire mediation during inhalation. Nebulizer performance can be affected by the nebulizer method, mechanism of aerosol formation, and drug formation. If you need instructions about how to use your nebulizer, talk to your doctor or respiratory therapist. Attach the mouthpiece. Secure it to the nebulizer cup. Although different manufactures may have slightly different jet nebulizers, most mouthpieces will attach to the top of the nebulizer cup. Most nebulizers have mouth pieces instead of face masks, since masks can lead to facial deposits. Connect the tubing. Attach one end of the oxygen tubing to the nebulizer cup. On most types of nebulizers, the tubing will connect on the bottom of the cup. Connect the other end of the tubing to an air compressor used for nebulizers. Turn on the air compressor and use the nebulizer. Put the mouthpiece into your mouth, above the tongue, and keep your lips sealed tightly around it. Inhale slowly and deeply in through your mouth so that all the medicine goes into your lungs. Exhale either through your mouth or nose. For adults, holding the nose closed can help ensure the medicine is inhaled through the mouth. Consider using an aerosol mask as an alternative to a mouthpiece for young children or people that are too ill to hold the mouthpiece. Aerosol masks attach to the top of the nebulizer cup. The mask comes in pediatric and adult sizes. Continue to inhale the medication. Sit up and keep inhaling the medication until the mist stops. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Once all liquid is gone, the mist stops coming out. The nebulizer cup should be empty. Distract yourself by watching TV or listening to music. Set up an activity to occupy young children during the nebulizer treatment. Puzzles, books or coloring may help the child sit still for the length of the treatment. Ideally, hold the child in your lap since the child should be sitting straight up to receive the optimal dosage of medication. Turn off the nebulizer and clean up. Be sure to unplug it from the outlet and detach the medicine cup and mouthpiece from the tubing. Wash the medicine cup and mouthpiece with warm soapy water and rinse them with water. Place the equipment on a clean towel to fully air dry. Make sure to do this after each treatment and daily. Don't wash the tubing. If it gets wet, replace the tubing. Also, don't put any parts of the nebulizer into a dishwasher to clean it because the heat can warp the plastic. Disinfect the nebulizer once a week. To disinfect, always follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Soak all parts, except for the tubing, in one part white distilled vinegar to three parts hot water for one hour. Discard the solution. Rinse the parts, except for the tubing, in cold water and air dry them on a clean towel. After the parts are dry, store them in a clean area in the case. For cleanliness, if more than one person is needs a nebulizer, do not share equipment even if it is washed. Each person should use his or her own nebulizer.
Wash your hands. Place the medication into the nebulizer. Attach the mouthpiece. Connect the tubing. Turn on the air compressor and use the nebulizer. Continue to inhale the medication. Turn off the nebulizer and clean up. Disinfect the nebulizer once a week.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wedding-Veil
How to Make a Wedding Veil
To make a wedding veil, start by having a helper measure down from the top of your head to where you want the veil to end. Next, purchase tulle that is around 55 inches wide for a shorter veil, 72 inches wide for a mid-length veil, or 108 inches wide for a long veil. Then, sew across the top of the fabric, gather your stitching until the area is the same width as a hair comb, and tie the thread off. Finally, sew the tulle to your hair comb, and decorate the comb if you like.
Decide how long you want the veil to be. Have a friend or helper measure down from the top of your head down to where you want the veil to end. A typical veil would come down to your fingertips, but other popular lengths include shoulder, elbow, floor, chapel, and cathedral. Purchase the tulle. Look for something that is around 72 inches (182.88 centimeters) wide. If you are making a shorter veil (ie: shoulder length), consider getting something that is around 55 inches (139.7 centimeters) wide. If you are making a really long veil (ie: floor or chapel), consider getting 108-inch (274.32-centimeter) wide tulle instead. This way, it will be more proportionate. Cut the bottom of your veil into a rounded rectangle, if desired. You can leave your veil rectangular, but a rounded bottom will give you a nicer shape. Lay your tulle out with the bottom edge facing you. Fold the tulle in half, then cut the bottom (loose) corners off so that they are rounded. Your veil may look a lot wider than it is long at this point, but that is alright. Consider adding some trim to the rounded edge. You don't really have to do this, but since it is your special day, why not go full-out and make yourself feel like a princess? You can hand-sew a beaded trim for something more delicate. You can also sew some narrow, white, satin ribbon instead. If you are sewing ribbon onto the edge, sew it an inch or two (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) away from the edge first, then trim off the excess tulle. Sew across the top, straight edge. You can do it by hand using a running stitch or on a sewing machine using a straight stitch. If you choose to do it on a machine, sew two rows, about ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) apart. For a full veil, sew all the way across the top, straight edge. For a less-full veil, sew across the center part, leaving a gap on either side. Gather your stitching, then tie the thread off. Gently tug on the end of your stitching until the tulle gathers. Keep pulling until the gathered area is the same width as your comb, about 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 centimeters). Tie the thread off into a secure knot, then cut off the excess. If you used a sewing machine, pull on the bobbin threads. Sew the tulle to a hair comb. Match up the top edge of the veil with the top edge of the comb. Sew the veil to the comb, wrapping the thread around the comb and between the teeth. Tie the thread off in a tight knot, then snip off the excess. Some people like to wrap ribbon or extra around the comb first. Decorate the comb, if desired. Use a needle and thread, sew on some pearls, silk flowers, beads, or rhinestones onto the comb. Be sure to choose something that matches your dress. If you must glue something on, use fabric glue. Hot glue tends to get messy, and it can melt on a hot day. Decide how long you want the veil to be. A typical veil would come down to your fingertips, but perhaps you'd prefer a floor-length veil instead. Get a helper, and have him or her measure down from the top of your head down to where you want the veil to end. Purchase the tulle. You need to buy twice as much tulle as what you measured. This will give you enough fabric to create a second tier. Look for something that is between 72 and 108 inches (182.88 and 274.32 centimeters) wide. The wider the tulle, the fuller your veil will be. Fold the tulle into fourths. When you purchase your tulle, it will come folded in half lengthwise. Spread the tulle down on the table or floor, with the original folded edge facing you. Grab the right narrow edge, and bring it towards the left narrow edge. Smooth the fabric down and make sure that everything is even. If the tulle is too long, you can cut it down at this point. Round the top-left edge of the rectangle. Place something large and round, such as a serving platter, on the top-left corner of your fabric (the corner without any folds). Trace an arc using a marker, then cut it out. Make sure that the arc is going towards the bottom-right corner (the one with all the folds). This way, when you unfold the fabric, you'll get a rounded rectangle. Unfold the tulle, then fold it in half partway. Unfold the tulle first so that you have a rounded rectangle. Bring one of the narrow edges towards the other end. This is your second tier, so how far you fold it is up to you. You can fold it all the way over to the other edge, or leave a small gap. Double-check the length again. If the veil is too long, cut it shorter, and adjust the layers as needed. Your veil may look much wider than it is long at this point. Don't worry, this is how it's supposed to be! The next few steps will fix this. Sew across the folded, straight edge. You can sew it by hand using a running stitch, or you can sew it on a machine using a straight stitch. If you choose to sew it on a machine, sew two rows, about ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) apart. Do not knot off the end of the thread just yet. For a full veil, sew all the way across the edge. For a less-full veil, sew across the center part, leaving a gap to either side. Gather your stitching, then tie the thread off. Gently tug on the end of your stitch until the tulle gathers. Keep tugging until the gathered area is the same width as your hair comb, about 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 centimeters) wide. Tie the end of the thread off into a secure knot, then snip off the excess. If you used a sewing machine, tug on the bobbin threads. Sew the tulle to a hair comb. Align the top edge of the veil with the top edge of the comb. Sew the tulle to the comb, looping the thread around the comb and between the prongs. Tie the thread off in a tight knot when you are done, then snip off the excess. Some people like to wrap ribbon around the comb first. Decorate the comb, if desired. You can always tuck the comb behind a tiara on your special day, or you can decorate the comb itself. Using a needle and thread, sew on some pearls, beads, or rhinestones that match your wedding dress. Consider adding a ribbon trim to the bottom edge of your veil. Choose some thin, satin ribbon, and pin it to the bottom tier, 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) away from the edge. Sew the ribbon on using the straight stitch on your sewing machine, then trim the excess tulle away. Repeat this step for the other tier. Alternatively, you can hand-sew a beaded trim instead. Buy some veil or millinery netting. Millinery netting is different from regular tulle in that is it stiffer with bigger, diamond-shaped openings. Popular choices include Russian and French netting. Synthetic netting will be stiffer and give you more structure. Silk netting will be softer. Choose whichever suits you best. A birdcage veil is different from the traditional, long, fluffy wedding veil. It is made from stiffer lace that goes across your face, like a birdcage. is great for vintage-themed weddings. Cut the netting down to size. For a standard veil, cut the netting down to 9 inches (22.86 centimeters) high and 16 to 18 inches (40.64 to 45.72 centimeters) wide. If you want the veil to completely wrap around your head, measure the circumference of your head, add a couple of inches, and use that measurement for the width instead. You can always cut your veil longer than 9 inches (22.86 centimeters), especially if you want it to go past your chin. Try to cut straight across the connecting "dots" between the diamonds. This will give you a cleaner, neater finish. Fold the netting in half, widthwise. Lay the netting down with one of the long edges facing you. Fold the right narrow edge towards the left narrow edge, then smooth the netting flat. Cut the top-left corner off at an angle. When you unfold the veil, you want to end up with a trapezoid shape. How much you cut off depends how you want the veil to fall across your face. Plan on cutting off about 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) at the corner, however. Again, try to cut through the connecting dots between the diamonds. Unfold your netting, then sew across the top and angled edges. Start sewing at the bottom of the left angle, across the top straight edge, and down towards the bottom of the right angle. You will need to do this by hand, not on a sewing machine. Use clear thread or a thread color that matches your netting. Sew through the last row of diamonds. This way, you won't get a scrunchy hem. Gather the netting, then tie the thread off. Gently tug on the thread until the gathered edge matches the length of your comb. In most cases, this will be about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters). Tie the thread off and snip off the excess. Adjust the gathers so that they fall between the knots at each end of your sewing. This will give you a neater finish. Wrap some ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) ribbon around the top part of your comb. Choose a ribbon color that matches your netting color. Wrap it between the teeth and over the top of the comb in a spiral, from one side to the next. Secure both ends of the ribbon with hot glue (on the underside), stitching, or small knots. You can also use a ribbon color that contrasts your netting color. A black-and-white combo is both elegant and classic. Stitch the veil to the comb. Place the top, gathered edge of your veil across the top edge of your comb. You want the gathers pointing towards the teeth, and the rest of the veil pointing away from the comb. This way, the veil drapes across your face like a birdcage (hence the name). Stitch the veil directly to the ribbon. Use clear thread or a thread color that matches the netting. Embellish the comb, if desired. You can leave the comb as is, and choose to cover it with a chic, vintage hat. You can also embellish it with rhinestones, peals, feathers, or beads that match your beading dress. Sew the embellishments on, then snip away any excess thread.
Decide how long you want the veil to be. Purchase the tulle. Cut the bottom of your veil into a rounded rectangle, if desired. Consider adding some trim to the rounded edge. Sew across the top, straight edge. Gather your stitching, then tie the thread off. Sew the tulle to a hair comb. Decorate the comb, if desired. Decide how long you want the veil to be. Purchase the tulle. Fold the tulle into fourths. Round the top-left edge of the rectangle. Unfold the tulle, then fold it in half partway. Sew across the folded, straight edge. Gather your stitching, then tie the thread off. Sew the tulle to a hair comb. Decorate the comb, if desired. Consider adding a ribbon trim to the bottom edge of your veil. Buy some veil or millinery netting. Cut the netting down to size. Fold the netting in half, widthwise. Cut the top-left corner off at an angle. Unfold your netting, then sew across the top and angled edges. Gather the netting, then tie the thread off. Wrap some ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) ribbon around the top part of your comb. Stitch the veil to the comb. Embellish the comb, if desired.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Refrigerator-Magnets
How to Make Refrigerator Magnets
To make refrigerator magnets using found objects, start by selecting a small, lightweight object that is flat on one side and swipe the flat side with rubbing alcohol to clean it. Next, find a magnet that fits your object or cut a rectangle of thin, magnetic sheet down to size. Then, place a swirl of hot glue or industrial glue on top of the magnet until the surface is coated and press the back of the object down into the glue. Finally, let the glue dry completely before trying out your new magnet!
