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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Liquid-Dish-Soap | How to Make Homemade Liquid Dish Soap | Making your own liquid dish soap is a great way to avoid unnatural chemicals that are often used in commercial soap. All you need is water, distilled white vinegar, and soap flakes, which you can usually find in the laundry aisle of supermarkets. You can use fresh lemon juice instead of vinegar if you prefer. First, mix 2 cups of water and ¼ cup of soap flakes in a pan and heat it on medium. Stir the mixture while it heats for 10-15 minutes or until the soap melts. Remove the pan from the stove and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Then, mix in 1 or 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice. Once your soap's fully cooled, pour it into a soap dispenser or an old pump bottle. | Mix the water and soap flakes. Add 2 cups (470 ml) of water and ¼ cup (9 g) of soap flakes to a medium sauce pan. Use a spoon to stir the ingredients together so the soap is mixed throughout the water. Soap flakes are usually sold in the laundry aisle at grocery stores. You can substitute soap shavings for store-bought flakes if you prefer. Heat the mixture until the soap melts. Place the saucepan with the water and soap on the stove. Allow the mixture to slowly heat on medium until the soap melts completely, which should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. When all of the soap has melted, remove the pan from the stove and allow the mixture to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to come to a boil on the stove. If it starts to boil, reduce the heat. Stirring the mixture as it heats can help the soap melt more quickly. Mix in the vinegar. Once the soap and water mixture has cooled for several minutes, add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of distilled white vinegar to the pan. Stir well to ensure that the vinegar is fully incorporated. You can substitute fresh lemon juice for the vinegar if you prefer. Both will help cut grease when you're washing dishes. The amount of vinegar you should add to the soap depends on how thick the mixture is. If it is extremely thick, add approximately 2 tablespoons (30 ml) to help loosen it up. If the soap mixture is already liquidy, just add approximately 1 tablespoon (15 ml). Cool the mixture completely before transferring to a soap dispenser. Allow the soap to sit in the pot until it is completely cooled, which may take 15 to 20 minutes. Next, pour the soap into a soap dispenser or pump bottle, and place beside your kitchen sink. It's often easier to transfer the soap from the pan to the dispenser with a funnel. Heat the water and grated soap until the soap melts. Add 1 ½ cups (353 ml) of water and ¼ cup (9 ml) of tightly packed, grated castile bar soap to a medium saucepan, and place on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-high, and allow the mixture to heat until the soap completely dissolves, which should take 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove. Stir the mixture as it's heating to help the soap dissolve more quickly. Add the liquid castile soap, some washing soda, and glycerin. Once the soap has dissolved completely and the mixture is off the heat, mix in ¼ cup (60 ml) of liquid castile soap, 2 ¼ teaspoons (10 g) of super washing soda, and ½ teaspoon (1.5 g) glycerin. Stir well until all of the ingredients are fully incorporated. Washing soda is usually found in the laundry aisle of large grocery stores. If you can't find it locally, you can order it from a variety of online stores. Allow the soap to set. Leave the soap mixture in the pan, and let it sit for 24 hours. Stir it periodically during this period to get a feel for the consistency. The soap will thicken up over time so it's okay if it's a bit runny. If it seems too thin, though, you can warm the soap up, mix in additional washing soda, and let it set again. If you're adding extra washing soda, start by mixing in ¾ teaspoon (3 g) and letting the soap sit again. If it's still not thick enough, mix in the washing soda in ½ teaspoon increments (2 g) until it's the right consistency. If your soap has chunks or lumps, smooth it with a blender or an immersion blender. Mix in the essential oils and transfer the soap to a soap dispenser. When the soap has reached your desired consistency, add 15 to 40 drops of your favorite essential oil. Stir well to ensure that the oil is blended throughout the soap for a fresh fragrance, and pour it into a soap dispenser for use beside the kitchen sink. You can use any essential oil that you like, but citrus oils, such as lemon, lime, and orange, are particularly effective in cutting grease. Juniper and lavender are also good options. Combine the Borax, washing soda, vinegar, and castile soap. In a large bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon (2 g) of Borax, 1 tablespoon (14 g) of washing soda, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of white distilled vinegar, and ½ cup (120 ml) liquid castile soap. Stir well to ensure that all of the ingredients are well blended. Borax is a natural mineral that's ground down into a powder and used in cleaning products, such as dish soap and laundry detergent. You can find it with washing soda in the laundry aisle of most grocery markets. If you want your dish soap to have a scent, you can use a scented castile soap, such as lavender, peppermint, citrus, or tea tree. Boil the water and add the Borax mixture. Pour 2 ½ cups (600 ml) of water into a medium saucepan, and heat on the stove on high until it is boiling, which should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove, and gradually pour the Borax mixture into the water, whisking after each addition to fully mix the soap. If you want your soap to have a stronger scent, add 3 to 5 drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender or tea tree, and mix well. It's okay if your soap is thin and liquidy. It will thicken up as it cools. Let the soap cool and transfer it to a soap dispenser. Allow the soap mixture to cool down to room temperature, which should take 20 to 30 minutes. Next, pour it into a dispenser and place it beside the kitchen sink. | Mix the water and soap flakes. Heat the mixture until the soap melts. Mix in the vinegar. Cool the mixture completely before transferring to a soap dispenser. Heat the water and grated soap until the soap melts. Add the liquid castile soap, some washing soda, and glycerin. Allow the soap to set. Mix in the essential oils and transfer the soap to a soap dispenser. Combine the Borax, washing soda, vinegar, and castile soap. Boil the water and add the Borax mixture. Let the soap cool and transfer it to a soap dispenser. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Your-Weaknesses | How to Overcome Your Weaknesses | To overcome your weaknesses, take steps to improve them and praise yourself when you make progress. Ask for help from a friend, family member, or colleague in dealing with your weakness. For example, if you struggle with math problems, get a friend who understands them to explain them to you so that you can improve your weakness. If you have a specific skill that you consider a weakness, such as public speaking or writing, consider taking a course to improve it. Remember to give yourself credit even when you achieve some progress, such as speaking up in a meeting if you're trying to improve your public speaking skills. | List events with unfavorable outcomes in your life. As you go through life, some things will go the way you want and others won't. Making a list of your failures or shortcomings can point you in the direction of your weaknesses. Write down anything in life that didn't turn out the way you had hoped. For example, if you continuously fail to keep a relationship going for more than a few months, write that down. Find common threads in these events. If your shortcomings have a common thread, this is a clear weakness. Now that you've identified that weakness you can start developing a strategy to work on it. When you overcome the weakness, there's a better chance that your future outcomes will be what you want. For example, if you struggle to get along with family and coworkers, you might be weak in communication skills. Ask for feedback. You might not always recognize your own weaknesses. Sometimes, it helps if you ask for feedback from people that know you well. Get the opinion of your boss, your spouse, or anyone else that you know well. Avoid becoming defensive when asking for feedback. Thank the other person for their honest advice, and they will be more likely to be open with you in the future. Think of things you want to change in your life. If there are areas of life that make you unhappy, it may be because you feel weak or unsuited to handle those areas well. Make a note of such things and see if there is any correlation between your weaknesses and the changes you want to make. You will likely find that these changes all stem from an area that you are not well suited to handle. For example, if you wish your house was cleaner and your office was less cluttered, it isn't a stretch to say that you might have a weakness in organization. Finding that weakness is the first step to overcoming it. Ask yourself how each weakness serves you. Your mind does not create weaknesses on purpose. These traits are created in an attempt to protect you or serve you in some way. The sooner you understand what that is, the sooner you can find a more positive way to cope with that situations, leaving no need for your current weakness. For example, a weakness in approaching strangers could stem from being taught that strangers are dangerous and that protecting yourself meant staying away from them. Remember that nobody can be perfect at everything. If you struggle with certain skills or subjects, consider your strengths instead. For example, you may not be good at math, but you can celebrate how good you are at writing. Use your strengths to overcome a weakness. There are multiple ways to look at any task or situation. Instead of focusing on skills that you lack, try tackling tasks with the skills you do have. This can build your confidence and make you capable of doing more things that you thought possible. For example, if you are intimidated by math but great with computers, you can tackle budget related tasks by plugging everything into a spreadsheet and letting it do the math for you. Rely on your network. Networking with others is a strength in any situation. Admitting that you need help in a certain area will help you to include team members and other partners in your tasks. You can also learn to overcome your weaknesses by observing how others tackle those tasks. If you find it difficult to reach out or to rely on others, this might be your weakness! You can take steps to learn how to depend on others. Work towards strengthening your areas of weakness. You can take a class, workshop, or training to develop some skills. You could also seek out a mentor to help you grow as a person and overcome your weaknesses. You can also read a self-help book or online coaching materials. If your weaknesses are the result of emotional roots, you could even see a counselor to help you work through these underlying issues. A therapist or mental health professional can help you identify your patterns and habits so that you can make positive changes in your life. Develop a concise plan of action. Once your weaknesses are identified, you need a plan to beat them. Set goals for yourself with time limits. Under each goal, create actionable steps that allow you to stay on track and succeed. For example, if your public speaking skills are weak, make it a goal that you can give a confident presentation. You can plan out actionable steps like writing a speech, delivering the speech to an empty room, then to one person, then to several people. Eventually, you'll be confident enough to deliver the speech to a public audience. Tell other people about your goals to make yourself accountable for them. You may even ask a trusted friend or mentor to be an accountability partner. They should check in every now and then to see how far you have progressed. Utilize your strengths to build confidence. While you are working to overcome a weakness, work on things you are good at, too. This will keep your confidence up and help you get back to work overcoming the weaknesses. It also keeps you looking competent and skilled while you build your skillset even more. For example, if you are really good at writing speeches, you could help others write their speeches until you feel comfortable delivering your own. Count every success. Your weaknesses are called weaknesses for a reason. It takes hard work and dedication to overcome them. Even if you fall short of a goal, acknowledge any progress that you did make. This will keep you in a positive frame of mind and help you pick up and continue overcoming the weakness. Even if you haven't mastered the art of speaking to large crowds, give yourself credit when you speak up in a meeting or give a presentation to your colleagues. Celebrate all of your successes. You can do this by taking photographs to commemorate them, making social media posts, or going out to dinner with friends. | List events with unfavorable outcomes in your life. Find common threads in these events. Ask for feedback. Think of things you want to change in your life. Ask yourself how each weakness serves you. Use your strengths to overcome a weakness. Rely on your network. Work towards strengthening your areas of weakness. Develop a concise plan of action. Utilize your strengths to build confidence. Count every success. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apologize-to-a-Girl-You-Accidentally-Insulted | How to Apologize to a Girl You Accidentally Insulted | If you want to apologize to a girl you've accidentally insulted over text, the best thing to say is something like “I'm so sorry for offending you and I'll try to make it up to you.” However, if you can, try apologizing in person, since this allows you to show that you're invested in making it up to her. To do so, make eye contact and sincerely admit that what you did was wrong. Then, check with her to see what you can do to make it better, and actively listen to her how she responds to see what you can do better. | Figure out why she was offended. Did your comment implicate someone she loved, like a family member or friend, accidentally? Did you bring up a story or event from her past that she would rather not talk about? Is there a simple misunderstanding between you two? The simplest way to figure out your mistake is to ask, but there are other methods as well. Talk to her friends -- do they know how you insulted her? Replay the event in your head -- did you say something off-hand that you didn't realize was offensive? Apologize in person. Pull her aside and let her know that you never meant to offend her. Outline briefly what you meant to say and avoid making excuses -- this is not the time to go on trial, it is the time to atone for your mistake. Get your apology in as soon as possible -- the longer you wait to say sorry the harder it will be to convince her that you mean it. Be sincere in your apology. Do not apologize just to "get her off your back," as she'll see through it instantly. Good ways to show your sincerity include: Make eye contact. Slightly bow your head. Talk in a slow, calm, and measured voice. Don't rush your apology to "get it over with." List the hurtful effects of your actions when you apologize. This will show empathy and show that you are actually sorry. If you simply say that you're sorry, you'll give the impression that you're only sorry about getting caught. Admit your wrongdoing. This simple show of humility is the most powerful thing you can do in an apology. You made a mistake, knowingly or not, and you need to own up to your mistake to move on. Why were you wrong? Do you understand why you were offensive? Let her know that you've learned from your mistake. "I'm so sorry I said that -- I never meant to hurt you and I won't say it again." "I made a mistake thinking that was okay, it won't happen again." Listen to her response. The apology is her opportunity to tell you how you made her feel, and an opportunity for both of you to move forward. Listen attentively and take her thoughts on board. If you can, rephrase them back to her to show that you were listening. This is why you need to get a few minutes to apologize to her. Ask for her forgiveness. While difficult, you need to come clean, say you're sorry, and hope that she forgives you. If your mistake was accidental, chances are good she will be laugh off the misunderstanding and move on. There is no more effective way to ask for forgiveness than a simple, "I'm sorry." Move on. Once you've apologized, it's time to get your friendship back on track. If you've accidentally offended her, the best you can do is apologize, admit your wrongdoing, and ask for forgiveness. If she is unwilling to accept this, than give her some time to see that you are sincere. However, don't feel like you need to bend over backwards to make things right -- everyone makes mistakes, and she needs to be able to forgive you. Ask her if there is anything you can do to make it up to her. Is there something you can do to make her feel better? Is there someone else that you may need to apologize to, such as a friend or family member who was also nearby. Showing that you will do things to fix your mistake proves that you are truly sorry and want to prevent future insult. Do not, however, feel like you "owe" her anything. Your actions should be done out of caring, and she should not take advantage of you with absurd or unreasonable demands. Follow through on your apology with concrete actions. If you tell her during the apology that you are going to act differently in the future, put your money where your mouth is and actually do so. Act politely. While you should do this all of the time, go out of your way to show that you still respect her, despite your slip up. Treating her with respect and humility will help heal the wounds that were accidentally opened. You don't need to act like she is queen. Basic dignity and curtsey should suffice. Understand why the insult was offensive. You need to go a step further than apologizing if you want to make a real difference in your friendship. Ask her to explain why your words/actions hurt, and make sure you take the time to listen. Avoid getting defensive. You may feel entitled to an apology as well -- after all, you did not mean to be offensive -- but this is not the time or place. You need to understand where she is coming from if you hope to avoid further issues. Do no argue or try and convince her that "you weren't being insulting" or that she is "overreacting." The offender does not get to choose what is offensive. If she felt insulted, then you insulted her. Remember what insulted her and refrain from repeating it. This may seem obvious, but oftentimes, after a sincere apology, you may think that you can repeat the insult "jokingly." This is not only rude, it is incredibly disrespectful. You need to honor her wishes and find new language to express yourself. | Figure out why she was offended. Apologize in person. Be sincere in your apology. List the hurtful effects of your actions when you apologize. Admit your wrongdoing. Listen to her response. Ask for her forgiveness. Move on. Ask her if there is anything you can do to make it up to her. Follow through on your apology with concrete actions. Act politely. Understand why the insult was offensive. Avoid getting defensive. Remember what insulted her and refrain from repeating it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cool-an-Overheated-Engine | How to Cool an Overheated Engine | To cool an overheated engine, start by turning off your vehicle and waiting for steam to stop coming out of the hood and the engine to cool down, which can take 30-45 minutes. Once the engine is cool, pop the hood and squeeze the upper radiator hose to see if it's under pressure. If the hose feels firm and hard to squeeze, or if the radiator cap is warm to the touch, don't remove the radiator cap or you could get hit with hot coolant and suffer from severe burns. Once the radiator cap is cool and the hose is depressurized, remove the cap and pour in a little coolant, using equal parts coolant and water if you have some water available. | Avoid panicking and pull over as soon as you can. An overheating engine, while serious, will not cause you immediate harm. If your temperature gauge hits the red or you notice steam coming from your engine, slow down and pull over as soon as you find somewhere safe. If you notice white clouds coming from your engine, it is not smoke but steam that is coming off an overheated engine, and you have some time to pull over. If you cannot immediately pull over, you should: Turn off the AC and open the windows. Crank the heat and fans all the way up--this draws heat from your engine. Turn on your hazards and drive at a slow, constant pace until you can stop. Pop the hood when there is no more steam coming out. If the car isn't too hot, turn off the vehicle and pop your hood. If the hood is extremely hot to the touch or if you see steam, then it is advisable to wait until the hood cools before you open it all the way. Opening the hood helps dissipate some of the heat away from the engine. Turn the engine off and leave the key in the ignition in the "on" position. Your lights, dashboard, etc., should still be on. This will allow the cooling fans to continue running without running your engine, which will help speed the cooling process. Let the engine cool completely before you touch the engine or open the radiator cap. This cooling process could take as long as 30-45 minutes, but will save you from dangerous burns. Check the upper radiator hose. Squeezing the upper radiator hose can help you determine whether your system is under pressure, and thus whether it's safe to remove the radiator cap. If it feels firm and is difficult to squeeze, then the system is likely still pressurized and you should not remove the radiator cap. If the hose compresses easily when you squeeze it, it is probably safe to remove the radiator cap. Use a rag or towel when you handle this hose, as it can be very hot. Leave the radiator cap on until it is cool. The pressure and steam inside can shoot a dangerous jet of fluid back at your face. Play it safe and leave the radiator cap on the car for as long as you can. If it feels warm to the touch, leave it. An overheated engine may have coolant as hot as 260F. Inside a sealed system, it will not boil. However, once exposed to the air it will flash boil and can cause severe burns. Wait until the system is cool. Turn the radiator cap. Use a thick towel or rag to turn the cap carefully. The cap will expose the fluid inside the radiator or expansion tank to the atmosphere. If your radiator cap doesn't have threads, you will need to push down on it after you've loosened it in order to clear the safety lock. This will allow you to remove the cap completely. Check your coolant reservoir tank once the engine has cooled enough. This usually takes 30-45 minutes. The reservoir tank resembles a white, plastic milk jug and is connected to the radiator cap. There is usually a mark on the side that lets you know how full it should be. Check the engine for leaks. The most common cause of engine overheating is a leak in the coolant system. Look for fluid on the engine or pooling underneath the car, especially if the coolant is low or empty. That said, cooling systems need pressure to function, so even a small leak that hasn't drained a lot of coolant can cause problems. Coolant usually smells sweet, and can show up on hoses, under the car, or around the radiator cap. It flows more like water, unlike oil which has a thicker consistency. Coolant is often green for older models, but the color of coolant can vary depending on your car's make and model. Refill the coolant after the car has cooled off. If you have coolant, add some to the car once it has cooled down, usually after 30-45 minutes. Open the radiator cap and pour a little in, 3-5 seconds worth. If you have water, mix the coolant and water together in roughly even parts and add that -- most engines are made to function with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. In a tight pinch, just water can substitute for coolant, though you don't want to use it for too long. Turn the car back on after cooling and check the temperature gauge. Is it shooting back up into the red? If so, you should turn the car back off and wait another 10-15 minutes for it to cool off before driving. If not, you should be able to keep driving until you see a mechanic. Call a tow-truck if the issue doesn't go away or you notice bigger problems. If you have a leak in the coolant system, are dripping oil, or can't get the engine to cool down, call a tow-truck immediately. Engine overheating can completely ruin a motor, totaling your car if you aren't careful. If you must drive the car, be sure to let it cool as much as possible before restarting. Keep driving after the temperature gauge lowers back down. You do not, however, want to keep driving for long if you can help it. That said, sometimes you have no choice but to keep moving until you can get to help. If the car does not overheat again, you may have had a one-time overheating due to a variety of factors (AC on, hot day, stop and start traffic). Still, you need to keep your eyes on the temperature gauge whenever possible to avoid more issues. Most cars are calibrated to sense overheating before serious engine damage, giving you some time to fix the problem. This does not, however, mean you should ignore your gauges. Turn off the AC. Air conditioning uses engine power to cool off the car, and you don't need your engine under any more strain than it can handle. Open the windows to cool off instead. Crank your heat up to full blast. While this seems counter-intuitive, cars heaters warm up by sucking heat made by the engine and blasting it into the car. Thus, turning your fans and heat to the highest settings will pull hot air out of the engine and cool the car. It may, however, get a little uncomfortable. Turn the vents to point out the window to prevent things from getting too hot in the cab. Alternately, you can set the heat to the "defroster" setting to avoid it blowing directly on you. Put the car in neutral and rev the engine. Get yourself up to 2000 rpms with the car in neutral. This helps the engine and the fan circulate air quicker, getting cool air and coolant to the engine and helping you remove some heat from the car. If you're in stop/start traffic, this could be a great way to keep the engine moving when the car can't. Add water to the radiator if you are out of coolant. Though not recommended for long drives, water will help keep your engine cool in a pinch. Add warm water to your radiator, but only after the engine has cooled. Cool water can cause a crack in your engine block due to the extreme change in temperature. Drive for short stretches, turn the car off, and repeat if you need to keep moving. If you absolutely must drive with an overheating engine, keep your eye on the temperature gauge. Every time it gets hot, pull over, turn the car off, and wait for 10-20 minutes as it cools. This is not great for the engine, but it is better than trying to drive through it and causing a total meltdown. Know that you will likely need to go to the mechanic if your car chronically overheats. If your car keeps overheating, has a leak, or cannot start, you need to see a mechanic. Even if these tips help you "deal" with overheating when it occurs, there is likely a larger issue that needs to be fixed before a major meltdown. Drive at a slow and steady pace instead of stopping and starting in traffic. Stopping and starting puts stress on the engine that can cause it to overheat, especially in older cars. Ease off the break and let your car roll forward slowly, knowing that you will likely have to stop again when you reach the next car's bumper anyway. Making checking your temperature gauge a regular habit at red lights and stop signs. Use the windows, instead of the AC, when to cool the car. The AC uses engine power to cool the air in the car, putting extra strain on the engine. The first thing you should do when overheating is to turn off the AC, but you should avoid using it at all if you fear your car might overheat for any reason. If you are very late for an inspection, find a leak in your radiator, have unresolved AC issues, or are low on coolant, try not to use the AC at all. Change your oil regularly and have your fan checked simultaneously. Old oil can lead to overheating, especially when coupled with low coolant or other issues. Whenever you get your car's oil changed, ask the mechanics to look at your fan as well -- spotting an issue now can save you a costly fix later on. You should hear your fan whirring after you've turned you car off, as it is still working to cool your car off. Top off your coolant at the beginning of summer. Check your coolant reservoir and make sure that the levels are still where they need to be as indicated on the sides. If they are a little low, mix equal parts coolant and water and add it to the recommended level. This is especially important if you live in hot areas. When checking the coolant, take 2-3 minutes to search for any leaks as well. Coolant is usually green and smells sweet. Check under the car, around the engine, and on any hoses or radiator parts that you can see. Keep an emergency kit in your car for overheating issues. You don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with an engine you can't use. A simple preparedness kit will help keep you and your car safe, especially if you need to keep driving to get to a mechanic. You should pack: Extra coolant. A gallon of water. A tool-kit. A flashlight. Non-perishable food. A blanket. A straight razor blade. Duct tape. Philips and flat head screwdrivers. | Avoid panicking and pull over as soon as you can. Pop the hood when there is no more steam coming out. Check the upper radiator hose. Leave the radiator cap on until it is cool. Turn the radiator cap. Check your coolant reservoir tank once the engine has cooled enough. Check the engine for leaks. Refill the coolant after the car has cooled off. Turn the car back on after cooling and check the temperature gauge. Call a tow-truck if the issue doesn't go away or you notice bigger problems. Keep driving after the temperature gauge lowers back down. Turn off the AC. Crank your heat up to full blast. Put the car in neutral and rev the engine. Add water to the radiator if you are out of coolant. Drive for short stretches, turn the car off, and repeat if you need to keep moving. Know that you will likely need to go to the mechanic if your car chronically overheats. Drive at a slow and steady pace instead of stopping and starting in traffic. Use the windows, instead of the AC, when to cool the car. Change your oil regularly and have your fan checked simultaneously. Top off your coolant at the beginning of summer. Keep an emergency kit in your car for overheating issues. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-a-Mastectomy | How to Prepare for a Mastectomy | To prepare for a mastectomy, talk to your doctor, surgeon, and the rest of your care team to get detailed instructions on what to do before and after the surgery. Make sure that anyone who will be caring for you also knows what to do so they can help you effectively. Before going to the hospital, pack a bag with some essentials for your stay, such as your toothbrush, a robe and slippers, and books to keep you occupied. If you haven't already done so, talk to your supervisor at work about taking leave while you recover. Your doctor can let you know how much time you'll likely need. Make your recovery process smoother by getting your home tidied up and buying any supplies you'll need after the surgery ahead of time. | Talk to your doctor. Find out ahead of time what you can and cannot do after your surgery. You will probably not be allowed to drive, and you may be sent home with JP drains that will need care. Share this information with the people who will be taking care of you after your surgery. Ask how long you are likely to be in the hospital after your surgery. Some people go home the same day, others stay a day or longer. Discuss your options with your surgeon. Ask your family doctor to recommend a surgeon, and meet with your surgeon and anesthesiologist before your surgery. Ask any questions you have. They will talk to you about your medical history and make a plan for what type of surgery you will have and when. They will likely set up a pre-op exam, which will take place a couple weeks before your surgery and is usually performed by a primary doctor or a doctor specializing in pre-op risk assessment. The doctor may recommend medication and behavioral changes so you have a successful surgery. Tell your doctors about any medications, vitamins, or supplements that you're taking. If you take aspirin or a blood-thinner, you will have to stop taking it temporarily before your surgery. You cannot eat or drink for 8-12 hours before your surgery; your doctors will give you specific instructions that you must follow. Pack a bag for the hospital. Take a robe and slippers to the hospital to keep comfortable during your stay. Bring your toothbrush and other hygiene products. Pack a book, some magazines, and other items to occupy your time during your initial hospital recovery. Take medical leave from work. You will need to recover at home for a while, possibly for as long as six weeks. Talk to your head of Human Resources department at work, and your supervisor. Your doctor can give you an idea of how long you should miss work, and if necessary they can write a letter to your employer. You may need to: File paperwork for short-term disability Plan for others to take over large projects that you are working on Share information that others will need to take over your daily tasks Plan for your family care and living arrangements. You may need help caring for yourself at first - you will have difficulty bathing, and you will not be able to drive for several weeks. Enlist friends, family, or professional staff to help you. Set up your sleeping arrangements to be near a bathroom, and avoid the use of stairs - you will likely be sent home with medications that may make you dizzy. Plan for child-care if you usually take care of the kids. Do your household chores ahead of time. After your surgery, you should concentrate on recovering. You may want to do the following beforehand: Clean your house Do your laundry Pay your bills Trim your hair (short enough that someone can shampoo it in a sink for you) Purchase some medical supplies. There are a few things that you will want to have on hand, such as gauze bandages, bandage tape, antibiotic ointment, and over-the-counter pain relievers. The doctor may give you some of these, but it's good to have some just in case. Get supplies at your local pharmacy or drug store. Stock up on healthy food. Stay away from complicated "cancer cure" diets and concentrate on eating wholesome, balanced, protein-rich foods, and a good complement of fruits and vegetables. Stock up on these items before your surgery so you have a stocked fridge when you get home. Consider signing up for a service that delivers meals, or purchasing frozen pre-prepared meals for a couple of weeks to make your mealtimes easier. Get a hand-held shower attachment. You will not be allowed to get your incision site wet for several weeks. You can learn to sink bathe or sponge bathe, but you may prefer a hand-held shower attachment. You may find it much easier to wash yourself in the bathtub sitting on a bath stool. Dry shampoo can be handy for the first couple of weeks, until you can wash your hair again. Rehearse doing things one-handed. A week or two before your surgery, try doing things one-handed with what will be your "good" arm. Try brushing your hair, tying it up, brushing your teeth, washing yourself, and eating. Remember that while you'll be able to move your affected arm, you won't be able to raise it above your shoulder for a week or two. You will also have little strength in the affected arm, or only have strength in certain directions. If you're having a double mastectomy, be sure to have plenty of time to recover and people to help you with tasks and daily activities. Get loose, comfortable clothing. You will need several changes of loose, comfortable clothes that open completely in the front. For several weeks, you will not be able to put on anything over your head, or wear anything that is close around your body or under your armpits, including a bra. Acquire some comfortable items such as: Several nightgowns or nightshirts that button open completely in the front Two or three pairs of sweatpants or yoga pants with elastic waistbands Slippers with non-slip soles A loose coat or blanket to wear if it's cold Special mastectomy bras or bra inserts, if available Set up your bedding with added support. You may not be able to lie on your side or stomach for several weeks after surgery. Try to obtain a "bed wedge" or wedged pillow, and several extra pillows. While not essential, a wedge-shaped pillow will make you much more comfortable than a stack of pillows. You will probably want some more pillows to prop you up as you sleep, and to support your affected arm. Look for affordable wedge pillows at big box stores or your local pharmacy, or shop online. Keep some laxatives on hand. You will likely be sent home with some medications such as pain relievers. Many of these have side effects, which often include constipation. Have some gentle laxatives available, and use them as directed by your doctor if constipation is a problem. Plan on some activities for your recovery. You will not be able to do anything strenuous or active for a while, and prescription pain relievers are likely to affect your memory and thinking, so don't plan on making any important decisions while you're using them. Plan for some gentle activities that bring you pleasure. Choose activities that can be picked up and put down easily. Select reading material that isn't demanding, learn to knit , binge-watch your favorite television programs, or pick up a new hobby! Decide who to tell. Think about how open you want to be about your upcoming surgery. Some people you really do need to tell, but generally it is up to you. There is no etiquette in cancer, and there are no social protocols for you to follow. Think carefully, and then do what's right for you. You do not have to go through this alone! Share your feelings and needs with those who make you feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. Build a support network. You will need help after you get home from the hospital. Many health plans offer visiting nurse services to assist with changing your bandages, but they will not bathe you, cook, or do your laundry. Talk to people you are emotionally close to, and try to have someone stay with you while you recover. Share your thoughts and feelings with your partner, family, friends, therapist – people who are supportive and caring. Join a support group in your community or online, or consider seeing a therapist who specializes in cancer. You can find professionals in your area through the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) Helpline. Learn to decrease your stress. Do stress-relieving activities before your surgery like yoga , meditation , deep breathing, taking walks – anything that helps you relax. Practice these skills now and continue them after your surgery. Practice mindfulness meditation on a daily basis. Get clearance from your doctor before doing anything physical like walking or yoga. Do strengthening exercises before your surgery. Work on building up your strength and flexibility before surgery – this can help you feel stronger and more in control afterwards. For breast surgery, try to focus on your upper body and back. Feeling physically strong may help you recover better and feel emotionally strong, as well. Opt for or against breast reconstruction surgery. Breast reconstruction surgery can make your breast feel and look more natural following your mastectomy. This procedure can be done during your mastectomy or in a separate surgery afterwards. Breast reconstruction may not be important to you, or it may be a big part of the healing process – everyone is different. Spend some time thinking about what feels important to you, and whether further surgery may help you feel more comfortable in your body. Consider talking to a therapist and/or a plastic surgeon about your feelings and options. Every surgery has risks, including breast reconstruction; talk to your doctor for more information. Some organizations, such as AiRS Foundation, help women to afford breast reconstruction surgeries. | Talk to your doctor. Discuss your options with your surgeon. Pack a bag for the hospital. Take medical leave from work. Plan for your family care and living arrangements. Do your household chores ahead of time. Purchase some medical supplies. Stock up on healthy food. Get a hand-held shower attachment. Rehearse doing things one-handed. Get loose, comfortable clothing. Set up your bedding with added support. Keep some laxatives on hand. Plan on some activities for your recovery. Decide who to tell. Build a support network. Learn to decrease your stress. Do strengthening exercises before your surgery. Opt for or against breast reconstruction surgery. |