Find a small, lightweight object that is flat on one side. You can turn almost anything you want into a magnet. Look for something that is between 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) wide/tall and not too heavy. Make sure that the bottom or back of the object is flat. Here are some ideas to get you started: Legos Small stones Seashells and starfish Large rhinestones Small, plastic animals Colorful buttons Brooches Scrapbooking embellishments (plastic flowers, cabochons, etc) Find a magnet that fits your object. You should not be able to see the magnet from behind your object. You can use a round button magnet. You can also cut a rectangle out of a thin, magnetic sheet. Keep in mind that the flat, sheet magnets tend to be weaker than the thicker, button magnets. It is best to save those weaker magnets for light objects. If your object is large, consider gluing two small button magnets to the back: one at the top, and one at the bottom. Consider cleaning the back of your object with rubbing alcohol. If your object is very dirty, the glue may not stick to it. Simply soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, and wipe the back of the object with it. Place a swirl of glue on top of the magnet. The entire top surface of the magnet should be coated with glue. You can use hot glue or an industrial strength glue. Hot glue will be suitable for items made out of wood, foam, paper, and lightweight plastic. An industrial strength glue will be best for heavier objects, and anything made from plastic, metal, or glass. Even if the magnet has a sticky back, it might be a good idea to use some glue. The adhesives on these types of magnets usually are not very strong or long-lasting. Press the back of the object down into the glue. Press it down firmly enough so that the item sticks to the glue, but not so firmly that the glue gushes out all over the place. Let the glue dry before using your magnet. This can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to several hours. For example, hot glue will set within minutes, but an industrial strength glue may require up to a day in order to cure properly. If you are using an industrial strength glue, double-check the label to see how much time you need for it to dry and cure. Gather your supplies. These magnets are made of flat-backed glass marbles, like the type you might put in a vase. The magnets are small, but colorful. Here's a list of what you will need to make such a magnet: Clear, glass gem/vase filler Backing (photo, colored paper, fabric, etc) Glossy Mod Podge Paintbrush or foam brush Round magnet Hot glue or industrial strength glue Find a clear, glass gem. They are usually flat on one side, and slightly domed on the other. You can find them in the vase filler or floral section of an arts and crafts store. Look for something that is at least 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) in diameter. This will allow you to see more of your design. You might also see them labeled as vase fillers, cabochons, marbles, and glass stones. Wipe the back of your glass gem clean with rubbing alcohol. Soak a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol and wipe the flat side of the gem. This will get rid of any dirt or oils that might prevent the glue from sticking. Choose your backing. You can use almost anything you want as your backing, such as colored paper or a photo. You can even use nail polish. If you want to use a letter or an image, place your glass gem over it. You will be able to see how much of your letter or image will show through the gem. Here are some ideas of what you can use: Photos Pages from old books Old maps Scrapbook paper or wrapping paper Newspaper or magazine pages Patterned fabric Nail polish Use the gem to trace a circle onto your backing. You can use a large hole punch to cut out a perfect circle, if you can find one that is the same size as your gem. Most glass gems, however, won't be perfectly round, so it might be better to trace them. Cut the backing out. Most glass gems are beveled on the bottom, so you might want to cut just inside the line that you drew. Spread a thin layer of glossy Mod Podge on the back of the glass gem. Apply it using a paintbrush or a foam brush. Make sure that it is even, and that the entire back of the gem is covered. You can also use another clear-drying liquid glue. If you are using nail polish, you don't need to apply any Mod Podge. Simply brush on a few coats of nail polish onto the back of your stone. Press the backing face down into the glue. Smooth it out using your fingers, starting from the center and working outward This will get rid of any air bubbles and wrinkles. Apply another coat of Mod Podge to the back of your gem. Make sure that you go a little bit over the edges of your backing. This will seal it to your gem. If you used nail polish, consider brushing on a top coat onto the back to seal it. Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely. A good indicator is when it turns clear, but it is better to let it dry overnight. This will also allow the Mod Podge to cure and make it less tacky or sticky. Glue a round magnet to the back of your gem. You can use hot glue or an industrial strength glue. Place a thin layer of glue onto the magnet, then press the magnet down into the back of the gem. Allow the glue to dry before you use your magnet. Hot glue will set within a few seconds, but industrial strength glues will need a much longer drying and curing time. If you are using an industrial strength glue, refer to the label for a specific drying and curing time. Just because something looks and feels dry does not mean that it is fully cured and ready to be used. Gather your supplies: Clothespins can make great magnets because you can use them to clip and hold things such as memos and recipes. Here's a list of what you will need to make one: Wooden clothespins Magnet (sheet is recommended) Glue Decorations, such as paint, washi tape, etc Buy some wooden clothespins. They must be the type that have a spring in them. The solid wood ones that don't open and close won't be suitable for this. Decorate your clothespin. This is where you can get really creative. However you decide to decorate it, make sure that you leave the back blank, or you won't be able to glue the magnet on. Also, make sure that you can still open and close the clothespin. Here are some decorating ideas: Cover the top and sides of your clothespin with washi tape. Washi tape is a type of patterned scrapbooking tape. You can find it in the scrapbooking section of an arts and crafts store. Paint your clothespin using a small paintbrush and acrylic paint. You can paint it all one color, or many colors. Simple designs, such as stripes, will work best on the clothespin. Glue a thin, flat wooden shape, such as a cat or dog, to the top of the clothespin. The wooden shape should be about the same length as the clothespin. You can find the wooden shapes in the wood section of an arts and crafts store. Glue down some buttons down the center of your clothespin. Play around with different shapes, colors, and patterns, just make sure that the buttons are the same width as the clothespin. Allow the clothespin to dry, if necessary. Depending on how you decorated it, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Some decorations, such as washi tape, don't require any drying time. Cut your magnet down to fit your clothespin. Cut a strip of magnetic sheeting down to fit the back of your clothes pin. If you are using round, button magnets, plan on using two magnets per clothespin. Glue the magnet to the back of your clothespin. You can use an industrial strength glue or hot glue. Draw a line of glue down the back of the clothespin and press the magnet down into the glue. If you are using round button magnets, place a drop of glue on the top and bottom of the clothespin back. Press the round button magnets into the glue. Allow the glue to dry before you use your magnet. Once the glue dries, you can use the clothespin to hold recipes and memos to the door of your fridge. Gather your supplies. You can make beautiful magnets out of clay and rubber stamps. Paper clay dries white, making it the perfect surface to paint on. It also dries lightweight, so it won't slide down the door of the fridge. Here's a list of what you will need: Air dry paper clay Rolling pin Cookie cutters or craft knife Rubber stamps Ink pad (optional) Clear acrylic sealer Round button magnet Hot glue or industrial strength glue Roll out some air dry paper clay until it is about 5 mm thick. You don't want to make it too thin or too thick, or it may crack while it dries. Paper clay is great, because it dries very lightweight. Use a rubber stamp to imprint some designs into the clay. You will be punching out shapes later. This is to give the shapes some texture and design. You can use ornate designs, such as damask and scrolls. You can also use pictures or symbols, such as a cat, dog, heart, or star. If you want your design to be colored, then press your rubber stamp into a colored ink pad first. The color will transfer to the clay, along with your design. You can also use ornate buttons or brooches to stamp designs. Use a cookie cutter or a craft knife to cut shapes into your clay. You can make any shape you want, but simpler shapes (such as circles and squares) might show off your design better. Let the clay dry. Depending on how dry or humid it is, this can take several hours or overnight. Use a fine-grit sandpaper to buff away any ragged edges. If the cookie cutters didn't cut clean, you can smooth the edges down with some sandpaper. Consider painting your piece. You can paint it using some watercolor paints or acrylic paints. Watercolor paints will give you a sheer finish, and acrylic paints will give you a more opaque finish. Allow the paint to dry before moving on. Seal the front and back of your clay piece. The clay will dry matte, but if you use a glossy sealer, you will get a glazed look. Seal the front first and let it dry before sealing the back. This will help your piece last longer. It will also prevent the magnet from peeling off. You can spray it with a clear acrylic spray sealer. You can also apply some Mod Podge over it instead using a paintbrush or a foam brush. Glue a round magnet to the back of your clay piece. You can use hot glue or an industrial strength glue. Allow the glue to dry before you use your magnet. Hot glue sets quickly, but industrial strength glues require several hours to dry and cure. Refer to the label on your glue as each brand is a little different.
Find a small, lightweight object that is flat on one side. Find a magnet that fits your object. Consider cleaning the back of your object with rubbing alcohol. Place a swirl of glue on top of the magnet. Press the back of the object down into the glue. Let the glue dry before using your magnet. Gather your supplies. Find a clear, glass gem. Wipe the back of your glass gem clean with rubbing alcohol. Choose your backing. Use the gem to trace a circle onto your backing. Cut the backing out. Spread a thin layer of glossy Mod Podge on the back of the glass gem. Press the backing face down into the glue. Apply another coat of Mod Podge to the back of your gem. Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely. Glue a round magnet to the back of your gem. Allow the glue to dry before you use your magnet. Gather your supplies: Buy some wooden clothespins. Decorate your clothespin. Allow the clothespin to dry, if necessary. Cut your magnet down to fit your clothespin. Glue the magnet to the back of your clothespin. Allow the glue to dry before you use your magnet. Gather your supplies. Roll out some air dry paper clay until it is about 5 mm thick. Use a rubber stamp to imprint some designs into the clay. Use a cookie cutter or a craft knife to cut shapes into your clay. Let the clay dry. Use a fine-grit sandpaper to buff away any ragged edges. Consider painting your piece. Seal the front and back of your clay piece. Glue a round magnet to the back of your clay piece. Allow the glue to dry before you use your magnet.
https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-in-Cooking
How to Reduce in Cooking
To reduce in cooking, start by boiling your liquid in an uncovered pan and reducing the heat to a simmer. As it simmers, monitor the liquid closely until it reaches the consistency you desire. If you're having trouble getting your liquid to reduce, sprinkle in a few spoonfuls of a thickener, like cornstarch or flour. However, make sure to place your thickener in a sieve and sprinkle it in gradually to avoid chunks of cornstarch or flour in your reduction. After the reduction is finished, add 1-2 tablespoons of butter to thicken it and give it a pleasing appearance.
Select the ingredients you wish to reduce. Some reductions require only one ingredient. Nape, for instance, is a reduction of red wine. Other reductions like gravy will require multiple ingredients such as salt, spices, flour, and milk or water. There's no one right way to decide what ingredients you want to reduce. You can reduce any liquid you want in cooking. If you're unsure of what you want to reduce, just wait until you encounter a recipe that requires a reduction and follow the directions. Anything with a high moisture content can be reduced, including soups, alcohol, and dairy beverages. Discard excess liquid before beginning. If you want 2 cups (473 milliliters) of sauce, there's no need to start with 2 litres (0.53 US gal) of liquid. Generally, you can start your reduction with about 1.5 to 2 times your desired volume of liquid. For instance, if you want 2 cups (473 milliliters) of a particular sauce, start your reduction with 3 or 4 cups (709 to 946 milliliters) of liquid. The precise amount of liquid you'll need to reduce in order to achieve a sauce with the consistency you wish depends on the contents of the liquid you reduce, as well as the conditions under which you reduce it. Boil your liquid, then reduce heat to a simmer. If you continue to boil your ingredients, it might burn or stick to the sides of the pan. Excess heat might also cause the sauce to reduce too quickly or leave it with a bitter taste. Don’t cover the pan. The purpose of a reduction is to allow excess liquid to evaporate. If you cover the pan, evaporation becomes impossible. Place the lid to the side of the pan so that you'll be prepared to cover the reduction when it reaches your desired consistency. Monitor your reduction closely if it requires a small amount of liquid to start. Some reductions take a long time and won't need a lot of attention while they bubble away. Others, however, reduce quite quickly. If you're reducing less than 1 cup (236 milliliters) of liquid, stand by and keep an eye on it as it reduces. The precise amount of time necessary to achieve a reduction with your desired consistency depends on the type of liquid you're reducing, the volume of liquid you begin with, and the conditions under which you cook it. Most reductions require 15-30 minutes. If you're working from a recipe, the recipe should provide estimates for how much time the reduction requires. Use the starting level of your reduction to track how much it has reduced. As your reduction evaporates, it will leave behind a residue line that marks how much liquid was in the pan before you began reducing it. To easily figure out how much the liquid has reduced, subtract the current elevation of the liquid from the level it was at when you began the reduction. If your recipe tells you to reduce by 1/4, for instance, reduce the liquid until the final volume of your sauce or cooking liquid is at 3/4 the depth it was when you began. If you wish to track your reduction more accurate, pour it into a large measuring cup periodically to determine how much it has reduced, then return it to the pan if you wish to continue reducing it. Remove meat from your reduction. Meat chunks and slices will prevent a high-quality reduction. If you're working with a braise, remove meat pieces to another pan or a plate when they're done cooking, then add them back into your reduction when it has reached the consistency you desire. Use the widest possible pan. A larger surface area will allow your sauce to reduce more quickly. A wide sauté pan or a Dutch oven are your best options. You can reduce using a small sauce pot, too, but it will take longer. Divide your reduction to complete the process more quickly. If you're short on time (or just really hungry), place half of your sauce into a second pan and cook both pans simultaneously. Cook both pans under identical heat settings. This will reduce the amount of sauce per pan you'll have to reduce. Combine both pans when they reach the desired consistency. Add a tablespoon or two of butter after the reduction is done. Butter will thicken the reduction and give it a pleasing appearance. Do not add the butter until the reduction is finished, since adding the butter too soon can cause the reduction to separate. Reduce alcohol separately. If you're making a sauce, braise, or other reduction that requires alcohol, always reduce the alcohol separately, then combine it with the other ingredients later. If you don't, you'll end up with a more boozy flavor than you would otherwise. Reducing wine will cut down on its overall acidity. Simmer canned tomatoes from the start to concentrate flavor. Canned tomatoes have already been processed with heat, so if you're trying to reduce a sauce with canned tomatoes, there's no need to bring them to a boil beforehand. If you're using fresh tomatoes, on the other hand, heat them rapidly at the start of the reduction, then reduce heat to a simmer to bring out the best flavor. Strain out solids if you want a smoother reduction. Some people like their reductions chunky, with bits of tomato or other vegetable solids in them. If you prefer a reduction without these bits, however, pour the reduction through a strainer after it reaches your desired consistency. Use a thickener if you’re having trouble getting your sauce to reduce. Sprinkling some potato starch, cornstarch, arrow root, or even flour can help your reduction become thicker. Place a few spoonfuls of your thickener in a sieve and sprinkle it in a light layer over your reduction. Mix it in using a mixing spoon and add more if necessary. Don't add too much thickener at once or your reduction will end up with chunky bits of flour or starch in it.
Select the ingredients you wish to reduce. Discard excess liquid before beginning. Boil your liquid, then reduce heat to a simmer. Don’t cover the pan. Monitor your reduction closely if it requires a small amount of liquid to start. Use the starting level of your reduction to track how much it has reduced. Remove meat from your reduction. Use the widest possible pan. Divide your reduction to complete the process more quickly. Add a tablespoon or two of butter after the reduction is done. Reduce alcohol separately. Simmer canned tomatoes from the start to concentrate flavor. Strain out solids if you want a smoother reduction. Use a thickener if you’re having trouble getting your sauce to reduce.
https://www.wikihow.com/Pickle-Carrots
How to Pickle Carrots
If you want to make pickled carrots, fill a pot 3/4 full with water and add a few pinches of salt. Then, cook 1 pound of carrot sticks for 1 minute before draining them. To make the brine, add water, cider vinegar, sugar, 2 crushed garlic cloves, sea salt, and 1 bay leaf to a pot. Once it boils, let it simmer for 2 minutes. Turn the heat off, add the carrots to the brine, and leave them to sit until the liquid cools. Refrigerate the carrots in a jar for at least a day.
Trim the carrots into sticks. Use a vegetable peeler to peel 1 pound (450 g) of carrots. Cut each carrot in half lengthwise and lay them flat on your cutting board. Cut each piece in half to create shorter sticks that will fit in your jar. Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Fill a medium pot three-quarters full of water. Add a few pinches of salt and turn the burner to high. The water should begin to bubble vigorously. Avoid using a copper or cast iron pot because the metal reacts with the food. Boil the carrot sticks for 1 minute. Carefully lower the trimmed carrots into the boiling water and cook them for 1 minute. The carrots should soften just a little. Drain and rinse the carrots under cold water. Set a colander in the sink and drain the carrots into it. Run cold water over the carrots for at least 30 seconds. The cold water will stop the carrots from cooking and ensure that they stay bright orange. Bring the water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, bay leaf, and fennel to a boil. Measure these brine ingredients into the same pot on the stove. Turn the heat to high and bring the brine to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the brine for 2 minutes. Once the liquid boils, turn the burner down to medium so the brine bubbles gently. Simmer the brine for 2 minutes so the salt and sugar dissolve. Turn off the heat and add the carrot sticks. Transfer the drained carrot sticks from the colander to the pot with the brine. Stir the carrots and let them sit in the hot brine until the mixture cools to room temperature. Transfer the pickled carrots to a jar. Get out a clean pint (500 ml) jar and spoon the pickled carrots and brine into it. Cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate the pickled carrots for at least 1 day. Put the jar in the refrigerator to chill before you serve the pickled carrots. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Slice the carrots and onion into 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) slices. Use a sharp knife to cut 2 pounds (910 g) of carrots into diagonal slices that are ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) thick. You'll also need to peel 1/2 of a medium white onion and cut it into ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) thick slices as well. Trim and slice 2 large jalapeños. Take a paring knife and trim the stems off of the jalapeños. Cut the peppers into thin slices that are ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) thick. Set the peppers aside. Combine the garlic, vinegar, water, bay leaves, peppercorns, oregano, and salt. Place 5 diced cloves of garlic into a large stock pot. Pour in 1 ⁄ 2 cups (350 ml) of white vinegar and 1 ⁄ 2 cups (350 ml) of water. Stir in: 6 bay leaves 10 peppercorns 2 teaspoons (4 g) of dried Mexican oregano 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of kosher salt Heat the brine over high heat and add the vegetables. Turn the burner to high so the brine begins to boil. Stir in the sliced carrots, onion, and jalapeños. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes. Turn the burner to medium-low, so the brine bubbles gently. Cook the pickled vegetables with the lid off of the pot. Cool the Mexican pickled carrots and transfer them to jars. Turn off the burner and let the vegetables come to room temperature. Scoop them into 3 clean pint (500 ml) jars. Pour brine in each jar so the pickled carrots are submerged. Tighten lids on each of the jars. Refrigerate the pickled carrots for at least 3 hours. Chilling the pickled carrots will let them absorb flavor from the brine. You can store the pickled carrots in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Cut the daikon and carrots into matchsticks or coins. Take ⁄ 2 pound (230 g) of peeled daikon and ⁄ 2 pound (230 g) of peeled carrots and cut them into matchstick pieces or coins. If you want to cut them into coins, they should be 1/4-inch (6mm) thick. If you prefer, you can substitute more carrots for the daikon. Whisk the vinegar, salt, sugar, and water. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water into a large bowl. Whisk in 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of kosher or sea salt, 1 cup (240 ml) of unseasoned rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (33 g) of sugar. Keep whisking until the sugar and salt dissolve. Stir in the vegetables and let them sit for 1 hour. Add the carrots and daikon to the bowl with the brine and stir them so they're coated. Let the carrots and daikon sit and marinate for at least 1 hour before you serve them. Refrigerate the leftover Vietnamese pickled carrots in an airtight jar for up to 5 days. Bring the water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pickling spice to a boil. Pour these brine ingredients into a large pot and turn the burner to high so the brine comes to a boil. Add the baby carrots and cook them for 4 to 5 minutes. Stir 4 cups (490 g) of baby carrots into the boiling brine and boil them until they're slightly softened. Turn off the burner. Rinse the carrots under cold water for 1 minute. Set a colander in the sink and use a slotted spoon to remove the carrots from the brine. Transfer the carrots to the colander and run cold water over them so they stop cooking. Pack the carrots and brine in jars. Get out 2 clean pint (500 ml) jars and divide the carrots between them. Position the carrots so they're standing upright. This will allow you to fit more carrots into the jars. Pour enough brine in each jar to leave ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) of space at the top. Put the lids on the jars and bring the carrots to room temperature. Screw the lids on the jars and let the sweet pickled carrots sit for about 1 hour. The jars should be room temperature when they're ready to refrigerate. Refrigerate the sweet pickled carrots for at least 1 day. The carrots will absorb the flavor of the brine as they chill. You can refrigerate the sweet pickled carrots for up to 4 weeks.
Trim the carrots into sticks. Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Boil the carrot sticks for 1 minute. Drain and rinse the carrots under cold water. Bring the water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, bay leaf, and fennel to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the brine for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the carrot sticks. Transfer the pickled carrots to a jar. Refrigerate the pickled carrots for at least 1 day. Slice the carrots and onion into 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) slices. Trim and slice 2 large jalapeños. Combine the garlic, vinegar, water, bay leaves, peppercorns, oregano, and salt. Heat the brine over high heat and add the vegetables. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes. Cool the Mexican pickled carrots and transfer them to jars. Refrigerate the pickled carrots for at least 3 hours. Cut the daikon and carrots into matchsticks or coins. Whisk the vinegar, salt, sugar, and water. Stir in the vegetables and let them sit for 1 hour. Bring the water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pickling spice to a boil. Add the baby carrots and cook them for 4 to 5 minutes. Rinse the carrots under cold water for 1 minute. Pack the carrots and brine in jars. Put the lids on the jars and bring the carrots to room temperature. Refrigerate the sweet pickled carrots for at least 1 day.
https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Be-Girly-Without-Losing-the-Tomboy-in-You
How to Be Girly Without Losing the Tomboy in You
There are plenty of easy ways to be girly without losing the tomboy in you. Try adding a small girly element to your outfits. For instance, if you dress like a tomboy already, try adding girly accessories, like a gold ring, earrings, or cat-eye sunglasses. You could also wear an oversized T-shirt as a dress for a simple and tomboyish outfit that's still feminine. Or, add sneakers to a dresser outfit to keep it tomboyish. No matter what you wear, you should stay true to your favorite tomboy activities! Even if you dress more feminine, you can still play soccer with the guys or binge Call of Duty. If you want to try girlier activities, ask a friend to take you shopping or to paint your nails. Experimenting with different outfits and activities is a perfectly fine way to figure out what makes you most comfortable!
Add girly colors to your look. Even if you like to wear tomboy classics like baggy T-shirts and sweatpants, you can bring a girly element to your look by picking items with bright, pastel colors. Try a basic T shirt with bright pink sleeves, or a pastel button-down shirt. Choose bright colored sweatpants or patterned sneakers. Choose button-down shirts with feminine detailing. A button-down shirt is a tomboy staple, but by choosing button-downs with lace, embroidery, and cute buttons, you can make your look a little more feminine. Tuck your button-down into your bottoms for a more fitted, girly look. Try wearing an oversized T-shirt as a dress. Buy an extra large men's T-shirt, and wear it as a dress. It's simple and tomboyish, but the dress element makes it a little girly, too. If you want more shape, pair a skinny belt with your T-shirt dress. Pair tomboy shoes with a girly outfit. Pairing converse or loafers with a girly dress or skirt can bring an instant tomboy vibe to an otherwise girly outfit. Sneakers look great with a simple dress. Pair loafers with a skater skirt for a tomboy-meets-girly look. Add girly accessories to your usual tomboy ensembles. A few girly accessories can make a tomboy outfit a little more feminine. Add colorful headbands, statement jewelry pieces, or purses. Gold rings and earrings give your outfit an instant girly touch. Try a pair of cat-eye sunglasses, or go for sunglasses with colorful frames. Substitute a skirt for pants. If your usual tomboy outfit consists of a flannel and baggy jeans, swap the jeans for a simple black skirt. Your look will be girlier, but still have some of that tomboy edge. Skater-style skirts are a great option. They're simple and loose, and come in tons of colors and patterns. Try pairing a skirt with a simple button-down. Go for a messy updo with a few girly accessories. If you're a tomboy, you might be used to wearing a ponytail or a bun. Luckily, these hairstyles can be girly with a little tweaking! Just add a bow or cute hairclip. Pull out a few strands to frame your face, too. Put on a cute headband or a colorful hair tie. Try a light make-up look. If you want to be girlier, try out some natural makeup. A dab of blush or a few swipes of mascara can help you create a more feminine look. To keep your tomboy identity intact, you'll probably want to keep it light. A tinted chapstick is a more tomboyish alternative to lipstick or lipgloss. A little bit of brown mascara and a shimmery eye shadow can make your eyes pop. Look on YouTube for tons of natural makeup tutorials. Stay true to the tomboy activities you enjoy. You may love playing soccer with the boys at recess, or beating your brothers in Call of Duty. Being girly doesn't mean you need to give up all of the activities you love. In fact, in order to keep your inner tomboy alive, you need to make sure you still participate in all of your favorite tomboy activities. Make friends with girls and guys. If you're a tomboy, you may have tons of guy friends. However, if you want to bring out your girly side, making friends with girly girls can help. Don't worry, you don't have to ditch your guy friends--you can be friends with both! Look for potential friends in your classes and clubs. The more often you see them, the easier it'll be to form a friendship. Look for girly girls who share some of your interests. If you're interested in animals, find girls who like animals, too! You can bond over your love for puppies or pandas. Try out some girly activities. While you should stay true to your beloved tomboy activities, try some girly ones, too. Ask your girlfriends to take you shopping or help you paint your nails. You may find that you enjoy these girly pastimes just as much as your tomboy ones. Invite some of your girlfriends over for an at-home spa day, or have a rom-com movie marathon. Share your tomboy hobbies with your girlfriends. Do you love to play baseball or go fishing? Invite your girly friends to do these activities with you. It'll help you channel your inner tomboy, plus your friends will get to know you better. Who knows? Maybe they'll discover they have inner tomboys, too!
Add girly colors to your look. Choose button-down shirts with feminine detailing. Try wearing an oversized T-shirt as a dress. Pair tomboy shoes with a girly outfit. Add girly accessories to your usual tomboy ensembles. Substitute a skirt for pants. Go for a messy updo with a few girly accessories. Try a light make-up look. Stay true to the tomboy activities you enjoy. Make friends with girls and guys. Try out some girly activities. Share your tomboy hobbies with your girlfriends.
https://www.wikihow.life/Remove-Ink-Stains-from-Jeans
How to Remove Ink Stains from Jeans
Before removing an ink stain from jeans, place a clean towel under the stain so it doesn't transfer to the rest of the fabric. Then, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol or spray hairspray on the stain. Blot the stain with a cotton ball or paper towel, and keep blotting until the ink is removed. Rinse the jeans in cold water, then wash the jeans in a washing machine with cold water.
Place a clean white towel inside the jeans under the stain. Using a white towel will ensure that no additional color will be transferred to the fabric during the stain removal. The towel placed inside the jeans will prevent the ink from spreading to other areas of the jeans. Pour a small amount of 90% isopropyl alcohol or spray the hairspray directly on the stain. For small stains, the alcohol can be applied with a cotton ball or cotton swab. Be careful to pour the alcohol slowly and just on the ink so the stain doesn't bleed and spread. Blot the stain with a clean absorbent cloth or cotton ball. Each time you blot use a clean cotton ball or a new spot on the cloth as the ink will be drawn out of the jeans with the alcohol or hairspray. Rinse the jeans with cold water to remove the alcohol or hairspray after the ink is no longer visible. Be sure to use cold water as hot water may set any remaining ink and make the stain much harder to remove. Launder the jeans in cold water in a washing machine. Check to be sure that all of the ink is gone before drying the jeans because the heat from the dryer will make the stain set in. If any ink remains repeat the process of blotting with alcohol and wash the jeans again. Test the stain remover in a discreet location, such as inside the waistline, to ensure that the jeans won't lose their color. Prior to using any stain removal product on fabric it is a good idea to make sure that you won't bleach or discolor the fabric with the stain remover. The inner waistband or a rolled cuff are good places to test that aren't seen by others. Apply a commercial stain remover to the stain. Depending on the type of ink that you are removing from your jeans different stain removers may have more success. One of these stain removers should help get the ink out of your jeans : Rub on stain sticks Spray on pre-wash stain removers Oxygen bleach cleaners Give the enzymes in the stain remover time to work on the ink. Read the label directions on your stain remover and wait the designated time prior to washing the jeans according to the care instructions on the label. Mix a solution of vinegar and water using a 1:1 ratio. Make sure the water is cool and not hot. Heat will set the stain making it much more difficult to remove. Soak the stain in the vinegar solution for at least 30 minutes to fully saturate the stain. Place the portion of the jeans that contains the stain in the vinegar solution. The jeans will absorb the water and vinegar and may wick the liquid onto other surfaces. You may want to place a towel under the vinegar and water solution and under the jeans. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Mix 3 parts of baking soda with 1 part water. The paste will be thick. Rub the paste into the stain using an old toothbrush. Apply the paste gently and rub it into the stain using a circular motion. Allow the baking soda paste to sit on the stain. Gently rub the stain with a toothbrush to work the baking soda into the fabric and remove the ink. Rinse the toothbrush in a clean vinegar solution while cleaning the jeans. Rinse the jeans in cold water and check to make sure the stain is gone. If the stain remains try spot treating with commercial stain treatment and launder the jeans in a washing machine. Remove as much ink as possible using alcohol, a stain remover, or vinegar. Follow the directions listed above to get the majority of the ink out. Wash the jeans separately with detergent and cold water. It is best to wash the jeans by themselves so the ink does not transfer to any other clothing items during the wash cycle. Check to make sure the spot is gone before drying the jeans. If any ink remains, re-treat the spot with a commercial stain stick or spray on spot treatment. Only dry the jeans once the ink stain has been completely removed.
Place a clean white towel inside the jeans under the stain. Pour a small amount of 90% isopropyl alcohol or spray the hairspray directly on the stain. Blot the stain with a clean absorbent cloth or cotton ball. Rinse the jeans with cold water to remove the alcohol or hairspray after the ink is no longer visible. Launder the jeans in cold water in a washing machine. Test the stain remover in a discreet location, such as inside the waistline, to ensure that the jeans won't lose their color. Apply a commercial stain remover to the stain. Give the enzymes in the stain remover time to work on the ink. Mix a solution of vinegar and water using a 1:1 ratio. Soak the stain in the vinegar solution for at least 30 minutes to fully saturate the stain. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Rub the paste into the stain using an old toothbrush. Gently rub the stain with a toothbrush to work the baking soda into the fabric and remove the ink. Rinse the jeans in cold water and check to make sure the stain is gone. Remove as much ink as possible using alcohol, a stain remover, or vinegar. Wash the jeans separately with detergent and cold water. Check to make sure the spot is gone before drying the jeans.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Peppa-Pig-Cake
How to Make a Peppa Pig Cake
To make a Peppa Pig cake, start by baking a cake in a rectangular pan and allowing it to cool. Next, trace out a picture of Peppa Pig large enough to fit the cake, secure it to the top of the cake using toothpicks, and use a knife to cut around the stencil. Then, prepare the icing by purchasing 2 different shades of pink. Alternatively, buy white icing and food coloring so you can have a lighter pink for Peppa's skin and a darker pink for her dress. Additionally, use the icing to draw Peppa's arms, legs, tail, and facial features.
Bake the cake. Start by baking your cake. Bake the cake in a rectangular pan. You will use the rectangular cake for the base of your Peppa Pig cake. The base cake can be any flavor you want. Chocolate, yellow, and white cakes make good basic cakes that go well with icing. You can bake a cake from scratch or from a box. This is entirely up to you. Make sure to let the cake completely cool before continuing. Make a Peppa Pig stencil. To cut your cake into the shape of Peppa Pig, you need to make a stencil. Cut the paper stencil out and place it on top of the cake. This will be used to shape the cake. There are two ways you can make a stencil: If you have access to a printer, search the internet to find a Peppa Pig coloring template. There are many available that are large pictures of the character on a white background. Make sure the picture you print out is large enough to fit most of the cake. If you can't print out a stencil, take a plain sheet of paper and trace the picture of Peppa Pig from your computer screen. Or, if you can hand draw, draw the outline of Peppa as you look at the image on the computer screen. You can make a cake from any character from Peppa Pig, including George Pig and Mr. Dinosaur. Cut out the cake. Use a sharp knife to gently cut the cake around your paper stencil. Try to get the edges as close to the stencil as possible, but it doesn't have to be perfect. You will place icing around the edges. Use toothpicks to secure the stencil if it won't stay. You can cut Peppa's ears separately from the extra cake you cut away if you are having trouble cutting around the ears at the top. Prepare the icing. If you are using regular icing, either buy icing in two different pink colors, or buy white icing for food coloring. If you buy white icing, you will need to get Peppa's skin a light pink and the dress darker pink. You can also make the dress red. Strawberry icing may work really well for Peppa's skin. When using white icing, put a small amount of pink gel food coloring into the icing and mix together. Make sure you have two separate bowls for the two different pinks. For Peppa's skin, you need a light pink color. For her dress, you need a darker pink color. Spread the light pink on the head section of the cake, and then spread the darker pink on the dress. Try to get the icing as smooth as possible. Draw the limbs. Place the light pink icing in a plastic bag. Cut off the tip or use a decorating tip. Carefully draw a curly tail, two arms, and two legs on the cake plate. Make the outlines. Mix a small amount of icing that is a shade darker than Peppa's skin. Place the icing in a bag, and either cut the top off or use a drawing tip. Outline the edge of Peppa's face, ears, eyes, and nose. Make two nostrils and a circle for her cheek. Use a picture to guide you on Peppa's facial features if you need. Make the eyes and mouth. To make the eyes, fill the inside of the pink eye outlines with white icing. Then use a black icing pen to make a blob in the middle of the eyeball. For the mouth, use the same icing you did for the dress. Place it in a bag, cut off the tip or use a decorating tip, and draw a smile on Peppa's face. Prepare the fondant. If you are using fondant icing, start off by kneading the icing until it's soft. Then add a few drops of red food coloring or pink gel food coloring. Knead the icing until you have a pale pink color for the head. Then do the same thing to a section of the icing for the dress, making sure it is a darker pink. Place icing sugar on the counter or cutting board. Put the icing on there and use a rolling pin to roll the icing out into a flat disc. Carefully place the light pink icing over the head. Cut the excess off, leaving enough so it covers the sides. Then place the dark pink fondant over the dress part. Cut the excess off that edge. Make a cut along the neckline so the two icing layers match. Before you place the icing on the cake, brush a light layer of jam on the surface of the cake to keep the icing from slipping. You can also buy precolored fondant, which may be easier than coloring it yourself. Make the limbs. Use the light pink icing to make the arms, legs, and tail. Use your hands to roll out tubes of fondant icing that will be the tail, legs, and arms. Use water to attach the fondant tail, arms, and legs to the dress. Make the face outline. For the outline of Peppa's face, make a small amount of pink icing that is just a shade darker than her skin. Then, roll the icing into long, thin tubes. Use these long tubes to outline Peppa's face, ears, eyes, and nose. You also want to make two nostrils and one cheek. Make the eyes and mouth. To make the eyes, make two circles with white fondant. Place them on Peppa's face, then outline them with the eye outlines you just made. Use a black icing pen to make a blob in the middle of the eyeball. For the mouth, use the same icing you did for the dress. Roll it into a tube that you can shape into a smile. Use a picture to guide you on Peppa's facial features if you need. Finish. You can finish by adding the age of your child if this is a birthday cake, decorating the cake plate, or anything else.
Bake the cake. Make a Peppa Pig stencil. Cut out the cake. Prepare the icing. Draw the limbs. Make the outlines. Make the eyes and mouth. Prepare the fondant. Make the limbs. Make the face outline. Make the eyes and mouth. Finish.
https://www.wikihow.com/Empty-a-Diaper-Genie
How to Empty a Diaper Genie
To empty a Diaper Genie, push the button on the front of the Genie to separate the top portion from the bottom portion. Next, cut the bag in the bottom portion into 2 halves using the cutter located in the top portion of the Genie. Then, lift the full bag out of the Genie, give it a shake to consolidate the diapers, and tie the bag closed with a double knot. Discard the bag of dirty diapers and refill the Genie with a fresh bag.
Open the Genie. Make sure your Diaper Genie rests squarely on the floor. Push the button on the front of your Genie to separate the top portion of the Genie from the bottom portion (you can let the top portion rest on the ground. You won't need it for a while.) If there are any diapers remaining in the top portion of the Genie, push them down into the bottom portion of the Genie. Take care to go slowly when opening your Genie. You don't want to make a mess! Cut your bag. The diapers should at this point be consolidated in the bottom half of the Diaper Genie and contained in a bag. Grip the bag a few inches above where the diapers are stored and give the bag a little shake; this will further consolidate the diapers. In the middle of your Diaper Genie you'll find the cutter. Use this to cut the bag into two halves. Try to cut the bag approximately six inches above where the diapers are stashed. The cutter is located in the center of the top portion of the Genie. You should be able to easily spot it, as long as your Diaper Genie is open. Dispose of your bag. Lift the full bag out of the Genie and give it one more shake to consolidate the diapers. Close the bag by tying a double knot. The dirty diapers are now ready to be disposed of in any available garbage. Make sure to tie your knot extra tight. Otherwise, you run the risk of leaks and bad smells. Keep your foot on the pedal to prevent your Diaper Genie from tipping over. Refill your Diaper Genie. Take the bag that is still attached to your Diaper Genie. Tie a knot at the bottom. Pull on the bag to create some slack in the top portion of your Diaper Genie and tuck the bag into the bottom portion of your Diaper Genie. Shut the lid of your Diaper Genie. Consider putting in a small deodorizer at the bottom of the pail if you want to prevent odors. You'll know the Genie has closed successfully when you hear the top snap shut. You should pull out about 18 inches (46 cm) of bag to prepare for the next use. Check the indicator. You'll know your Diaper Genie is ready for a bag refill because the refill film will say “almost empty” and “needs replacing.” Diaper Genie refill cartridges are available for purchase online and in stores. A three-pack of Diaper Genie cartridges goes for around $15 USD on Amazon. Each pack consists of 270 bags per cartridge. Check eBay or sales in your area to see if you can purchase refills close to home. Remove the plastic seal. Hold the Diaper Genie cartridge in one hand and use the other to rip off the plastic seal at the top. Pull the bag out of the top of the cartridge and then pull it through the center of the cartridge. Tie a tight knot at the bottom of the bag. You'll need to pull about 18 inches (46 cm) of bag to prepare for the next use. If you don't remember to pull out enough bag for next use, don't worry. Just be cognizant that you'll be able to fit fewer diapers in your bag than you're used to. Complete the refill. Open the lid of your Diaper Genie and remove the old cartridge. Replace it with the new cartridge and thread the bag through the clamp so the knot hangs at the bottom of the Diaper Genie. Put the lid back on your Diaper Genie; you'll know the lid has been properly secured when you hear a snap. The clamp is located in the middle of the top portion of the Diaper Genie and is used to secure the bag in place. After securing the clamp, double check that you've tied off the bag. There's nothing worse than realizing you forgot to close the bag, after the diapers are already in the pail. Open your Diaper Genie. Depending on whether you have the Diaper Genie or the Diaper Genie Elite, you'll do this in one of two ways. To open the Diaper Genie, lift the lid from the top. To open the Elite, use your foot to press the pedal at the bottom of the Genie. If you smell an odor coming from your Diaper Genie, without the Genie being opened, it's time for a clean out. Try to clean your Diaper Genie whenever you change the bag. Wash your Diaper Genie out with soapy water. Wipe it down with a bleach-based cleaner, then allow it to dry in the sun. Dispose of the diaper. Push the diaper through the Diaper Genie's clamp until it disappears from sight. You'll want to make sure that the clamp shuts completely; otherwise you run the risk of odors and leaks. To fit the maximum number of diapers inside your Genie, roll the diapers tightly. To prevent the contents of the diaper from spilling out during transit, secure the diaper using the diaper's adhesive tabs. Close your Diaper Genie. If you have the Diaper Genie Elite, remove your foot from the pedal to shut the can. If you have the original Genie, shut the lid manually. If you are unable to close the Diaper Genie, this means it is too full and it's time to refill the cartridge. If your Diaper Genie is not full and it's still not closing, there may be a diaper obstruction you can't see. Check to make sure pieces of diaper are not stuck in your Diaper Genie lid. If you are still unable to close your Diaper Genie lid, the spring-loaded mechanism may have failed. Call Playtex Customer Service to report your issue.
Open the Genie. Cut your bag. Dispose of your bag. Refill your Diaper Genie. Check the indicator. Remove the plastic seal. Complete the refill. Open your Diaper Genie. Dispose of the diaper. Close your Diaper Genie.
https://www.wikihow.com/Bake-Codfish
How to Bake Codfish
Before you bake codfish, rinse it under cold water, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Place the fish on a sheet of aluminum foil and season both sides with your choice of seasonings, including salt, pepper, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, and lemon. Add thin pats of butter or a drizzle of olive oil on top of the fish, then wrap the aluminum foil around the fish so it makes a secure envelope. Bake the fish at 400°F for about 20 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If using a metric oven, this is 205 degrees Celsius. Clean the fish under cold water. Once the cod has been cleaned, pat it gently with a clean paper towel to absorb any excess water, especially if the cod has been frozen and was recently defrosted. Tear off a piece of aluminum foil twice as long and twice as wide as each piece of cod. You will repeat this process for each piece of codfish that you plan to bake. The fish will be wrapped in this foil pouch while it cooks. Lay one piece of codfish diagonally onto each piece of foil. Turn the edges of the foil up slightly so that you still have full access to the fish but so that no juices or ingredients can exit the foil. Add any spices that you wish to add. This is a personal choice, but excellent additions to baked cod include salt, pepper, parsley, tarragon, red pepper, thyme, rosemary, and lemon. Cod is relatively mild-flavored, however, so you have a lot of options for experimentation. There are specific recipes in the "Variations" section below. Add thin pats of butter on top of the fish. This provides some necessary oil and fat for cooking. For a healthier option, drizzle the fish with olive oil. Pull the sides of each foil packet up around the codfish until you have made an envelope that completely encloses the fish. Fish should be tightly packaged and unable to shift or move inside the foil package. Put the foil packets containing the cod onto a cookie sheet. Lay the foil packets side by side, not stacking any of them, to ensure that all the fish gets properly cooked. Bake the cookie sheet full of cod for 20 minutes. Don't worry about moving or adjusting the fish, the foil will ensure that it all cooks evenly. Remove the cod packets from the oven and check each foil packet to ensure the fish has been properly cooked. The fish should be white, flaky, and firm. Serve and enjoy! Try out a light, lemon-herb cod seasoning. Rinse and clean the cod like normal, then drizzle with olive oil and lemon, lightly massaging it into the skin. Finely mince 2-3 cloves of garlic and one teaspoon of fresh thyme, sprinkling evenly on all the fish. Then dust with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Wrap in foil and cook like normal. For a little spice, add some crushed red pepper. Garlic powder can be substituted for fresh garlic in a pinch. Sample a Mediterranean seasoning with olives, capers, and limes. This wonderful dish is perfect with pasta or couscous. To make it, season the fish to taste with salt and pepper in the foil. Then top each fillet with chopped olives, capers, 2-3 slices of lime, and a pinch of freshly chopped rosemary. Drizzle everything with olive oil, seal the foil pouches, and enjoy. You'll need: 1/4 cup kalamata olives 1/4 cup capers (drained of liquid) 2-3 limes 2-3 teaspoons fresh rosemary. Try a light breading for a healthy, oven "fried" fish. To do this, skip the aluminum foil, placing the fish in a glass baking dish instead. Brush each fillet with olive oil, dip it into the mixture below. Press the fish lightly into the breadcrumbs to coat, then cook in the baking dish for 12-15 minutes until firm. 1 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup parsley, chopped 2-3 garlic cloves, finely minced Zest from one lemon Salt and pepper, to taste. Cook the fish in a seasoned butter for rich flavor. Put 1/4 cup of flour in a shallow dish and the flour season to taste with salt and pepper, about 1/2 teaspoon of each. Melt three tablespoons of butter and mix with three tablespoons of lemon juice, then dip the cod in this butter mixture. Dip the wet cod in the flour so that both sides of the fish are dusted with flour. Cook in a shallow baking dish for 12-15 minutes, drizzling any remaining butter mixture over the top. You can add some cayenne pepper to the butter mixture for a slightly spicy kick. Garnish finished fish with chopped parsley and a lemon wedge.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Clean the fish under cold water. Tear off a piece of aluminum foil twice as long and twice as wide as each piece of cod. Lay one piece of codfish diagonally onto each piece of foil. Add any spices that you wish to add. Add thin pats of butter on top of the fish. Pull the sides of each foil packet up around the codfish until you have made an envelope that completely encloses the fish. Put the foil packets containing the cod onto a cookie sheet. Bake the cookie sheet full of cod for 20 minutes. Remove the cod packets from the oven and check each foil packet to ensure the fish has been properly cooked. Try out a light, lemon-herb cod seasoning. Sample a Mediterranean seasoning with olives, capers, and limes. Try a light breading for a healthy, oven "fried" fish. Cook the fish in a seasoned butter for rich flavor.
https://www.wikihow.com/Expand-Your-Mind
How to Expand Your Mind
One way to expand your mind is to become more informed by reading books, stories, and news every day. While non-fiction books and the news are important for learning about the world, consider reading fiction stories as well because they can open your mind up to new possibilities you may have never imagined. On the flip side, writing is just as beneficial, so keep a daily journal to track your life or try writing a fictional short story. You might find that writing will help you process your thoughts and analyze problems in a new way. Consider posting your writing on a blog, so you can connect with new people who can introduce you to new ideas.
Practice mindfulness to become aware of the world around you. Mindfulness is the practice of becoming more in tune with your surroundings. It involves engaging every sense, feeling, and sensation around you. Mindfulness can improve your memory and strengthen your brain power. Try mindfulness meditation. Sit somewhere quiet for 5 minutes and close your eyes. Focus on every sensation that you feel, such as the noise of the air conditioner or the feeling of your seat beneath you. Capture even the most minor of details. When you eat, chew slowly. Savor every taste, texture, and sensation of the food you are consuming. If you're out in public, take a few minutes just to notice every detail. Look at the leaves on the ground, the decorations on a building, or the movement of people around you. At work or school, try doing some grounding techniques. Take a minute to notice everything that you feel, such as the chair beneath you or the desk under your hands. Think positively about the world. When faced with problems or obstacles, keep an optimistic mindset. Positive thoughts, like love, creativity, and joy, keep your mind in a peaceful state. Negative thoughts like fear, jealousy, hate, and anger, can cause feelings of sadness, distress, or anxiety. If you typically think negatively about things, you may not want to jump straight to positive thinking. Instead, start with neutral thoughts and work your way up to positivity. Say positive affirmations to yourself in the mirror every morning to pump yourself up for the day. You might say something like “It's another great day” or “I am going to rock it today.” Motivational quotes, posters, mugs, or other reminders can help you stay in the right frame of mind as you go through your day. Leave a friendly note in your wallet or post a positive quote above your desk. Benefits of positive thinking include a longer lifespan, decreased stress, stronger psychological health, and improved coping skills during difficult situations. Identify your biases. Biases can cause us to think that certain things are always true, even when they're not. If you know your biases, then you can work to overcome them. Pay attention to your thoughts, feelings and actions. Ask yourself why you think that way, and challenge your assumptions. For example, our biases may cause us to take more responsibility for our successes than our failures. For example, we may blame a teacher when we fail a paper but praise ourselves when we get an A. A confirmation bias is one where you only consider information that supports your preconceptions. For example, you might ignore facts that don't support your political ideology. Sometimes, we judge a decision based on its outcome rather than the soundness of the decision. Just because you win a lottery doesn't mean that buying a lottery ticket was a smart decision. People tend to think themselves as less biased than other people. It means that by default we remain blind to our own cognitive biases. Listen to your intuition. Intuition is that little inner voice that helps you identify good and bad decisions. Don't ignore your inner voice. Listen to it, and try to analyze what it could mean. When making a decision, consider your intuition as well as your reasoning. You don't have to blindly follow your intuition, but you should use it when considering certain decisions. For example, if you're buying a new house, you might get a better “vibe” or “feeling” about 1 place. Ask yourself what is giving you that feeling. You may realise there is a reason why you feel that way. Remember that you can change. Your mind is a flexible tool. While it might feel rigid or set in its ways, with the right motivation, it can expand and grow. Try to remind yourself that you can create new practices, break old habits, and make a change for the better. It can take around 66 days to form a new habit or to break an old one. Keep working on your new mindset. After a while, it will become second nature. Understand your working memory. Working memory is that sheet of your brain memory which holds and processes small chunks of information at given moment. For example, when you are reading this line, you are using your working memory to understand and make sense of the sentence. Here you can notice that you are reading sentences one by one and sometimes stop to reread a passage when something is unclear. From here we can deduce that our working memory is processing information in small chunks. If you try to read faster than you are capable, you overload your working memory and may require more focus. Most of you have noticed that when you are given a number of instructions by your teachers or parents, you may not be able to grasp them all at once, causing your to ask for the instructions to be repeated. You can only process a limited amount of information at a given moment or time. The amount of this limited information can vary from person to person, however, understanding the limitation of your working memory can avoid you from getting overwhelmed. If you are starting any important task first start with some focus techniques. Start with small steps remembering one by one what task you need to do and take some time to recall. At this time start calmly and don't make hurry. Once your working memory is charged enough to fetch information or connecting with other parts of your brain then you can notice a speed in your work and thinking, but in start you need to try to focus. Sort the items in your desk or room, it will prevent you from getting distracted. Give yourself ample time in taking important decisions of life. Read books, stories and news every day. Reading is one of the best ways to become more informed, empathetic, and aware. Read everything you come across. Get a book to read before bed. Skim through the news in the morning. Try a poem or short story if you don't have much time. Both fiction and non-fiction are beneficial. While non-fiction can teach you information about the world, fiction can improve your empathy, imagination, and brain connectivity. Write to boost your memory and problem-solving skills. Writing is a very effective tool for mental growth. It can help you process your day, analyze problems, and flex your creativity. Keep a daily journal to track your life or try your hand at writing fiction. If faced with a problem, write it out to see if it helps you come up with a solution. A gratitude journal is a great way to write every day and support your mind's growth. Write down 1 thing every day that you are thankful for. This will make you feel more positive and confident. If you want to share your thoughts, start a blog. Others can respond to your posts and help you think about issues in new ways. Ask questions when faced with something new. Asking questions helps you challenge the world around you while teaching you new facts and details. When faced with something new, ask questions about it. If someone nearby can't answer it, look up the answer yourself. Question yourself as well as others. What do you do the things that you do? Why do you believe certain things or why do you enjoy others? Try writing a list of 50 questions. Perhaps there is something you've always wanted to know. Maybe you want to question yourself. Look around the room and ask how certain objects work or think about how they were made. Afterwards, try answering these questions. Do puzzles and brainteasers to exercise your mind. The brain needs exercise like any other part of the body. Brain exercises can involve playing Tetris, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, math problems, or other puzzle games. These can test your critical thinking, memory, and problem solving skills. Download a puzzle or brain training app on your phone. You might use this app for 15 minutes a day to sharpen your reasoning skills. Mix up what games and puzzles you play. If you do Sudoku every day, you might get good at Sudoku, but you might not learn how to do other types of puzzles or problems. Perform simple scientific experiments in your own home. To help you think like a scientist, try doing some simple home experiments to test the world around you. This can help increase your curiosity, reasoning skills, and scientific knowledge. You can make a potato battery , dissect a bean , or make plastic out of milk. Stick with experiments that can be done with household objects. Avoid doing anything that involves dangerous or flammable chemicals. Step outside of your comfort zone. If you only try things that are familiar and comfortable, it will be hard for you to expand your mind. While trying new things can sometimes be uncomfortable, in the end, you will usually benefit from it. Think about something that you've never tried before but would be interested in learning. For example, perhaps you've always wanted to go SCUBA diving or maybe you want to take a helicopter ride. Everyone has some kind of fear. You might hate speaking in public or dread heights. Unless you have a severe phobia, try to identify your fears and confront them. For example, speak up at a town hall or go to a rock climbing gym. If your fears are so strong that they interfere with daily life, talk to a mental health professional for help. Learn a new skill. Learning new skills keeps your brain sharp as you get older. It can also expand your experience to new things. Consider something that you've always wanted to learn. See if there is a local class, or look up videos online to teach you how to do it. Some great creative lessons include learning to paint, do pottery, make jewelry, or sew. More physical activities you might try include swing dancing, playing on a sports team, or doing yoga. Think about any skills that might help you in your daily life. Take a cooking class, learn to be handy around your house, or read up on how to perform your own car maintenance. Meet new people and groups. Social networks are extremely important in helping us grow as people. New people bring new experiences, ideas, and beliefs that can challenge and expand our own way of thinking. Join a club or society that centers around your interests. For example, join a board game club, an environmental society, or a knitting group. Try to encounter people with different beliefs, cultural practices, and lifestyles. You might go to a cultural festival, a religious celebration, or a parade. Consider joining a sports team. This will require you to work on a team with other people. Travel to new places. Travel can expose you to new people, cultures, places, and ways of thinking. Plan trips that will take you somewhere interesting and new. You can travel to a different city, state, or country. Keep a curious mindset as you experience different cultures. Instead of judging or making assumptions, focus on learning as much as you can about the way other people live. Try to identify what types of things you might be interested in doing. This can help you find the right trip. For example, if you want to see animals and nature, visit a national park. If you're interested in history, find a city with museums, historical buildings, or monuments. For a big trip, try visiting a major city, like New York, London, or Tokyo. You may need to save up money for the trip, but it can be an experience that will broaden your horizons. Volunteer to help others in need. Helping others provides benefits to your community and to your own personal growth. You may encounter new people with a different perspective on life, and you will learn ways to solve problems for the benefit of society. Volunteering can improve empathy, social skills, and thinking. Look for a charity or organization in your local area that could use volunteers. Choose an issue that is important to you. You can also volunteer at schools, town events, animal shelters, or community centers. Keep yourself occupied and productive throughout the day. Boredom does more than just sap your energy. It can also dull your mind. Try to be engaged in different activities throughout the day. When you have time to yourself, choose an activity that uses your brain, such as reading, doing a puzzle, socializing, or crafting. You can, of course, take breaks to relax. For example, there is nothing wrong with watching TV for an hour a night. Just avoid binging for several hours in a row. Try to mix up your activities so that you don't get bored. For example, give yourself an hour to play a game, then go for a walk. Afterwards, cook dinner from scratch, and read a book after your meal. Exercise. Exercise can improve your mood, hone your awareness, and help you think through problems. Aim to do vigorous exercise, such as running or weight lifting, at least 2-3 times a week. On other days, do at least 30 minutes of less intensive activities like walking, swimming, or bike riding. Consider getting a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day. This can help you keep track of how much you are moving. Avoid sitting all day. Get up for 5 minutes every hour to take a short walk, do some stretches, or quickly do jumping jacks. This can wake up your mind and provide a quick boost of energy. If you're struggling with a problem or obstacle, movement can help you think through it. Go on a run, bike ride, or jog. Eat a healthy diet with brain-boosting foods. Certain foods can increase your brain power and boost your memory. Eat a diet low in calories and saturated fat. Choose fresh, homemade foods instead of processed or prepared meals. Look for foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, walnuts, seaweed, winter squash, and broccoli. These are important for supporting your cognitive health. Other foods that may help your brain power include blueberries, avocados, nuts, and kale. Drinks like coffee and tea may also provide cognitive benefits. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Sleep is absolutely essential if you want your mind to operate and develop at its best. If you don't get enough sleep, your memory, mood, cognitive thinking, and reasoning skills will suffer. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This will give your brain a schedule and make it easier to get to sleep at night. Avoid using bright screens, like phones and computers, for an hour before you go to bed. This can help you go to sleep faster and improve your quality of sleep. Meditate to boost your mindfulness. Find somewhere quiet and comfortable to sit for 5 minutes. Concentrate on slow and deep breaths. Don't think about anything else. If your mind starts to wander, redirect it back to your breath. Meditation can help you relax, cope with stress, find new perspective, and strengthen your self-awareness. Try downloading an app that offers guided meditation, such as Headspace, Insight Timer, or Calm. Engage in healthy social relationships. Relationships can help us confront new ideas, learn new subjects, and embrace different ways of living. Foster your relationships with loved ones and friends. Arrange dinner parties, activities, or meetings to bring new people together. Start a discussion with others about your beliefs, ideas, thoughts, and practices. You might be surprised by what the other person has to offer. They might help you consider things in a new light. Keep an open mind as you talk with others. You don't have to agree with their ideas or beliefs, but you can learn a lot just by listening to them.
Practice mindfulness to become aware of the world around you. Think positively about the world. Identify your biases. Listen to your intuition. Remember that you can change. Understand your working memory. Read books, stories and news every day. Write to boost your memory and problem-solving skills. Ask questions when faced with something new. Do puzzles and brainteasers to exercise your mind. Perform simple scientific experiments in your own home. Step outside of your comfort zone. Learn a new skill. Meet new people and groups. Travel to new places. Volunteer to help others in need. Keep yourself occupied and productive throughout the day. Exercise. Eat a healthy diet with brain-boosting foods. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Meditate to boost your mindfulness. Engage in healthy social relationships.
https://www.wikihow.com/Mix-Mortar
How to Mix Mortar
To mix mortar by hand, first make a pile of sand and put your cement bag next to it. Then, cut open the side of the bag, roll it over onto the sand, and empty the cement onto the pile. Next, use a small shovel to mix the sand and cement until they're evenly distributed. You can then use your shovel to create a crater in the pile. Pour water into the crater, and use your shovel to mix your mortar by repeatedly taking dry mix from the edges and putting it into the center until it's all wet and well-mixed. Finally, let your mortar sit for 3-6 minutes before using it.
Measure three parts sand to one part masonry cement. For a basic mortar mix, you'll want to mix essentially three parts of sand for every one part of cement you use. If you're mixing up a whole bag of cement, that'll mean you'll use three times that amount of sand, which will result in a big batch of mud. Only mix up as much as you'll need. The measurement doesn't need to be precise as a baking recipe. At most work sites, when mixing large amounts, the amount of sand is usually given in "shovels full" per bag of mortar mix, which usually works out to somewhere between 15 and 18, depending on how large the shovel scoops are. It's important to get close, but it's more of an eyeball measurement. You don't need to get out the teaspoons. Use the right amount of water. A bag of mortar should be mixed with about three gallons of clean water to achieve the right consistency. The amount of water used can vary drastically depending upon the weather, how wet the sand is, and the variety of mix you're using, so read the instructions carefully before adding water. Ambient conditions ( temperature and humidity) will affect the mix and need to be considered. A drier mix will yield a stronger bond. A wetter mix might be easier to work. That's where experience comes in. Use the correct sand and mortar. Using a fine-grade, sharp masonry sand for the job is more appropriate than other varieties, and using fresh unopened bags of masonry cement will be more effective than using older bags. Masonry cement mixes, like Quikrete, Sakrete, and other brands are all appropriate for the job. Some brands come pre-mixed specially for mortar, which means you don't need to add sand. These are somewhat more expensive than regular Portland cement, but are much better for smaller projects. Read the label and find out what you're getting. If you don't need to add sand, the mixing process is still the same. Portland cement is not a brand of cement. It is the name of the most common type of ingredient used to mix mortars, concrete and other bonding mixes. Keep the sand and dry cement covered to keep them as dry as possible. It's easy to ruin your materials if they get too humid and damp. Try to mix up only as much as you'll need, but also to use up what dry mix you have so that you can take advantage of your materials. Check your cement bags for lumps. If there are lumps or hard chunks on the bag, it has been exposed to moisture and won't bond well, it needs to be discarded. Different brands may recommend slightly different mixes. Read the label on the brand of mix you buy and follow the instructions. In general, however, a mix of 3-to-1 is usually appropriate and effective. Consider using lime as an additive. In some areas where the wall you're building will be exposed to especially high winds or the elements, lime is added to increase the bonding and strengthen the stonework you're building. If you do elect to add lime to your mix, you'll also need to add more sand to balance out the ratio somewhat, resulting in a stronger, more bonded mortar. An appropriate ratio if you want to use lime would be six parts of sand to two parts of lime to one part of cement. Keep in mind that adding lime to your mixture will make the mortar set more quickly. This means that you need to work more quickly or mix a smaller batch. Match the recipe to the weather. In very wet, cold, or humid weather, the mortar will behave differently than if it's really hot and dry weather. You may find it more effective to use slightly less sand and slightly more water if that's the case. Experiment some to get the right consistency and mix. In general, it's easiest to use mortar in moderate, dry weather than, cold and humid weather. While that's not always possible, you can learn to recognize the right consistency and add water appropriately. Mortar mixed to the right consistency should hold onto a trowel held at a 90 degree angle, but should also be wet enough to work easily and pour into and out of buckets. If working on cold, near freezing weather, try adding slightly more lime and hot/warm water to aid the hydration reaction of cement and help it set quickly. Keep in mind that the finished product must be kept from freezing until set. Wet the mixer, wheelbarrow, and/or buckets. Before you start adding dry ingredients, you need to wet all the things that you'll mix in, carry the mortar in, and use the mortar with so the mortar will slide off easily and reduce waste. Slosh about half the water necessary for the batch you're making into the mixer or the tray, and pour some water into the wheelbarrows or buckets you'll be carrying it in. Depending on the size of your project, you be using a small mixing tray or you may want to use a gas-powered mortar mixer to mix large quantities of mortar. These feature several spinning blades that can hold up to three bags of 80 lb. mix, cutting down on the elbow-grease necessary to mix up a batch of mortar mud. Consider renting one for your job, especially if you'll be working over the period of several days. Add the dry ingredients and start mixing. If you're using a power mixer, turn it on to get the blades churning and gently add your dry ingredients. Be careful to not dump them and splatter the water out, or to lose too much of the cement by clouding it. The order of ingredients isn't particularly important, but some mixers tend to add the cement first and the sand afterward if it isn't pre-mixed. It's generally just easier to break the bag on the mixer, dump it out, and shovel in the necessary amount of sand. Get your face out of the way, wear breathing protection, and don't breathe in any of the dust created, mortar mixes contain Silicates which can cause COPD, or other Cancers. Add extra water if necessary. As you mix, or as the mixer does its work, keep a close eye on the mortar. If it looks too dry, add small amounts of water as you go to keep it pliable and wet. Be careful about adding too much, and don't add too much right at the end, or you'll get a soupy, unintegrated, and useless mortar. Make a pile of sand and place the appropriate number of cement bags on or right next to the pile. The pile should look like a small mountain. Cut open one side of the bag staving it with the blade of the shovel. Roll and pull the bag to empty the cement. Use a small shovel or hoe to work the mix around vigorously, making sure that the mix is distributed uniformly and even colored. If the mix is not evenly distributed the mortar won't have the right consistency. Form a crater with the shovel and pour the water inside. The water will begin to sink and soak through the mix. Use the shovel or hoe to pick the dry mix from the edges and throw it to the water in the center. Keep adding extra water as necessary to make sure it stays nice and wet. Mix thoroughly to distribute all the ingredients evenly. Let it mix for 3-5 minutes and let it sit another minute. Some brands like Quikrete call for a resting period to let the particulate get moist, making the mortar more effective. Transporting the mix into a wheelbarrow or buckets tends to take care of this resting period for you, though. It's important to not let it sit around too long or it will become stiff. Likewise, over-mixing tends to dry out the mix and decrease its working life. A good way of checking the consistency is to "snap" the trowel. Scoop up some mortar on your laying trowel and flick your wrist downward to flatten it against the flat side of the trowel, then turn the trowel 90 degrees. If it stays without sliding off, you've got good mud. Start laying your block. Check for the right consistency and empty the mortar into a wheelbarrow or into individual buckets to lay out on a board and start using. Make sure everything is pre-wet, or you'll have some trouble with the mortar sticking to it. It should slide out easily, if you've done everything correctly. Always wear the proper safety gear when handling mortar. Getting dry concrete in your eyes, lungs, or on your hands can be very painful and dangerous. It's very important to wear gloves any time you're handling mortar, as well as safety glasses, and a face-mask when you're mixing up the dry cement. It can have a tendency to cloud up and get in your face, and is very hazardous to the lungs. Use caution and always equip yourself safely. Add a small amount of water periodically. Mortar dries quickly, which is partially why it's effective and so good to work with. You can lay courses as fast as you can keep up with it. Eventually, the mortar on your board will start to dry out some, so it's helpful to keep a small cup of water with you to drip a little on and mix up with your trowel to keep that good consistency. Using overly-dry mortar will result in weak walls, which can especially be a problem if you're laying a foundation. It's important to keep the mix wet enough and workable enough to be effective. Never make more than you'll use in 2 hours. After an hour and a half or two hours, mortar tends to start to become too dry and unworkable, even if you add a tiny amount of water to what you're using. Plan out your work project carefully and only mix as much as you'll need for the job at hand. You won't be able to use it later. When using lime and you are not as fast or it is your first time laying brick, try mixing smaller batches. Mix just enough mud to use within 45 - 60 minutes. If you are able to get help, have someone mix and carry the mortar for you. Clean the mixer and all tools at the end of the day. At the end of a hard day of block-laying, you've still got an important job to do: knocking all the hard and dried mortar off the mixer, your boards, your wheelbarrows, and other tools. There are all sorts of different methods for doing this, but the most effective is also the most simple. Use a hammer to bang on your tools and collect the dry mortar to dispose of it properly. Don't neglect cleaning your tools. Electric mixers especially can become bogged down if you haven't done a good job cleaning off the dried-up cement. There shouldn't be too much of it if you've been mixing properly, but there'll be some. It is always better to mix less and have to mix another small batch than having excess material harden on your tools or a big hard lump to pick up and dispose of.
Measure three parts sand to one part masonry cement. Use the right amount of water. Use the correct sand and mortar. Consider using lime as an additive. Keep in mind that adding lime to your mixture will make the mortar set more quickly. Match the recipe to the weather. Mortar mixed to the right consistency should hold onto a trowel held at a 90 degree angle, but should also be wet enough to work easily and pour into and out of buckets. If working on cold, near freezing weather, try adding slightly more lime and hot/warm water to aid the hydration reaction of cement and help it set quickly. Wet the mixer, wheelbarrow, and/or buckets. Add the dry ingredients and start mixing. Get your face out of the way, wear breathing protection, and don't breathe in any of the dust created, mortar mixes contain Silicates which can cause COPD, or other Cancers. Add extra water if necessary. Make a pile of sand and place the appropriate number of cement bags on or right next to the pile. Cut open one side of the bag staving it with the blade of the shovel. Use a small shovel or hoe to work the mix around vigorously, making sure that the mix is distributed uniformly and even colored. Form a crater with the shovel and pour the water inside. Use the shovel or hoe to pick the dry mix from the edges and throw it to the water in the center. Let it mix for 3-5 minutes and let it sit another minute. Start laying your block. Always wear the proper safety gear when handling mortar. Add a small amount of water periodically. Never make more than you'll use in 2 hours. Clean the mixer and all tools at the end of the day. It is always better to mix less and have to mix another small batch than having excess material harden on your tools or a big hard lump to pick up and dispose of.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Ceramic-Stove-Top
How to Clean a Ceramic Stove Top
To clean your ceramic stove top, start by sprinkling some baking soda over it. Then, soak a rag in hot, soapy water, wring it out, and lay it over the baking soda. Let the rag sit for 15 minutes before you use it to wipe down the stovetop. Finally, use a damp sponge to wipe off any baking soda residue. If you're trying to get rid of a burn mark, you can make a paste by mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1-2 tablespoons. Then, put the paste on the burn mark, cover it with a warm, damp rag, and let it sit for 30 minutes before you wipe it clean.
Sprinkle some baking soda over the cooktop. There's no need to measure the exact amount of baking soda you use. Just open the lid to your baking soda container and apply enough to lightly coat the area of the stovetop you wish to clean. If your stovetop is really grimy, apply a heavier layer of baking soda. Old parmesan cheese containers are ideal for sprinkling baking soda. Similar containers with holes punched through the lids are equally useful. If you have such a container, fill it with baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda from this container over the stovetop. To make the baking soda even more effective, some people choose to spray the baking soda with a spray bottle filled with vinegar. There's no need to measure the volume of vinegar you spray over the area you've coated with baking soda. Just spray a light coat – enough to get the baking soda bubbling. Soak a large rag in soapy water. Place a large dishrag in hot, soapy water. The rag should be large enough to cover the entire area that you applied baking soda to. Place the rag over the baking soda. Remove the rag from the soapy water. Wring it out. It should be damp, not saturated. Lay the rag over the baking soda on the stovetop. Wait 15 minutes. If you're trying to clean the entire surface of the stovetop, use a rag that covers the entire surface or a series of smaller rags that enable you to cover the whole surface. Wipe away the baking soda. Once you've let the dishrag sit on the stove for 15 minutes, use it to wipe the stovetop. Move it in a wide circle that cleans the area where you applied the baking soda. Once you've scrubbed the ceramic stovetop thoroughly, use a damp sponge or another damp dishcloth to clean the remaining baking soda residue from the stovetop. Allow it to air-dry. You might want to wear gloves during the wiping stage. Clean spills as soon as possible. If you spill something on your ceramic stovetop and don't clean it up soon, it will be harder to remove later. Leaving a spill on your ceramic stovetop for too long also risks burning whatever was spilled next time you use the stovetop. Therefore, clean your stovetop as soon as you can. If you spill something while you're using the stovetop, wait until it has cooled before wiping it up. Otherwise, you might burn yourself. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners. Cleaning with an ammonia/water mix or a cleaning product formulated with ammonia cannot effectively clean anything but light dirt and fingerprints from ceramic stovetops. Using such cleaners could lead to iridescent stains on the surface. Avoid abrasive cleaning products. Chemical cleaners like Comet and Ajax will damage your ceramic stovetop. Do not use these products. Likewise, steel wool and abrasive scouring pads will scratch the surface of your ceramic stovetop. Rub the stain with a silicone spatula. Move the spatula around the stain with small circular motions. This will loosen the debris that forms the stain and make the color fade. Make a baking soda paste. Mix four tablespoons baking soda and one or two tablespoons of water. Smear the baking soda on the burned area with your finger or with a sponge. Cover the area with a warm, damp rag. Wait 30 minutes. Wipe the area clean. After 30 minutes has elapsed, use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe the stained area. If some of the stain remains, re-apply the baking soda paste and the damp cloth, and try again. The best cloth to wipe the area with is a microfiber cloth. These cloths are specially designed with more fibers than a normal cloth, meaning they can absorb more of whatever you're trying to wipe up than regular cloths. Use a magic eraser. A magic eraser is a special sort of sponge. Its microporous structure allows it to clean surfaces that prove impossible to clean via normal methods. If your ceramic stovetop has resisted baking soda and razor scraper cleaning solutions, try a magic eraser. You can obtain a magic eraser at your local big box grocery store, or online. Use a specially-formulated cleaning product. There are a number of products available designed specifically to clean ceramic stovetops. Cerama Bryte and Cook Top are two such specialized ceramic cooktop cleaners. Each cleaning product is slightly different, so consult manufacturer instructions for more detailed information regarding use. Generally, you'll spray or sprinkle your stovetop with the specially-formulated cleaning agent, then wipe the surface with a damp rag or sponge. These products are useful for cutting through grease stains and burned-on material. Scrape away remaining debris. If, after wiping the ceramic stovetop down with baking soda and a damp rag, it is still not clean, use a razor scraper to scrape the debris off. A razor scraper is a small tool consisting of a handle and a razor blade with its edge facing out. Run the blade along the burned material at a sharp angle by keeping the blade and its handle as close as possible to the surface of the ceramic stovetop. Wipe the stovetop with a damp, soapy sponge before scraping it with the razor scraper. Do not move the blade in a direction that runs parallel to the blade or you'll scratch the surface of the cooktop. Always move the blade in a direction that is perpendicular to it. Cleaning the stovetop with a razor scraper should be a last resort.
Sprinkle some baking soda over the cooktop. Soak a large rag in soapy water. Place the rag over the baking soda. Wipe away the baking soda. Clean spills as soon as possible. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners. Rub the stain with a silicone spatula. Make a baking soda paste. Wipe the area clean. Use a magic eraser. Use a specially-formulated cleaning product. Scrape away remaining debris.
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Medical-School
How to Choose a Medical School
To choose a medical school, consider whether you want a school with traditional lecture-style teaching or a school with problem-based learning, where you'll be assigned a sample patient each week who relates to what you're studying. Also, look online or ask around to see what other students thought of the physicians they worked with during their clinical years. You should also look for a school that offers opportunities to gain experience in the field you want to specialize in after graduation.
Consider the prerequisite courses. Different medical school can have drastically different courses that are "required upon admission." Take a close look at these to determine whether you are a suitable fit for a certain medical school. Note that students who have studied the biological or health sciences are at an advantage in that they are far more likely to have met the prerequisite requirements for almost every medical school. Students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts, or studied math or physics or a subject other than the traditional biological and health sciences may have a harder time finding medical schools where they meet the acceptance requirements. You may want to take additional classes to meet these requirements. There are, however, medical schools with less rigid prerequisite requirements. If you do not have a traditional biological and health sciences undergraduate background, it may save you time and money to find a medical school that is more lenient with the courses they expect you to have upon admission. It may be beneficial to purchase access to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) website , which will detail the requirements for individual schools in the U.S. and Canada. It will also give you applicant and acceptance statistics. Be aware of the strengths different medical schools are looking for in students. In the selection process for admission, some schools will emphasize your grades, some will emphasize prerequisite courses, and others will put a heavy emphasis on volunteer work and your prior in-hospital experience. It is helpful to be aware of what different medical schools are looking for, as well as to know your own strengths and weaknesses, to improve your chances of being accepted. Some medical schools also put a higher emphasis on your MCAT scores when considering you for admission. The MCAT stands for the Medical College Admission Test. For those who are academically inclined and score very well on the MCAT, this could be to their advantage; however, for those will less stellar grades but excellent contributions to the community, it may be advantageous to look for a medical school that values students with extensive volunteer experiences. Know whether or not you need a completed Bachelor's Degree. Some medical schools are open for application after two or three years of undergraduate study; others require a full Bachelors Degree first. When choosing a medical school, especially if you are early on in your undergraduate studies, consider whether you are interested in applying to one that offers "early admission" (admission without a full undergraduate degree). This could save you time and money, and it may help to fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor sooner rather than later. Talk to the pre-health advisor or other academic advisor at your school. They may be able to help you determine which school is right for someone with your experience and strengths. Make a choice based on the schools you are accepted into. Ultimately, what it comes down to for most prospective medical students is to apply to a variety of schools (often as many as possible), and to then make a choice based on the one(s) you are accepted into. The competition to get into medical school is very high, which is why it is always a good idea to apply to multiple schools. Keep in mind the secondary costs of applying to schools, such as traveling to interviews and campus visits, as well as application fees. The average number of schools that students apply to is 15. Also, do not give up hope. Many students take two or three (and sometimes more) tries to be accepted into a medical school at all. The good news is that the medical schools usually choose their selection dates to be on the same day (or a very similar day) so that if you get multiple offers into different medical schools you will be able to choose between them and pick the one that is your preference. Consider whether you want a medical school with PBL (problem based learning) or traditional teaching. Traditional teaching is where all of your training in the pre-clinical years is lecture and laboratory based, where you learn the concepts in great detail but do not spend much time applying them until you begin working in the hospital (usually in the last two years of medical school). PBL (problem based learning), on the other hand, is more of a case-based approach where you are given one "sample patient" each week, and the patient relates to the week's learning theme. For instance, it would be a patient with a complex heart problem in the week you are studying the heart. The goal of PBL is to get students together in small groups where they apply the knowledge they are learning in lecture to the featured patient case. The downside of PBL as opposed to traditional medical school teaching, however, is that there are less total lecture hours. Therefore, students may need to spend more time reading up on their own about the fact-based information they are required to know. Find out about the amount of teaching and educational guidance you will receive during your clinical years. Usually the last two years of medical school are devoted to in-hospital work (they are called the "clinical years"). You work hospital shifts alongside a qualified physician, and practice seeing patients and coming up with diagnoses and treatment plans. The interesting thing about the clinical years is that the quality of education can vary dramatically depending upon your instructors. If you can, ask other students in the medical school you are considering what they thought of the physicians they worked with during their "clinical years." These are some of the most pivotal years, and having a physician who is interested in teaching students (as opposed to working with doctors who are frustrated with having students on their service) can make a huge difference in your learning. Think about your ability to get a residency in your desired specialty after graduating. After completing medical school, you must continue your training as a "medical resident" prior to becoming a fully qualified physician. Residency is the stage of training where you either choose to become a family doctor, or choose to specialize in any medical specialty. Admission into many of the medical specialties after medical school is very competitive. Therefore, if you have your heart set on doing a particular residency (or specialty) once you graduate, it would be wise to consider which medical schools offer the best opportunities for you to get additional experience in your area of interest. You may want to look at medical schools where there are experts in the field you are interested in on staff. Also look at schools that do a lot of research in your field of interest. Think about the location where you want to go to medical school. Do you want to stay in your hometown? Are you open to studying abroad? Have you considered, if you go away for medical school, the implications this would have on getting a residency and/or of being able to practice medicine in your hometown once you graduate? These are all important questions to consider before choosing a medical school. Remember to prioritize relationships and family. If you have a significant other and/or children when you are applying to medical school, consider the profound impact going to medical school can have on your relationship and family life. When making a choice about what medical school to go to, consider factors like how the location suits your family, how long the program would be, how costly it is, and whether it is a choice that is win-win not only for you but for your family as well. Be smart financially. Studying abroad is often far more expensive than studying in your home country. Also consider things such as living expenses, tuition fees, and the cost of traveling back home to visit family if you are living far away from loved ones. Consider if you are interested in research. Some schools have more of a focus on research, and some may have MD/PHD programs that allow you to focus on research and obtain a PHD degree along with an MD degree. In addition, some schools have MD/MBA programs for those interested in the business of healthcare or administration. Be clear on your priorities. Medical school is a huge commitment. Before choosing a medical school, ask yourself what sacrifices you are willing to make to fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor. Make sure your heart is absolutely set on it before choosing a medical school.
Consider the prerequisite courses. Be aware of the strengths different medical schools are looking for in students. Know whether or not you need a completed Bachelor's Degree. Make a choice based on the schools you are accepted into. Consider whether you want a medical school with PBL (problem based learning) or traditional teaching. Find out about the amount of teaching and educational guidance you will receive during your clinical years. Think about your ability to get a residency in your desired specialty after graduating. Think about the location where you want to go to medical school. Remember to prioritize relationships and family. Be smart financially. Consider if you are interested in research. Be clear on your priorities.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Hawaiian-Pizza
How to Make a Hawaiian Pizza
To make a Hawaiian pizza, spread olive oil across your pizza dough, then top that with 1/2 cup of marinara sauce. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce, going almost all the way to the edge of the dough. Layer thickly-sliced ham and pineapple chunks on top of the cheese. If you'd like, you can also add 1-2 other toppings, like scallion, diced jalapenos, red bell peppers, or mushrooms. Bake the pizza for 8-12 minutes at 450°F, then slice and enjoy!
Preheat your oven to 450 °F (232 °C) before you begin making your pizza. Remove any baking pans from inside of your oven before you preheat it. Then, make sure to place the oven rack on the center rung in your oven. This will help the pizza cook evenly, and prevent the dough from burning. Coat a 12 in (30 cm) round pizza pan with 1 1⁄2 US tbsp (22 mL) of olive oil. Use your fingers or a pastry brush to spread the oil across the inside of the pizza pan. The oil will keep the dough from sticking to the pan and will give the bottom of the pizza added flavor. If you do not have a round pizza pan, use a rectangular baking sheet instead. Simply coat the baking sheet with the olive oil as you would the pizza pan. Sprinkle 1 tbsp (9 g) of flour onto the oil coated pizza pan. Use your fingers to disperse the flour across the pizza pan until it is completely dusted. If needed, use additional flour to finish coating the pan. The flour will help the finished pizza slide off the pan easily and will season the bottom of the pizza. Roll out 1 lb (0.45 kg) of store-bought pizza dough on your countertop. Dust your clean countertop with flour to keep the dough from sticking to the surface. Then, use a rolling pin dusted with flour to roll out the pizza dough. Work from the center of the dough outward. Continue to work the dough until it roughly forms the shape and size of your pan. Purchase store-bought pizza dough in the frozen or refrigerated section of your local grocery store or a local pizzeria. If you are feeling extra adventurous, consider making homemade pizza dough instead of using the store-bought dough. Lift the rolled out pizza dough and place it onto the prepared pizza pan. Use your fingers to gently pull and spread the dough to the edges of your pan if needed. Roll any extra dough along the edges inward to form a thicker crust for the pizza. The pizza will have an approximate diameter of 12 in (30 cm). If you are using a rectangular baking sheet, spread the dough to the edges as you would the round pizza pan. This will make an approximate 10 by 15 in (25 by 38 cm) rectangular pizza. Spread 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil across the dough to season it. Use your fingers or a pastry brush to smear the olive oil on the surface of the dough. Add more olive oil if needed to coat all of the dough. The olive oil will keep the dough moist and season it. Spoon 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of jarred marinara sauce onto the pizza dough. Use the back of the spoon to gently spread the sauce across the surface of the pizza dough. Keep the sauce about ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) away from the edge of the dough. This will keep the sauce from bubbling over the edges and burning on the pan as the pizza cooks. Continue to spread the sauce until it is evenly distributed. Instead of using jarred sauce, consider making a homemade pizza sauce. Sprinkle 2 cups (200 g) of shredded mozzarella cheese onto the pizza sauce. Use your hands to sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly across the top of the pizza sauce. Break up any large clumps of cheese with your fingers as needed. Just be careful not to push or disturb the sauce underneath the cheese. Alternatively, consider transforming the taste of your Hawaiian pizza by using other types of cheese that will complement the mozzarella. Use 1 cup (100 g) of shredded mozzarella and 1 cup (100 g) of shredded Swiss or a cheddar cheese to give the pizza a sharp flavor Use 1 1/2 cups (150 g) of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup (50 g) of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to give the pizza a tangy flavor. Add 4 oz (110 g) of thickly sliced ham on top of the cheese. Choose your favorite brand of deli ham to use for your pizza. Use a knife or kitchen scissors to cut the ham as needed to create 1 in (2.5 cm) squares. Then, disperse the ham evenly across the cheese layer. Use chunks of ham for a meatier taste or use thick slices of ham for a more mild flavor. Alter the overall flavor of the pizza by using a smoked ham or Canadian bacon. Scatter 1 cup (165 g) of canned pineapple chunks on top of the cheese layer. Use your hand to hold the pineapple inside the opened can, and drain the pineapple juice. Disperse the pineapple across the pizza, paying specific attention to filling the empty areas around the ham. If desired, cut the pineapple chunks in half or in quarters using a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen scissors. This will better disperse the pineapple and will be easier to bite into. Personalize the Hawaiian pizza by adding on your favorite pizza ingredients. Identify 1-2 additional ingredients to put onto your pizza that will transform or elevate the existing flavors. Refrain from adding more than 1-2 extra ingredients, as to avoid having the crust buckle from the weight when you go to eat it. Finely chop a scallion onion and sprinkle it on top of the pizza for a mild onion flavor. Cut a sweet Vidalia onion into thin slices. Steam them with a little water in a bowl for 1 minute in the microwave. Add the softened onion on top of the pizza for a bold onion flavor that will contrast the sweetness of the pineapple. Give your pizza some spicy notes by adding 1-2 tbsp (5.6 g) of diced jalapenos, or large dices of red bell peppers. Dice up a handful of mushrooms to give your pizza an earthy taste. Cook the pizza in the oven at 450 °F (232 °C) for 8-12 minutes. Slide the pizza pan onto the middle rack in your preheated oven. Cook the pizza for 8-12 minutes or until the crust is a light golden-brown color and the cheese is melted. Allow the pizza to cook for additional 1-minute intervals if needed to further crisp the crust and melt the cheese. Remove the cooked pizza from the oven and transfer it onto a cutting board. Use potholders to take the pizza pan out of the oven. Then, use a heat-resistant spatula to lift the edge of the pizza from the pan, and slide it onto the cutting board. Place your hot pizza pan on top of your stove and allow it to cool off before attempting to clean it. Use potholders at all times when handling the hot pizza pan. Otherwise, you may seriously burn yourself. Allow the pizza to rest for 4-5 minutes so the cheese can settle and firm. Refrain from cutting the pizza until the cheese has cooled. Cutting into the pizza while the cheese is soupy will cause it and the toppings to slide off your pizza. Cut the rested pizza into 6-8 slices and serve them to your friends and family. Use a pizza wheel or a large, sharp knife to cut the pizza into 6-8 slices. Work from one end of the crust to the other. Refrain from using a sawing motion if you are using a knife, as this will pull the cheese and toppings away from the crust. Season your slice of pizza with table salt, ground black pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste. Wrap any leftovers in aluminum foil and store them in the refrigerator for about a week.
Preheat your oven to 450 °F (232 °C) before you begin making your pizza. Coat a 12 in (30 cm) round pizza pan with 1 1⁄2 US tbsp (22 mL) of olive oil. Sprinkle 1 tbsp (9 g) of flour onto the oil coated pizza pan. Roll out 1 lb (0.45 kg) of store-bought pizza dough on your countertop. Lift the rolled out pizza dough and place it onto the prepared pizza pan. Spread 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil across the dough to season it. Spoon 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of jarred marinara sauce onto the pizza dough. Sprinkle 2 cups (200 g) of shredded mozzarella cheese onto the pizza sauce. Add 4 oz (110 g) of thickly sliced ham on top of the cheese. Scatter 1 cup (165 g) of canned pineapple chunks on top of the cheese layer. Personalize the Hawaiian pizza by adding on your favorite pizza ingredients. Cook the pizza in the oven at 450 °F (232 °C) for 8-12 minutes. Remove the cooked pizza from the oven and transfer it onto a cutting board. Allow the pizza to rest for 4-5 minutes so the cheese can settle and firm. Cut the rested pizza into 6-8 slices and serve them to your friends and family.
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Feasibility-Study
How to Do a Feasibility Study
To do a feasibility study, start by performing market research using data from the Economic Census and by surveying people directly. Next, consider organizational and technical aspects like location, company size, and cost of supplies. Then, create a budget to outline your start-up costs, estimate your possible revenue, and identify your funding sources. Compile all of your data and crunch the numbers to complete your analysis!
Conduct a preliminary analysis. It sounds strange to say that you need to a pre-feasibility study in order to know if you need to do a feasibility study, but it's true! A little bit or early research will help you determine if you need to proceed with a full-blown investigation. We'll explain more in the following steps. Consider your options. Completing a thorough feasibility study is a time-consuming and sometimes expensive process. Thus, you want to try to save your time and money for investigating only the most promising of your ideas. If you're thinking about turning your jam-making into a business, for example, you should carefully identify other possible alternatives to this venture before you decide to jump full steam into a feasibility study. For example, have you considered simply selling your apples at the market? Begin to assess the demand for your idea. Your friends and relatives may all rave about the jam that you make and give as gifts, but as much as they like your product, it may be the case that consumers in general aren't willing regularly spend extra for an organic, homemade product. Before you decide to invest the time and money into a complete feasibility study, you need to realistically assess whether or not there is a need or demand for your idea. If there is, then you can proceed to study the idea in more depth. If not, then you can move on to your next idea. If you're hoping to sell locally, visit grocers and survey their shelves: if they have a paltry or non-existent display of homemade or organic jams, this could mean that there is no demand for the product. Similarly, if no or very few vendors at the farmer's market offer jam products, it could be because buyers aren't interested. If you're hoping to sell online, you can do a key word search for your product and pay attention to the initial results: if it seems like a lot of people are doing brisk business, it's possible that there's demand for your product. You'll later have to determine if you will be able to compete. Begin to assess the competition. Perhaps you've determined that there is in fact a demand for your idea or services. However, you also need to get an idea of how much competition you'll be up against. For example, even if your town has an active farmers' market, if there are ten other vendors who are all selling their homemade jams, jellies, and spreads, you're going to have to think about whether or not you'll be able to compete or offer consumers a different, more appealing product. Similarly, if you're hoping to sell online, you want to begin to get an idea about how many other people are selling similar products, or if there's a leading brand that dominates the market. Will you be able to compete? Begin to think about ways you can aim for a special niche market. Assess the challenges. Before you move on to the active stages of your feasibility study, you should consider whether or not there will be any insurmountable obstacles. For example, if you have a pet that comes into your home at any time of the day, you cannot manufacture food for sale in your home. You will thus need to prepare your jam in a separate structure. If there's no way you'll be able to meet these requirements, come up with the necessary funds, or tackle the associated remodeling, then it's probably best to put this idea on the back burner for now. Decide if you should hire expert consultants. If your initial investigation suggests that it looks like you have an idea that may be successful, it could be helpful to hire a consultant to manage and conduct your feasibility study. Depending upon the nature of your project, you may also need to commission reports from professionals such as engineers (if, for example, you are tasked with seeing if a public works project is feasible). Thoroughly research your need for expert consultations, and learn what their fees will be. You will either need to make sure to budget enough to cover these costs, or if the costs are too high even at this stage, you may not want or be able to continue with the study. You want your final report to be as objective as possible, so make it clear to whomever you hire that you want honest answers, and that you're not hiring them to give you the answer you want. Set a time-table. Performing a feasibility study can be an involved process, and can easily take up a lot of time. If your initial analysis has indicated that you're sitting on a good idea and that you thus need to complete a more detailed study, you'll want to make sure that you can get the job done in a timely manner. Is the report due to your potential investors, your boss, or the city council by a certain date? If so, work backwards from the due date and make firm deadlines for when the individual phases of the study need to be completed. Learn about the market. Once you've determined that you have a potentially workable idea, you need to learn as much as you can about what the market currently for your product or service is like, if it's changing, and how you can fit into it. You've already done your initial survey of the market, but now you need to dive in deeper. If you're hoping to sell your jam, get out there and talk to vendors and shop-owners about where they get their merchandise and how much business it brings in for them. For example, see if the vendors at the farmers' market are willing to talk to you about their experiences—are they able to make a full-time living selling their goods, or is this a hobby or side business? Perhaps you've identified a number of local shops that are willing to sell locally produced items; you'll want to learn about what their best-selling items are, or if they sell less of particular items at certain times of the year. For example, do they see spikes in sales around the holidays, but a big drop-off in January? You want to try to find out how steady your sales might be. Use data from the Economic Census. You should be able to find even more detailed information for the demand for your product or service by studying the results of the government's Economic Census, which is conducted every five years. Business owners are asked about their sales, number of employees, business expenses and types of products, among other things. You can find the results of the most recent Economic Census online, and customize your search to learn as much as possible about your area of business, the market for it, and your community in particular. Survey people directly. A great way for you to learn as much as possible about what your potential consumers or audience want and need is to interview them and ask them specific questions. For example, see if customers at the farmer's market are willing to complete a survey or be interviewed about their buying habits and preferences—perhaps in exchange for a free sample of your product. Conduct market surveys by other means. Besides interviewing people directly, you can also reach people you think would buy or benefit from your idea by mailing them surveys to complete. If you do this, be sure to include a return envelope with pre-paid postage. Depending upon your audience, you may get better results by conducting telephone or email surveys. You can also direct people to a web-based survey by using social media like Twitter or Facebook. Design your surveys carefully. Make sure that whatever methods you choose to learn about your audience's needs and wants, you take the time to compose detailed, specific questions for your survey. For example, if you want to sell your jam, be sure to ask who typically buys jam in the house-hold, and who it is bought for (is it for their kids, for example?). Ask what their favorite flavors are, whether there are other flavors they'd like to try but have never found, and how much they are willing to spend. Ask them as well about what they like about their current brand: the color, the consistency, the company that makes it, etc. Analyze the competition's claim on the market. It's also important that you try to determine how much of a share your top competitors have, and how long they've held on to that position. This can let you know whether you'll realistically be able to take a significant portion of the market for yourself. For example, if you learn that a local company dominates the jam market and if the results of your interviews and surveys have shown that customers are very loyal to that brand, you may want to consider moving on to your next great idea. If you haven't already, be sure to use the information from the most recent Economic Census. Identify your potential share of the market. Once you understand how your competitors fit into the market, you should be able to estimate how you'll be able to fit in. You want the results of your feasibility study to outline, with as specific of numbers and percentages as possible, how you'll fit in and how you'll likely grow over time. For example, will you be able to serve the 10% of people who indicated that they would prefer an organic jam option? What will that translate to in terms of how much jam you'll have to produce? Determine where you'll need to work. Part of your feasibility study should be devoted to exploring the details of where you'll be working. For example, you may need an office space to serve as headquarters for your business operation or project, or you may need land with special features, if for example, you are planning to expand your orchard for your business. Make sure that you have access to the space and facilities you'll need, and research any leases or permits that you'll need. Decide how your company or team needs to be structured. If you won't be heading this project alone, you'll have to think about what sort of help (paid or volunteer) you'll need from others. You need to give serious thought to all of the following questions: What are your staffing needs? What qualifications will your staff need? Are there qualified people available to hire or recruit to volunteer? How do you see these staffing needs changing as the business grows or as the projects unfolds? Will you need a board of directors? What will their qualifications need to be? Who would serve on it? Determine what materials you will need. This is the point at which you'll have to carefully research and list all of the materials you'll need for each specific stage of your project: What raw materials will you need? From where will they be sourced? For example, will you be able to grow all of your own fruit or will you need to purchase it in bulk from a separate grower, especially in the off-season? How much sugar and pectin will you need on a regular basis? Will you have to drive to a wholesaler to get these, or can they be regularly delivered? You should also think about the smaller details such as the materials you'll need for packaging and delivering your product, if you are creating something to be sold. Also, don't neglect to include such necessities as office supplies. Identify the cost of your materials. While you will get more specific with the details of your budget in the next phase of the feasibility study, make sure to record the prices of the materials you'll need as you research their availability. Make note of whether or not you'll be able to comparison shop for your materials, or if you'll be tied to getting your supplies from a single source. Identify any required technology. You also need to think about whether or not you'll need any special technology, and research its availability and affordability. For example, even if you aren't planning on opening up your own storefront and are instead hoping to sell your product online, you'll need access to a reliable computer, a quality camera, and perhaps software to manage your orders and billing/payment information. Outline your start-up costs. An important part of your feasibility study is a detailed budget, which should include the costs that you'll need to handle as you start your business or project. For example: what equipment will you have to purchase or lease? Will you need land or special buildings? Do you need special tools or machinery? Determine exactly how much all of this will cost. Your start-up costs are those that you'll have to cover to get off the ground, but which (typically) won't be regular expenses once the business or project is underway. Estimate your operating costs. These are the everyday costs of running a business, and will include such things as rent, materials, and wages that you'll need to account for regularly. Estimate your revenue predictions. Use your prior research on the current prices of comparable items to help you set the price of your services or goods. Based on how much of the market you've estimated you'll be able to corner, and based on your productions costs and the price you hope to fetch, what do you anticipate your profit margin to be? You should also include information about whether or not you see your revenue stream remaining steady or growing over time. To be able to calculate this, begin by carefully outlining your fixed costs (what you will always have to spend on rent, supplies, salaries, etc.). You can then calculate both a conservative and aggressive prediction about your profit growth. The conservative model will estimate slower growth with possible increases in your fixed costs, whereas a more aggressive model is more optimistic—how much might you be able to expect to grow if demand for your product increases steadily and your operating costs stay relatively stable? Estimate the outcome for other types of projects. Perhaps you're not planning on selling a good or service, but are instead doing a feasibility study to see whether or not a public works project is feasible. If so, you won't necessarily have to worry about financial revenue, but you'll still want to estimate the overall good for the community that you think will come from your project. How many people will benefit from the service, and in what ways? You should be able to use the results from your surveys to help you answer these questions. For example, if you're studying the feasibility of a new park, you would have earlier asked residents questions about how often they visit parks, why they visit them, and whether or not they thought they'd utilize them more if current parks were redesigned or if new specialty parks were built. You can use all of this to estimate the longer-term impact the project would have on the town. Identify your funding sources. You need to know how you'll be able to cover all of your costs throughout this operation. Thus, carefully outline all of your available sources of income and funding. For example, do you have savings upon which you can draw? Will you need investors, and if so, have you identified them? Will you need to secure a bank loan? Have you been pre-approved? Crunch the numbers. The final step when considering the financial aspects of your idea is to perform what is called a profitability analysis. Subtract all of the outlined costs from your anticipated revenue in order to determine whether you'll be able to cover your start-up and operating costs and turn a profit. You should then be able to determine whether or not the profit margin is wide enough. Even if the project isn't concerned with making money, you still need to crunch the “numbers”: given the amount of time and effort that will be involved, will enough people benefit in the long-run to make this project worthwhile? Compile all of the information. Once you've completed all of the stages of the study, you'll need to organize your findings. Gather together your surveys, the evidence brought in by any of your team-members or hired consultants, your budget, etc. Look at your financial predictions first. In most cases, the ultimate feasibility of your idea will come down to questions about money. Take a hard, honest look at what your anticipated profit margin for your business will be, and determine whether or not you can be satisfied and secure with those numbers. Will you have enough of a financial cushion to be able to handle the inevitable set-backs? For example, even if you're able to afford new kitchen equipment for your jam making business, chances are good that at some point you'll need to pay for repairs. Similarly, will your business be able to survive a bad growing season? If your numbers are too tight even before you consider these unexpected (yet usually inevitable) set-backs, you should probably hold off. Balance your estimated business profits against your personal financial needs. If you hope to make a living off your new business venture, you will need to have your personal budget outlined. Once you estimate the profit you'll make from your business, determine whether or not it will it be able to cover your living expenses. Again, you should remember to factor in unexpected costs, such as needing to pay for car repairs or medical emergencies. Consider the human costs of your project. Even if the numbers look decent to you, you should think about how much time, effort, and attention this new venture will demand. Are you, your family members, and/or team members up for the challenges? Analyze your findings. Considering all of the associated risks and potential benefits, does it look as though the project is promising to you? You may have just been tasked with organizing this study, and the decision to give the project a green light may be up to someone else. Even so, you should do your own analysis based on the findings so that you can include your conclusions in the report. Write it up and distribute it. A study doesn't do a whole lot of good until it is in the hands of the right people. You may have completed this feasibility report just for your own sake—to learn for yourself whether or not your idea was workable. Even so, you'll want to have your findings clearly organized and written for your own future reference, and it's quite likely that your potential investors will want to study your report as well. If you were tasked with completing this study for someone else—perhaps by your company or by a city department—you'll need to make sure it gets to the right people in a timely manner. If it's your responsibility to report upon your findings, make sure that you practice your presentation, and have professional looking hand-outs and/or visual aids so that your audience can clearly follow your process and see how you arrived at your final conclusion.
Conduct a preliminary analysis. Consider your options. Begin to assess the demand for your idea. Begin to assess the competition. Assess the challenges. Decide if you should hire expert consultants. Set a time-table. Learn about the market. Use data from the Economic Census. Survey people directly. Conduct market surveys by other means. Design your surveys carefully. Analyze the competition's claim on the market. Identify your potential share of the market. Determine where you'll need to work. Decide how your company or team needs to be structured. Determine what materials you will need. Identify the cost of your materials. Identify any required technology. Outline your start-up costs. Estimate your operating costs. Estimate your revenue predictions. Estimate the outcome for other types of projects. Identify your funding sources. Crunch the numbers. Compile all of the information. Look at your financial predictions first. Balance your estimated business profits against your personal financial needs. Consider the human costs of your project. Analyze your findings. Write it up and distribute it.
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-and-Wear-Thong-Underwear-Without-Your-Parents-Knowing
How to Buy and Wear Thong Underwear Without Your Parents Knowing
To buy a thong without your parents knowing, get it from a department or discount store while you're buying other things. Make sure you pay in cash and throw away the receipt so you don't leave any trace of your purchase. When you get home, hide the thong in the bottom of your bag. To wear your thong without your parents knowing, avoid keeping it with your other underwear in case they find it. After wearing it, you'll have to hand wash it and air dry it somewhere discreet in your room so they don't notice it in the wash. You should also avoid wearing low-rise jeans at the same time in case you bend over and your parents see your thong.
Decide where you want to shop. You aren't limited to the mall. Department stores and discount stores all have thongs in their underwear sections. Pick a location that is convenient for you and where you are least likely to run into people you know or people who know your parents. Choose what style of thong you want. Some thongs have more coverage than others. Do you want lace? Do you want a g-string style or a fuller coverage style? Deciding beforehand will help you when you go shopping because there are numerous thong styles to choose from. Bring cash with you. Don't use a debit card or a check, which creates a paper trail of your purchases. Paying for your underwear in cash keeps it under your parents' radar. Be sure to throw away your receipt before you get home so you don't risk anyone finding a list of what you bought. Shop alone if possible. If it is normal for you to go to the mall or department store by yourself, then go alone. This leaves no witnesses and you do not have to worry about someone telling your parents what you bought. In the interest of safety, do be sure to tell your parents where you are going so they are not suspicious about where you are. Shop with a trusted friend if you don't feel comfortable going alone. If you are not old enough to go to the mall by yourself or feel too intimidated, then go shopping with a close friend. Choose a friend who won't slip up and mention your shopping trip and purchases to your parents. If there is no way for you to get to a mall or department store to make your purchase away from adult supervision, then you are going to have to get creative. You might mention that you need to go to the restroom and then quickly head to buy the underwear. Disguise your purchase. Don't only shop for underwear. Buy a couple decoy items so it doesn't seem suspicious that you planned a shopping trip and then came home with nothing. If you don't have the money for extra items, you can claim that you weren't able to find anything you wanted. Keep it out of sight till you can hide it. Put your new underwear in the bottom of your purse or shopping bag, under enough things to go undetected. If you think your parents might go through your shopping bag, you can stash the thong in your trouser pocket or an interior pocket of a purse or backpack. Keep your thong somewhere other than your underwear drawer. Your parents might stumble across it in your underwear drawer when they are doing your laundry. Other options might be to keep it under your mattress or behind books on a bookshelf. Get creative to keep your parents from finding it. Avoid letting your siblings know about it. Even if they seem trustworthy, in a moment of anger or forgetfulness, they might tell your parents about it. Keep it to yourself. Do your own laundry. The ruse is up if you go through all the hard work to secretly buy a thong and then your parents find it in the laundry. Wash and dry your own underwear according to the instructions on the tag. If it would be out of character for you to start doing your own laundry, then handwash your thong with soap and water and let it air dry somewhere discreet in your room. Be sure to put it back in your secure hiding place as soon as it’s washed. It's easy to forget your laundry or leave it out in the open in your room. To keep it hidden make sure each time you wash your thong that you immediately return it to its hiding place. Set an alarm reminder on your phone, tablet, or computer to remind you if you think there's a chance you'll forget. Wear mid-rise or high-rise pants or skirts. Avoid low-rise jeans that show your underwear when you bend over. Choose jeans, shorts, and skirts with a higher waist. One-piece clothing like maxi dresses or rompers are great concealing choices, as well. Avoid wearing dark-colored thongs with light-colored bottoms and vice versa. Avoid fabrics that show the stitching detail of your underwear. For maximum protection against visible underwear, choose a thong in a color that most closely matches your own skin color. Wear thicker fabrics, if possible. If you want to wear colorful, decorative underwear, then make sure you wear a thick fabric like denim that will conceal everything. Avoid wearing thongs that you want hidden with thin, tight bottoms like yoga pants. Avoid wearing thongs with short skirts. To avoid an embarrassing clothing mishap, only wear thongs with longer skirts. Miniskirts don't provide very much coverage and are better paired with full coverage underwear styles like boyshorts or hiphuggers. See this article for tips on how to Wear Thong Underwear.
Decide where you want to shop. Choose what style of thong you want. Bring cash with you. Shop alone if possible. Shop with a trusted friend if you don't feel comfortable going alone. Disguise your purchase. Keep it out of sight till you can hide it. Keep your thong somewhere other than your underwear drawer. Avoid letting your siblings know about it. Do your own laundry. Be sure to put it back in your secure hiding place as soon as it’s washed. Wear mid-rise or high-rise pants or skirts. Avoid wearing dark-colored thongs with light-colored bottoms and vice versa. Wear thicker fabrics, if possible. Avoid wearing thongs with short skirts.
https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Fructose
How to Avoid Fructose
To avoid fructose, read food labels very carefully. Avoid products with high-fructose corn syrup, honey, agave nectar, inverted sugar, maple syrup, molasses, palm or coconut sugar, sorghum, or sorbitol. Look for low-sugar dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and snacks. Avoid ready-made products and food with added sugar. If you have fructose malabsorption or hereditary fructose intolerance, talk with a doctor about specific health needs.
Scan ingredients labels for sources of sugar. Oftentimes, there are sources of fructose that are not overtly advertised on a product's label. Even when a product has a low sugar content, the ingredients label may reveal hidden sources of fructose. Do not buy products containing any of the following ingredients: Fructose High-fructose corn syrup Honey Agave nectar Invert sugar Maple syrup Molasses Palm or coconut sugar Sorghum Watch out for unexpected sources of high-fructose corn syrup. High-fructose corn syrup is an especially unhealthy source of fructose. While high-fructose corn syrup is found in some obvious places, like soft drinks, it's also found in unexpected products. Things like salad dressings, bread, juices, granola bars, and pasta sauces may contain high-fructose corn syrup, so read labels carefully. Cut out sorbitol. If fructose consumption causes digestion problems for you, watch out for the ingredient "sorbitol" on labels. This is a sugar alcohol that can worsen digestive symptoms for some. When trying to find products friendly to a low fructose diet, avoid sorbitol in general. Look for low-sugar cereals. If cereal is a staple of your breakfast, be aware it can be high in sugar and fructose. Ideally, the cereal you eat should have no more than three grams of sugar per serving. Cereals like porridge or oatmeal, Weetabix, and shredded wheat without added sugar are great options. Watch out for added sugar in dairy products. Dairy products are generally lower in sugar and can be healthy on a low fructose diet. However, things like flavored milk and yogurt may have a high sugar content and should be avoided. Dairy products with fruit flavoring are high in added sugar and fructose-containing products, even products flavored with natural fruit. Opt for plain dairy products. If you want to add some flavor to your yogurt, try mixing in extracts like vanilla extract and naturally sweet spices like cinnamon. Talk to your doctor about a meal plan. As safe fructose levels vary depending on your personal health, talk to a doctor about establishing a meal plan. If you've been diagnosed with a health condition that affects your ability to consume fructose, sit down with your doctor and go over what you can and cannot eat. You should also make sure your doctor lets you know the precise amount of fructose you can safely consume each day. Stick to low-sugar fruits in moderation. Certain fruits, such as bananas and grapes, are very high in sugar and fructose. While such fruits are not necessarily bad for you, it's best to cut them out if you need to maintain a low fructose diet for health reasons. Limit your fruit consumption in general and, when you do eat fruit, aim for low fructose options. Fruits that are very low in sugar include options like avocado, rhubarb, lime, lemon, strawberries, watermelon, blackberries, grapefruit, cranberries, and raspberries. Fruits with a moderate amount of sugar include nectarines, peaches, cantaloupes, pears, plums, apples, apricots, oranges, and pineapple. Even when consuming fruit low in sugar, limit your overall fruit intake. When it comes to consuming healthy produce, strive to eat more vegetables than fruit. If you have trouble digesting fructose, you may be able to tolerate up to half a cup (.12 liters) of fruit with a meal. Choose low-sugar vegetables. In general, vegetables tend to be lower in sugar than fruit overall. However, not all vegetables are completely safe for a low-fructose diet. Make sure you ask your doctor which vegetables you can and can't have, and factor in vegetables when calculating your daily fructose consumption. If you're trying to limit your fructose intake, go for some of the following veggie options: Asparagus Bok choy Brussels sprouts Cucumber Kale Lettuce Parsnips Spinach White potato Zucchini Drink water to quench your thirst. You do not need to drink anything but water to quench your thirst. Many other drink options are high in fructose. While soda is an obvious culprit, even juices made from natural fruits contain a high amount of fructose. If you prefer to sweeten tea or coffee with sugar, use an artificial sweetener like dextrose instead or sweet extracts, like vanilla extract. Eat low fructose snacks. When it comes to snacking, fill up on snacks that are low in overall fructose content. Opt for filling options that are low in fructose. The following are healthy snack options for a low fructose diet: Popcorn Low fructose fruits Celery and carrots Cheese Meats like salami Nuts Toss the ready made products. Ready made meals are high in unnecessary additives, including sources of corn syrup. Strive to eat meals you prepare yourself at home over boxed dinners or other microwavable meals. You should also avoid any commercial baked goods, as these tend to be particularly high in fructose. Replace desserts with fruits. If you're craving something sweet, satisfy your sweet tooth with a piece of fruit. Go for a fruit with a low to moderate amount of fructose, such as a peach or a handful of strawberries. However, make sure to account for how much total fructose you've had in the day to make sure you don't go over. Also, talk to your doctor about having fruit as a snack. Some people with conditions like fructose malabsorption may not be able to have fruit on its own at all. Try low fructose bread. Bread is a staple of many people's diets as it can be used for quick lunch options like sandwiches. If you're craving bread, check the ingredient label on store-bought bread to make sure that your selection is low in fructose. You can also control the amount of fructose in your bread by making your own bread from scratch. This can allow you to enjoy bread without sabotaging your efforts to avoid fructose. Even while using low fructose bread, you should still strive to limit your overall bread intake. You should also talk to your doctor first. Not everyone on a low-fructose diet can tolerate bread, even low-fructose varieties. Choose low fructose alcoholic beverages. If you drink, be aware fructose is found in alcohol. Stick to low fructose options such as red wine and dry beers and spirits. Avoid mixing spirits with mixers that contain sugar.
Scan ingredients labels for sources of sugar. Watch out for unexpected sources of high-fructose corn syrup. Cut out sorbitol. Look for low-sugar cereals. Watch out for added sugar in dairy products. Talk to your doctor about a meal plan. Stick to low-sugar fruits in moderation. Choose low-sugar vegetables. Drink water to quench your thirst. Eat low fructose snacks. Toss the ready made products. Replace desserts with fruits. Try low fructose bread. Choose low fructose alcoholic beverages.