https://www.wikihow.mom/Treat-Hives-in-Children | How to Treat Hives in Children | To treat your child's hives, start by determining what is causing them by taking your child to the doctor for a diagnosis. For example, localized hives could indicate that your child has had direct contact with something they're allergic to. However, widespread hives could be a sign of a viral infection or an allergic reaction to food, drugs, or insect bites. If your pediatrician thinks that your child's hives are due to allergies, they may prescribe an allergy test to determine what, specifically, your child is allergic to. In the meantime, you can soothe your child's itchiness and redness by drawing them a cool bath with some oatmeal or baking soda. Alternatively, use a cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes, once every 2 hours, to reduce inflammation. | Learn about the presentation of hives. If your child develops hives, they may present on either a localized part of her body or over her entire body. Learning about the presentation of hives on your child's body may help you identify their cause. Localized hives appear on one part of the body and are usually caused by direct skin contact with plants, pollen, food, or pet saliva and fur. Widespread hives appear all over the body. They may be a reaction to a viral infection or an allergic reaction to a food, drug, or insect bite. Be aware of the causes of hives. There are many different reasons a child may develop hives. Whether the hives are localized or widespread on your child's, knowing what can cause hives may help you effectively treat the hives at home or decide to visit the pediatrician. Foods such as shellfish, nuts, milk, and fruit may cause hives. Hives from food usually go away within six hours of ingestion. Medications such as penicillin or allergy shots may cause hives. Contact with pets or animals may cause hives. Exposure to pollen from flowering plants may cause hives. Stings/bites from insects such as bees and mosquitoes may cause hives. Anxiety or stress may cause a child to develop hives. Exposure to extreme temperatures or the sun may spur a case of hives. Contact with chemicals, including laundry detergent or perfumed soaps, may cause hives. Viral infections like the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis Bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections and strep throat See your pediatrician if your child has hives. See your pediatrician if your child has hives and you are unsure of the cause, the hives don't disappear within a week, has recently started a new medication or food, has been stung by an insect, or your child becomes very uncomfortable. The doctor may prescribe oral medications, steroid creams, or other treatments to ease the hives. It's important to see your doctor if you are unsure of the cause of the hives. This can minimize the risk of treating the hives with something that may harm your child or is unnecessary. See the doctor if your child's hives are still severe after a second dose of antihistamines. If your child experiences any of the symptoms of anaphylactic shock, including facial or throat swelling, coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy or fainting, take them to the emergency room or call 911 immediately. Get medical tests. If your doctor can't determine the underlying cause of your child's hives, she may use different tests to diagnose your child's condition. This will not only give you a cause, but can also help form the best treatment plan for your child's hives. Your child's doctor may prescribe blood tests to identify underlying causes. Your child's doctor may prescribe allergy tests to identify specific allergens your child has. Treat underlying conditions. If your doctor determines that your child's hives are caused by an underlying condition, she may treat this to help alleviate the welts and itching. Some studies have shown that treating underlying conditions can be more effective at healing hives than addressing the hives. For example, if your child has a thyroid issue, your doctor may treat that first and see how it helps the hives. If your doctor determines your child has a specific allergy, she will likely ask you to keep the allergen from contacting your child. Avoid what triggers your child’s hives. This skin condition can occur because of an allergen or a specific irritant. Knowing what triggers your child's hives can help you avoid the irritant and help relieve and prevent her hives. The trigger could be an allergen, medication, food allergy, cosmetic, environmental factor, insect bite, infection, or harsh soap or detergent. If you suspect a specific trigger, try to limit exposure to it and see if it relieves your child's symptoms. Certain external factors can worsen hives including sun exposure, stress, sweat, temperature changes. Use mild or “hypoallergenic” soaps and laundry detergents. These contain fewer harmful chemicals that can irritate your child's skin. Any product marked “hypoallergenic” has been tested for sensitive skin and will not irritate your child's skin. Wash off the allergen for localized hives. If your child's hives are localized on one area of their body, wash the allergen off with soap and water. This should help relieve the hives and may keep them from getting worse because the allergen is lingering on the skin. You don't need to purchase any special soap, using any soap will work to remove the allergen. Draw a cool bath to reduce the itching and redness. A cool bath can soothe irritated skin and help decrease inflammation. It is most helpful when the hives are all over your child's body. You may want to consider adding a colloidal oatmeal preparation to help further soothe your child's skin. Sprinkle water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal, all of which can help calm your child's skin. Let your child stay in the bathtub for only 10-15 minutes so they don't get a chill. Apply calamine lotion or anti-itch cream. Applying a calamine lotion or non-prescription anti-itch cream can relieve hives, itching, and inflammation. You can purchase anti-itch cream at grocery and drug stores both in-store and online. A nonprescription anti-itch, or hydrocortisone, cream, can help relieve itching. Make sure to purchase a cream with at least 1% hydrocortisone. Apply the cream once a day after your child's bath to the affected area. Apply a cold compress to relieve itching and inflammation. The itching and inflammation from hives come from histamine in your blood. Cold packs or compresses can help relieve itching and inflammation associated with hives by constricting blood flow and cooling the skin. Histamine is produced when an allergen enters in the body. It causes all allergic reactions, including itching and inflammation. You can place a cold compress on your rashes intermittently for 10 to 15 minutes, once every 2 hours or as needed. Keep your child from scratching. Help your child avoid scratching as much as possible. Scratching the can spread allergen, exacerbate symptoms, or cause other problems, including a skin infection. Protect your child’s skin. You can help prevent and relieve hives by protecting your child's skin. Clothing, bandages, and even bug spray may offer some protection and help relieve symptoms. Wear cool, loose, smooth textured clothing such as cotton or merino wool to keep your child from scratching and prevent excess sweating, which can exacerbate hives. Have your child wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to keep her from scratching and protect it from external irritants. If your child will be exposed to insects, you can also apply bug repellant to areas that do not have hives. This may prevent insects from getting too close to your child's skin and causing further allergic reactions. Give your child an antihistamine. If your child has hives all over her body, give her an antihistamine. These drugs can block the histamine that causes allergic reactions and help relieve itching and skin inflammation. Follow the recommended dose for your child's age and weight. If you're unsure of dosing, check with your child's doctor. Common antihistamines include cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, and diphenhydramine. These drugs often have sedative effects so make sure to watch your child for safety. Take histamine (H-2) blockers. Your child's doctor may suggest taking histamine, or H-2, blockers to help relieve the hives. Your child may receive an injection or oral dosage of these medications. Examples of histamine blockers are cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid). Side effects from these drugs may include digestive problems or headaches. Use prescription corticosteroids. Your doctor may prescribe either a stronger topical or oral corticosteroid such as prednisone if other treatments don't ease your child's hives. Make sure to follow your doctor's directions on taking these medications as they can weaken your child's immune system. Oral steroids are only used for a short time because they can have serious side effects when used long term. Have an asthma drug injected. Several studies have demonstrated that injections of the asthma drug omalizumab may help relieve hives. This drug comes with the benefit that it has no side effects. This treatment costs more than other options and is generally not covered by insurance. Combine asthma drugs and antihistamines. Your doctor may prescribe your child a course of asthma medication with antihistamines. This treatment may help relieve your child's hives. Your doctor may prescribe the asthma drugs montelukast (Singulair) or zafirlukast (Accolate) with an prescription or over the counter antihistamine. This treatment can cause behavior and mood changes. Consider immune system suppressants. If your child's hives are chronic and don't respond to other treatments, your doctor may suggest drugs that affect the immune system. These drugs can help relieve acute and chronic hives. Cyclosporine limits the immune system's response to hives and can help provide relief of your child's hives. However, it comes with side effects that range from headaches to nausea and, in some cases, reduced kidney function. Tacrolimus also reduces the immune system's reaction that causes hives. It comes with similar side effects to cyclosporine. Mycophenolate suppresses the immune system while improving the signs and symptoms of hives. | Learn about the presentation of hives. Be aware of the causes of hives. See your pediatrician if your child has hives. Get medical tests. Treat underlying conditions. Avoid what triggers your child’s hives. Wash off the allergen for localized hives. Draw a cool bath to reduce the itching and redness. Apply calamine lotion or anti-itch cream. Apply a cold compress to relieve itching and inflammation. Keep your child from scratching. Protect your child’s skin. Give your child an antihistamine. Take histamine (H-2) blockers. Use prescription corticosteroids. Have an asthma drug injected. Combine asthma drugs and antihistamines. Consider immune system suppressants. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Doll | How to Make a Doll | One of the easiest ways to make your own doll is by purchasing a doll making kit. Once you have the kit, assemble it according to the directions. Then, add your own touch to the doll by carefully painting features on the face of the doll. If your doll doesn't have hair, you can make a wig out of yarn or synthetic hair, and attach it to the doll's head. Dress it with clothes that you've purchased or made, and enjoy your custom doll! | Buy supplies. Go to a hobby shop and buy a doll head, body, arms, and legs. Be sure everything is roughly matched size-wise. Some hobby shops may sell kits that take care of such considerations for you. You'll also need paint and thinner, a small paintbrush, and some doll clothes. Doll heads range from pre-painted vinyl heads with synthetic hair to simple base elements that can be combined as you see fit. Be aware that if you buy a doll head, eyes, and a wig all separately, you'll need to do a bit more work to put the doll together. Wigs can be made from any type of fabric you like. Specialty yarns like alpaca, mohair, and bouclé make great-looking hair, but Raggedy Ann-style colored yarn is fine, too. Assemble the doll. Softer plastic doll parts can usually be pressed into pre-fitted holes on the body to make a doll with moving joints. Alternatively, use an appropriate type of glue (plastic cement or wood glue) to fix the doll's limbs in position, or to make a doll from simpler or harder parts. If you use glue, wipe away excess glue from around the joint when you're finished. Paint a face on the doll. If your doll's head doesn't come pre-painted, it's time to paint makeup (and eyes, if needed) onto it. Acrylic paint should work for most materials. Use a small brush when painting, and start with the base colors first (for instance, white, then color, then a black pupil for the eyes). Let each layer dry before starting the next, and let the doll dry for a few more hours once you're finished. Consider adding blush to your doll's cheeks by using pink paint thinned with some paint thinner. If your doll's face is featureless, you may want to paint a nose onto it, in addition to the eyes and mouth. Use a U or sideways U shape to make one easily. Add the wig. If your doll requires a wig, now is the time to add it. You can make a simple and permanent wig by gluing pieces of yarn densely to the top of the doll's head with a strong adhesive, or you can make a switchable one by embroidering yarn into a piece of cloth cut to sit on the doll's head. Pre-made doll wigs are also available to purchase. Dress the doll. Using whatever doll clothes you purchased, dress the doll however you like. If you weren't able to find any good doll clothes, set the doll aside for now and make it a project to find some. Once your doll is assembled, painted, and sitting in an outfit, it's done! Gather supplies. To make this rustic American-style doll, you'll need corn husks with the silk still on them. Around a dozen corn husks (one or two ears of corn at most) should be enough to make one doll. You'll also need a large bowl of water, scissors to cut the husks, and pins and twine to bind them into shape. Dry the husks. Corn husk dolls are made with dried husks. Use a food drier, or set the husks out in the sun for a few days until they become dry and are no longer green. Sun drying the husks is the preferred method because it's more traditional (and corn husk dolls are steeped in both American Indian and colonial tradition), but as long as they're well-dried, the result will be more or less the same. Remove the silk. Before the next step, pull the dried silk off of the husks and set it aside. You'll be using it soon, but it needs to stay dry while you soak the husks to keep it from getting soggy. Lay all the silk in generally the same direction rather than heaping or tangling it. Wet the husks. When you're ready to make your doll, soak the dried husks in a bowl of water for about 10 minutes. Though it sounds counterintuitive, this won't actually rehydrate the husks you so carefully dried; rather, it will make them temporarily more flexible, so that you can bend them into shape without breaking them. Once the husks have soaked, blot them dry with paper towels and set them aside. If the husks are significantly different in size from one another, now is a good time to tear or clip the largest ones so that they're all roughly the same size. This will help prevent a lopsided doll. Prepare the head. Take a corn husk and lay it in front of you with the pointed end out, then lay a bunch of corn silk along its length. Next, lay two husks on top of the first husk and silk, also with their points away from you, and add more silk. Repeat everything one more time (for a total of six husks and hour sections of silk), and then tie the whole stack together about 1 ½ inches from the flat ends of the husks. Use scissors to round the flat ends of the husks. Make the head. Pick up the husk and silk bundle and hold it firmly by the twined end, so that the pointed ends of the husks are pointing up. Peel back each husk in turn, pulling it in a different direction from the others so that each husk comes down on a different side. Once all the husks have been peeled, you'll have a shock of silk “hair” coming up from the center of a rounded shape. Tie twine snugly around the husks again to create a “head” roughly an inch high. Make arms. There are two basic styles you can choose: braided or tube. To make tube arms, cut a 6 inch (15.2 cm) piece of husk and roll it lengthwise into a tube, then tie it off with twine near both ends. To make braided arms, cut 6 inches (15.2 cm) of husk into 3 strips (lengthwise) instead, and braid them together before tying them off. Make just one tube or braid, and then insert it through the husks below the head so that an equal length of arm sticks out either side. Tie off the waist. Using twine, wrap around the husks below the arms and cinch them in to create a waist. Double check to ensure that the arms are positioned at an appropriate height before you finish tying, so you can readjust them if necessary; the arms should typically be around 1 to 1 ½ inches from the waist. Once you're satisfied, Wrap a slender piece of husk over the twine on the doll's waist to create a belt or sash and hide the twine. Tie it in the back with a bow. Gather supplies. The most important component for making a fabric doll is the pattern. There are many fabric doll patterns available for free online, as well as purchasable patterns at fabric and craft stores. Look at the image of the finished doll and choose one you like. Along with the pattern, purchase whatever cloth and/or fill, such as cotton batting, you might need. A typical fabric doll will require a rectangular piece of natural-colored cloth (plus more for clothes), batting, colored thread, a sewing needle, and pins to hold pieces in place while you work. Read the pattern directions for specifics. Cut the fabric. Following the pattern you bought, cut out each piece of fabric with a pair of fabric scissors and set it aside, taking care not to fold or crumple any piece. Remember to allow a bit of extra fabric, generally about 1/8 of an inch, around each piece to account for seams. Most doll patterns should provide clothing in a contrasting color, either in the form of a differently-colored body or a simple outfit; don't forget to cut those parts out, too. Stitch the pieces. To allow your doll to fill out properly with the batting, you'll generally need to make stitches to help define curves. Again, follow the specific instructions on your pattern. Add batting. Ball up your batting and insert it into each part of the doll that needs to be stuffed. Use thread that's the same color as the natural cloth you chose for the doll's body to tie off the open ends and prevent batting from escaping. Once every piece has been stuffed, stitch them together per the instructions on your pattern. Batting tends to pull out from the bag in clumps or strips, but you can ball it evenly by laying out smaller pieces in a star or triangle pattern and rolling up each one in turn until you have the size you want. Stuff the head most tightly, so it's firm. Stuff the body more loosely. Add hair and facial features. All this requires is colored thread and a bit of patience. Use black, brown, blue, or green thread for the eyes, and red or black thread for the mouth. Sew each feature into the doll's face by using a needle threaded with a length of embroidery floss to help pull the colors through. Yarn hair can simply be stitched on. To be sure your eyes and mouth are placed evenly, mark where you intend to stitch them with pins first. Take each pin out as you begin to work on that part. If you looped the yarn when you stitched in the doll's hair, simply clip the loops to give it a full, messy head of hair. Gather supplies. To make this simple wooden doll, you'll need large craft clothespins (the kind with a rounded knob on the grip end), which can usually be found at craft stores. You'll also need acrylic paints, a fine-tipped felt marker, and some materials for making an outfit, such as felt, ribbons, or scrap cloth. Paint the clothespin. The knob at the grip of the pin will serve as the head, and the split at the bottom will become the feet. Use acrylic paint to paint on whatever features you want, including shoes, which can be easily approximated by painting one color about ¼ of an inch up both “feet,” letting it dry, and then painting black or brown over that color up to about halfway. The black or brown becomes the shoe color; the first color is the sock color. You can paint the clothespin with skin-colored paint if you want, but it's not strictly necessary. If you do, be sure to let it dry first before adding other details. Paint the face so that it makes sense with the way the feet are split. Your doll will look very odd otherwise. Add details. Using your fine-tipped marker, draw any extra details you want to on the doll, such as pupils for the eyes or a smiling mouth. Dress your doll. Using your scrap materials, scissors, and some craft glue, think of a fun outfit for your doll. Remember to pin things in place before you cut, to be sure they'll fit properly. Consider making a hat or wig of some type for your doll's bald head. Once you're satisfied, glue each item into place with a bit of craft glue. Your clothespin doll won't hold up a lot under sustained play, but it does make a great family project or childhood keepsake. Don't worry if it falls apart just fix it. | Buy supplies. Assemble the doll. Paint a face on the doll. Add the wig. Dress the doll. Gather supplies. Dry the husks. Remove the silk. Wet the husks. Prepare the head. Make the head. Make arms. Tie off the waist. Gather supplies. Cut the fabric. Stitch the pieces. Add batting. Add hair and facial features. Gather supplies. Paint the clothespin. Add details. Dress your doll. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Set-Up-an-Outdoor-Bird-Feeder-for-Indoor-Cats | How to Set Up an Outdoor Bird Feeder for Indoor Cats | To set up a bird feeder where your cat can see it, choose a type of feeder that you can install in a convenient location. For example, a feeder that you can hang in a window where your cat likes to spend its time is a good option. You'll also need to choose a window that's safe and easy for birds to access, so pick one that's at least 10 feet off the ground to protect your feeder from squirrels and predators. Once you've selected a location for your feeder, make sure the window and screen are secure so that your cat can't break through and get at the birds. Additionally, you'll want to put some decals or reflectors on the window to prevent birds from flying into it. | Select a type of bird feeder to hang. The type of bird feeder you choose will depend on the location you plan to hang the feeder. There are three basic types of birdfeeders: ground, hanging, and window. To look at each type and make an informed decision, visit a local pet-supply store or birdwatching store, and speak with the sales staff. Ground feeders are planted in the ground and allow squirrels and chipmunks to access the food, in addition to birds. Hanging feeders can be suspended from overhanging tree branches. Window feeders attach to the wall of your house, outside of a window. This is probably the most practical type of feeder to use when hanging a feeder for your cats to watch. Find a window to hang the feeder in front of. When deciding where to hang the feeder, choose a location near a window that birds can access easily. Find a window that's at least 10 feet (3 meters) off of the ground on the outside of the house, as this height will keep the feeder safe from squirrels, foxes, or outdoor cats. To make sure that your cats will be able to see and observe the bird feeder, it's important that, inside the house, the window is accessible to your cats. You should also make sure that this area is easy for you to access, because you will need to tend to the feeder regularly in order to refill and clean it. Secure the window and the screen. Once you've decided on a window to hang the birdfeeder in front of, make sure that the external window screen is secure and that the window itself closes tightly. By doing this, you'll ensure that your cats won't be able to press on the window and open it. Securing the screen will also ensure that birds won't scratch or peck at it. Additionally, if you have children in the house, it would be wise to ask them not to open the window near the feeder. This will prevent birds from flying from the feeder directly into your house. Hang a bird silhouette or reflector in the window. When hanging an outdoor feeder, it's a common problem for birds to fly into the window, mistaking the clear glass for open sky. To avoid this problem and spare birds' lives, tape a bird-shaped silhouette on the window. This will deter birds from flying into the glass. Alternatively, you can hang a reflector to the outside surface of the glass; birds will see this and avoid flying into the window. Visit your local pet-supply shop, or a store dedicated to selling birdwatching products. Ask the sales staff what they recommend you put in your windows to prevent birds from flying into them. Install a ground feeder. Although ground feeders come in a variety of models, most of them are attached to the top of a sturdy metal pole, which simply needs to be stabbed into the soil. Other models are made of wood or plastic and have a flat base or four legs, and can be placed on the ground. Set up your ground feeder on a flat patch of land near a window from which your cats can look out. Be aware that, when feeding birds with a ground feeder, you'll also attract a number of chipmunks, squirrels, and other small rodents. If you don't want to attract these types of animals, ask a sales person at your local pet supply store to recommend a type of feeder that deters rodents. Set up a hanging feeder. This variety of feeder is composed of the hanging feeder and a rope attached to the top. You need to find a large overhanging branch that's near enough to your house that your cats can see it from a window. Then, using a ladder, climb up to the branch and tie the rope securely around the branch. Make sure that your hanging feeder is suspended at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) off the ground, so squirrels cannot jump up to it. Use safety precautions when climbing a ladder to attach the tie-rope. Never lean a ladder against a weak or dead branch. Have a friend or family member hold the base of the ladder for stability. Hang up a window feeder. These feeders typically have 2 or 3 large suction cups attached to the back, which you can stick to your window. Attach the feeder by dampening the suction cups (this will make them more adhesive) and sticking them firmly to the glass of a window. Hang the feeder low on the window so cats can easily see it, but so that it won't obstruct your own view. If you need to use a ladder to access a second- or third-floor window, have someone stand below you and stabilize the legs of the ladder. Purchase bird seed for the feeder. Of course, to attract birds, you'll need to fill the feeder with seeds. Most types of bird seed are blends of grains: they commonly include sunflower seeds and millet, which appeal to a variety of bird species. Once you've filled the feeder, birds may be slow to start coming at first. However, as more and more birds discover your feeder, it may become quite crowded. Speak with the sales staff at a birdwatching store, and ask which types of seed they recommend to attract various types of birds in your area. Refill the feeder regularly. The frequency with which you refill the bird feeder depends on how quickly the birds empty it, and how often you're willing to pay for seed. If you refill the seeder as soon as the birds finish the seed, you may find yourself replenishing the seed a couple of times each week. However, if you let the feeder stay empty for too long or refill it infrequently, fewer and fewer birds will come back to the feeder. Show the birds to your cats. Once birds start to come to your outdoor feeder, you'll need to show your cats the feeder and the birds. The outdoor bird feeder won't do your cats any good if the pets don't know of the feeder's existence or location. Pick up your cats and bring them to the window overlooking the bird feeder. If there are birds at the feeder, this should arouse your cats' curiosity. If your cats have already discovered the bird feeder and are curious about the birds, you may not need to show your cats the feeder. Position a piece of furniture near the window overlooking the bird feeder. This will give your cats an easy access point from which they can observe the birds. Depending on the height of the windowsill, a relatively low piece of furniture should do, such as a chest-high bookshelf or a low dresser. If the cats are unable to leap up to the window, they won't be able to observe the birds at the feeder. Alternately, if the window which overlooks the bird feeder has a sill large enough for the cats to comfortably rest on, you may only need to position furniture so that the cats have easy access to the windowsill. Move a chair or low table, so your cats can leap from that to the windowsill. Make sure your cats stay indoors. Once your cats have found out about the bird feeder, they should enjoy regularly overlooking the birds and watching them fly and eat. However, your cats may also try to escape and run out to the feeder, where they will likely try to catch the birds. To prevent this, make sure that your cats don't run outside. Be careful when opening doors that lead outside, especially with your cats nearby. You can use your feet or body to block the door when you're walking outside, or set up a gate across the opening of the door when you exit. | Select a type of bird feeder to hang. Find a window to hang the feeder in front of. Secure the window and the screen. Hang a bird silhouette or reflector in the window. Install a ground feeder. Set up a hanging feeder. Hang up a window feeder. Purchase bird seed for the feeder. Refill the feeder regularly. Show the birds to your cats. Position a piece of furniture near the window overlooking the bird feeder. Make sure your cats stay indoors. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-Nails-After-a-Gel-Manicure | How to Repair Nails After a Gel Manicure | To repair your nails after a gel manicure, apply a nail moisturizer to your nails and the skin around them every day, since a gel manicure removes a lot of their natural moisture. Soak your nails in warm milk once a week for 5 minutes, which will remove residue and strengthen them. If your nails have ridges, buff them every other day with a nail buffer to smooth them out. While your nails recover, try to keep them short, since nails are prone to breaking when they get too long. Make sure not to peel off your manicure even if it's beginning to crack, since this will cause more damage to your nails. Instead, make another appointment to have it removed properly. | Moisturize your nails. Moisture will help your nails recover after a gel manicure, which strips them of a lot of their natural moisture. You can buy nail moisturizer at a local beauty supply store or department store. You should apply a nail moisturizer each day. Apply it to your nails and the skin around them. Look for a fortifying nail and cuticle cream that contains peptide, which hydrates and strengthens nails. Try using a hand lotion for all-over moisture, then apply a cuticle oil to the skin around your nails. As washing your hands dries out your nails, apply moisturizer each time you wash your hands. Be sure to dry them thoroughly after washing, too as this minimizes how dry your nail can get. Soak your nails once a week. Once a week, soak your nails in warm milk. Milk will whiten your nails, removing color residue. It will also strengthen your nails as they absorb the milk's nutrients. Warm your milk in a bowl, using enough milk to submerge your nails. You can microwave your milk or warm it over the stove. Your milk should be warm to the touch, but not so hot that you can't comfortably rest your fingers in it. Soak your nails for five minutes. Then rinse them and dry them thoroughly. Moisturize your nails when you're done. Buff your nails. After nails have a gel manicure, they may have ridges and other uneven edges. It's important to use a nail buffer to smooth out nails, focusing particularly on ridges. Do so every other day until your nails have healed. Buffing also promotes blood circulation, which can strengthen nails. Use keratin gloves. You can buy keratin gloves at a beauty supply store or online. They are an excellent means to strengthen nails after a gel manicure. Use the gloves for the time recommended on the package. The gloves can be worn during leisurely activities, like reading and watching television. Use a nail strengthener. This works well if you don't prefer polished nails. Instead of going for colorful nails, or more gel products, apply a clear, strengthening product after your gel manicure. You can find many clear strengtheners or colored polishes with strengthening formulas at drug and beauty stores. Look for strengtheners labeled "for problem nails." Keep your nails short. If you let your nails grow out immediately after a gel manicure, they will be more prone to breaking or snagging. Trim your nails short while recovering from a gel manicure. Round your nails as well, as this is the strongest shape. Do not use sawing gestures when filing. Instead, use gentle swipes to file in one direction. Protect your nails. If your nails are not recovering as fast as you want, have another manicure done. Tell the manicurist you're looking to protect your nails from damage. They will able to give you the right treatment to keep your nails strong while they recover from a gel manicure. Eat a healthy diet. Your eating habits can actually affect nail strength, so healthy eating after a manicure is key. Make sure to get sufficient amounts of protein, biotin, and calcium. Dairy foods can be a great source of protein and calcium. Leafy green like spinach and kale are also calcium-rich foods. Some evidence indicates Jell-O makes nails grow faster, so stock up on Jell-O if you like it. Do not peel off your manicure. If your manicure is beginning to peel and crack, it can be tempting to pull it off. However, this will cause more damage to your nails. If you want to remove your manicure, either make a new appointment or carefully remove the manicure, yourself. When you peel off your polish, you can peel away the top layer of your nails, as well. This is what causes them to become dry and brittle. Take a break from gel polish on occasion. Gel polish can be fun, but when used too much it can seriously affect nail health. Take a break on the gel polish once in awhile so your nails can adequately heal. Think about getting a keratin manicure between gel manicures. Do not cut your cuticles. Push back your cuticles after a gel manicure instead of cutting them. Your cuticles protect new nails that are growing, so they're vital for recovery after a gel manicure. You should also treat your cuticles to cuticle creams and gels during the recovery process. Remove your manicure safely. Proper removal will help keep your nails strong. Before you remove your polish, buff your nails with a nail file to remove the shine on top so you just barely see the natural nail beneath them. Then, soak a cotton ball in acetone-based polish remove and secure to your nail using an adhesive like tape. Leave the ball in place for 15 minutes. Do this for each finger. If there's any remaining nail polish, push it off using a cuticle pusher. Acetone is extremely drying to your nails, so don't leave it on longer than 15 minutes. Also, be sure to moisturize your nails afterward. | Moisturize your nails. Soak your nails once a week. Buff your nails. Use keratin gloves. Use a nail strengthener. Keep your nails short. Protect your nails. Eat a healthy diet. Do not peel off your manicure. Take a break from gel polish on occasion. Do not cut your cuticles. Remove your manicure safely. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Microwave-Potato-Chips | How to Make Microwave Potato Chips | To make potato chips in the microwave, start by cutting potatoes into slices that are between 1/8 and 1/16 inch thick. Next, rinse the potato slices with cold water, then soak them in lukewarm water for 10 minutes. After soaking, dry the slices between layers of paper towels, and brush the outsides with oil. Season them with salt and any other spices you like, then toss them lightly in a mixing bowl to ensure that the slices are coated evenly. Finally, heat the chips in the microwave for 3 minutes, then flip them over and heat for another 2 to 4 minutes. | Cut the potatoes into thin slices. Start by cutting the potatoes in half lengthwise. Then, slice them into sections that are between 1/8th and 1/16th thick using a sharp kitchen knife, hand slicer or mandoline. Place the potato slices into a colander or strainer as you go. A single potato will be enough for a snack-sized portion. To have enough to share with others, use at least two large potatoes. You can peel the potatoes before slicing them, if you prefer. Peeling is recommended if you're using potatoes that aren't as fresh, as you can remove eyes, discoloration and spoiled spots this way. Rinse the potato slices with cold water. Turn on the tap and run a stream of cool water over the freshly-cut slices. The water may appear cloudy or dirty for the first few moments as dirt, starch and natural juices wash out of the potatoes. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear. Toss the potatoes in the colander to keep dirty water and sediment from becoming trapped at the bottom. Soak the slices for 10 minutes. Fill a large bowl with lukewarm water and drop in the rinsed potato slices. Give them 8-10 minutes to soak. This will help clean them more thoroughly while softening them up in preparation for cooking. Soaking the potato slices leeches out starch, which will make them cook up extra light and crispy. Having a higher water content will also make the potatoes less likely to scorch as they cook. Dry the slices between layers of paper towels. Press the slices firmly between the layers to squeeze out excess moisture. There should be no visible water remaining on the outer surface of the slices. After drying the slices, lay them out side-by-side in even rows on the paper towels. Take care not to break the slices while you're drying them manually. Don't let the potatoes get too dry. This may make them unpredictable while cooking. A simple pat-and-press will do. Brush each potato slice with oil. Pour a couple ounces of cooking oil into a small bowl. The exact type of oil you use is up to you—vegetable, canola, peanut or olive oil will all work just fine. Dip the tip of a basting brush into the oil and spread a small amount over the outside of each slice until they glisten. The addition of oil will crisp and brown the potatoes similar to frying. Use an oil that has a high smoke point. Microwave heating is intense and direct, and can easily cause oils with low smoke points to burn. Season with a dash of salt and other spices. Grab a generous pinch of kosher salt and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the slices. Feel free to add whatever other spices or seasonings you'd like as well, such as cracked black pepper, seasoned salt, garlic salt or onion powder. Season to taste, using as much or as little of each spice as you wish. Experiment with different combinations of seasonings to create your own flavored chip varieties. Toss the slices in a mixing bowl. Transfer the slices to a spacious mixing bowl. Toss them lightly a few times using a circular motion. This will help the oil and seasonings coat the potato slices more thoroughly. You can also use a large Ziploc bag to shake the chips, oil and seasonings together. Shake off excess oil before cooking the potatoes to keep from getting oversaturated. Arrange the potato slices on a microwave-safe plate. In order to cook the potatoes, you'll have to microwave them in small batches. Place as many slices as you can fit in a single layer onto a plate or platter lined with paper towels. Make sure that each slice is lying flat and you've left a little space between them. Separating the slices will ensure that the heat will be distributed properly. Microwave the chips on a bacon tray to cook out excess oil and bring the calorie count down a little. Heat the potato slices for 3 minutes. Microwave the first round of potatoes at 100% power between 2-4 minutes. Keep an eye on the slices to make sure they aren't getting done too fast. They should brown slightly around the edges when they start to crisp up. You may not notice much of a change of appearance after the initial heating. This will just start to cook the potato. Different microwaves heat differently. Depending on the intensity of your unit, your potato chips might not need a full 3 minutes at a time, or they may require a little longer. Watch them closely as they cook and use your best judgment to determine when they're done. Turn the slices over and microwave them again. Remove the plate and carefully flip over each potato slice. Put them back in the microwave for another 2-4 minutes, this time at 50% power. Once the chips have begun to turn golden brown in the center, they'll have a delightful crunchy texture. Continue microwaving in 3 minute intervals at 50% power until the chips are fully cooked. Look for a consistent golden coloring throughout. Remove the chips from the heat before they burn or blacken. When cooked with convection heat such as a microwave, potato chips need to brown in order to be crispy. Don't be off-put by chips that come out a little darker, as this won't affect their flavor. Let the chips cool. The potato slices will be extremely hot after two trips through the microwave. Let them sit for a few minutes before digging in. Once the chips have reached an edible temperature, throw them into a bowl big enough for everyone to grab a handful! If you want, you can add another sprinkle of salt as the chips are cooling. Store the potato chips in an airtight container. Enjoy the potato chips while they're still warm or have cooled to room temperature. If you have leftovers (which isn't likely—they're that addictive!), place them in a large lidded Tupperware container, or a gallon freezer bag with air squeezed out. The chips will stay crunchy for 2-3 days. Serve with rich French onion dip or hot, melty pimento cheese for an extra burst of flavor. Finished. | Cut the potatoes into thin slices. Rinse the potato slices with cold water. Soak the slices for 10 minutes. Dry the slices between layers of paper towels. Brush each potato slice with oil. Season with a dash of salt and other spices. Toss the slices in a mixing bowl. Arrange the potato slices on a microwave-safe plate. Heat the potato slices for 3 minutes. Turn the slices over and microwave them again. Let the chips cool. Store the potato chips in an airtight container. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Bathe-With-Sea-Salt | How to Bathe With Sea Salt | If you want to bathe with sea salt, start by drawing a bath and adding 1/4 cup of sea salt while the water is still running so it dissolves. Then, soak in the tub for 10-20 minutes. When you're done, remember to wipe down the sides of the bath, since sea salt can leave residue if you don't clean it off. Additionally, try taking sea salt baths at night if you want to sleep better, or take them in the morning to help rid your body of toxins. | Give yourself enough time to take a 15 to 20 minute bath. Baths are not like showers, which are often rushed. Instead, they are meant to take longer, so that the body and mind can relax. To get the most benefit from your bath, plan on spending 15 to 20 minutes in the water. Take a salt bath in the evening if you want to treat insomnia. Many people find that they rest better after a warm salt bath. Taking the bath in the morning will help purge your body from toxins. Your body releases a lot of toxins while you sleep, pushing them towards the surface of the skin. A morning bath will get rid of these toxins the fastest. Start filling your bathtub. Choose a temperature that is most comfortable for you. If you are using the salt bath to heal a skin condition, consider making the water no more than two degrees warmer than your body temperature. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the minerals from the salt bath. Add the sea salt while the tap is still running. Holding the salt under the running water will help it dissolve better. If your sea salt came scented, you might even notice a slight fragrance. If the bath salt is colored, you'll notice a slight color change in the water. If you are using the bath for relaxation or for a treat, you'll need about two handfuls, or one-quarter cup (70 grams). If you are using the bath for healing purposes, such as psoriasis, consider using up to 2 pounds (840 grams). Turn off the tap when the tub is as full as you like it, and agitate the water with your hand. Some salts will dissolve easier than others. In general, the larger the grain size, the longer it will take for it to dissolve. Don't worry if the salt does not dissolve all the way. This could help scrub away dead skin cells. Get into your tub and enjoy the water for 10 to 20 minutes. Lean your head back and close your eyes. If you want, you can even turn on some relaxing music or light a few candles. You can use soap or shower gel to cleanse your body, but sea salt is very cleansing in itself. Drain the tub when you are done, and rinse the salt water off with fresh water. The easiest way to do this is to simply step into the shower and let the water rinse the salt residue off your skin. Sea salt can leave behind residue on the sides of your tub. After you get out, but before you drain the water, wipe the sides of your tub down using a scrubby sponge. Combine a sea salt bath with aromatherapy. Fill your tub with warm water. Add 1 cup (280 grams) of sea salt and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Agitate the water with your hand, then climb into the tub. Rest in the tub for 20 minutes before getting out. Make a sea salt bath potpourri by adding some dried flowers. In a large bowl, combine 2½ cups (700 grams) sea salt with 1 teaspoon of a soap fragrance oil (such a orange blossom) and ½ teaspoon of essential oil (such as lavender). Add 9 tablespoons of dried flowers, such as rose petals, lavender, or calendula. You can use all one type of flower, or a combination. Mix until everything is even, and store the salt in glass mason jars. Use this sea salt in your bath as usual. It is good for a few baths. Make a salt scrub. In a jar, combine 1 cup (280 grams) of sea salt, ½ cup (120 milliliters) of almond oil or jojoba oil, and 10 drops of essential oil. Seal the jar tightly until you are ready to use the scrub. This makes enough scrub for 3 uses. To use the scrub: get into the bath or shower first, then massage a handful of the scrub onto your damp skin. Rinse the scrub off when you are done. Salt scrubs help buff away dead skin cells. They leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. You can use any essential oil you like, but lavender, eucalyptus, or mint will go best with salt. Use sea salt in a foot soak. Fill a small, plastic tub with warm water. Add a handful of sea salt, and swish the water with your hand. Sit down some place comfortable, then lower your feet into the tub. Let them soak for a couple minutes. Consider massaging your feet to loosen dead skin cells and relieve aches. Make a sea salt facial. Combine 1 part sea salt with 1 part olive oil. Splash your face with warm water, then massage the scrub into your skin. Take care to avoid the eye area. After a few minutes of massaging, rinse the scrub off using warm water. Finish off by splashing your face with cool water; this will help seal and tighten your pores. | Give yourself enough time to take a 15 to 20 minute bath. Start filling your bathtub. Add the sea salt while the tap is still running. Turn off the tap when the tub is as full as you like it, and agitate the water with your hand. Get into your tub and enjoy the water for 10 to 20 minutes. Drain the tub when you are done, and rinse the salt water off with fresh water. Combine a sea salt bath with aromatherapy. Make a sea salt bath potpourri by adding some dried flowers. Make a salt scrub. Use sea salt in a foot soak. Make a sea salt facial. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Company-Growth | How to Measure Company Growth | One way to measure your company's growth is to calculate its book value, or what the company could sell for right now, which you can find by subtracting your liabilities from your assets. However, if you're trying to summarize growth over a long time frame, like 5, 10, or 20 years, opt to determine your company's revenue growth, instead. To do this, you'll need to calculate your company's compounded annual growth rate, which is based on your revenue in both the first and the last years of the range you're measuring. | Lay out company objectives so that you can determine progress. If you have goals to meet, not only do you have something to strive for, but you have something to measure against. When setting your objectives for your company, don't set yourself up to fail. Be realistic about what you can achieve so that you can be successful at achieving it. In the same way, don't lower your expectations so that you can easily accomplish your objectives. Set objectives that are both realistic and challenging. Goals may include objectives like increasing market share or retaining more clients. Consider splitting your goals into short term and long term goals, which refer to goals achievable in under a year and those achievable in over one year, respectively. A good way to check your goals is to make them conform to the acronym SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Bound). Put together a business plan so that you stay on track. Your business plan should reflect the objectives that you have for your company, as well as the methods you plan to apply in trying to achieve them. When measuring company growth, you will consult your business plan to not only see if you have managed to achieve objectives, but also confirm that you have successfully followed the plan that you set out for your business. If necessary, put together additional methods to measure the growth variables that you have selected. These so-called key performance indicators (KPIs) can be measurements taken from financial statements, sales figures, or other sources that you think are necessary to assess the company's growth. Hire an outside source to assist you in measuring company growth. This external service will come in and evaluate your current business. Having an outside consultant look at your organization can provide you with a fresh perspective that can identify problems you might have missed. Consultants are particularly useful for using accounting or statistical analysis to measure growth of specific business metrics. Be aware that even the best statistical analysis sometimes overlooks basic managerial problems that can only be solved by the company's leadership. Benchmark your company against competitors. Growth is important within your company, but measuring growth in comparison to competing businesses determines your success in the industry. If you improve your reputation in the marketplace, you will ultimately attract more clients and increase growth within the company. If your competitors are publicly-traded companies, you will be able to find the figures you need in their annual reports, which by law must be posted on their websites. You may be able to find what you need in press reports, trade publications, or media coverage regarding your competitors. When calculating performance ratios, be sure to compare them to industry averages, provided you are able to find them. Try searching online for research in your industry. Assess your customer base and determine whether that has increased. Not only are you looking for more customers, but you should be seeing better quality customers. Your customer base should be bringing in more profit. This means you are seeking to gain repeat customers and build customer loyalty. Customer value is often measured as customer lifetime value (CLV). This figure is calculated by multiplying the average sale value by the number of repeat transactions and then multiplying that total by the average retention time of each customer. The result of the CLV calculation should be regularly recorded and businesses should seek to increase it often time. This can be measured by customer surveys, purchase analysis, or by immediate feedback ("is this your first time shopping with us?"). Systems need to be implemented to measure these variables. Compute revenue growth. Revenue growth is one of the simplest ways to measure company growth over a period of time. Typically, growth is measured using the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR). This calculation is particularly useful for summarizing growth over longer time frames, like 5, 10, or 20 years. The CAGR equation is as follows: CAGR = final value divided by starting value times 1 over number of periods less 1 or (FV/SV)1/n-1. The beginning value here would be revenue in the first year in the range being calculated and ending value would be revenue in the last. For a longer explanation of how to calculate CAGR, see how to calculate compounded annual growth rate. Calculate workforce growth. Keep track of new hires for the year and compare them to previous years. A growing company should continue to hire new employees as it expands. You can also express this figure as a percentage by dividing the number of new hires in a year by the total number of employees at the beginning of that year. Find your market share growth. Market share is a company's portion of the total value of their given industry. It is calculated by dividing the company's total revenues by the total revenues in an industry over a period of time by the company's revenue over the same period. This period can be a quarter, a year, or several years. Growth can be determined by calculating the company's market share in several different periods and looking for growth or shrinkage in that company's share of the market. For example, if you are researching a company in a $1 billion market and that company had revenues of $150 million in 2014 (15 percent of the market) and $170 million in 2015 (17 percent of the market), their market share has increased 2 percent in the past year. Calculate the company's book value. The company's book value represents the difference between the company's assets and liabilities. In simpler terms, it represents the net value of all of the company's property, or what the company would be able to sell itself for if it were forced to liquidate quickly. To calculate book value: add up the company's assets, including current assets, fixed assets, and debts owed to the company, and then subtract liabilities, like unpaid bills and loan balances outstanding. Measure market capitalization. For publicly traded companies (companies who sell stock to the public), market capitalization (market cap) is a measurement of the total value of the company's outstanding stock. It is calculated by multiplying the current stock price by the total number of outstanding shares. Market cap is often used to measure a company's growth over time and is the most common indicator of a company's size used by financial professionals. The information needed to calculate market cap can be found in the company's annual report and on any stock-trading or stock market news website. For more on market cap, see calculate the market value of a company. Find cash flow growth. Cash flows show how much actual money a company is earning. They are often used by financial professionals to determine the value of a company. This is done through the process of discounted cash flow analysis, in which future cash flows are extrapolated to determine a value for the company. Measure current cash flows against past cash flows to determine whether or not the business remains solvent. Discounted cash flow analysis involves projecting future free cash flows for an investment or company. These cash flows are then "discounted" back to the present at a set discount rate. This discount rate reflects the time value of money (reflects the idea that an amount of money today is worth more than that same amount of money in the future). The discounted cash flows are then compared to the present cost of the investment to determine whether or not that investment is a good one. Calculate the price/earnings (PE) ratio. For a publicly-traded company, the PE ratio represents the premium paid for the company's stock. That is, it is the current stock price divided by the average earnings per share over the last twelve months. A high result from this calculation means that investors expect that the company will increase in value in the future. Conversely, a low value may represent lower or negative growth expectations. For more on calculating the PE ratio, see how to calculate the PE ratio. Calculate gross margin growth. The gross margin is simply the difference between the company's revenue and its cost of goods sold (or cost of services provided). This represents how effectively the company is converting raw materials into finished products. Look for this metric to improve over time as the company streamlines its production process. Find profit growth. Net profit, also called net income or simply profit, is the "bottom line" of the company. It measures the company's earnings after all expenses and taxes have been subtracted from revenue. Profits are then used to either pay dividends or are reinvested in the company. Profits, like revenues, are often measured using the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR). This allows companies to show their averaged profit growth over time, rather than focusing on individual years. To calculate CAGR for profits, see calculate CAGR. Evaluate your staff and consider their level of business growth. Compare staff levels, turnover and performance, and determine whether those areas have shown improvement. Assess whether or not increases in workforce have led to equivalent increases in productivity. This can be applied to any department. For examples, sales productivity is calculated as the company's revenue divided by the number of salespeople. Analyze changes in your customer acquisition cost. The customer acquisition cost measures how much you have to spend on marketing and sales to earn the business of a new customer. This is found by dividing these costs (sales and marketing) by the number of new customers over a set period of time. A reduction in this cost is evidence that you are building a recognized brand. It also can show you if you are overspending on sales and marketing (if additional spending in these areas fails to bring a similar increase in new customers). | Lay out company objectives so that you can determine progress. Put together a business plan so that you stay on track. Hire an outside source to assist you in measuring company growth. Benchmark your company against competitors. Assess your customer base and determine whether that has increased. Compute revenue growth. Calculate workforce growth. Find your market share growth. Calculate the company's book value. Measure market capitalization. Find cash flow growth. Calculate the price/earnings (PE) ratio. Calculate gross margin growth. Find profit growth. Evaluate your staff and consider their level of business growth. Analyze changes in your customer acquisition cost. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-a-Friend-You-Need-Some-Space | How to Tell a Friend You Need Some Space | Telling a friend you need some space can be tough, but by taking a subtle approach and being honest, you can do it without hurting them. Provide an explanation of why you need some space, which will help your friend understand why you don't want to hang out. For example, you could say, “I've had a really busy week at work and need to take it easy tonight.” You could also offer an alternative time to hang out to show that you want to spend time with them. That way, you'll be less likely to hurt your friend's feelings, because they'll understand that you're not rejecting them. If you feel your friend isn't respecting your request for space, set boundaries with them. For example, you might explain that it's OK for them to call, but they can't just come to your place unannounced. | Paint a mental picture of what you want. You are always less likely to hurt someone's feelings if you can communicate how you feel and what you need without making them defensive. Try to describe in detail how you feel, and help them picture what you need. For example, you could say, “I've had such a hard week at work. In an ideal world, I'd be able to lie in my bed all day. Can I ask you a favor? Would you mind if we didn't hang out tonight?” If you need more time than that, you could say, "I'm going through a lot right now, and I really need some time to reevaluate things. Can I ask you a favor? It's a big one. Would you mind if we didn't hang or talk for a few weeks?” Follow a script. If you want to politely decline social invitations, but you are feeling shy, just follow a script. This will help you not to overly-apologize. It is perfectly okay to say “no” without saying “I'm sorry.” Here are a few samples: When you just want to say no: “My week has been really busy. I think I need to take it easy tonight. Thanks though!” When you don't want to hang out with a whole group: “Thanks for thinking of me, but I have to pass. Do you want to make plans for just the two of us? I need a breather from group situations. When you aren't up for it tonight, but still want to meet up another time: “This sounds like so much fun! Would it be possible to get a rain check?” When you really don't want their friendship anymore: "I don't know how to say this, but I don't think we really mesh with each other. I'm going to put this friendship on the back burner for a while." Offer an alternative. Any time you ask a friend for space, you run the risk of making them feel unwanted. If this is a friendship you want to hold on to, you can minimize these feelings by offering an alternative. If you're not up for going someplace really public, maybe you'd be okay with just handing out together at home? If you really just need to be alone right now, maybe you could make plans for next week? If you need space for quite a while, maybe you'd be okay with just texting once or twice a week? Consider their needs. All relationships involve give and take. If this is a friendship you'd like to preserve, think about your friend's needs as you assert your own need for space. Remember, there's almost always some way for both of you to have your needs satisfied. For example: If they need reassurance or attention to feel happy, consider checking in with them on a regular basis. If they realize they have a need for reassurance and attention, they could try to get that need met in some other way while you recharge. Avoid lying. Whatever you do, don't fabricate a lie to get out of hanging out. It is perfectly normal to want space. It is nothing to be ashamed of or to be sorry about, so there is no reason to lie. It won't make you feel good and you won't enjoy the space you receive. People almost always find out the truth, which is often more hurtful than the lie. Your friend may feel hurt when you ask for space, but they'll feel worse when they find out that you lied and broke their trust. Wait until you’re not angry. Sometimes your need for space can be more serious than simply “needing to recharge.” If someone's actions upset you and that is why you want space from them, wait until you've cooled off to let them know. You'll be able to articulate better why you need space when you're feeling more level-headed. Practice what you are going to say. Especially if the conversation may grow heated, it is a good idea to rehearse the conversation ahead of time. Make an outline of your most important points. What do you need your friend to know? Once you have your outline, practice speaking in the mirror. You can always bring the outline with you if you think you may forget an important point. Just say it. No matter how you go about it, the important thing is just to say what you need to say. Preparation is only effective up to a point. After that, you have to take the leap. Don't over think it and don't put it off. Just pick up the phone and call. You can always do this in person too, if it is easier for you. Avoid doing this online, however, as your words and intent could get misinterpreted. Establish boundaries. If you feel that your friend is frequently overwhelming your space or if you don't feel like your requests for space are being heard, you may need to set some boundaries. Healthy boundaries are the foundation of a healthy friendship. Explain which behaviors are okay, and which others are not. For example, maybe it is okay for them to email or call, but not okay from them to drop by unannounced. If you want to sever the friendship permanently, it's important to voice it. Don't put it off and give them false hope. Be persistent. Your need for space will not evaporate. When you need space, make sure you get it. Subtle approaches may work sometimes, but sometimes you need to be more direct. In those cases, you may need to assert your need for space more than once. Keep at it! Claiming the space you need is a powerful act of self-love! Ask for space because you are busy and exhausted. Maybe you've had a stressful week. Maybe you just feel stretched too thin. Give yourself the private time you need to recuperate by taking some space from your friend. Remember, these is nothing selfish with a little "me" time. If spending time with your friend is making you feel worse, then take a break! Ask for space because you are more of an introvert and just need time alone. Everybody lies at a different locations on the introvert-extrovert spectrum. Do you find that you are more rejuvenating by time alone? If so, you may be more introverted. This means that taking some space for yourself is essential for you to feel good. Let yourself have it! Explain to your friend that you're not being lonely, shy, or depressed. Tell them that you actually like being alone sometimes and that it's nothing personal. If you just say that you want to be alone, your friend worry that something's going on emotionally. They may not understand that this is just how you are. Ask for space because your friend is stirring up too much drama. Many times we need space from friends because they bring stress into our lives. If you have a friend who is stirring up drama, give yourself permission to take some space. It is almost always a good idea to let things cool down. If you like talking to this friend, you can still do so once the waters have calmed and nothing dramatic is going on. It's important with these friends to discourage gossip. This will deter them from pulling you into other people's drama. Ask for space because your friend is flaky and you're frustrated with it. Are you tired of making plans with a friend just for them to break plans or reschedule? You can choose to stop making plans with that friend. This may motivate your friend to stick to plans better and stop being flaky. Decide what kind of space you need. Before you know how to ask for this space, you must determine what kind of space you are looking for. If you just need a night off, you may want to take a subtle approach. If you need to overhaul the nature of your friendship, your approach should be more direct. Do you just need a night off? Do you no longer want to hang out with this friend one-on-one, but would be okay in groups (or vice versa)? Do you want to change the relationship itself (or even end it)? | Paint a mental picture of what you want. Follow a script. Offer an alternative. Consider their needs. Avoid lying. Wait until you’re not angry. Practice what you are going to say. Just say it. Establish boundaries. Be persistent. Ask for space because you are busy and exhausted. Ask for space because you are more of an introvert and just need time alone. Ask for space because your friend is stirring up too much drama. Ask for space because your friend is flaky and you're frustrated with it. Decide what kind of space you need. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Help-a-Constipated-Guinea-Pig | How to Help a Constipated Guinea Pig | To help a constipated guinea pig, start by taking it to the vet, since constipation is rare in guinea pigs and may require medical treatment. Then, follow any advice the vet may give you, such as adding soft fruits and vegetables to your guinea pig's diet to help it maintain a healthy digestive track. Additionally, provide fresh water by putting a water bottle in its cage and changing it daily. You can also try giving your pet a probiotic supplement, which can help re-start its digestive system. | Add soft fruits and veggies to your pet's diet. These foods can help loosen the bowels. Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables will help your guinea pig's digestive tract healthy. Add greens to your pet's diet slowly. An abundance can lead to diarrhea. Do not feed your guinea pig cabbage, cauliflower, or raw beans (excluding green beans). These can produce gas and bloating in your guinea pig. Provide a water bottle. Fresh, clean water is crucial if you want your guinea pig to have good digestive health. Change the water in the bottle daily, and test it with a few taps to ensure the water flows properly from the mouthpiece. If your guinea pig is in truly dire straits, you may need to encourage it to drink by offering it a syringe filled with water. Give your guinea pig a probiotic. Probiotics contain microorganisms which restore balance to the gut bacteria. These will help jump-start your guinea pig's digestive tract. Several options are available to you: Probiotic supplements specially designed for guinea pigs can be obtained from most pet stores. These are administered orally when mixed with water, or rectally as an enema (a fluid mixture injected into the rectum). Be aware that the bacteria in a guinea pig's gut is very different from in a human gut. Do not give a guinea pig dairy products or yogurt drinks designed for human use. Instead, speak to your veterinarian about a probiotic that is suitable for herbivores. Mix half of a fresh dropping from a healthy guinea pig with a small amount of water. Known colloquially as “poop soup,” this mixture functions as an effective probiotic. Use it to soften food pellets or administer it orally via syringe. Don't worry if this seems strange. Guinea pigs consume cecal pellets, the greenish droppings which contain important nutritional compounds, as part of their normal behavior. Avoid forcing your guinea pig to eat. If your guinea pig is constipated, it will not have much of an appetite. Insisting that it eats, or hand-feeding it, could further complicate its situation. If you suspect your guinea pig is constipated because he is not passing pellets regularly, then your guinea pig may not be eating well. If your guinea pig is not eating well, then take him to see a vet immediately. Not eating can indicate that there is a serious problem. Check for anal blockage. The fecal mass is brown and located in the guinea pig's anus. If present, it will be quite visibly lodged halfway out of the anus, stretching it open. Depending on the severity, the anus may be enlarged and protruding from the guinea pig's hindquarters. If you see a fecal mass blocking the anus and don't mind getting hands-on, you can take direct action to solve the guinea pig's constipation. Wash your hands. Scrub thoroughly with an antibacterial soap. This will reduce the chances of any infectious germs being transmitted to your guinea pig. Put gloves on. Digital evacuation of feces is a messy business. Vinyl gloves will keep your hands clean and stink-free. Apply lubricant to your guinea pig's anal area. Smear petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or Vaseline around the outer anal wall to ease the passage of the fecal mass. You can also try immersing the guinea pig's hindquarters in water for a minute to soften the stool. Placing a towel beneath the guinea pig will give it a soft surface to lay or stand on, and make cleanup easier for you. Gently squeeze the blockage out. Place your thumb and pointer finger on either side of the fecal mass at the base of the anus. Apply pressure, increasing slowly. Carefully move the mass out of the guinea pig's body. This process is known as digital evacuation. Enlist the aid of a partner to hold the guinea pig while you remove the blockage if you find it too difficult to do alone. Be cognizant of your guinea pig's needs. If he or she is squealing or indicating pain, you might be squeezing too hard. Do not employ any sharp instruments in an attempt to scoop the anal blockage out. The possibility of accidentally harming your guinea pig is not worth it. If you feel uncomfortable performing a digital evacuation, take your guinea pig to the vet and have him or her perform the procedure. Repeat the process as needed. In the case of impaction, you may need to repeat the process for several days until the guinea pig's muscles recover enough to resume normal bowel movements. As guinea pigs age, impaction often becomes a chronic issue. This is because the rectal muscles which govern the pig's ability to pass excrement grow weak. An older guinea pig will require digital evacuation regularly. Look for signs your pet may be constipated. You should take your guinea pig to see a veterinarian if you notice any signs of constipation because constipation is rare in guinea pigs. Signs of constipation include: A distended stomach Lack of droppings in pet's cage Lethargy Straining during a bowel movement Monitor the situation carefully. Make a note of exactly how long your pet has been constipated. Weigh him or her regularly, and be attentive to changes in weight. Note when your pet last pooped, how much it is eating, and how much it drinks. You will need all this information when you take your pet to the vet. Consult a veterinarian. If you don't have a veterinarian already, find one that has experience with guinea pigs. Your best bet is to consult an AEMV (Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians) member. You can find an AEMV member by visiting aemv.org/index.php/members/vet-locator. If your local vet doesn't treat guinea pigs, ask for a referral to a vet that does. Follow your vet's instructions carefully. If you have any questions, give him or her a call. Don't be afraid to ask your vet about specific instructions, and let them know any details (such as prior bouts of constipation or illness) that might affect their diagnosis. Schedule a follow-up visit. Even if your guinea pig seems to recover after receiving medical attention, it's always a good idea to ensure that whatever caused constipation won't return. | Add soft fruits and veggies to your pet's diet. Provide a water bottle. Give your guinea pig a probiotic. Avoid forcing your guinea pig to eat. Check for anal blockage. Wash your hands. Put gloves on. Apply lubricant to your guinea pig's anal area. Gently squeeze the blockage out. Repeat the process as needed. Look for signs your pet may be constipated. Monitor the situation carefully. Consult a veterinarian. Follow your vet's instructions carefully. Schedule a follow-up visit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Dancer | How to Be a Dancer | If you want to be a dancer, start by watching lots of dance performances to get an idea of which dance style you'd like to train in. Next, sign up for dance classes in that style and check out intensive summer programs for additional training opportunities. Then, research contemporary dance programs offered by schools near you and submit applications to the programs that most interest you. If you don't have the time or money to enroll in a program or school, look for an internship with a local dance studio. Once you've gained several years of experience as a dancer, start looking into professional opportunities. Be sure to submit quality headshots and a dance reel with clips of of your best performances with your resume! | Make sure that this is what you really want to do. It takes a lot of passion and dedication to dance, whether you dance just as a hobby, or if you want to someday be a professional. If you do want to do it for a living, you may have to cut out other sports and after school activities to put in the necessary hours of practice. Remember that dance in itself is a sport and it takes a lot of endurance to dance every day. Decide what kind of dancing you would enjoy doing. Whether it be ballet, tap, jazz, swing, lyrical, contemporary, acro, hip hop, break-dance, pointe, modern, or belly dancing - anything you want - just be sure to choose one that suits your style. Seek guidance. Watch music videos and watch people's moves, buy dancing lessons on a video, read dancing instructions in books and on the internet, watch YouTube tutorials, find a tutor, get tips from friends/professionals, etc. Dancing is hard, but with hard, dedicated work, you will excel in many ways. Experiment. Stand in front of a full-length mirror, turn up the tunes, and move your body! Or you could use a rented out dance studio. Practice different moves on different parts of the body. Be sure that each move transitions nicely into the next. Also make sure you're stretched and do not have cold muscles. Cold muscles can lead to pulling muscles. Find a dance school. Dance schools can range from a local youth centre to a more intense independent school. If you are planning on dancing throughout high school and college into professional dance you will want to pick a more intense school. Talk to other dancers in your area as well as the teachers of each school to pick the best one for you. Sign up for as many dance classes as possible. Remember that it is important to have a base in ballet as well as to branch out into other classes. You do not have to take every class offered, and you can always sign up for more classes. Talk to your dance teacher and ask her to recommend classes and to evaluate your level. The more you practice, the better you will get. If you cannot afford to sign up for lessons, you can always find some nice DVDs at Target or other stores that will teach you good dance technique. However, if you plan to become a professional dancer, it is necessary to take lessons from a reputable school. Stretch. It is very important in the world of dance, the more you stretch, the more you will improve your flexibility. You will stretch every day in class, but you may want to add stretching when you wake up or before you go to sleep to improve flexibility, but make sure you are warm enough so you don't hurt yourself. If you have the space, you may want to put a barre somewhere in your home, preferably in a room with wood floors. Even if you do not have the perfect flooring, you will be able to stretch more if you have one. Practice. Now that you have your dancing style, lessons, and have chosen the moves that look best on your body, you need to put that knowledge into action! The best way to do this is freestyle dancing in the privacy in your bedroom, and then when you're at an average dancing level, attend school dances to enjoy yourself! Be healthy both mentally and physically. Dance is a very demanding sport. It is essential to eat a healthy, balanced diet and keep hydrated. If you feel that you are overdoing it, talk to your dance teacher and ask if it is possible to drop a class. Sign up for a dancing competition. Now that you have learned and put your new skills in front of your peers, it's time to step it up a notch! Whether you come first or last, you'll always be a winner for putting in the time and effort to accomplish your dreams! Balance your schedule. You can dance for up to four hours a day, but remember to schedule your time. Make sure you are able to do your homework every night. Schedule in friend time for those close to you who do not take dance classes with you. Dance can take over your life, but remember that you need to be a rounded person. If you are not planning to become a professional, and just dance for fun, it is not necessary to put as much time into dance. Speak up! If you don't understand a dance, ask for help, you're not going to learn it by standing in the corner watching! Always talk to your dance teachers if you are having a problem and they will help sorts things out. Know that it is going to be hard. Learn to distinguish between "good" and "bad" pain. Dancing isn't an easy thing to do, but it doesn't have to be painful all the time. It's supposed to be fun! If it gets to the point where you're not having fun at all, stop. It's not worth it if you're not enjoying yourself, or if you wish you were pursuing something else. Never just dance the steps. Get into the song, and put feeling into it. If it's an upbeat or happy dance, smile, make big, sharp movements, and smile! If it's a sad or emotional dance, make each move slower and use your facial expression to guide your body. That makes every performance a lot better. Keep your confidence. Know that you can do it for sure! Imagine yourself as a brilliant dancer! Be passionate. The best dancers in the world are not only great dancers because they are good at dancing. They are so passionate that they decided to work hard, dedicate themselves, and go through much pain so they could be the best dancer they could be. If you know this is what you want to do, put all your heart into it. Finally, and most importantly, never let go of your dreams. If you have always wanted to dance hip hop, but you're the least cool person you know, go for it. For all you know, it could change your life! | Make sure that this is what you really want to do. Decide what kind of dancing you would enjoy doing. Seek guidance. Experiment. Find a dance school. Sign up for as many dance classes as possible. Stretch. Practice. Be healthy both mentally and physically. Sign up for a dancing competition. Balance your schedule. Speak up! Know that it is going to be hard. Never just dance the steps. Keep your confidence. Be passionate. Finally, and most importantly, never let go of your dreams. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Silk-Tie | How to Clean a Silk Tie | To clean a silk tie, start by scraping off any spilled food with a butter knife, then dipping a napkin into water or club soda and blotting the leftover stain. You could also try drying it with a hair dryer to prevent the stain from setting. For grease stains, pat out the grease with a napkin, put a large pile of cornstarch on the stain, and allow it to sit for 24 hours. In order to remove red wine stains, put a pile of salt on the stain and let it sit for 1 hour, then treat any leftover stains with a stain remover made for silk. | Scrape off spilled food or sauce and blot the stain. Use a spoon or butter knife to lift food off your tie. Then, dip a cloth napkin into water or club soda and blot at the leftover stain. Paper napkins might disintegrate when you blot, but you can use them if you don't have a cloth napkin on hand. For a stain from a liquid-based sauce, such as soy sauce, simply skip right to blotting with the cloth napkin. Apply a silk stain remover. Follow the application instructions on the bottle to ensure you get your tie as clean as possible. Once you've cleaned off the stain, dry the area with a hair dryer on a low heat setting to prevent a water ring from forming. You can also take the tie straight to the dry cleaner after scraping off the food. Tell them what kind of food caused the stain so they can determine the best way to remove it. Use rubbing alcohol if you don’t have stain remover. First, test the rubbing alcohol by applying a bit to the back of the tie, making sure it won't affect the color. Then, dab a very small amount onto a rag or cotton ball and blot the stain. Dry light-colored liquid stains with a hair dryer. Simply drying the liquid before it sets in might be enough to prevent a stain. If not, use a stain remover specialized for silk fabrics, or take your tie to the dry cleaners. You can also use a hand dryer if you're out and about. Blot out oil or grease and soak it up with cornstarch or talcum powder. Use a paper or cloth napkin to carefully pat out all the grease or oil that you can. Try not to rub at the stain, as that will make the stain soak in even more. Then, lay the tie flat and put a large pile of cornstarch or talcum on the stain. Let it sit for a full 24 hours to allow the starch to absorb the stain, then brush it off. Put table salt on a red wine stain. Use a large pile of salt and let it sit for an hour, letting it soak up the wine. If the stain still looks dark, leave it on for another hour or two longer. Brush the salt off, then treat any leftover stains with a silk-specific stain remover. Blot at dark-colored liquids with mild soap. If you've spilled soda, coffee, beer, or another brown-colored liquid on your tie, wet a napkin with a bit of water or club soda and a small amount of mild soap, such as hand soap or dish soap. Dry with a hair dryer or bathroom hand dryer, then treat the spot with stain remover if any color remains. Spray on a fabric protector. Carefully read the instructions and make sure it's safe to use on silk. You can spray it on before a meal or right when you buy your tie for maximum protection. A good fabric protector will prevent spills from sinking in and staining your silk tie, so the most you'll have to do is blot the food or liquid from the surface. Hand wash a tie with silk detergent for regular cleaning. Use cool water and follow the instructions on the detergent bottle. Wash gently and quickly, aiming to finish washing in about five minutes so your silk isn't submerged for too long. Lay your tie flat to dry. Only wash your tie when it seems dirty. For example, you might see slight discoloration on the fabric from dirt, or the tie might smell a bit. You shouldn't wash your tie everyday, as that could ruin the fabric. Tuck your tie away during dinner. You can prevent your silk tie from being stained in the first place by removing it from the line of fire completely! Try slipping the tip of your tie between two of your shirt buttons during dinner, or tucking a napkin into your collar. They may not be the most elegant-looking solutions, but they're certainly better-looking than a stained tie. | Scrape off spilled food or sauce and blot the stain. Apply a silk stain remover. Use rubbing alcohol if you don’t have stain remover. Dry light-colored liquid stains with a hair dryer. Blot out oil or grease and soak it up with cornstarch or talcum powder. Put table salt on a red wine stain. Blot at dark-colored liquids with mild soap. Spray on a fabric protector. Hand wash a tie with silk detergent for regular cleaning. Tuck your tie away during dinner. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deep-Clean-Carpet | How to Deep Clean Carpet | Before deep cleaning your carpet, remove all furniture from the room and vacuum the carpet. Then, purchase or rent a carpet cleaning machine and add the water and cleaning solution to the machine according to the instructions. If you'd rather not use a cleaning solution, add white vinegar instead. When you start cleaning, begin as far away from the door as possible so that you can leave without stepping on the carpet after you finish. Finally, open the windows to help the carpet dry. | Pick up anything on the ground. You will need to have the carpet completely clear before you start deep cleaning. Pick up any toys, books, papers, shoes, or other items from the ground. Clear away any large or visible debris or trash from the carpet, and throw it out. Move furniture out of the way. You should try to have as much furniture moved out of the room as possible. Lift chairs, tables, TV stands, and other smaller items, and take them to another room. If you have large heavy items that are difficult to move, such as couches or bookcases, you should put small pieces of aluminum foil under their feet. Vacuum the carpet first. Vacuum the entire carpet to get as much dust and dirt out as possible before you deep clean the carpet. Go over the entire floor, especially areas that were previously covered by furniture. Pretreat stains. If there are any soiled or stained areas, try to get the stain out before you clean the whole carpet. Use a carpet cleaning solution, and spray it over the affected area. Wait for fifteen or twenty minutes. Blot the stain out with a damp cloth or sponge, but do not rub. If you do not have a spot cleaning solution on hand, you can use shaving cream. Spray the cream onto the stain, and wait 30 minutes. Blot it away, and spray the spot with vinegar. Wipe away any leftover residue. You can make your own spot cleaning solution by mixing 1/4 cup (75 g) of salt, 1/4 cup (100 g) of Borax, and ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of vinegar. Put the paste on stained areas, and wait until it dries before you vacuum it up. If you don't have Borax, you could use baking soda or washing soda instead. Rent or buy a carpet cleaner. A carpet cleaner is a special machine that looks like a vacuum, but it uses steam and special cleaning solution to deep clean your carpets. If you have many rugs and carpets in your home or if you deep clean your carpets more than once or twice a year, you may want to invest in a carpet cleaner. If you're not ready to commit, you can rent these machines for a day from grocery stores, hardware stores, or even pet stores. Make sure you get a cleaner that you can easily lift or move. Remember that once you fill it with water, the machine will weigh even more. No matter if you buy or rent a steam cleaner, you will have to purchase the cleaning solution yourself. The cleaning solution is often sold next to the machine itself. You may also be able to find it in the cleaning aisle of the store. Fill the machine. You will need to put both water and cleaning solution in the tank. Each brand of carpet cleaner has slightly instructions for this, so be sure to read the manual before you begin. Generally, however, you will add a certain amount of formula to a small tank before adding water to the tank. Some carpet cleaners may also have a separate tank for just water. Once you have filled the tank, you can plug the machine in. Do not plug in the machine before adding the water and cleaning solution. If someone in your home has respiratory issues or if you are uncomfortable with the use of chemicals in your home, you can use a cup of white vinegar instead of cleaning solution in the tank. Be aware that this may void the warranty on the machine, and you may need to do a second cleaning for the best results. Clean a test spot. You should make sure that the cleaning solution will not change the color of your carpet or leave stains behind. Find a patch of carpet that is usually covered by furniture. Try using the carpet cleaner on that small part. If you notice any discoloration, you may not want to use it on your entire carpet. Begin away from the door. When you start cleaning, position yourself as far away from the door as possible. As you move the cleaner over the carpet, slowly go across the room. You want to end at the door, so that you can leave when you are finished without stepping on the clean and wet carpet. If the carpet is still visibly dirty, let it dry for a few hours, and go over it a second time. If you start by the door, you may find yourself trapped in a corner. You will have to walk over your clean carpet in order to leave. Open doors and windows to let the room dry. The carpet will take several hours or even overnight to dry. During this time, make sure that there is as much air circulating as possible. Open all of the windows in the room, and keep the doors open as well. This will prevent mold and mildew from developing in the damp carpet while it dries. If you have pets or children, use baby gates to keep them out of the room while the carpet dries. Use fans and dehumidifiers in the room to help the drying process. These can also help reduce mildew. Dispose of the water. The water you used is full of chemicals, and you should not pour it down the drain unless told to do so by the manufacturer or store. If you rented your carpet cleaner, the store may ask you to return the cleaner full of the water you used to clean. This is so that they can dispose of the water responsibly. If you own your steam cleaner or if the store does not want you to return the machine full, call your local water treatment facility to ask how you should dispose of the water. Purchase a dry carpet cleaning solution. There are many commercial dry carpet cleaning solutions available. These are typically powders that contain a detergent formulated to break down dirt embedded in the carpet and a solution. Some may contain a very small amount of water. You can buy these at a grocery or hardware store. Some popular brands include Love my Carpet, Arm and Hammer, Host, and Carpet Fresh. Dry cleaning will not help remove stains from your carpet. If your carpet is visibly soiled, you may want to use a carpet cleaner instead. Sprinkle the cleaning solution over the carpet and work it into the fibers. Measure out the correct amount of solution according to the instructions on the label. Spread it out over your carpet. Make sure that there is an even amount over all parts of the carpet. Be careful not to use too much. If you do, you may get fine white powder residue on your clothing and furniture, even after you vacuum it up. Follow the specific instructions for the dry cleaning solution. You may need to use a hand brush or dry cleaning brush to work the solution into the carpet. In some cases, you may need to wait 15-20 minutes before vacuuming up the powder, as well. Vacuum the carpet. Once you have worked the solution into the carpet, you should vacuum it up. You may want to go over the carpet a few times with your vacuum just to make sure that you have removed all of the powder. If you find that you have white powder on your furniture or clothing after vacuuming, you may need to vacuum again. There is no need to wait for the carpet to dry. Once it is vacuumed, you are done cleaning. | Pick up anything on the ground. Move furniture out of the way. Vacuum the carpet first. Pretreat stains. Rent or buy a carpet cleaner. Fill the machine. Clean a test spot. Begin away from the door. Open doors and windows to let the room dry. Dispose of the water. Purchase a dry carpet cleaning solution. Sprinkle the cleaning solution over the carpet and work it into the fibers. Vacuum the carpet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Manage-Obesity-in-Senior-Dogs | How to Manage Obesity in Senior Dogs | To manage obesity in senior dogs, make sure to properly portion out your dog's food to ensure it doesn't graze on a full bowl all day. You can do this by measuring out the food it'll need for the whole day into a separate, sealed container and then portioning out their two or three meals for the day from there. You should also limit how many treats or snacks you give it outside of mealtimes so those extra calories don't contribute to obesity. Additionally, you can speak to your vet about what kind of food, and how much of it, your dog needs to be at a healthy weight. | Talk to your vet about prescription diet foods. Simply switching your dog to a lower-calorie dog food might seem like an easy fix, but if your dog does not feel satisfied with their meal, this may result in begging or behavioral issues. Your vet can instead recommend a food that will keep your dog feeling full and satiated, but on fewer calories — such as a food that is high in fiber, or one that increases your dog's metabolism. Your dog's needs will vary depending on their activity level, size, and age, so speak with your vet to ensure you choose a food that meets all their dietary needs. Talk to your vet about how much your dog needs to eat to attain a healthy weight. Once your dog attains a healthy weight, your vet will advise you as to what its new daily caloric intake should be. Feed your dog the proper amount and no more. Work on portion control. Instead of leaving a bowl full of dog food out all day and allowing your dog to help themselves when they feel hungry, carefully portion and distribute food to your dog. Start every morning by measuring out the amount of food your dog can eat for the entire day and put it in a sealed container. Portion out the food from this container into two or three meals so you can ensure the dog is not being overfed. Use your knowledge of how many calories your dog should be eating each day to measure out an appropriate amount of dog food. In order to determine how much dog food your dog needs, you need to know its activity level, its ideal weight, and the calories per serving size of your dog food. With this information in hand, use the dog food calculator — online at http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-feeding-tips/dog-food-calculator/ — to serve your dog two or three appropriately-sized servings of food each day. Usually, you can serve your dog some food in the morning, some in the early afternoon, and some in the evening. Make sure everyone in the household understands the system, and that when the container is empty, the dog has had their food for the day. This will remove any confusion about whether or not the dog has been fed and someone mistakenly giving them two meals, etc. Check back in with your vet regularly to ensure that your pet is on track to lose weight. Your vet will let you know when your dog can increase or stabilize its caloric intake. Always measure your dog's food carefully and accurately. Avoid feeding your dog outside of mealtimes. Your dog's caloric intake needs to be carefully managed if it is older and obese. Reduce treats or little snacks throughout the day (talk to your vet about how many are appropriate). Don't allow your dog to beg at the table while you or your family sit down to eat. These extra calories add up quickly and can prolong your dog's obesity. Instead of giving treats and snacks for being a good dog or performing a trick, give your dog hugs, pats to the head, and other physical affection. You should also give your dog verbal praise. For instance, say, "Good dog!" when they perform a trick or does something good. Increase the amount your dog exercises. Obesity in dogs, like obesity in people, is best managed not only by a decrease in caloric intake, but also by an increase in physical activity. You will first need to check with your vet to make sure it is safe to increase your dog's activity level and discuss which activities are appropriate for your dog. For instance, you could: Go for a walk at the park or around the block with your older, obese dog. Talk to your vet before engaging in a new or more intense exercise regimen with your dog. Older dogs might have creaky bones and stiffness, but these problems, too, can be managed by moderate levels of regular exercise. Slow down if your dog is lagging, drooling or panting excessively, or coughing frequently. Try using environmental enrichment strategies for appetite control. Consider trying a food puzzle to encourage natural foraging behaviors, can increase their energy, and can slow down their eating if they tend to gobble down their food. Try a puzzle feeder or even just spread your dog's kibble in the grass so they must hunt for it using their sense of smell. Feel for a backbone. The backbone — or spine — is a long central series of bones that run in a straight line from your dog's neck to their tail. If you rub your hand along your dog's back, you should be able to feel their spine. But if your dog is obese, their spine will be layered with fat, and not readily detectable. Touch your dog’s ribs. Your dog's ribs, like their backbone, should be easy to detect with light touch. If you drag your hand gently across your dog's flank, you should be able to feel several long bones running vertically up the dog's side. These are your dog's ribs. If you cannot feel the ribs without pushing into your dog's flesh, your dog is obese. Look for a waist. View your dog from above. Your dog's body should taper inward slightly toward a point near their back legs before widening out at the rump. If your dog's body, as viewed from above, is one consistent width from front to back, or if your dog's body gets even wider as it proceeds from front to back, your dog is obese. Look for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is common in obese dogs, mainly because an obese dog is unable to spend as much time exercising and moving about as they need to in order to stay healthy. As a result, the dog might demonstrate stiffness, especially in the morning, and have trouble getting up and down the stairs or jumping onto furniture. Osteoarthritis also leads to lameness or limping, which might begin only occasionally, then become more frequent as the arthritis accelerates. Other signs include whimpering, especially when the dog rises from a prone position. Monitor for cardiovascular disorders. If your older, obese dog has heart disease, they might not have any symptoms; however, if they do have symptoms, the earliest signs will be detected by the vet in the form of an irregular heartbeat. More visible symptoms include hacking or coughing (especially early in the morning or after exercising), laziness, excess sleeping, or generally low stamina during exercise. Check for diabetes. Obese dogs often have diabetes, too. If your dog drinks a lot, urinates excessively, and eats more than they should, they might have diabetes. Your dog might also start to lose weight, even if their diet remains stable. More serious cases of diabetes might result in cataracts (a cloudiness in the eyes) or blindness in your obese dog. If you know your dog is obese, you probably won't allow them the opportunity to eat excessively. Check for other symptoms instead. Keep an eye out for respiratory diseases. There are a variety of respiratory conditions that could negatively affect your obese dog. These include pneumonia, fungal infections, and bacterial respiratory infections. These conditions tend to manifest similar symptoms, including shallow breathing, noisy breathing (including grunting or snorting while trying to breathe), rapid breathing or panting (especially when not associated with exercise), or coughing (especially with blood, phlegm, or other discharge). Get your dog screened for cancer. Dogs who are obese tend to have higher rates of cancer. For this reason — among others — it is important to have your older, obese dog visit the vet regularly. Your vet will be able to check for cancer using X-rays and other medical tests. You should already have a vet for your dog. If you do not, check the American Animal Hospital Association's vet database at https://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/about_aaha/hospital_search/default.aspx to find a vet near you. | Talk to your vet about prescription diet foods. Work on portion control. Avoid feeding your dog outside of mealtimes. Increase the amount your dog exercises. Try using environmental enrichment strategies for appetite control. Feel for a backbone. Touch your dog’s ribs. Look for a waist. Look for osteoarthritis. Monitor for cardiovascular disorders. Check for diabetes. Keep an eye out for respiratory diseases. Get your dog screened for cancer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Spots-on-Your-Skin | How to Get Rid of Spots on Your Skin | Having spots on your skin can be frustrating and affect your confidence, but fortunately, you can get rid of them faster with some simple remedies. Try applying a little pineapple juice to your dark spots with a cotton swab to help lighten them. Let the juice dry, then rinse your skin. You can also apply a yogurt face mask for 20 minutes twice a week to help fade dark spots and freckles. If you have acne, use a cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinol. Try not to pick or pop any pimples, since this can cause dark spots and scars. Whichever kind of spots you have, make sure you wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser to get rid of any bacteria that can make them worse. | Apply pineapple juice to dark spots daily to help lighten them. The acid and enzymes in pineapple juice may naturally lighten your brown spots and possibly freckles. Soak a cotton swab in pineapple juice, then dab the juice directly onto your dark spots. Allow it to dry, then rinse your skin clean. The juice may cause some skin irritation or sensitivity. If this happens, stop using it and consult your dermatologist. Dab evening primrose oil onto brown spots to fade them over time. Put a dot of evening primrose oil onto your fingertip, then apply it to your brown spots. Use the treatment twice a day to help lighten your spots over time. Use the oil before you apply other skin care products, like serums or lotions. Once the oil dries, you can continue with your typical skin care routine. Do biweekly yogurt face masks to fade dark spots or freckles. The lactic acid in dairy products can fade brown spots on your skin, including age spots and freckles. Smooth a homemade mask onto your skin and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then, wash your face with cool water and pat it dry with a clean towel. Here are some ways to mix up a homemade mask: Mix equal parts yogurt and honey. Combine 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of yogurt, 1 tbsp (5 grams) of oatmeal, and 2-3 drops of honey. Use a cream or serum that’s labeled for skin brightening. Apply your brightening cream or serum every morning and evening after you wash your face. Follow the directions on the label to make sure you're using it correctly. Check the label to make sure it contains 1 or more of the following lightening ingredients: Hydroquinone Vitamin C Azelaic acid Tretinoin Kojic acid Fade dark spots or scars with a retinol or alpha hydroxy acid. Look for an over-the-counter skin cream that contains a retinol or alpha hydroxy acid. These ingredients speed up your cell turnover, so they can help fade brown spots, acne scars, and possibly freckles. Apply your cream every morning and evening after washing your face. If your cream causes irritation or redness, stop using it and see your dermatologist. Apply aloe vera to brown spots to slowly fade them. Take aloe vera gel from a cut leaf or buy a tube of aloe vera gel from the store. Use a cotton swab to dab the aloe vera directly onto your dark spot. Let the aloe vera dry, then rinse it off with cool water. Repeat twice a day until your dark spot fades. You can get aloe vera gel directly from the plant by breaking off a leaf, which will contain the gel. If you prefer to buy it at the store, choose a product that is 100% aloe vera gel. Start with a primer to make your makeup last longer. Apply a dot of primer to your nose, then spread it outward. Blend the primer out toward your hairline and jawline. Create a thin, even layer to help keep your makeup in place all day. Wait 2-3 minutes for your primer to dry before proceeding. You don't need to use a primer, but it will help ensure all-day coverage. Add more primer if necessary to provide an even coverage. Use a peach concealer to color correct brown spots. Choose a pale peach color for a light skin tone, a medium peach for a medium skin tone, or an orange color for dark skin. Dab the concealer onto the dark spots to neutralize the color. This can help hide brown spots. The peach color will counteract the darkness of the spot. Apply your foundation to even out your skin tone. Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone. Use a makeup sponge or a beauty blender to apply an even layer of foundation. Dab the foundation onto your color correction, then blend it across your face. If you didn't use color correction, start on your nose and blend outward to your hairline and jawline. If you're using color correction, do it before you apply your foundation. If you're applying regular concealer, put your foundation on first. Dab a full-coverage concealer on skin spots or blemishes. Pick a concealer that's the same color as your skin tone or 1 shade lighter. Then, use your finger or a concealer brush to dab the concealer over the spot you want to hide. Blend out the edges to create a smooth finish. Wait 2-3 minutes for it to dry before applying powder. Finish with translucent powder to set your makeup. Use a powder brush to sweep a thin layer of powder over your face. Dip your brush in the powder, then tap the brush to shake off the excess. Sweep your brush across your face to apply the powder. This will set your makeup so it lasts longer. If you want more coverage, use a powder color that's the same shade as your foundation. However, this may make your face look cakey. See your dermatologist to learn about the best treatment options. Your dermatologist will examine your skin spots to find out what's causing them. Then, they'll tell you the best way to treat them. This can help you choose a safe, effective treatment. Visit your dermatologist to get your skin checked. Ask your doctor for a referral to see a dermatologist. Ask your dermatologist about prescription skin lightening creams. Typically, these products contain hydroquinone, which prevents your skin from making melanin. Use your cream for several months before you expect to see results. Make sure you follow your doctor's instructions exactly for applying the cream. You'll likely notice your dark spots fading slowly over time. Try microdermabrasion to help remove age spots or acne scars. During this procedure, your dermatologist will deeply exfoliate your skin to remove the damaged layer of skin. This can reveal younger, more even skin, which helps get rid of dark spots or acne scars. If your dermatologist recommends microdermabrasion, expect to get treatments every 2 weeks over a 16-week period. This procedure may cause skin redness or flaky skin. If your spots are really dark, they may not completely go away. However, they will likely get lighter. Get a deep chemical peel to get rid of dark spots, freckles, or acne scars. Your dermatologist can apply trichloroacetic acid or phenol to your skin to peel away the top layer of your skin. This will remove damaged skin cells and reveal smoother, fresher skin. Talk to your dermatologist to find out if a chemical peel might help fade your spots. Expect it to take 14-21 days for your skin to heal after a deep chemical peel. During this time, you'll need to apply an ointment to your skin to help it heal without scarring. Your skin will be very sensitive after a chemical peel, so you'll need to avoid makeup and the sun. Additionally, you might experience redness, burning, and itching. Ask about laser treatment for brown spots, freckles, and acne scars. A laser treatment uses heat to regenerate your skin, which can fade your brown spots or acne scars in 1 or 2 treatments. Similarly, laser treatments can fade your freckles over the course of several treatments. Talk to your doctor to find out if laser treatments might get rid of your spots. Laser treatments do carry some side effects. They may cause your spots to temporarily crust or darken, but this effect will go away. Laser treatments typically don't work well on dark skin or tanned skin. Try cryotherapy to quickly freeze and fade dark spots. Your dermatologist can use liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin cells that are causing your dark spots. As your damaged skin cells heal, they'll lighten, which fades your spots. This procedure can be a bit painful, but it provides quick results. Ask your dermatologist if it may be right for you. You might have temporary pain, swelling, redness, and blistering after getting this procedure. However, these side effects should heal. Wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser to keep it clean. Apply a dime-size amount of a mild facial cleanser to your skin daily. Use your fingertips to massage the cleanser into your skin, then rinse with cool water. Pat your skin dry with a towel. Dirt, sweat, and excess oil can clog your pores and cause acne, which can cause dark spots or scarring. Treat your acne with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinol. Treating your acne can help it heal faster and may help prevent dark spots and scars. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that causes acne, while salicylic acid prevents future breakouts. Retinol will help keep your pores clear and may fade dark spots. Check the labels on skin care products to find these ingredients. You can find these ingredients in face washes, body washes, and acne creams. You may need to purchase more than 1 product to get all 3 ingredients. Read the labels on the products you choose to make sure it's safe to use them together. Avoid picking your pimples, which can cause dark spots or scars. While it's tempting to pop your pimples, keep your fingers off of your face. Picking or popping your pimples increases the likelihood that you'll end up with dark spots or scars. Instead, use your acne treatments and wait for them to work. If your pimples are really bothering you, see a dermatologist to find out about additional treatments. Choose personal care products that are labeled as non-comedogenic. Some skin and hair products can clog your pores and cause bumps, including acne. Read the labels on the products you choose to make sure they're non-comedogenic, which means they won't clog your pores. This can help you avoid acne and dark pores in the future. Check both the front and back label. Wear a SPF 30 sunscreen every time you go outside. Sun damage can cause age spots and freckles, so it's important to protect your skin. Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to your skin daily before you go out. If you're spending time outdoors, reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours or as directed on the label. If you can, don't go out between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. when the sun is at its height. | Apply pineapple juice to dark spots daily to help lighten them. Dab evening primrose oil onto brown spots to fade them over time. Do biweekly yogurt face masks to fade dark spots or freckles. Use a cream or serum that’s labeled for skin brightening. Fade dark spots or scars with a retinol or alpha hydroxy acid. Apply aloe vera to brown spots to slowly fade them. Start with a primer to make your makeup last longer. Use a peach concealer to color correct brown spots. Apply your foundation to even out your skin tone. Dab a full-coverage concealer on skin spots or blemishes. Finish with translucent powder to set your makeup. See your dermatologist to learn about the best treatment options. Ask your dermatologist about prescription skin lightening creams. Try microdermabrasion to help remove age spots or acne scars. Get a deep chemical peel to get rid of dark spots, freckles, or acne scars. Ask about laser treatment for brown spots, freckles, and acne scars. Try cryotherapy to quickly freeze and fade dark spots. Wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser to keep it clean. Treat your acne with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinol. Avoid picking your pimples, which can cause dark spots or scars. Choose personal care products that are labeled as non-comedogenic. Wear a SPF 30 sunscreen every time you go outside. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Marbles | How to Play Marbles | To play marbles, begin by drawing a chalk circle on the ground that's 3 feet wide, placing 15 marbles inside. Then, kneel outside the ring and use your thumb and forefinger to flick a marble into the marbles in the circle. Try to knock as many marbles outside of the circle as you can and grab any marbles that wind up outside the chalk line. Then, alternate turns with the other players until all of the marbles have been knocked out and add up each person's marbles to determine the winner. | Draw a circle on the pavement in chalk. A traditional chalk circle should be around 3 feet (0.9 meters) across. This will be your marble ring during the game. Draw the circle as evenly you can to ensure a fair game. Use string as an alternative if you are playing marbles indoors. Choose a shooter marble. Your shooter (or "taw") marble will be what you use to knock other marbles out of the circle later. Choose a marble bigger than all your other marbles so it has plenty of power. Qualities of a good shooter marble also include a heavier weight and balanced symmetry. Other names for the shooter marble include Aggie, boulder, Steele, king, and middleman. Use a big marble as your shooter so it is easier to knock the marbles out. Place ten to fifteen marbles in the center of the ring. Space the marbles so that they evenly fill the ring, but try to place the majority nearer to the center. How many marbles you choose depends on how large of a game you want. The more you place, the longer the game will last. Decide whether you want to play for keeps. Marbles can be played either "for fair," which means that every player keeps their marbles or "for keeps." If you choose to play for keeps, marbles can be won by other players by knocking them out of the ring. Choose how you're playing in advance so you know what to expect while playing. Never let another person trick you into playing for keeps if you are a beginner. Determine who will go first. Draw a line in the ground with your chalk, then stand about 10 feet (3.04 meters) away from your line. Have each player take turns flicking their shooter at the line. The player whose marble lands closest to the line goes first (with second, third, fourth, etc., going as follows). This method of determining the playing order is called lagging. Alternatively, you can decide with a coin flip or by playing Rock, Paper, Scissors. Kneel outside of the ring and shoot your taw marble from the ground. Your objective is to knock marbles out of the ring. To shoot your marble correctly, fold your thumb, pinkie, and ring finger into your palm. Roll your pointer finger around the marble, holding it against your thumb knuckle. When you're ready to shoot, flick your thumb out. Use your dominant hand to shoot the marble. Some variations of the game give a penalty (like losing a turn) if you touch the chalk circle with your knees while shooting. Decide with your friends whether you want to play with this penalty. Grab any marbles you knocked out. Don't wait until the end of the game to gather your marbles, as you might not remember which ones your shooter got out. Pick them up right after your turn and gather them in a neat pile. Some variations of the game state that if you got a marble out, it is still your turn. Ask the other players whether they want to follow this rule. Leave your shooter marble in the ring if you don't knock out any marbles. You will shoot from within the ring during your next turn (using the same shooting method as before). If your marble is moved within the ring by another player, you will play from wherever it lands. Decide with your friends whether you want to add a penalty for those who move their shooter marble by accident while it's in the ring. Knock the other player's shooter marble out for a quick win. If your opponent's shooter marble is within the ring, it's vulnerable to being knocked out. Players whose shooter marbles are knocked out automatically lose the game. If this person was the only other player besides yourself, you win the game by default. Because shooter marbles are bigger and heavier, they are generally harder to knock out than other marbles. Continue knocking out marbles until none are left in the ring. Unless your game ends abruptly by knocking other shooters out, this is the only way to end the game. Most marble games last from between fifteen and thirty minutes. Count up how many marbles you knocked out. Each marble usually equals one point. If you're playing with marbles of different colors or sizes, you may want to assign points to each marble type depending on difficulty. When you've finished counting your marbles, write the number down or keep it safe in your memory. Compare your score with your opponent. If you chose not to play for keeps, determine another prize for the winner. Perhaps bragging rights are enough, but players often commit to each giving the winner a marble of the losers' choice. Once you've finished, play another round or wrap up the game. Play Bulls Eye marbles. Draw four circles, each within the next one, and assign each circle a points amount. Give each player an allotted amount of marbles, and take turns shooting them into the ring. Once everyone has shot their marbles, count up your scores to determine a winner. Write down the points on a piece of paper and add them up to ensure accuracy. Play Cherry Pit. Dig a one-foot (0.3-meter) wide hole into a smooth, dry patch of dirt. Take turns flicking your marbles as closely to the hole as you can without dropping it in. The player whose marble comes closest to the hole without falling wins. For added challenge, make knocking your opponents' marbles into the hole allowed. Play Dropsies. Dropsies is a played shooter marble versus shooter marble but is otherwise similar to the traditional game of marbles. Draw a chalk circle and place both of your shooter marbles inside. Take turns trying to knock your opponent's marble out of the ring. The first player whose shooter leaves the circle loses. Collect marbles for fun. When you're not playing with marbles, collect a variety of marbles in all shapes and sizes. The more marbles you collect, the better selection you'll have when you're playing a game. Keep your marbles in a pouch to avoid losing one accidentally. Trade your marbles with friends to expand your collection. Avoid using your most special marbles in any games, especially if you're playing for keeps. | Draw a circle on the pavement in chalk. Choose a shooter marble. Place ten to fifteen marbles in the center of the ring. Decide whether you want to play for keeps. Determine who will go first. Kneel outside of the ring and shoot your taw marble from the ground. Grab any marbles you knocked out. Leave your shooter marble in the ring if you don't knock out any marbles. Knock the other player's shooter marble out for a quick win. Continue knocking out marbles until none are left in the ring. Count up how many marbles you knocked out. Compare your score with your opponent. Play Bulls Eye marbles. Play Cherry Pit. Play Dropsies. Collect marbles for fun. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Banana,-Peanut-and-Yogurt-Dog-Treats | How to Make Banana, Peanut and Yogurt Dog Treats | To make banana, peanut, and yogurt treats for your dog, combine 2 mashed bananas, 32 ounces of yogurt, and half a cup of peanut butter in a bowl. Once the ingredients are well mixed, pour the mixture into muffin cups or small containers. Make sure to avoid putting popsicle sticks or tooth picks in the treats, since they could injure your dog. Then, freeze the treats overnight to ensure they're frozen through. When you give a treat to your dog, remove it from the cup so it doesn't eat the container. | Gather your ingredients, and set out your utensils. By making sure that you are prepared to make your treats, you reduce the possibility of mess and cross-contamination that might occur as you reach around in your kitchen for a tool or food item. Be prepared, and make it easy on yourself. Make sure none of the ingredients contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is deadly to dogs. Dogs with a history of pancreatitis should avoid this treat because of the fat content in the peanut butter. Combine the yogurt, mashed bananas, and peanut butter in a large bowl. Make sure you to mix your ingredients well. This will make sure that your dog isn't getting too much of one thing. Peanut butter is great for dogs, but in small doses. Pour into 3-oz Dixie cups or muffin cups. A dozen or so cups should be enough, but keep a few more handy, just in case. Make sure to keep in mind how big you want your treats to be. Think about the size of your dog. If your dog is little, you should put less of the mixture in each cup. Don't put popsicle sticks or toothpicks in them. These will hurt your dog. Freeze overnight. By letting the treats sit overnight in freezer, you can make sure that they are frozen all the way through. Because these are frozen treats, not only will they help cool your dog down on those dog days of summer, they take longer to eat. If your puppy popsicles aren't frozen, they're not as much fun for your dog. Remove the treat from the cup when giving it to your dog. Your dog might eat the cup. The treat should pop out if you just squeeze it. But if you're having trouble, just tear the cup away. Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (180°C). If you don't preheat your oven, it will take longer to cook your food. You have to make sure your oven is the correct temperature when you put the treats in, so that they cook properly. Grease a cupcake pan with cooking spray or oil. This is so that your treats don't stick to the pan. By greasing the pan, you make sure they don't break apart when you take them out of it. Measure your rice flour into the large bowl. Rice is much easier for dogs to digest than other grain flour. Unlike most other grains, dogs can absorb most of the carbohydrates in rice. It also will help to stabilize you treat, so it doesn't just fall apart once out of the oven. Warm the peanut butter and butter together, until melted. Mix and let cool, but not too much. You should be able to put your finger in it, without hurting yourself. If you do not, you might cook your eggs prematurely, causing them not to mix with the other ingredients. On the stove-top, use a small pot. Warm with low heat. This should not take long. Be careful not to burn it. Butter burns easily. In the microwave, make sure that your bowl or container is microwave-safe. Try 20 to 30 seconds at first. Nuke it longer only if needed. You can burn butter in the microwave just like on the stove. If the butter is mostly melted, give it a stir and wait a minute. It will likely melt more. In a separate bowl, add the mashed banana, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract. Then slowly mix in your melted butter mixture, before the butter firms up. Add the wet ingredients to the rice flour, and fold together with a spatula. Do this until the mixture is evenly combined. Don't worry about little lumps of flour. Your dog won't mind. Do not over-mix. Distribute evenly among cupcake tins. You don't want to fill the spaces in the pan fully. These are for a dog, and they are treats. Bake until a toothpick can be inserted in the center and comes out clean. This is because, when fully cooked, the batter will not be sticky, as much of the water cooks out. Don't worry if they are a little over-done. Check after 20 minutes. The most important part is to cook the treats all the way through. Not only can it be dangerous to eat under-cooked eggs, your treat will fall apart. A softer treat, maybe for older dogs, will take less time to cook than a crunchier treat for a dog with stronger teeth. Make sure that no matter what size or crunchiness you wish of your dog treats, you fill each cup of your cupcake pan to the same point, otherwise they will cook unevenly. Set up your food dehydrator with a fruit leather tray. A sheet of parchment paper on a regular dehydrator tray will work for this as well. Placing these treats on a regular dehydrator tray, without an additional solid layer, will cause a big mess. It will be a hassle, and you'll waste all that perfectly good dog food. Grease a paper towel with non-stick cooking spray or oil. Rub the paper towel on the fruit leather sheet or parchment. A thin coating will suffice. You just need to keep the treats from sticking to the tray or the paper. Combine your ingredients in a bowl. Make sure to mix them well. Place evenly distributed dollops of your mixture on your sheet. This kind of distribution helps to ensure that your treats all dehydrate at the same rate. They don't have to all be exactly the same. Just think about the size of each treat you wish to give to your dog. Dehydrate overnight at 125 degrees. There is a delicate balance between the speed and temperature you dehydrate your treats. Like freezing, but unlike baking, dehydrated yogurt can retain its pro-biotic properties. At temperatures above 130° Fahrenheit (55°C), the good bacteria in yogurt will die. To be safe, keep your dehydrator running between 115 and 130° Fahrenheit (45 and 55°C). Separate treats from tray or parchment, and store in a cool, dry place. Dehydrated treats such as these are shelf-stable. Though they will eventually expire, they should last quite a while in your cabinet or pantry. They do not need to be refrigerated. | Gather your ingredients, and set out your utensils. Combine the yogurt, mashed bananas, and peanut butter in a large bowl. Pour into 3-oz Dixie cups or muffin cups. Freeze overnight. Remove the treat from the cup when giving it to your dog. Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (180°C). Grease a cupcake pan with cooking spray or oil. Measure your rice flour into the large bowl. Warm the peanut butter and butter together, until melted. In a separate bowl, add the mashed banana, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the rice flour, and fold together with a spatula. Distribute evenly among cupcake tins. Bake until a toothpick can be inserted in the center and comes out clean. Set up your food dehydrator with a fruit leather tray. Grease a paper towel with non-stick cooking spray or oil. Combine your ingredients in a bowl. Place evenly distributed dollops of your mixture on your sheet. Dehydrate overnight at 125 degrees. Separate treats from tray or parchment, and store in a cool, dry place. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Bathroom-Tile | How to Remove Bathroom Tile | Before you attempt to remove bathroom floor tile, remove any unnecessary objects from the room, and cover anything you can't take out, including the drains. Put on protective gear to shield yourself from flying debris, then use a cold chisel and a sledgehammer to break apart the first tile. From there, you can pry up the tiles with a flat pry bar if you want to keep the substrate. If you don't care to save the substrate, use a reciprocating saw to cut the tile and substrate into pieces, then remove them with a pry bar. | Protect fixtures and usable floor with drop cloth. Remove all unnecessary objects from the room. Cover bathtubs, counters, mirrors, and other fixtures with a drop cloth to protect them from flying pieces of tile. Carefully cover any drains with painter's tape. Lay down drop cloth over any part of the floor you plan to keep as well. For hygienic reasons, clean the bathroom thoroughly before you continue. Remove the toilet, if necessary. If the toilet (or a pedestal sink) is covering the tile, turn off the shutoff valve on the water supply line. Flush the toilet until the tank and bowl are both dry, finishing the job with a hand-operated pump, then a sponge. Detach the tank using a wrench. Set the tank and the toilet aside on old towels or other absorbent materials. Leave the tank and bowl attached, and remove both at once. You may need to rock the toilet back and forth to break the caulk, or cut away the caulk with a utility knife. Carefully remove the wax ring that creates a seal between the base of the toilet and the drainage pipe. You may wish to wear gloves during this process, since the wax ring is very sticky. Clean any remaining wax off the base of the toilet with a rag soaked in mineral spirits. You will need to replace the wax ring with a new one when you re-install the toilet. Consider retrofitting your toilet with a wax ring that comes with an extension to accommodate higher flanges. After removing the toilet, plug the hole with a rag to block sewer gases. Put on safety equipment. Wear heavy-duty gloves, wraparound safety goggles, and long sleeves to protect yourself from sharp tile pieces. Wear a dust mask to protect against dust from pulverized tile. You should also wear work pants, a hat, and work boots. Ceramic tiles and mortar commonly contained asbestos until the 1980s in the US, and the 1990s in some regions. Test old tiles and mortar for asbestos and, if asbestos is found, hire a professional to remove the tiles safely. Even modern tiles often use lead glaze, which creates lead dust during removal. One tile removal project is unlikely to cause dangerous exposure, but to be on the safe side, ventilate the bathroom to the outside, and wash skin and clothes after completing the project. Buy a respirator mask rated for lead dust if you expect repeat exposure. Break through the first tile. Use a cold chisel and sledgehammer to break apart one tile, and deposit the pieces into a bucket. This will give you a look at the subsurface, which can help determine your approach. Read through the rest of this section before you decide how to continue. If you want to preserve as many tiles intact as possible — which is difficult and time-consuming — first cover the center of the tile with masking tape and drill several holes through it with a carbide-tipped drill bit. This will reduce the number of flying pieces that can chip nearby tiles. Remove the tiles without removing the substrate. If the material beneath the tiles is in good condition, you can save yourself some money and leave it intact. That said, this method is slow and often causes some damage to the substrate; use your best judgement. Remove the tiles with a flat pry bar, placing the edge low against the side of the tile and striking the base of the knife with a hammer. An electric chisel is another option. Periodically scrape adhesive off the exposed floor with a putty knife or a floor scraper. If the tile only breaks in tiny pieces, or if you want to maximize the chance that the tile comes out intact, scrape out the grout lines around the tile first. You may use a handheld grout saw, a carbide blade fitted onto a rotary grinder or oscillating tool, or (less effectively) a utility knife with several spare blades. A little heat from a blow dryer or heat gun may soften the grout. Saw through plywood or cement board substrate. Chip away a row of tiles to expose this substrate. Fit a reciprocating saw with a long blade (wood-cutting or carbide-tipped masonry cutting, depending on the material). Cut into the side of the substrate at a low angle, making a long cut to free it from the floor beneath. You can now lift the material and tile up in chunks with a flat bar. Cutting through cement board may damage the floor beneath, and roofing nails may interrupt your progress. A safer, but slower alternative is to break through the cement board with a hammer. You can then pry the cement board off the floor beneath using a pry bar. Remove the mortar bed. Floor tiles from the 1960s and earlier were often installed on a thick mortar bed. Mortar beds were typically installed in areas where the floor was sloped for drainage, e.g., in shower areas. This is a pain to remove, but chiseling out the tiles is slow and will likely cause cracks in the mortar anyway, so it's best to replace it now if you can afford it. Here's how to remove it: Most mortar beds are made of sand mixed with a small quantity of Portland cement, and are not particularly difficult to break up. Shut off the house's main water valve before you begin. Removing the mortar bed may damage a water pipe. Break through a small area with a chisel and sledge to the surface beneath (usually wood). Using a rotary hammer with a chisel bit (from a tool rental company), chisel around a chunk of mortar about 1 foot (0.3 m) across. Use caution when approaching the base of the bed. Complete the job by using the hammer between the wood and the mortar bed, periodically chiseling the mortar from above. Protect yourself and your surroundings. Wear wraparound safety goggles, work gloves, long sleeves, long work pants, and a dust mask. Lay a canvas drop cloth over the bathtub, shower floor, or any fixtures you want to protect from chipping. Cover any drains with painter's tape. Consider tearing apart shower walls. Shower tiles are usually installed over drywall and/or thin backerboard over drywall. Ripping the entire substrate away is much faster than removing the tiles piece by piece, and if the substrate is a material like drywall, it's probably going to be destroyed anyway. Here's how to go about it: Chip away the rounded bullnose tiles from the edge and top of a shower with a hammer and chisel. Cut through the drywall along the edge of the tiles with a utility knife. Cut along the edge of the wall studs, if possible. A reciprocating saw is the best tool for this job. Place a pry bar against this line and lever away large sections of the wall. Work it left and right to loosen the nails holding the drywall in. Once the side walls are removed, remove the back wall of tiles by breaking tiles in a vertical line with a hammer, then prying the exposed edge. Chisel away tiles instead. This method is slower, but allows you to save some of the tiles for reuse. Scrape away some of the grout in a long line using a utility knife, grout saw, or rotary grinder. Place a chisel against the edge of a tile in this line, almost flat against a wall, and tap with a hammer. If all goes well, the tile will pop out. If it doesn't budge or if a small piece chips off, remove grout from the sides and try again. This becomes easier once the first tile is removed. An electric chisel can speed this job up. If you don't mind breaking the tile you're removing but you want to preserve the ones next to it, tape off the tile you're removing with masking tape. Hammer the tile carefully with your chisel, working from the center outward, until part of the tile breaks off. Then, slide your chisel behind the tile and tap it sideways so the tile comes off. Remove adhesive. After chiseling away tiles, scrape away the adhesive with a putty knife or hand scraper. Try soaking the tiles in water first to soften the mortar. If your substrate was concrete backer board, you should be able to scrape the thinset off of it without damaging it too much. | Protect fixtures and usable floor with drop cloth. Remove the toilet, if necessary. Put on safety equipment. Break through the first tile. Remove the tiles without removing the substrate. Saw through plywood or cement board substrate. Remove the mortar bed. Protect yourself and your surroundings. Consider tearing apart shower walls. Chisel away tiles instead. Remove adhesive. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Limeade | How to Make Limeade | To make a pitcher of limeade, start by juicing enough limes to make 1 cup of lime juice. Next, pour your fresh lime juice into a large pitcher that can hold at least 6 cups of liquid. Then, stir in 1 cup of sugar until it's completely dissolved. Finally, mix in up to 5 cups of water, and serve. | Juice enough limes to make 1 cup (240 milliliters) of lime juice. To get the most out of your limes, roll them across the counter while gently pressing down on them with your palm. Pour the lime juice into a large pitcher. The pitcher should be large enough to hold at least 6 cups (1.5 liters) of liquid. This will include the lime juice, sugar, and ice. Stir in 1 cup (225 grams) of sugar. Your standard granulated sugar will work just fine, but superfine or castor sugar (not powdered) will work even better because it dissolves easier. Keep in mind that, because you are not cooking the sugar, you may end up with a few un-dissolved grains at the bottom of your pitcher. Be sure to stir the sugar well to help it dissolve. For a twist, try ⅔ cup (150 grams) of white sugar and 2 tablespoons (45 grams) of honey instead. Add up to 5 cups (1.2 liters) of water, and stir. Since every one has different tastes, it might be a good idea to add the water 1 cup (240 milliliters) at a time, and tasting the limeade after each cup you add; be sure to stir the limeade well after each addition. You may find that the limeade is just right after only 4 cups (1 liter) of water. If the limeade is still too sweet or too strong for you, you can add another cup (240 milliliters) of water. Serve the limeade. Avoid adding the ice directly into the pitcher, because the ice will dilute the limeade as it melts. Instead, add the ice into the glasses first, then pour the limeade over the ice. In a small saucepan, stir together 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water and 1 cup (225 grams) of sugar. You will be boiling these together to prepare simple syrup. This extra step will give you a smoother limeade, and prevent those annoying grains of un-dissolved sugar from appearing at the bottom. For a less-sweet limeade, use ¾ cups (170 grams) of sugar. Add 1 tablespoon of grated lime zest, if desired, for extra flavor. This is not essential to the recipe, but it will give your limeade a more complex flavor. You will need about 1 lime to do this. It might be a good idea to zest the limes before you cut and juice it. For a twist, swap out the lime zest for 2 tablespoons of minced, fresh ginger. Bring the sugar-water to a boil, then let it simmer for 3 minutes. While the mixture is coming to a boil, be sure to stir it well so that the sugar dissolves. Strain the mixture through a fine, mesh sieve into a pitcher and let it cool. If you omitted the lime zest or grated ginger, then you can simply pour the simple syrup into the pitcher. Make sure that the pitcher is large enough to hold the rest of your ingredients. Juice the limes. Roll the limes across the counter while pressing down on them with your palm. Slice them in half, then juice them. You will need 1 cup (240 milliliters) of lime juice. Once the syrup has completely cooled, add the lime juice and water. Stir everything well with a long-handled spoon until the simple syrup, lime juice, and water are completely combined. You should not see any simple syrup gathered at the bottom of the pitcher. Give the limeade a taste, and make any necessary adjustments. Everyone has different tastes, so you may need to adjust the limeade to suit yours. If the limeade is too sweet for you, add a little bit more lime juice. If it is too strong, then add some more water. If it is too sour, then add some more sugar. Be sure to stir the limeade well after each addition that you make. Serve the limeade. You can garnish it with some lime slices or fresh mint leaves for a fancier touch. It will taste even better with ice, but instead of adding ice straight into the pitcher, consider putting the ice into the glasses instead. If you add ice into the pitcher, the ice will dilute the limeade as it melts. Combine the sugar and the hot water in a 16-ounce (475 milliliters) cup. Stir the sugar until it dissolves. The water must be hot, or the sugar won't dissolve well; you'll end up with little grains of sugar at the bottom of your cup instead. You are essentially making a very small batch of simple syrup. Stir in the cold water. This will help dilute the simple syrup as well as cool it down. If you add the lime juice too soon, it may discolor; the taste my also change. Add the lime juice. It would be best to use freshly-squeezed lime juice. If you absolutely cannot get limes, you can try using the kind that comes in a bottle. Keep in mind that this will affect the flavor of your limeade. Adjust the taste of the limeade (if needed). Everyone has different preferences, and you may need to tweak the limeade to suit yours. If it is too strong for you, add some more water. If it is too tart, add some more sugar. If it is too sweet, add more lime juice. Stir the limeade well after each addition. Add some ice. How much ice you add is entirely up to you. You can even garnish the limeade further with a slice of lime or a few fresh mint leaves. | Juice enough limes to make 1 cup (240 milliliters) of lime juice. Pour the lime juice into a large pitcher. Stir in 1 cup (225 grams) of sugar. Add up to 5 cups (1.2 liters) of water, and stir. Serve the limeade. In a small saucepan, stir together 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water and 1 cup (225 grams) of sugar. Add 1 tablespoon of grated lime zest, if desired, for extra flavor. Bring the sugar-water to a boil, then let it simmer for 3 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine, mesh sieve into a pitcher and let it cool. Juice the limes. Once the syrup has completely cooled, add the lime juice and water. Give the limeade a taste, and make any necessary adjustments. Serve the limeade. Combine the sugar and the hot water in a 16-ounce (475 milliliters) cup. Stir in the cold water. Add the lime juice. Adjust the taste of the limeade (if needed). Add some ice. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Join-Mensa | How to Join Mensa | To join Mensa, sign up for their test a few months in advance so you will have enough time to study. Be sure to show up early on your test day to reduce stress. When you're testing, keep track of how much time you have left to help you decide whether a hard question is worth the time. Feel free to skip questions you don't know well, but keep in mind that the questions do get harder as you progress. | Determine whether your old test qualifies. Various intelligence tests administered throughout your schooling are acceptable to Mensa as proof of your superior intelligence. Many supervised intelligence tests are accepted by Mensa, however, each document must be individually assessed by a Mensa psychologist. A short list of accepted tests include: ACT (composite) GRE LSAT PSAT Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales Stanford Binet Include necessary documentation for school administered tests. You'll have to get a letter from your school on school letterhead that's been signed by an approved representative to prove that your test was properly administered. If your test was administered by a psychologist, have her sign the original or a notarized copy of your reported test results. A school administrator can sign in place of a school psychologist, if necessary. An official transcript reflecting your test score that has your school's seal stamped on it or a transcript enclosed inside an school envelope is also acceptable. Follow Mensa guidelines for privately administered tests. These tests should have been administered by an appropriate proctor, in most cases a psychologist, and will require that professional's documentation on official letterhead. In addition to this, you will be expected to include documents containing: Your name The testing date The full range of the IQ scale The percentile you were ranked at The original signature of the proctoring psychologist The license number of the psychologist Fill out an application and fee payments. Along with your testing evidence you'll also send an application and payment for your application fee. This fee is a generally a $40, one-time, nonrefundable payment, though sometimes this fee is waived for promotional reasons. Send your documents to Mensa for evaluation. You might be able to instruct your school or psychologist to send your test results directly to Mensa for evaluation. Other testing agencies might only send your test results directly to you to protect your privacy. If this is the case for your test results, send the results unopened to the following address: American Mensa, Ltd. Attn: Testing and Admissions Manager 1229 Corporate Drive West Arlington TX 76006-6103 Original documents you want returned should be sent with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Non-original documents must be notarized as copies of the original document. Wait patiently to hear if your test results were accepted. Depending on your evidence, the time of year you send your evidence in, and other factors, your evaluation will take between two and four weeks. If five weeks pass without notification, you should contact the testing and admissions department through the Mensa website. Sign up in advance. You'll want to give yourself ample time to prepare for the test, so when signing up for your Mensa assessment, choose a date that meets your study needs. Comparable academic tests, like the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), generally takes well-studied students one month of study to adequately prepare, but can require as many as six months for those who are out of practice with the material or test taking. Take the practice test and do the online evaluation. Practice tests are available in many countries, and these will inform you of the main areas the actual test will target. Take note of these areas so that you can direct your studies later more effectively. You can also get a general evaluation of how well you will do by taking the online Mensa evaluation at: https://www.mensa.org/workout NOTE : in many countries, practice testing is available both online and in print. This will, however, depend on your home country, and should be further investigated at the Mensa international homepage. Break up your study times. You can improve your long term recall and hopefully your Mensa test score by taking short breaks between periods of intensive study. Try to spend about 20 minutes focused on the thing you are studying and then allow your mind to rest for 5 - 10 minutes. During your break you might: Juggle Play Basketball Play Soccer Investigate test test trends. The first portion of the test, the Wonderlic, will require you to answer 50 questions in 12 minutes or less. The second test, the Mensa Admission Test, has multiple sections totaling in over 100 questions. Knowing how long you have on each section and what to expect will prevent you from wasting precious seconds puzzling out directions or reading unnecessary information. Generally, your test will include: Determining whether the definition of two words is similar, contradictory, or unrelated. Word scrambles, where you have to make a sentence from words provided and state whether it is true or false. Identifying the word in a set that doesn't belong. Geometric patterns. Prioritize your worst subjects when studying. If, after the practice test and Mensa workout, you notice that your mathematics scores are solid but your linguistic skills wanting, you should arrange your study schedule to buff up your weak subjects. As an example, you might study for an hour and a half every morning, spending your time accordingly: First round of study (20 minutes) : language practice 10 minute break Second round (20 minutes) : language practice continued 5 minute break Third round (10 minute) : math review 5 minute break Fourth round (20 minutes) : science review Start studying sooner than later. Cramming for a test last minute can contribute to your overall anxiety which, in turn, can lead to less restful sleep. If you plan on reviewing your trouble areas the night before your test, be sure you get plenty of sleep, as sleep deprivation will impeded your learning. Use mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are word associations, rhymes, or initialisms/acronyms that help you to remember something. An example of this that you may have learned is the name "Roy G Biv," which stands for the color spectrum: R ed o range y ellow G reen B lue i ndigo v iolet. Get plenty of rest. Sleep deprivation has many negative health effects, and could be the deciding factor in whether or not you pass your test. Sleep deprivation can hurt your ability to concentrate, reason, solve problems, and can even make you more forgetful than usual. Plan a pre-exam routine. Having a routine can make the day of your test feel like any other, which can help reduce test anxiety and stress. Be consistent with your routine and eventually your routine will become a comforting series of events. Your routine shouldn't be shorter than 10 minutes, but shouldn't be too much longer than 30 minutes. You can make a mental checklist of things you need part of your routine, which will help you remember important items on the day of your test. Eat a healthy meal before your test. Hunger can make you distracted, which can hurt your performance on the test. Protein rich foods, like eggs, nuts, yogurt, and cheese, can improve your mental sharpness. Where carbs are concerned, stick to complex carbs, like whole grain products, brown rice, and whole rye to name a few. These will keep your glucose levels stable throughout the day and help you do your best on the test. Eat in moderation. Eating too much can leave you feeling drowsy or lethargic, both physically and mentally. This can lead to lower test scores than you would expect. To prevent yourself from overeating, you might want to plan out several healthy snack leading up to your test, like some fruit, whole grain toast, and eggs for breakfast, followed by a granola bar snack an hour before your noontime test. Dress comfortably. An itchy tag or constricting waist band might also distract you while test taking. Remember, this test is about your mental ability, not your fashion ability. Choose clothing that breathes well and fits comfortably. You may want to dress in layers in case your testing location has poor temperature control. Even in the summer, sub-arctic AC temps can lead to discomfort and lower scores. Exercise before your test. Be careful not to overdo it! Fatigue can hurt your test taking abilities, but light exercise before your test can work out jitters and improve the flow of oxygen to your brain. If you don't exercise regularly, some simple exercise you can do before your Mensa test might include: Going for a walk Doing jumping jacks Arrive early. Tests are anxiety inducing enough, you don't want to add more to yourself by running behind on the day your test is scheduled. Running into the test room, your heart and mind racing, will likely put you in a less than optimal mental state for test taking. Visit your testing location prior to the day of your test to squash any pesky worries that you won't be able to find it the day of. Skip questions when necessary. Though Mensa proctors will tell you that test questions get harder as your progress through the assessment and not to skip ahead, wasting unnecessary time on a question you don't know will make it difficult for you to answer later questions you do know. Chew gum. Chewing gum raises alertness, speeds your reaction times, and allows you to remember new information at a quicker rate. Especially if you have difficult staying awake during a test, you should consider walking into your test already chewing a stick of gum. Choose peppermint flavor for improved performance. Peppermint can invigorate your mind, sharpen your attention span, and improve your memory. Even if you hate peppermint candy, you can make use of this cognitive enhancer by putting a dab of peppermint essential oil on your wrist or shirt sleeve. That way you can take a whiff periodically to enjoy its benefits. Guard your minutes by keeping track of time. One of the most challenging aspects of the Mensa test is the short time limit in which you will be expected to complete it. Keep an eye on the clock to keep yourself on task, and be quick to cut your losses and move on if any one section is taking too long. Await your test. Your test results will be sent to you two to three weeks following your test, but this time may take longer depending on the number of applicants and other factors. Test results cannot be conveyed over the phone, but if you write a simple request for results to be sent to you via fax or email, including your name, email, and signature, Mensa shall do so when finished scoring your test. These requests should be sent to: Admissions Department American Mensa, Ltd. 1229 Corporate Dr W Arlington TX 76006-6103 | Determine whether your old test qualifies. Include necessary documentation for school administered tests. Follow Mensa guidelines for privately administered tests. Fill out an application and fee payments. Send your documents to Mensa for evaluation. Wait patiently to hear if your test results were accepted. Sign up in advance. Take the practice test and do the online evaluation. Break up your study times. Investigate test test trends. Prioritize your worst subjects when studying. Start studying sooner than later. Use mnemonic devices. Get plenty of rest. Plan a pre-exam routine. Eat a healthy meal before your test. Eat in moderation. Dress comfortably. Exercise before your test. Arrive early. Skip questions when necessary. Chew gum. Choose peppermint flavor for improved performance. Guard your minutes by keeping track of time. Await your test. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Curl-Hair-with-Bobby-Pins | How to Curl Hair with Bobby Pins | To curl your hair with bobby pins, start with damp hair and separate out a 1 to 2 inch wide section of your hair toward the top of your head, brushing it from root to tip. You can use bigger or smaller sections of hair to make larger or smaller curls! Pull that hair taut and put your index finger at the end. Spin your finger clockwise to twist the hair to the root. Then slide your finger out and stick a bobby pin in, securing the curl to the roots of your hair. Do your whole head, put a little hairspray on, and give it 12-15 hours to set. | Create your curls after applying smoothing products to damp hair. For best results, make your curls when your hair is damp. This will help set your curls and make them last longer. If you usually apply products like leave-in conditioner or silking serums, apply a dime or quarter-size amount of your products to damp hair before you make your curls. For instance, make your curls as soon as you get out of the shower. Place one finger at the end of a 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) wide section of hair. When you are first learning this technique, start at the top so you can easily see your curls as you make them. Grab a section of hair towards the top of your head, and brush through the section from root to tip using either your fingers or a comb. Then, pull your hair taut and place your index finger on your dominant hand at the end of your hair. If you want to create larger curls, use bigger sections of hair. If you want to make tighter, smaller curls, use smaller sections of hair. Use your dominant hand to create your curls, and use your non-dominant hand to help guide your hair. Wrap your hair around your finger until you reach the roots. To start your curl, grab a section of hair and twirl it hair around your finger 2-3 times to secure the ends. Pinch the end of your hair between your thumb and index finger. Then, hold your hair 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) from the bottom with your non-dominant hand, and spin your finger clockwise so your hair tightly twists around it. Adjust your non-dominant hand as you go so it remains about 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) from the end of your hair. Be sure there is no space in between your finger and your hair. Your non-dominant hand acts as an anchor to keep your hair straight and taut as you spin your hair. If you are having trouble wrapping short hair around your finger, use a pen, marker, or mascara tube instead! This still creates the same basic curl shape, though it may be easier to wrap your hair around another object rather than your finger. Use an object that you can wrap your hair around at least 2 times. The length of your hair will determine how many times you're able to wrap it. The shorter your hair, the fewer wraps you'll be able to accomplish. Slide your finger out and secure your curl at your roots with a bobby pin. Hold your curl at your scalp with your non-dominant hand, and carefully slide your finger out of your curl. Once your finger is free from your curl, grab a bobby pin with your dominant hand, and slide it through your hair as close to your roots as you can get. Position your bobby pin around your curl and the hair at your roots to secure it to your scalp. This creates soft, ringlet curls over all of your head. Pin your curls down flat if you want a finger wave style. If you want a 1920s-inspired finger wave look, pin your curls flat against your roots. To do this, slide off your curl, and pin your hair across the middle of your curl so it lays flat. Instead of voluminous curls, you will get a subtle, vintage wave hairstyle. Repeat this until all of the hair is pinned in place. Locate another section of hair about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) wide directly under your first pinned curl, and make your next curl directly underneath. Continue twisting small sections of hair around your finger and pinning them in place until all of your hair is styled. Make your next section immediately underneath the one before it. Once you finish the top section on one side, move to the top section on the other side. Then, repeat on the bottom sections on both sides until all your hair is pinned in place. Spray all your hair with hair spray to set your curls. When all of your hair is pinned to your scalp, apply hair spray across all of your hair to help the curls stay in place. You only need a light coating! Hairspray helps keep your hair in a curled shape, helpful when creating gorgeous ringlets. Wrap your hair in silk and let your curls set for 12-15 hours. For best results, let your curls set overnight. Place a silk cap over your head to protect your curls. Secure the cap around the back of your head, then pull it over the top of your head until you reach your hairline. This is an easy way to keep your hair protected as it air dries. Let your hair set for 12-15 hours before you take out your pins. Alternatively, you can wrap your hair in a silk scarf if you do not have a cap. Simply place a silk scarf across the top of your head. Gather the ends of the scarf at the back of your head, and secure the scarf with 2 knots to keep it in place. Pull the ends of the scarf across your forehead and tuck them underneath the scarf near your eyebrow. Make sure the scarf is secure, but avoid tying it too tight. A tight scarf could flatten your curls. Slide the bobby pins off 1 at a time, starting at the back. Start at the back of your hair so your curls don't get tangled. To remove the bobby pin, simply slide it away from your curl and remove it with your fingers. Continue removing your pins from the back, sides, and top of your head until they are all out. Starting from the back also helps you keep track of how many pins you still have left so you don't get overwhelmed. Tousle your hair in your hands to create natural-looking curls. Once your bobby pins are all removed, put your hands in your hair at your scalp, and wiggle them back and forth to shake out your curls. This creates a natural look and lets your curls take their shape. In addition, you can separate larger sections of curls to create multiple, smaller curls. Simply lift your curl up and divide it in half. Comb your hair on top if you want a wavy look. Comb your hair starting at your hairline, and move your comb from your hair when you reach about half way down. This helps smooth out your hair while still keeping the curls at the end. This is a great option if you want a vintage, wavy style, rather than a kinky, curly look. You can use either a medium- or wide-tooth comb. Tease the bottom of your hair if you want to create fullness and volume. Locate the under layers of your hair, and comb about 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) of your hair towards your scalp about 3 times. This creates a glamorous, elegant look great for professional or nighttime events. Additionally, tease your hair about half way from the ends to give a full-bodied look, or tease your roots if you want a little extra lift. For best results, tease your hair with a fine-tooth comb. Spray a light coating of hair spray so the curls last all day. After your curls are positioned how you like, spray a light layer of hairspray over your hair to keep your curls defined all day long. | Create your curls after applying smoothing products to damp hair. Place one finger at the end of a 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) wide section of hair. Wrap your hair around your finger until you reach the roots. Slide your finger out and secure your curl at your roots with a bobby pin. Pin your curls down flat if you want a finger wave style. Repeat this until all of the hair is pinned in place. Spray all your hair with hair spray to set your curls. Wrap your hair in silk and let your curls set for 12-15 hours. Slide the bobby pins off 1 at a time, starting at the back. Tousle your hair in your hands to create natural-looking curls. Comb your hair on top if you want a wavy look. Tease the bottom of your hair if you want to create fullness and volume. Spray a light coating of hair spray so the curls last all day. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Peppers | How to Cook Peppers | To cook peppers, preheat the oven or broiler to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil, coat the pepper with cooking spray, and roast your peppers until charred. Typically you'll cook bell peppers in the oven for 20-25 minutes, while smaller peppers will cook in the broiler for 5-10 minutes per side. If you prefer to grill your peppers, brush them with oil and place them directly over a medium heat until charred on all sides. | Preheat the oven or broiler. You can bake or broil any variety of pepper, but usually, large bell peppers should be roasted in an oven preheated to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius) while smaller peppers should be roasted in broiler that has been preheated for 5 to 10 minutes. Either way, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil. If you are using a broiler with separate “high” and “low” settings, preheat it to “high.” Cut the peppers or leave them whole. Small peppers should be left whole. Large peppers, like bell peppers, can be cut in halves or quarters to speed up the cooking process. Place cut peppers on the prepared baking sheet cut-side-down. Coat the peppers with cooking spray. Spray cooking spray over the surface of each pepper or brush a little olive oil on the skins. Cooking spray or oil helps with making sure that the peppers don't stick to the foil or the pan when you're ready to remove them. Cook the peppers until roasted. The exact amount of time will vary based on size and cooking method, but usually, bell peppers should be roasted in your preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes while smaller hot peppers should be broiled for 5 to 10 minutes per side. Turn the peppers periodically so that the skins become evenly charred on all sides. When ready, the skins should be dark and bubbly. Serve warm. Wrap the peppers in aluminum foil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they become cool enough to handle with your bare hands. At that point, unwrap them and use or enjoy as desired. Before serving, peel the skins off the peppers using your fingers. If you allowed them the steam inside of foil while they cooled, the skins should slip off with relative ease. Preheat the grill. The grill should be set to medium heat, whether that grill is a charcoal type or a gas type. Spread a moderate amount of coals into a charcoal grill, light, and wait until the fire dies down and white ash forms on the coals. The peppers will be placed directly over the heat. For a gas grill, preheat the grill completely before reducing the heat to medium. Again, the peppers will be placed directly over the heat. Brush the peppers with oil. Coat all sides of each pepper with olive oil or cooking spray. Again, this helps to keep the peppers from becoming stuck. Olive oil also imparts a nice flavor. Note that peppers should be grilled whole instead of cut. Grill the peppers, charring on all sides. Place the prepared peppers on the grill, turning them as they cook so that all sides get evenly charred. Large peppers, like bell peppers, will need about 25 to 30 minutes total. Smaller peppers usually need about 8 to 12 minutes. Leave the grill uncovered if you have a charcoal grill. Cover the grill if you have a gas grill, though. Let stand before serving. Remove the peppers from the grill and wrap them in aluminum foil. Let them slowly drop in temperature for about 15 minutes, until they are just barely cool enough to handle with your hands. If you steamed the peppers by wrapping them in aluminum foil as they cooled, you should be able to peel off the charred skins with your fingers, making it easier to serve the fire-roasted flesh beneath. Heat a little oil in a skillet. Pour 1 to 2 Tbsp (15 to 30 ml) of cooking into a large skillet. Heat it over medium-high for a couple of minutes. Cut the peppers into smaller pieces. Peppers should be cut into rings, strips, or small bite-sized pieces before you stir-fry them. Generally, hot peppers are cut into rings, while sweet bell peppers are cut into strips or bite-sized pieces. Keep in mind that the size will determine how long the pieces will need to cook for. Strips, large bell pepper rings, and pieces that are over 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size may need a minute or two more than small pepper rings and small chunks under 1 inch (2.5 cm). Cook the peppers in the hot oil. Add the peppers to the hot oil and cook, stirring frequently, for about 4 to 7 minutes, or until the peppers are crisp-tender. Frequent stirring is very important in this method. You do not want to burn the pepper skins or the pepper flesh, but if you let the pieces stay still for too long, the sections touching the pan are more likely to become charred. Use as desired. Stir-fried peppers are usually prepared with other ingredients, but you can enjoy them on their own or use them in any recipe calling for some variety of cooked pepper. For a quick side dish or a light lunch, you could toss the peppers with cooked rice and a drizzle of your favorite dressing—soy sauce, Italian dressing, and so on. Boil a small amount of water. Pour 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water into a large skillet with high sides. Heat this over medium-high on the stove. After the water begins to boil, add about 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of salt. The salt helps to draw out the flavor of the pepper, but adding the salt before the water boils will increase the amount of time you have to wait before the water reaches a steady boil. Cut the peppers into rings or strips. If working with small hot peppers, cut them into rings. For larger bell peppers, cut them into rings or strips. Keep in mind that larger pieces will take longer to cook than smaller pieces. No matter what size you use, you should at least try to keep the pieces consistent in size. Cook the peppers in the boiling water. Place the peppers in the boiling water and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they feel crisp-tender. The peppers will ideally still have a little “crunch” to them, but the flesh should be notably softer than when the peppers were raw. Serve while warm. You can enjoy the peppers on their own or you could add them to any recipe calling for pre-cooked peppers. Boil water in a steamer. Fill the bottom of a steamer with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. Sit the steaming basket on top, making sure that the bottom does not come into contact with the water, and boil the water over high heat. If you do not have a steamer, you could use a large stockpot and a metal/wire mesh colander. Just make sure that the colander fits onto the rim of the pot but that the bottom of the colander does not touch the bottom of the pot. Also make sure that the lid of the stockpot will still fit on the stockpot with the colander inside. Cut the peppers into smaller pieces. Cut small peppers into rings and large peppers into rings or strips. Keep the pieces consistent in size and shape to ensure even cooking. Steam the peppers until crisp-tender. Add the peppers to the steamer basket. Cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. The cover must stay on the pot during the cooking process so that the steam will remain trapped inside. If you lift the lid off too often, you will release too much steam, thereby increasing the amount of time the peppers will need to cook for. Serve warm. Remove the peppers from the steamer and enjoy them on their own or in any recipe calling for pre-cooked peppers. Cut the peppers into smaller pieces. Cut the peppers into rings, slices, or bite-sized pieces. Small hot peppers are usually cut into rings, but larger sweet peppers can be cut into any of those three forms. Make sure that the pieces are even in size. Otherwise, if some pieces are larger than others, they may take longer to cook while other pieces will already be done or overcooked. Place the pieces in a microwave-safe dish with a little water. Transfer the pieces into a microwave-safe casserole dish and add 2 Tbsp (30 ml) of water, just enough to cover the bottom without completely covering the peppers. Microwave until crisp-tender. Cover the dish and microwave on high power for 90 seconds to 2 minutes per 1 cup (250 ml) of peppers. Stir once in the middle of the process. Most of the cooking action taking place results from the steam building up inside of the dish, so keeping the lid on is important in order to keep that steam trapped. Serve warm. Drain out any remaining water and enjoy the peppers alone or serve them with another dish. | Preheat the oven or broiler. Cut the peppers or leave them whole. Coat the peppers with cooking spray. Cook the peppers until roasted. Serve warm. Preheat the grill. Brush the peppers with oil. Grill the peppers, charring on all sides. Let stand before serving. Heat a little oil in a skillet. Cut the peppers into smaller pieces. Cook the peppers in the hot oil. Use as desired. Boil a small amount of water. Cut the peppers into rings or strips. Cook the peppers in the boiling water. Serve while warm. Boil water in a steamer. Cut the peppers into smaller pieces. Steam the peppers until crisp-tender. Serve warm. Cut the peppers into smaller pieces. Place the pieces in a microwave-safe dish with a little water. Microwave until crisp-tender. Serve warm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Fenugreek-Seeds | How to Use Fenugreek Seeds | To use fenugreek seeds, soak them overnight in water to tone down the burnt taste. When the seeds are done soaking, set a pan on your stove over medium heat and toast the seeds until their color deepens to a dark brown, which will take away any bitter flavor. Use the seeds whole or crush them into a powdered spice with a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. If you want to use your fenugreek seeds to make tea, place a teaspoon of them in a teapot and pour boiling water over them. Let the seeds steep for 5 minutes, then strain out the water into your teacup. | Soak the seeds overnight in water. Soaking the seeds before use is optional, but it can tone down that burnt taste you may find revolting. It's very easy to do, since all you need is a container of water. Let the seeds sit in the water overnight and when you roll out of bed in the morning, dry them. Some people choose to drink the soaking water. If you're willing to brave the flavor for the alleged health benefits, including reducing digestive problems and inflammation, feel free to put that water to use. Heat a pan over medium heat until it is warm. A regular frying pan is all you need to toast the seeds. Set your pan on your stove and kick up a medium heat. The seeds burn quickly, so don't turn it up too high. After a minute or two, the pan should be warmed and ready to go. Add the seeds to the pan. You don't even need oil for frying! Simply pour in dry seeds. Fill the pan with enough of them so they spread out on the bottom. Make sure they form a smooth layer so all of them get to drink up the heat that grows them nice and toasty. Stir the seeds to prevent them from charring. Keep the seeds moving along. No idling shall be allowed in the communal stovetop whirlpool. Let your wooden spoon be the guide that keeps the young seeds moving along. It'll prevent them from burning. Roast the seeds until their color deepens. After a few minutes, the seeds will turn an evened-out shade of dark brown. Remove them as soon as they turn out to be the seeds you hoped they'd become. Lighter roasting takes away some of the bitterness. Leaving the seeds in too long causes them to become bitter. Lighter seeds are often used for vegetables and dals in Indian cooking. Darker seeds can be used in pickle masalas. Crush the seeds into a powdered spice. While the seeds are used whole by plenty of people, they are also crushed into powder and mixed with other spices, including in some garam masala recipes. Both toasted and untoasted seeds can be used, although toasted seeds have left overall flavor left in their little bodies. You'll need a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder for mashing them coarsely into powder. Place a teaspoon of seeds in a teapot. Fenugreek tea is made similarly to the way you'd make any other tea. To start, all you need is a teaspoon of raw seeds in your pot. Pour boiling water over the seeds. Boil the water as you normally do. Whether you use a kettle or have to microwave a cup of water is up to you, but water never gets in the way of tea. When you've got the water piping hot, pour it into the teapot. Let the tea steep for five minutes. Time flies and after all that hard work you did, it's time for a well-deserved break. After about three minutes, the water will have already begun taking on the flavor of the seeds. However, let the seeds continue to steep for five to ten minutes. The tea you'll get will be similar to black tea with a nutty flavor, which is way better than drinking fenugreek soaking water. The tea can be altered however you wish. Some tea-drinkers like adding milk or honey. Others like brewing tea with both seeds and tea leaves. Strain out the nuts. It may be obvious, but don't swallow the nuts while you're trying to sip your tea. Hold a mesh strainer over your teacup and filter the water through it. These tea strainers shouldn't be hard to find, so look wherever kitchen or tea supplies are sold. Reuse the seeds for a second cup of tea. Maybe you like the tea so much you crave a second cup. Maybe you swallow it for the health benefits. Luckily for you, you can make yourself more tea no matter what. Add the seeds back into a second batch of hot water and go wild. Peel garlic and ginger. Garlic is the spice of life, so take two cloves and peel off their skin. Even if you bought pre-peeled garlic, you'll have to help out the ginger. A sharp knife scrapes away its skin, and all you need is a small portion as big as your thumb. Unlike your thumb, slice or grate the ginger to break it down. Set a frying pan over medium-high heat. You can't get away from the stove no matter how you try to use your seeds. Again, high heat risks burning your spices before you get them out of the pan. Let the pan rest on the heat for a minute or two until it becomes warm. Beyond that, you may end up fleeing home due to charred spice smells. Toast the garlic and ginger to a golden brown. Throw the garlic and ginger into the dry pan. The toasty aroma of crisping spices may make you hungry, but you'll be all right. Hang on and watch the spices, because in a few minutes they'll turn golden brown. Remove the pan from heat and get the spices out. Place the ingredients in a food processor. Add in a teaspoon of whole fenugreek seeds. You'll also need four dried red chilis, two fresh red chilis, and two tablespoons of tomato puree. Season with a tablespoon of turmeric, half a tablespoon of sea salt, three tablespoons of peanut oil, a small bunch of fresh coriander, one teaspoon of black peppercorns, four cloves, two teaspoons of coriander seeds, two teaspoons of fennel seeds, and the garlic and ginger. Grind the ingredients in the food processor. A food processor may not be the tool you expected to use to finish your food. Nonetheless, it is the easiest way to combine all the ingredients. Blend them down into a smooth paste. When you're done having fun watching it swirl, add the paste to any meat you cook. | Soak the seeds overnight in water. Heat a pan over medium heat until it is warm. Add the seeds to the pan. Stir the seeds to prevent them from charring. Roast the seeds until their color deepens. Crush the seeds into a powdered spice. Place a teaspoon of seeds in a teapot. Pour boiling water over the seeds. Let the tea steep for five minutes. Strain out the nuts. Reuse the seeds for a second cup of tea. Peel garlic and ginger. Set a frying pan over medium-high heat. Toast the garlic and ginger to a golden brown. Place the ingredients in a food processor. Grind the ingredients in the food processor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Contact-Virgin-Media | How to Contact Virgin Media | To contact Virgin Media, call 03454541111 for all broadband, TV, landline, and account questions, or call 03456000789 for all mobile inquiries. Alternatively, if you have a UK Virgin Media phone, you can just dial 150 between 8 AM and 10 PM to talk to a representative. You can also contact Virgin Media by visiting the contact page on their website. Once you're on the contact page, select a relevant topic and enter your account details to live chat with a representative. | Call 150 from any UK Virgin Media phone or mobile. The 150 number is free from charges, and is recommended for most questions about broadband, TV, and landline services. This line is open seven days a week, from 8am to 10pm. You may experience a wait time when calling Virgin Media, due to the volume of calls they recieve. If possible, avoid calling when you are rushed for time. Dial 780 for mobile services from any UK Virgin Media mobile. This number is specifically for questions about mobile services, and can only be accessed from a Virgin Media mobile phone. This line is available from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday. Use Virgin Media phone lines when calling from a different provider. These lines are also open seven days per week, from 8am to 10pm. These phone numbers work for people in the UK only. For broadband, TV, landline, and account enquiries, phone 03454541111*. For mobile enquiries, call 03456000789*. Phone 1908 from any phone to contact Virgin Media Ireland. You will be asked to select an option from technical support or customer support. This is the only number for mobile support. If you are calling Virgin Media Ireland from abroad, use 0035312458000. Select a relevant topic on the contact page of Virgin Media. Both Virgin Media UK and Virgin Media Ireland provide a live, online messaging service with customer service representatives. This is also recommended for most enquiries about broadband. TV, phone, and mobile services. The Virgin Media UK live chat service is available at http://www.virginmedia.com/contact-us.html# from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday. The Virgin Media Ireland live chat service can be found at https://www.virginmedia.ie/contact/ from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Fill in your details and account number. Make sure that all of your contact information and account details are correct. This will allow the Virgin Media representative to help you as quickly as possible. You can use your mobile number instead of your account number in this process. Type up a clear outline of your question or issue. Make it well structured, and include as many details as necessary. Answer any questions that the Virgin Media representative asks, and you will be well on your way to finding answers. When outlining your issue, be sure to include what the problem is, how long it has been going on for, and what the circumstances were surrounding it's onset. For example, did problems begin when you moved house, or perhaps when you updated your mobile? Browse through the Virgin Media community forums. The Virgin Media UK and Virgin Media Ireland each provide a community forum, where both customers and Virgin Media representatives will answer questions. There are numerous sections for each Virgin Media service. The UK community forum is at https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/custom/page/page-id/CommunityHubForums and the Ireland community forum is at https://www.boards.ie/ttforum/1546. The broadband, TV, mobile, phone, and security services of Virgin Media are all well discussed in the community forums. Use the search bar to find relevant boards. The search bar is located at the top of the page, and searching a few key words about your question or issue will bring up relevant community results. There is a large amount of content in the forums, so it's likely that your problem or question has already been answered. Using the community forum may give you results in a shorter amount of time than phoning or waiting for a live chat representative to become available. Ask a question if your question hasn’t already been answered. Simply sign in to your Virgin Media account, and you will be able to message on the community boards. You can post your question or issue, and then wait for other customers and staff to respond. Call the text relay freephone number on 18001 0800 052 2164. This is a service for deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired Virgin Media UK customers. The text-to-voice and voice-to-text services are provided by relay assistants. Use the video relay service for sign language users. Customers who use British Sign Language can use their webcam to connect with Virgin Media UK, via the video relay service. You will communicate with a qualified sign language interpreter, who will relay the information to the contact team. The video relay service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 4pm. Fill in the Virgin Media Ireland alternative contact form. Virgin Media Ireland have a dedicated form for hard of hearing, speech impaired, profoundly deaf, or visually impaired customers. Once you complete the form with your enquiry and details, they will respond within one working day. When you fill out the form, you have the choice of Virgin Media Ireland recording your disability on your account. This may make getting contacting them faster and more efficient in the future. Click on “Write to us” on the Virgin Media Ireland contact page. The contact page at https://www.virginmedia.ie/contact/ has the three options of technical support, customer support, and mobile support. Select the option most fitting for your enquiry, and click on the online form button. Only Virgin Media Ireland provides online forms for contact. Virgin Media UK does not provide this service. Online forms are different from the online chat service as you will not get a reply instantly, but you can use this at any day or time. Type in your question. Give thorough and clear information about your issue or enquiry. Make sure you select the correct contact reason so that the right representative can help you. You can add attachments in this section of the contact form. This is useful if photos will help your explanation. Fill in your contact details. Ensure that you have your account number on hand, and read over all your details to make sure that they are correct. This will help Virgin Media Ireland to get back to you as quickly as possible. | Call 150 from any UK Virgin Media phone or mobile. Dial 780 for mobile services from any UK Virgin Media mobile. Use Virgin Media phone lines when calling from a different provider. Phone 1908 from any phone to contact Virgin Media Ireland. Select a relevant topic on the contact page of Virgin Media. Fill in your details and account number. Type up a clear outline of your question or issue. Browse through the Virgin Media community forums. Use the search bar to find relevant boards. Ask a question if your question hasn’t already been answered. Call the text relay freephone number on 18001 0800 052 2164. Use the video relay service for sign language users. Fill in the Virgin Media Ireland alternative contact form. Click on “Write to us” on the Virgin Media Ireland contact page. Type in your question. Fill in your contact details. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Polish-Pewter | How to Polish Pewter | To polish pewter, start by cleaning it with mild dish soap and warm water to get rid of any dirt and debris. Then, dry it off with a clean, soft rag. Next, apply some pewter polish, which you can find at a local hardware store, to the pewter using a cloth. Finally, rub the pewter with the cloth in circular motions until it gleams, being careful not to apply too much pressure so you don't scratch the metal. | Figure out the type of pewter you have. Different pewter requires different methods when it comes to polishing. Before you polish your pewter, figure out if it is polished pewter, satin pewter, or oxidized pewter. Polished pewter will be smooth and shiny. It should already look somewhat polished prior to the cleaning and polishing process. Satin pewter will have a grainier finish than polished pewter. It is usually not shiny. Oxidized pewter has a darker finish. Products made from oxidized pewter look like antiques, and are darker in color. Oxidized pewter does not need to be polished. You only need to wash it. Select a cleaner. For the most part, you'll need to clean your pewter prior to polishing. Usually, most types of pewter respond well to an all purpose metal cleaner, which you can find at most hardware stores. However, it may be a better idea to use mild dish soap and warm water. This is less taxing on the pewter. Some cleaners double as polishes. Check if your chosen cleaner can also be used as a polish, as this can save you some time. Try mixing a handmade cleaner. A handmade cleaner can also be used on most types of pewter. If you would prefer to use something handmade, you can use vinegar and white flour to make a handmade cleaner. Mix a cup of white vinegar with half a cup of flour. Stir the mixture until it forms a paste. Choose a quality pewter polish. You want to make sure the polish you use will not damage your pewter. For the most part, you can use the same types of polish on all different kinds of pewter. Some pewter cleaners, such as Brasso, actually double as polishes, so if you go with a commercial cleaner check the label to see if you can save some money and also use it as a polish. You can usually find pewter polish at a local hardware store. Well known brands include MET-ALL silver and pewter polish, Mash's Pewter Cleaner, and MAAS metal polish. Make your own polish. You can also try to make your own polish, if you would prefer. You'll need to purchase a material called "rottenstone," which you can buy online or at a hardware store. You will also need boiled linseed oil, which you can also find online or at a hardware store. Boil as much linseed oil as you think you will need. Allow the linseed oil to cool until it's cold enough that you can safely work with it. Add rottenstone to the mix and stir. Keep adding rottenstone until a thick paste is formed. Once this paste cools, you can use it on all types of pewter. Use mild dish soap, a store bought cleaner, or a homemade cleaner to clean the pewter prior to polishing. Before polishing your polished pewter, you'll want to clean it off. This will remove any lingering dirt and debris from the pewter. You can either use mild dish soap, your store bought cleaner, or a homemade cleaner to clean polished pewter. Use a very soft cloth on polished pewter to avoid scratching or damaging the pewter. You can also use a soft sponge. Dip the sponge into the warm, soapy water. Gently rub down the sides of your pewter to remove any unwanted dirt or debris. Use gentle motions as you scrub to avoid damaging the pewter. Rinse and dry your pewter. Rinse off the pewter with clean water until you remove all soapy residue, or any residue of the homemade cleaner. Make sure to remove all soap or homemade cleaner, as leaving this substances on pewter can damage it. Use a dry soft rag to gently pat the pewter dry. You want to make sure pewter is completely dry before you polish it, so you may have to let it air dry for a few minutes. Apply your chosen polish. From here, take your chosen polish. You can either use your store bought polish, or the homemade polish you made. Use a soft cloth to apply polish. Rub down your pewter using circular motions. Be gentle, to avoid scratching the pewter. You do not need to apply too much pressure. Keep polishing until your pewter has a nice gleam to it. Clean with warm water and a mild dish soap, a store bought cleaner, or a homemade cleaner. As with polished pewter, satin pewter should be cleaned prior to polishing. You can clean satin pewter with mild dish soap, a store bought cleaner, or your homemade cleaner. Use a rag to clean silver polish with your homemade cleaner, store bought cleaner, or mild dish soap. Make sure to mix these substances with warm water first. Silver polish has a grain, which means it has a texture made from small lines and bumps. As you scrub, make sure to follow the direction of the grain. When you finish cleaning, make sure to rinse and dry the pewter completely. Determine whether polishing is necessary. Silver pewter does not require polishing very often. Usually, you only need to polish silver pewter every couple of years. If your silver pewter is starting to look dull, it may be time for a polish. Keep in mind silver pewter generally has a somewhat dull appearance. If it looks less shiny than other types of pewter, this does not necessarily mean it needs to be polished. Keep an eye on your silver pewter and know what it looks like normally so you can ascertain when it needs a polish. Do a very light buffing to polish satin pewter. You should use steel wool on silver pewter. Buff the pewter very lightly as you polish to avoid damaging it. It should not take a lot of effort to have pewter return to its original appearance. Do not use circular motions with satin pewter. Instead, move the your steel wool in a straight line running in the direction the pewter's grain. Keep buffing the pewter until its restored to its original appearance. As silver pewter requires minimal maintenance, this should not take too long. Make sure you know your pewter type before polishing. You do not want to end up damaging your pewter by improper polishing. Remember, oxidized pewter does not benefit from polishing, and polishing could actually be damaging.You should only wash this type of pewter with mild soapy water and then dry it. Stay away from silver polishes when working with pewter. Stick to homemade polishes or polishes made specifically for pewter. Silver polish can be damaging to pewter. Never substitute silver polish for pewter polish when polishing pewter. Do not put pewter in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent is very hard on pewter. As it can cause damage to your pewter, you should never wash pewter in the dishwasher. Always hand wash your pewter products. | Figure out the type of pewter you have. Select a cleaner. Try mixing a handmade cleaner. Choose a quality pewter polish. Make your own polish. Use mild dish soap, a store bought cleaner, or a homemade cleaner to clean the pewter prior to polishing. Rinse and dry your pewter. Apply your chosen polish. Clean with warm water and a mild dish soap, a store bought cleaner, or a homemade cleaner. Determine whether polishing is necessary. Do a very light buffing to polish satin pewter. Make sure you know your pewter type before polishing. Stay away from silver polishes when working with pewter. Do not put pewter in the dishwasher. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Avocados | How to Choose Avocados | To choose an avocado, hold it in your hand and gently squeeze. If you plan to use the avocado right away, choose one which feels soft and yields to the pressure of your palm. However, if it feels squishy, it's probably too ripe and you should pick another one. A ripe avocado should be bright green where the stem was, and it will usually have dark green or black skin, although some varieties stay bright green even when they're fully ripe. If you're buying the avocado in advance, choose one which feels firm when you squeeze it and let it ripen at home. | Choose ripe Hass avocados if you’re making guacamole. Hass avocados are available year-round, and make up the vast majority of the avocado market. Their buttery texture is perfect for making great guacamole. Their tough skin allows you to easily dice the flesh while it's still within the skin, then scoop it out to mix with other ingredients. Because it's tough and flexible, you can also use Hass avocado skin as a creative way to scoop guacamole when you're serving it to your guests. If you're slicing avocados for a salad or to eat on their own, go with a slightly less ripe fruit than you would for guacamole. The slices will stay intact better if they're a little less ripe, allowing for better presentation. Determine when you are serving the avocados. If you are preparing a meal containing avocados and need them immediately, choose ripe, ready-to-eat avocados. However, if you are buying the avocados in advance, you can purchase unripe fruit and let them soften at home. To ripen avocados at home, you can store them at room temperature, and they should ripen over three or four days, depending on how firm they were when you purchased them. To speed up the ripening process, place the avocados in a brown paper bag with a banana. The banana releases small amounts of ethylene gas, which helps other fruit ripen faster. To keep the avocados fresh , store them in the refrigerator. Choose an oily variety if you’re making moisturizer or a beauty mask. Avocados are often used as natural moisturizers. The oils in their flesh are what makes them desirable for use on skin. California-grown avocados tend to contain more oil, so take note of its origin when you're looking for a fruit for beauty purposes. Hass avocados are most readily available, and are certainly oily enough for use in beauty masks. Other suitable varieties include the Pinkerton, Sharwil, Anaheim, the Daily 11, and MacArthur. Test ripeness by feeling how firm the avocados are. Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand. Gently squeeze the avocado, being careful not to press with your fingertips, as this can cause bruising. A ripe avocado will be soft and will yield to the gentle pressure, but will not be overly squishy. If it is still hard, then it is still under ripe and will take a few days to ripen. Avoid avocados which are overly soft and mushy, since this would mean that the fruit is too ripe. Make sure to test out the entire fruit, and don't judge ripeness by feeling the top of the avocado closest to the stem. This is the first part of the fruit to ripen, so it might be slightly softer while the rest of it is too firm. Keep in mind you may still opt to purchase firmer avocados if you're purchasing them a few days before their intended use. Check under the stem. If the stem is still attached, give it a pull. If there's any resistance, the fruit is not yet ripe. If comes off easily, and the area where it was is bright green, it's perfectly ripe. If it's yellow-green, it could use a day or so before being eaten. If the area where the stem was is brown or dark green, the avocado is overripe. Checking under the stem is one of the quickest and most reliable tricks for determining ripeness, and it removes the risk of damaging fruit by poking and prodding with fingertips. Check for color and blemishes. Hass avocados, which are the type you're most likely to encounter at the grocery store, are green when unripe and dark green to near black when ripe. However, make sure you double check any signage posted at the market for the type of fruit and where it was grown. Most Florida avocados, unlike Hass, have lighter-green skin with yellowish tone, even when they are ripe. Avocados that are shiny are not yet ripe enough, but again, you can still purchase these and ripen them at home. Choose avocados with unblemished skin. Avoid fruit with dark blemishes, brown spots, dents, and bruises. Buy avocados based on your flavor preferences. Once you begin to master how to choose ripe, good quality fruit, you may develop preferences for specific flavors and textures. Learn which varieties are nuttier or lighter in flavor. Purchase the Hass, Lamb Hass, Gwen, Reed, or Sharwil varieties if you prefer avocados with a nutty taste. Choose the Bacon and Zutano varieties for avocados that are lighter in flavor. Learn more about water and oil content. Florida varieties typically contain more water, while those grown in California and Mexico are oilier. These fattier, more oily types are best for guacamole because of their rich texture. You'd also use an oily variety for skin moisturizers, while watery types are great for use in juices. These juicy types tend to have light, sweet flavors, and weigh up to five pounds. Watery varieties include the Choquette and Hall. In addition to oilier varieties, types with thicker skins, such as Hass and Gwen, are also great for beauty use. Gently rub the peel or skin against your face in soft, circular motions, then rinse with warm water. While an avocado's size doesn't directly relate to its quality, it can help you determine where the fruit comes from and whether it has a higher water or oil content. Larger avocados, some weighing up to five pounds, are typically from Florida and grow so large because of their high water content. Smaller avocados, with lower water content, are generally from California or Mexico. Choose avocados that are best for your diet. With evidence that avocados can lower cholesterol and decrease risks for certain cancers, more people are consuming avocados regularly or even daily. If you plan on consuming a large quality of avocados or eating an avocado a day, it might be best to consider choosing varieties that are less rich. Even though two-thirds of the fat an avocado contains is mono-unsaturated and considered healthy, they are still a fatty and high calorie fruit. Tonnage avocados are a great balance, as they have a rich texture but much lower fat content than most avocado varieties. While it's the one you're most likely to come across at the market, Hass avocados are among the fattiest varieties. Its relatives, like the Daily 11, are similarly oily and fatty. Consider Florida-grown fruit for lower calorie, lower fat options. | Choose ripe Hass avocados if you’re making guacamole. Determine when you are serving the avocados. Choose an oily variety if you’re making moisturizer or a beauty mask. Test ripeness by feeling how firm the avocados are. Check under the stem. Check for color and blemishes. Buy avocados based on your flavor preferences. Learn more about water and oil content. Choose avocados that are best for your diet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Standard-Operating-Procedure | How to Write a Standard Operating Procedure | To write a Standard Operating Procedure, or SOP, start by describing the purpose of the process, its limits, and how it is used. Next, cover the methodology for completing the process, including any equipment which is needed. Clarify any abbreviations, acronyms, or uncommon terms. Clearly list any health and safety warnings, both alongside the relevant steps and again in its own section. Include a section that covers anything that could go wrong and how to fix it, and finish with a quality control section and any references used. | Choose your format. There is no right or wrong way to write an SOP. However, your company probably has a number of SOPs you can refer to for formatting guidelines, outlining how they prefer it done. If that's the case, use the pre-existing SOPs as a template. If not, you have a few options: A simple steps format. This is for routine procedures that are short, have few possible outcomes, and are fair to the point. Apart from the necessary documentation and safety guidelines, it's really just a bullet list of simple sentences telling the reader what to do. A hierarchical steps format. This is usually for long procedures -- ones with more than ten steps, involving a few decisions to make, clarification and terminology. This is usually a list of main steps all with substeps in a very particular order. A flowchart format. If the procedure is more like a map with an almost infinite number of possible outcomes, a flowchart may be your best bet. This is the format you should opt for when results aren't always predictable. Consider your audience. There are three main factors to take into account before writing your SOP: Your audience's prior knowledge. Are they familiar with your organization and its procedures? Do they know the terminology? Your language needs to match the knowledge and investment of the reader. Your audience's language abilities. Is there any chance people who don't speak your language will be "reading" your SOP? If this is an issue, it's a good idea to include lots of annotated pictures and diagrams. The size of your audience. If multiple people at once are reading your SOP (those in different roles), you should format the document more like a conversation in a play: user 1 completes an action, followed by user 2, and so on and so forth. That way, each reader can see how he or she is an integral cog in the well-oiled machine. Consider your knowledge. What it boils down to is this: Are you the best person to be writing this? Do you know what the process entails? How it could go wrong? How to make it safe? If not, you may be better off handing it over to someone else. A poorly-written -- or, what's more, inaccurate -- SOP will not only reduce productivity and lead to organizational failures, but it can also be unsafe and have adverse impacts on anything from your team to the environment. In short, it's not a risk you should take. If this is a project you've been assigned that you feel compelled (or obligated) to complete, don't shy away from asking those who complete the procedure on a daily basis for help. Conducting interviews is a normal part of any SOP-creating process. Decide between a short or long-form SOP. If you're writing or updating an SOP for a group of individuals that are familiar with protocol, terminology, etc., and just would benefit from a short and snappy SOP that's more like a checklist, you could just write it in short-form. Apart from basic purpose and relevant information (date, author, ID#, etc.), it's really just a short list of steps. When no details or clarification are needed, this is the way to go. Keep your SOP purpose in mind. What's obvious is that you have a procedure within your organization that keeps on getting repeated over and over and over. But is there a specific reason why this SOP is particularly useful? Does it need to stress safety? Compliance measures? Is it used for training or on a day-to-day basis? Here are a few reasons why your SOP is necessary to the success of your team: To ensure compliance standards are met To maximize production requirements To ensure the procedure has no adverse impact on environment To ensure safety To ensure everything goes according to schedule To prevent failures in manufacturing To be used as training document If you know what your SOP should emphasize, it'll be easier to structure your writing around those points. It's also easier to see just how important your SOP is. Cover the necessary material. In general, technical SOPs will consist of four elements apart from the procedure itself: Title page. This includes 1) the title of the procedure, 2) an SOP identification number, 3) date of issue or revision, 4) the name of the agency/division/branch the SOP applies to, and 5) the signatures of those who prepared and approved of the SOP. This can be formatted however you like, as long as the information is clear. Table of Contents. This is only necessary if your SOP is quite long, allowing for ease of reference. A simple standard outline is what you'd find here. Quality Assurance/Quality Control. A procedure is not a good procedure if it cannot be checked. Have the necessary materials and details provided so the reader can make sure they've obtained the desired results. This may or may not include other documents, like performance evaluation samples. Reference. Be sure to list all cited or significant references. If you reference other SOPs, be sure to attach the necessary information in the appendix. Your organization may have different protocol than this. If there are already preexisting SOPs you can refer to, abandon this structure and adhere to what's already in place. For the procedure itself, make sure you cover the following: Scope and applicability. In other words, describe the purpose of the process, its limits, and how it's used. Include standards, regulatory requirements, roles and responsibilities, and inputs and outputs. Methodology and procedures. The meat of the issue -- list all the steps with necessary details, including what equipment needed. Cover sequential procedures and decision factors. Address the "what ifs" and the possible interferences or safety considerations. Clarification of terminology. Identify acronyms, abbreviations, and all phrases that aren't in common parlance. Health and safety warnings. To be listed in its own section and alongside the steps where it is an issue. Do not gloss over this section. Equipment and supplies. Complete list of what is needed and when, where to find equipment, standards of equipment, etc. Cautions and interferences. Basically, a troubleshooting section. Cover what could go wrong, what to look out for, and what may interfere with the final, ideal product. Give each of these topics their own section (usually denoted by numbers or letters) to keep your SOP from being wordy and confusing and to allow for easy reference. This is by no means an exhaustive list; this is just the tip of the procedural iceberg. Your organization may specify other aspects that require attention. Make your writing concise and easy to read. Odds are your audience isn't choosing to read this for fun. You want to keep it short and clear -- otherwise their attention will stray or they'll find the document formidable and hard to grasp. In general, keep your sentences as short as possible. Here's a bad example : Make sure that you clean out all of the dust from the air shafts before you begin using them. Here's a good example : Vacuum all dust from air shafts before use. In general, don't use "you." It should be implied. Speak in the active voice and start your sentences with command verbs. If necessary, interview the personnel involved in the process on how they execute the task. The last thing you want to do is write an SOP that is just plain inaccurate. You're compromising the safety of your team, their efficacy, their time, and you're taking an established process and not paying it any mind -- something your teammates may find a little offensive. If you need to, ask questions! You want to get this right. Of course, if you don't know, ask multiple sources, covering all roles and responsibilities. One team member may not follow standard operating procedure or another may only be involved in a portion of the deed. Break up large chunks of text with diagrams and flowcharts. If you have a step or two that are particularly intimidating, make it easy on your readers with some sort of chart or diagram. It makes it easier to read and gives the mind a brief hiatus from trying to make sense of it all. And it'll be appear more complete and well-written for you. Don't include these just to bulk up your SOP; only do this if necessary or if trying to bridge a language gap. Make sure each page has control document notation. Your SOP is probably one of many SOPS -- because of this, hopefully your organization has some type of larger database cataloging everything within a certain reference system. Your SOP is part of this reference system, and therefore needs some type of code in order to be found. That's where the notation comes in. Each page should have a short title or ID #, a revision number, date, and "page # of #" in the upper right hand corner (for most formats). You may or may not need a footnote (or have these in the footnote), depending on your organization's preferences. Test the procedure. If you don't want to test your procedure, you probably haven't written it well enough. Have someone with a limited knowledge of the process (or a person representative of the normal reader) use your SOP to guide them. What issues did they run across? If any, address them and make the necessary improvements. It's best to have a handful of people test your SOP. Different individuals will have different issues, allowing for a wide variety of (hopefully useful) responses Be sure to test the procedure on someone who's never done it before. Anyone with prior knowledge will be relying on their knowledge to get them through and not your work, thus defeating the purpose. Have the SOP reviewed by those who actually do the procedure. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what your bosses think of the SOP. It's those who actually do the work that it matters to. So before you submit your work to the higher ups, show your stuff to those that'll be doing (or that do) the job. What do they think? Allowing them to get involved and feel like they're part of the process will make them more likely to accept this SOP you're working on. And they'll inevitably have some great ideas! Have the SOP reviewed by your advisors and the Quality Assurance team. Once the team gives you the go ahead, send it to your advisors. They'll probably have less input on the actual content itself, but they'll let you know if it meets formatting requirements, if there's anything you missed, and the protocol for making it all official and input into the system. Route the SOP for approvals using document management systems to ensure audit trails of the approvals. This will vary from organization to organization. Basically, you want everything to meet guidelines and regulations. Signatures will be necessary and most organizations nowadays have no problem accepting electronic signatures. Once approved, start implementing your SOP. This may involve executing a formal training for the affect personnel (e.g. classroom training, computer-based training, etc.) or it may mean your paper is hung up in the bathroom. Whatever it is, get your work out there! You worked for it. Time for recognition! Be sure your SOP remains current. If it ever gets outdated, update it, get the updates re-approved and documented, and redistribute the SOP as necessary. Your team's safety, productivity, and success matter on it. | Choose your format. Consider your audience. Consider your knowledge. Decide between a short or long-form SOP. Keep your SOP purpose in mind. Cover the necessary material. For the procedure itself, make sure you cover the following: Make your writing concise and easy to read. If necessary, interview the personnel involved in the process on how they execute the task. Break up large chunks of text with diagrams and flowcharts. Make sure each page has control document notation. Test the procedure. Have the SOP reviewed by those who actually do the procedure. Have the SOP reviewed by your advisors and the Quality Assurance team. Once approved, start implementing your SOP. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Something-Online-Without-a-Credit-Card | How to Buy Something Online Without a Credit Card | To buy something online without a credit card, use a debit card if you have one, since they're accepted by most websites. If you don't have a debit card, set up an account with an online payment company, like PayPal or Amazon Payments, which connects your debit card or checking account to their website. Alternatively, use an electronic wallet, such as Google or Apple Wallet, which allows you to add funds from a checking account and spend the money on many sites. If you want to buy something from a major retailer like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Hallmark, you can also buy gift cards with cash from most supermarkets and value stores. Then, redeem the code on their website and purchase whatever you want. | Buy with your debit card. Most sites that accept credit cards will also accept debit cards. Debit cards are easy to get because they come with any bank account. It allows you to use your checkbook for easy record-keeping of what you buy. It is also faster than other options. Since credit cards can lead to debt, using a debit card can save you from that problem because it takes the money directly out of your bank account. To buy with a debit card, you enter the card number on the payment page just like you would a credit card. Sometimes, however, you might have to put in your PIN number. It can be risky because it gives direct access to your checking account. It could possibly be used for fraud. Use an online payment company. There are some online companies that act as a payment service for you. With these services, such as PayPal or Amazon Payments, you don't have to give your information directly to the website that you are buying from. You connect a debit card or checking account to your virtual account on the online platform on their site. You can then buy whatever you want and the payment company will take care of it. You use these sites by creating an account. Chose the sign up option from their site. You will need to create a profile. You typically need to pick a username and password and add your email address. You will have to create answers for challenge questions that are used for your security. You then provide them with your address and additional personal information. Then you put in the information of the checking account you want linked to the account. Many online retailers accept these forms of payment, but not all do. Make sure you check whatever store you are buying from. Purchase with a check. You can still buy from certain online store with checks, but it might be very difficult to use this option. Stores on websites such as EBay and Etsy will likely be more willing to accept this option than a larger retailer. For these methods, you send the check and wait for it to clear the bank. Then, your items will be shipped. The problem with this method is that it takes a lot more time than other methods. The store has to wait for the payment to arrive. This means you have to wait for the items you bought as well. You can also use a money order. These work just like a check. You send them, the store cashes them, and then your items are shipped. You can buy these at many stores and your local post office. Use your checking account for an electronic fund transfer. Large online retailers such as Amazon accept electronic fund transfers (EFTs). This method works by transferring money from your personal checking account to the store. To set this up, you usually have to add your checking account to your profile. This means you need your account number and bank routing number. You then have to enter the name and the address of the person who is named on the account. You may also be asked to give the drivers license number of the account holder and the state that issued the ID. Most sites will not accept business, corporate, or savings accounts. Just like with a debit card, there is some risk involved because you are giving out your bank account information to a third party. Make sure it is a reputable website or store before you give away your information. Pay with an electronic wallet. Many companies and businesses have created electronic wallets. Google Wallet is the most popular, but companies such as Starbucks and Apple have also launched them. The electronic wallet is different than the traditional online payment service. They are on your device as an app instead of working through an online site. Digital wallets allow you to add money to them in a variety of ways. You can add with a debit card or checking account. To use, all you have to do is create an account and add money. Then just select the payment type, swipe the screen of your phone, and you have bought the items. You can also use other units of value like loyalty points or mileage anywhere that will accept them. With a digital wallet, you don't have to go through a hectic redeeming process. The app does it all for you. This is an important new development because mobile apps are one of the largest areas of growth in tech, media and other industries. This now includes payment systems. Use collect on delivery. Collect on delivery (COD), also known as cash on delivery, allows you to buy something and then pay for it when it arrives. The primary benefit of this option is that no money is spent until you get the items. You can check the product delivered and refuse delivery if necessary. This leaves the responsibility of the item to the seller instead of you. One other benefit is that, depending on the company, you can buy things for much higher than most credit card limits. Cash used to be accepted, but it is rarely accepted now. To pay when your items arrives, you need to pay with a personal check, business check, cashier's check, or money order. This used to be very common but is not as popular anymore. It is still possible with individual sellers and small retailers. UPS, Fedex, and the USPS still offer this service. It is available within the United States and between the US and Canada. Fedex also does COD in India. COD can have more costs than normal shipping. The extra costs have to be paid by you when the items arrive. This option is great for high-dollar purchases that exceed your credit card limit. Redeem points or rewards. Some online retailers, such as Amazon, Macy's, and EBay, will allow you to use points for purchases. You can enable this option from these sites from their pay with points pages. You can use points from cards such as the Amazon.com Business Rewards Visa, the American Express Membership Rewards, the Chase Ultimate Rewards, the Discover Cashback Bonus, the Discover Miles, and the Citi Thank You card. The drawback to this method is that the value of points is often very hard to figure out. They will vary from company to company and even from product to product. There is usually a dollar value associated with getting points, such as one point per dollar spent. The value when you spend the points is typically not the same. Each program is different and you should consult the terms and conditions of your program to determine the value of points or rewards. Points can be collected and redeemed in many different ways. You can also get rewards from e-commerce sites such as Amazon or the Ebay Bucks program. Purchase items with gift cards. Gift cards can be used at many online store such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Hallmark. You can use a gift card to buy any item from the online store, just like you would cash in a real store. You can also add the card balance to your account to be used the next time you buy something. The processes of using gift cards is similar across sites. If you want to use it on a particular purchase, you can enter it on your payment page when you are checking out. There is typically an option to redeem a gift card on your payment screen. You then locate the claim code on the card and enter it into the site. To add the money to your account, go to your account page on the site. Choose to add a gift card to your account from this page. Enter the claim code and then hit submit or apply. For plastic gift cards, you may need to scratch off the coating on the back of the card to see the code. The claim code is different than 16-digit card number. Purchase gift debit cards. Gift debit cards (ie. Visa Gift Card, AMEX Gift Card,etc.) are accepted anywhere debit cards are accepted. You will likely be able to purchase them at a store that sells gift cards. They work like gift cards, however they are accepted anywhere debit cards are accepted, and some can be re-loaded. | Buy with your debit card. Use an online payment company. Purchase with a check. Use your checking account for an electronic fund transfer. Pay with an electronic wallet. Use collect on delivery. Redeem points or rewards. Purchase items with gift cards. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Duct-Tape | How to Use Duct Tape | To use duct tape, cut out a length of tape and stick one end onto the ceiling to catch flies and other flying insects. You can also pat the sticky side of a piece of tape over furniture or clothing to pick up dust or hair. Additionally, use duct tape as a sticky note by sticking it to any surface you'd like and writing on the silver side. If you want to hide a small object, like a key outside, place a piece of duct tape over it in a hidden place, like under a plant pot. | Fix leaks with a temporary patch jobs. Cover holes with duct tape as a stop-gap solution for water or air leaks. This won't hold up permanently, so don't consider it a long-term fix. However, in the short-term, use duct tape to slow or stop leaks in things like: Bike tires Inflatable balls Clothes Water bottles Hoses Fortify split plastic. Don't throw away a plastic item just because the plastic has cracked. As long as you don't care about appearances, get some more life out of it by mending the split with duct tape. For a stronger patch job, apply one long strip along the split itself, and then cross that with shorter strips. This can help you get more use out of things like: Cans, bins, and other containers Household tools like rakes and dustpans Mend your house’s vinyl siding. Replacing the siding to your house isn't something you can always do immediately after it has been dinged, scratched, or punctured, so utilize duct tape as a temporary fix. Protect your home from insects and water damage. Cover the damaged area with duct tape until you can make a more lasting repair. Replace shingles. Like vinyl siding, you may not be able to repair broken shingles or replace missing ones right away, but you also don't want to leave your roof exposed in the meantime. If you have any ¼-inch (6 mm) plywood handy, cut it to size and wrap it in duct tape. Replace the missing or broken shingle by jimmying your impromptu one into place underneath the one above. Cover holes in window screens. Window screens often tear, especially around the edges. Prevent insects from making use of this. Keep your house pest-free by taping over any sizable gaps that they could fit through. Safeguard your floors from scratches. If you find that a felt pad has fallen off the bottom of one of the legs to your chair, table, or other furniture, replace it with duct tape if you don't have a pack of extra pads handy. Simply tear off a strip and start folding it up until it equals the size and thickness of the remaining pads so that your furniture remains level. Trim off any excess if needed and use that to secure your new pad to the bottom of the leg, or tear off a new piece and do the same. Tape your windows before storms. For each pane of glass, cut off two strips that are long enough to reach from one corner to its opposite. Stick them directly to the glass, forming an X. Reduce the risk of injury due to glass shattering during storms, tornadoes, or other weather events with high winds. This won't prevent your windows from breaking. However, it will reduce the chance of the glass shattering into lots of small pieces. This minimizes the number of shards you have to watch out for in case your windows blow in. Secure loose cords. If you have electrical or extension cords crossing your floor, deck, or patio (or anything similar that people could easily trip over), pull your tape's loose end out, center it over the cord, and secure the tape to the floor on either side of the cord. Then unroll the tape over the cord's length, securing the tape to the floor as you go. This is an especially good idea for: Holidays like Halloween or Christmas, for which you might have lots of plug-in decorations both inside and out. Parties, barbecues, or other gatherings, for which you may have special equipment and lots of guests. Keep your feet dry. If heavy rains are coming and you need some waterproof shoes real quick, repurpose an old pair of sneakers. First, wrap duct tape around the base of your sneaker. Continue wrapping toward the top, covering roughly half of each previous layer to keep water from leaking in around the edges. Switch to attaching smaller strips across the cross ties, tongue, and rim as you near the top. Regarding the laces, it's up to you: either tie them in a double knot and tape them up, or leave them untied and exposed so you can tie and untie them before and after use. Use it as fly tape. If you find yourself plagued by flies or other insects, trap them with duct tape. Cut off a length and then attach the two free ends to each other to form a loop, with the sticky side facing outward. Fix this to your ceiling wherever flies are concentrating. Clean up dust, dirt, and hair. Simply pat the sticky side of a swath of tape over your clothes, furniture, or anything else that needs a quick clean-up. Repeat as needed until all the offending particles are removed. For large areas, speed things up by grabbing an empty paint roller and wrapping your tape around the actual roller with the sticky side facing out. Get rid of other sticky materials. Use a strip of duct tape to cover the leftover bits of price stickers and other adhesives left behind when you tried to tear them off new purchases or other items. Rub your finger back and forth over the surface of the tape to make sure it adheres to the offending adhesive underneath, and then rip the tape off. Repeat as needed, then remove all final traces if desired by misting window spray and scrubbing lightly with a cloth or paper towel. Hide small objects. Say you want to keep a spare key outside, or hide a thumbdrive in your office where prying eyes won't find it. Just rip off an appropriately sized strip of tape and secure your key, thumbdrive, or other small object in the center of its sticky side. Then attach the tape to a solid surface somewhere out of sight, where people won't think to look. Make trail markers. If you're hiking in the woods and need to find your way back, rip off squares of duct tape and stick them at regular intervals and appropriate turns along the way. If you need to point someone in the direction you've gone, rip off one long strip and two shorts to form arrows. In either case, make sure you stick to tape to sturdy objects, like a tree trunk, rather than a leaf that might get torn off. Use it as a sticky note. Need to leave a note where someone's sure to see it? Don't waste materials by using both tape and paper. Use a marker to jot down your note directly onto the duct tape's non-sticky side. Then simply affix it wherever it will stand out. Spell out letters. Need to leave a message but don't have a marker? Don't worry! Just tear off lengths of duct tape and use each one as a line in a letter. For example, for the letter A, tear off two long strips for the diagonal lines and a short one for the horizontal line. Then stick them wherever someone will see it. This is particularly helpful if you need to spell out huge letters to be seen from a distance, like "HELP!" Turn it into handcuffs. If you need to restrain someone, cross their wrists behind their back. Affix your roll's open end directly to their skin. Then unroll the tape over and under where their wrists cross to secure them in place. Fashion it into a cord or rope. If you only need one that's a foot or two long, unroll that much and tear it from the roll. Lay it down sticky-side up and then roll it up tightly, with the sticky side on the inside, from one long side to the other. If you need a longer cord, unroll a little bit at a time and start twisting it up as you go. Add more layers if needed to make a stronger, thicker cord. Make a bowl or cup. Tear off several long strips, line them up next to each other with the sticky sides facing up, and pull each one about halfway over the preceding one for a tight seal. Fold the whole thing in half and seal the sticky sides together. Then: Place a stone or similar object in its center. Bunch up the free ends around the stone to form sides for your cup or bowl. Unroll more tape horizontally around the sides to keep them in place, then remove the stone. | Fix leaks with a temporary patch jobs. Fortify split plastic. Mend your house’s vinyl siding. Replace shingles. Cover holes in window screens. Safeguard your floors from scratches. Tape your windows before storms. Secure loose cords. Keep your feet dry. Use it as fly tape. Clean up dust, dirt, and hair. Get rid of other sticky materials. Hide small objects. Make trail markers. Use it as a sticky note. Spell out letters. Turn it into handcuffs. Fashion it into a cord or rope. Make a bowl or cup. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Prevent-Hair-Breakage | How to Prevent Hair Breakage | To prevent hair breakage, try to limit how often you shampoo your hair to 2-3 times a week since overwashing can dry out your hair and lead to breakage. Also, let your hair air dry as much as possible so you're not damaging it with a blow dryer or towel. When you brush your hair, always wait until it's dry, and start at the ends instead of the roots. You should also use a deep conditioner once a week, which will strengthen your hair and keep it from getting brittle. | Use shampoo that’s right for your hair type. If your hair is naturally brittle, it's important to use a gentle shampoo that won't strip away all of its natural oils. Dry, coarse hair is more likely to break than hair that's oily. Look for a shampoo made with replenishing oils like shea butter, argan oil or almond oil. These will trap water against your hair shaft and help it stay hydrated and healthy. Look for shampoo labeled "sulfate free." Sulfates are harsh cleaning agents (the same ones used in dish detergent and other cleaning supplies) that strip the oils from your hair, leaving it dry and defenseless. Choosing a sulfate free shampoo is better for your hair. This is especially important if your hair is curly, wavy or coarse. It's more difficult for sebum, the natural oil produced by your scalp, to travel to the tips of these hair textures. Consider low shampoo or no shampoo methods if your hair is extremely curly or coarse. Many have found that foregoing shampoo altogether and washing using only honey, conditioner or even plain water is better for their hair than using shampoo. Use a hydrating conditioner. This replenishes the oils that your hair loses when you shampoo your hair. No matter what kind of shampoo you use, you should condition your hair to keep it from getting too dried out. Choose a conditioner that does not contain silicones, which coat your hair. Silicones are added to conditioner to hold moisture in, but they can only be washed away using harsh sulfate shampoos, so it's better to avoid them. Look for conditioners that contain oils as well as aloe and other natural hydrators. Deep condition your hair once a week by treating it with a deep conditioner product such as Moroccan hair oil, letting it soak in for several hours, then rinsing it out. This will protect your hair during the course of the week, helping it to stay hydrated.9 Coconut oil or olive oil are both great natural deep conditioners that you might already have in your cabinet. Comb a teaspoon or so of oil through your hair, put on a shower cap for 2 hours, then wash out the oil.. Avoid styling products with harsh chemicals. Most commercial styling products are loaded with an array of chemicals that aren't very good for your hair. In addition to sulfates and silicones, you'll find alcohol, fragrances and other components that don't do you hair any favors, especially if your texture is coarse or curly. Toss out the hairspray, mousse, gel and other products with an inch-long list of ingredients that are hard to pronounce. Switch to a natural hair spray and mousse. You can make your own hair styling products by soaking a tablespoon of flax seeds in a cup of water overnight. Drain out the seeds and reserve the liquid. Flax seeds contain a natural gelling agent that works well when you need a light hold. Coconut oil and argan oil are useful for smoothing flyaways and giving your hair a sleek look. Wash, dry and comb your hair gently. Many people handle their hair roughly in the shower, scrubbing it from the roots to the tips. Then they towel it dry vigorously and brush out the tangles. This routine is terrible for hair, which is more fragile and breakable when it's wet. Don't scrub it, rub it, wring it out or brush it. Being gentle with your hair will prevent breakage. As you shampoo, gently massage the product into your scalp. Don't worry about your ends, as rinsing will distribute the shampoo down the length of your strands. Wash every 2-3 days, or once a week if you have dry or curly hair. Don't brush your hair, especially when it's wet. After your shower, use a wide-tooth comb to gently comb out the tangles, working from the tips upward instead of the roots downward. Gently pat your hair with a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to absorb the excess moisture, then let it finish air drying. If you do brush your hair when it's dry, use a boar bristle brush instead of a comb. This helps redistribute your hair's natural oils without promoting strain or breakage. Use a deep conditioner once a week. Weekly deep conditioning can help strengthen your hair and prevent breakage. Look for a protein-based product, and follow the instructions on the product packaging for optimal results. Be sure not to leave the product in too long, as this may make your hair brittle. Blow your hair dry sparingly. Aiming hot air at your hair is a sure way to damage it. Heat has the power to make hair look smooth and sleek, but unfortunately it comes at a high price, especially if you blow your hair dry every day. Save your blowouts for special occasions, and plan to let it air dry on an everyday basis. Clarify your hair once a month with a clarifying shampoo. Styling products, mineral residue, and pollution can leave a dull film on your hair that prevents it from absorbing moisture. To correct for this, rinse your hair with a clarifying shampoo at least once a month. If you work in an environment where you perpetually sweat or get dirty, you may need to clarify more often. Avoid using other heating tools, too. If you're going to prom, a wedding or a cocktail party, you might want to straighten or curl your hair. Otherwise, keep your heating tools in the cabinet. Using them every day is sure to cause your hair to get dried out, leading to breakage and frayed ends. Straighteners and flat irons, curling irons and curlers should all be used only sparingly. When you do use heat on your hair, smooth in a heat protectant product to mitigate the damage as much as possible. Use alternate methods to achieve your favorite styles. Just because you shouldn't use heat on your hair doesn't mean you have to go without beautiful tresses. There are other ways to achieve your favorite looks; you just have to get creative. Your hair may not be as bone straight and shiny as it would be if you used a flat iron, but it'll sure look better than it would if you allowed it to break and fray from too much heat exposure. T-shirt curls look beautiful and require zero heat. Straightening with a fan instead of a hair dryer takes patience, but it works. Avoid using elastics and barrettes that pull on your hair. Try wearing your hair down more often instead of pulling it back into tighter styles. If you love updos, there are great alternatives to your typical drugstore elastics. Choose elastics and headbands made of soft cloth like silk or satin. They won't dent or damage your hair. Don’t get a chemical blowout. It might look gorgeous in the short term, but in the long term this is seriously damaging to your hair, and potentially even your health. Many products used in chemical blowouts contain formaldehyde, which has been connected to bad skin reactions and even cancer. If you absolutely must get a blowout, do it very sparingly. Avoid dyeing your hair with chemicals. You might love trying out different colors, but this can wreak havoc on your hair. This is especially true if you have dark hair that you're always trying to dye a shade or more lighter, since your hair has to be stripped of color before it can be dyed. That being said, there are ways you can subtly change your color that are actually restorative for damaged hair: Henna dyeing is a great way to enhance your natural color by making it look richer and deeper. Tea rinses are easy to do and can help blond shades get a little darker. Honey and cinnamon are both effective hair lighters that aren't damaging to hair. Never bleach your hair. No matter how healthy it is to begin with, your hair will suffer if you bleach it. Even if you get it professionally bleached at a salon, the process of stripping color from your hair is going to be very damaging. If you decide to bleach, proceed with caution and make sure not to leave the bleaching product in for too long, or you could burn off your hair. Avoid getting weaves. Most hair weaves, even those put in by a professional, have the potential to cause breakage and even bald spots. Heavy pull on the roots of your hair causing it to fall out. The hair can also break in the places where the weaves are sewn or glued in. Instead of getting weaves put in, consider clipping a weft to your hair using a clip that can be easily removed without pulling. If you do decide to get weaves, always go to a professional who knows what she's doing. Don't forget regular trims. When the ends of your hair start to split, there's no going back. Getting a trim every few months is a good way to keep your hair shaft strong and healthy, so it doesn't start to fray. Ask your stylist not to use harsh tools, products and techniques on your hair, especially if your hair is very dry, curly, wavy or coarse. If you don't want products containing sulfates and silicones to be used on your hair, you can bring your own shampoo and conditioner, or ask the stylist to use sulfate and silicone-free products. | Use shampoo that’s right for your hair type. Use a hydrating conditioner. Avoid styling products with harsh chemicals. Wash, dry and comb your hair gently. Use a deep conditioner once a week. Blow your hair dry sparingly. Clarify your hair once a month with a clarifying shampoo. Avoid using other heating tools, too. Use alternate methods to achieve your favorite styles. Avoid using elastics and barrettes that pull on your hair. Don’t get a chemical blowout. Avoid dyeing your hair with chemicals. Never bleach your hair. Avoid getting weaves. Don't forget regular trims. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Good-Pot-of-Coffee | How to Make a Good Pot of Coffee | To make a good pot of coffee, start by cleaning your coffee maker to make sure old coffee residue doesn't affect the taste. Once your coffee maker is clean, measure out about 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds per cup of coffee you want to make. Put the grounds in a filter and pour fresh, cold water into the reservoir, using about 6 fluid ounces of water for each cup of coffee. Then, hit the "Start" button to begin brewing your coffee. Finally, serve the fresh coffee immediately after brewing it, which is when it's the most flavorful. | Select how much coffee you want to make. A standard cup is about 6 fluid ounces (180 mL) of coffee. That is less than what you get from purchasing the short size at a quick-serve coffee chain. If you need more coffee to kickstart your day, you're going to need to use more ingredients. Count how many cups everyone will drink to get an estimate of how much you need to make. For a medium cup of coffee, count on needing to brew 8 fluid ounces (240 mL). This is the same as a short cup at the average takeout chain. Most mugs in the U.S. are also designed for this size. Enjoy a large cup by brewing 10 fluid ounces (300 mL) of coffee. If you're using a coffee maker, check for measurement guidelines on it. Many machines have volume markings on the pot to help you keep track of what you made. Add cold water to the reservoir on the coffee maker. The reservoir is a clear plastic bin on one side of the machine. It will be covered by a lid you have to flip up to pour in the water. Coffee makers generally hold about 44 fluid ounces (1,300 mL) of water on average, but yours may be different. Measure out the water using a measuring cup or the coffee pot if yours has markings on it. Pour only cold water into a coffee maker's reservoir. Hot water could damage it. The ideal water temperature is 195 to 205 °F (91 to 96 °C). The coffee maker will heat up the water for you, but you will need to do it on your own if you're not using a machine. Place a filter inside the machine over the coffee pot. Fit the coffee pot firmly in the holster on the front of the coffee maker. Then, open the plastic cover over it. You will see an empty chamber with a spout leading down to the coffee pot. Set a fresh paper filter inside the chamber with the open end face up. Make sure the filter is firmly inside the chamber and covering the spout opening. Most machines use the round filters 8 in (20 cm) in diameter. You do not need to prime the filter by rinsing it out, but you can do it if you want to. Some people believe it leads to better coffee, but with a coffee maker, it doesn't make a big difference. Pour coffee grounds into the filter and close the machine. A basic cup of coffee requires about 2 tablespoons or 10 grams of coffee grounds for every 6 fluid ounces (180 mL) of water you plan on using. Grind up coffee beans first if you're using them. Then, take a big scoop of grounds and add them directly to the filter. The filter will hold them in place so you don't end up with bitter sediment floating in your cup. For instance, use about 16 tablespoons or 80 grams of grounds for 44 fluid ounces (1,300 mL) of coffee. Consider this to be a baseline that can be adjusted according to your preference. Use more grounds for stronger coffee and less for weaker coffee. Try brewing a single cup first and then adjusting the grounds to perfect the flavor. Press the start button and wait for up to 12 minutes. Take a break and let the coffee maker do the rest. Coffee makers take about 5 minutes to brew a single cup and usually a little longer for a full pot. After your machine heats up the water, you will see the coffee begin dripping into the pot. It's perfect for a hands-free pot of coffee. Keep in mind that if you make coffee without a machine, you will need to pour the hot water over the grounds. The waiting time for a fresh pot is about 4 or 5 minutes but can vary depending on the method used. Serve and enjoy the coffee while it’s hot. Coffee is best when it's consumed right away. Remove the pot and pour the coffee into cups depending on how many people you are serving. If you're not planning on drinking it right away, transfer it to a carafe to keep warm for up to 45 minutes. Some machines also have the ability to keep coffee warm due to a heater in the platform the pot rests on. Coffee loses flavor as it sits around. While that old pot of coffee is still drinkable, it won't taste as good as it does fresh out of the pot. If your coffee maker has a built-in warmer, keep in mind that the coffee still loses quality over time. The heat causes it to become more bitter. To avoid dealing with leftover coffee, brew what you need. You can always make a second pot later! Choose Arabica beans for a more flavorful cup of coffee. There are 2 main types of beans used to make coffee. Arabica beans are the kind grown in high-altitude regions. They have a sweeter, more acidic taste in addition to being less bitter than Robusta beans, which are grown in low-altitude areas. Since these beans are so popular despite being harder to grow, they also tend to be more expensive. There is more to a good pot of coffee than the type of bean you choose. Factors like the growing condition and handling affect the flavor of the bean, so you may end up liking a Robusta brew better than an Arabica one. A cup of coffee made from Robusta beans has about twice as much caffeine than one made from Arabica. The additional caffeine gives the coffee more of a bitter taste. Pick a country of origin according to your taste preference. Coffee comes from all over the world, which means many different flavors for you to enjoy. You can make good coffee with beans from any location, so it all comes down to personal preference. Test out different products to find what makes your perfect pot of coffee. Even products from the same country can taste very different from one another. Coffee beans from Africa tend to have a strong, robust flavor. Drinkers often compare the taste to grapes and other types of fruit. Kenya and Ethiopia are a couple of common sources of African beans. Beans from South America often have a strong but sweet flavor often compared to chocolate and nuts. Brazil and Colombia are a few common sources. Other sources, like Hawaii and Asia, tend to produce earthy beans. It leads to rich, smooth coffee with a flavor comparable to the taste of edible flowers and plants. Select a lighter roast to taste more of the bean’s flavor. All coffee is roasted, so don't be fooled by product labeling. A dark roast means that the beans were toasted so long that they turned black. At that point, you taste more of the roast than the flavor of the beans in your coffee. Stick to light or medium roasts if you like sweeter, tangier coffee with more caffeine in it. Dark basically means burnt in coffee. The beans become charred and oily as they are roasted. Coffee made from these beans often tastes bitter or even burned. Medium roasts are popular in a lot of places. Coffee made from these beans tends to have a strong and balanced flavor. Use coffee within a month of the roast date on the package. Coffee begins losing its flavor as soon as it is processed. Beans are best when used within a week of the listed date, but that isn't always possible. Check the date when buying or selecting a bag before you make coffee. Try to use the freshest beans for more flavor. Although coffee seems like it lasts forever, it doesn't. Old beans and grounds are useable, but the end result doesn't taste the same as coffee brewed from a fresh product. If the coffee bag doesn't have a roasting date on it, then consider avoiding it. You don't know how long it has been sitting around. Store beans in a sealed container away from sunlight. Heat, light, air, and moisture all affect how coffee tastes. To prevent your beans from deteriorating, keep them in the bag until you're ready to use them. Then, move them into a container that isn't transparent. Store the container in a sheltered spot, such as inside a kitchen cabinet. Beans can be stored in the fridge or freezer if you're careful. Keep them in a well-sealed container to reduce the possibility of moisture damage or freezer burn. No matter how well you store your beans, you can't preserve them forever. To get the best quality coffee, use beans as soon as possible. Select a grind size if you’re using grounds. If you're using fresh beans, you're going to have to grind them up yourself. The size you need depends on the type of coffee-making equipment you're using. For drip coffee machines, use medium-size grounds. Adjust your grinder to a medium setting if you're using one. Fine grounds are similar in consistency to sand and are good for making espressos. Medium-fine grounds are great for pour over coffee. Switch to course grounds for French press coffee. Select a drip machine for an automatic way to make coffee. Drip machines are the most popular way to make coffee because they are so simple to use. All you have to do is put in the ingredients and let the machine do the rest. It heats up the water on its own, then sends it over the grounds to drip into the pot below. You don't need to put a lot of effort into cleaning and maintaining the machine, either. Drip machines come in a wide variety of sizes. If you intend on making a pot of coffee instead of a single cup, look for a machine with a bigger water reservoir. If you're looking for a manual alternative, you could try using a moka pot or percolator on the stove. Get an espresso machine if you prefer a quicker, thicker drink. Espresso machines use a pump to force boiling water through the grounds. The coffee comes out faster, but the machine makes individual cups rather than full pots. Espresso machines require high-quality beans or grounds to create a strong, flavorful shot of coffee. You can then add milk to make a cappuccino or latte. Espresso machines use fine-sized grounds. It's important to remember if you plan on grinding your own beans. Espresso machines come in automatic, semi-automatic, and manual varieties. Use the automatic version for an easy way to make coffee. Select a pod machine if you need to reduce cleanup. Pod machines use pods, little containers filled with coffee grounds. The pods fit inside the machine where a filter full of loose grounds would normally go. You don't have to grind up beans, measure grounds, or clean out filters. The downside is that the coffee flavors to choose from are limited by what pods the manufacturer has to offer, and these pods cost more to replace over time than grounds or beans. Coffee pods produce coffee more similar to espresso than drip coffee. The pods are also single-serve, so you won't get an entire pot out of them. If you prefer espresso, look for a machine that uses espresso pods. The bigger machines often can make both espresso and regular coffee. Pick paper filters that fit inside your coffee maker. Both bleached and unbleached paper filters are available no matter what size coffee maker you have. Bleached filters have a bright white coloring and are typically made with chlorine. Many coffee drinkers think they produce higher quality coffee. Unbleached filters aren't brightly-colored but still produce good pots of coffee. Both of these filter types are disposable. If the environmental impact matters to you, unbleached filters are safer since they aren't chemically treated. If you make coffee without a machine, such as the pour over method, you could get a reusable filter made from metal. Buy a burr grinder to create grounds that are a consistent size. Conical burr grinders crush beans to a consistent size. There are automatic models as well as handheld ones. The automatic grinders are easier to use since all you have to do is plug them in and throw in the beans. That also makes them a little pricier, but you can find small ones that cost only a little more than the average blade grinder. Regular disc and blade grinders tend to produce grounds of varying sizes, leading to an inferior pot of coffee. Grind your beans in small batches if that is all you have available. If you're using coffee grounds, you don't need a grinder. However, your coffee won't taste quite as fresh or flavorful. Make coffee with fresh or filtered water. Tap water is acceptable for making a good pot of coffee. However, some tap water has minerals that negatively affect the taste. If you're looking for consistency no matter where you're brewing, try using bottled or filtered water. Purchase a home water filter if you're unhappy with the coffee you get out of tap water. Avoid using softened or distilled water since it lacks minerals that add flavor to coffee. Hard water rich in magnesium and calcium actually makes coffee better. Rinse out the coffee pot with soap and water. Those coffee stains in a used pot look gross, but they also change the way fresh coffee tastes. Rinse the pot out with warm water and dish soap. Scrub away any stains with a sponge, taking care to eliminate any coffee grounds you notice. Remember to rinse out cups and other pieces of equipment. Clean them out each time you use them to prevent buildup from ever forming. Brush coffee grounds out of a grinder after using it. If you're using an electrical grinder, unplug it and take it apart. Rinse off the plastic and rubber parts in soapy water. Most grinders come with a soft brush, so use it knock loose debris in the blades. Wipe them off with a dry cloth to finish removing the old grounds. Avoid washing the blades and motor on an electrical grinder. Water is safe to use on a handheld grinder. Clean the grinder out after each use. The old grounds could affect the quality of the next pot of coffee you brew. Wash out the coffee maker with vinegar about once a week. Drain the water reservoir, then pour an equal amount of water and vinegar into it. Set the coffee maker to brew a single cup of coffee. After letting it sit for about an hour, pour clean water into the emptied reservoir and run 2 more brew cycles. While you wait, wipe off the outer surface of the machine with a cloth dampened in clean water. If you drink coffee every day, give your machine frequent deep cleanings. You won't need to do this as often if you don't make coffee daily, but it's still a good way to eliminate bitterness from old grounds. If you use a device like a pour over filter or a French press to make your coffee, wash them out with soap and water after each use. | Select how much coffee you want to make. Add cold water to the reservoir on the coffee maker. Place a filter inside the machine over the coffee pot. Pour coffee grounds into the filter and close the machine. Press the start button and wait for up to 12 minutes. Serve and enjoy the coffee while it’s hot. Choose Arabica beans for a more flavorful cup of coffee. Pick a country of origin according to your taste preference. Select a lighter roast to taste more of the bean’s flavor. Use coffee within a month of the roast date on the package. Store beans in a sealed container away from sunlight. Select a grind size if you’re using grounds. Select a drip machine for an automatic way to make coffee. Get an espresso machine if you prefer a quicker, thicker drink. Select a pod machine if you need to reduce cleanup. Pick paper filters that fit inside your coffee maker. Buy a burr grinder to create grounds that are a consistent size. Make coffee with fresh or filtered water. Rinse out the coffee pot with soap and water. Brush coffee grounds out of a grinder after using it. Wash out the coffee maker with vinegar about once a week. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Leash-Train-a-Cat | How to Leash Train a Cat | To leash train your cat, start by putting it in its harness for just a few minutes at a time, and gradually increase the length of time in harness over several days so your cat can get used to it. When your cat seems comfortable in its harness, attach the leash and let your cat trail it around behind them. You can then start picking up the leash and walking around with your cat. Practice inside before you venture outside for your first short trips. Finally, be sure to encourage your cat at every stage of training by offering treats and lots of praise. | Take your cat’s measurements. In order to go walking outdoors with you, your cat will need a well-fitted harness--never use a leash and collar. If you're walking your cat with a collar and the cat bolts--which cats are very likely to do--the collar can damage the cat's windpipe, voice box, and ability to swallow. A harness will distribute the force of restraint between the cat's shoulders, chest, and belly, making it less likely your cat will get injured. To get your cat's harness measurements, measure around the girth around your cat's chest, just behind the front legs and note it down. Bring the measurement with you when you go to buy the harness. Choose a harness. Most cat harnesses are made with adjustable straps designed to fit either kittens or adult cats and are made of either nylon or neoprene. Some harnesses may come in sub-sizes based on your cat's specific measurements. The harness should be fitted to your cat's body and should neither squeeze or cut into your cat or hang loosely off its body. If it's fitted properly, you should just be able to fit two fingers under the harness when you put it on your cat. Never use a harness as a restraint for car rides--cat harnesses aren't designed to protect cats in the event of a car accident. Choose a leash. Cats have different leash needs than dogs, so choose an appropriate leash carefully. Some manufacturers make lighter-weight leashes designed specifically for cats, as cats are generally lighter and less forceful than dogs. Bungee leashes are ideal for cats because they provide enough stretch to let your cat safely wander a bit. Avoid using retractable leashes (commonly sold for dogs) with a cat, as the leash is ill-suited to and can injure a cat. Put your cat in its harness for short periods of time. Before you'll be able to take your cat outside, you'll first need to get it accustomed to wearing its harness. Start by putting your cat in its harness for short periods of time every day for several days. Initially, put the harness on for just a few minutes, then increase the length of time each day for several days. Give your cat treats and lots of praise while putting on the harness and while your cat walks around wearing the harness. You want your cat to eventually feel comfortable moving around the house in its harness, ideally to the point that it doesn't pay any mind to the harness. Attach the leash. Once your cat has become comfortable with its harness, begin attaching the leash to the harness. At first, allow the leash to trail behind your cat. Encourage the cat to walk around with the leash attached by offering treats and lots of praise. Practice walking with the harness and leash. Once your cat has become comfortable having the leash trail behind it, pick up the leash and again encourage your cat to walk around--this time with you holding the leash. Offer your cat its favorite treats and lots of praise as it begins to walk around. Try not to yank or drag the cat along as you go--let the cat move about of its own volition. Start slowly. Don't force your cat to go outdoors. The prospect of going outside can be quite intimidating to some cats, so if your cat is reluctant to follow you out, don't insist. If your cat is unsure about going out, just leave the door open so it can get its bearings and take its time. If your cat doesn't want to venture out, try again another day and be patient--it may take time. Help your cat venture outdoors. Once your cat is ready to make its way outside, follow behind and offer encouragement with treats and praise. Keep the trip short--about five minutes. Any longer and your cat may become overwhelmed and be less willing to go outside again in the future. Wait for a dry day to go outside. If it's raining or has recently rained, many of the normal scents your cat would use to navigate will have been washed away and your cat may have difficulty getting its bearings. Take your cat out regularly. Gradually increase the length of time you allow your cat to stay outside and make outside trips part of your cat's regular routine. As your cat becomes more comfortable outside, allow it to wander farther from you if it chooses. Follow at the distance that the leash allows. | Take your cat’s measurements. Choose a harness. Choose a leash. Put your cat in its harness for short periods of time. Attach the leash. Practice walking with the harness and leash. Start slowly. Help your cat venture outdoors. Take your cat out regularly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Gnocchi | How to Make Gnocchi | To make your own gnocchi, start by cooking and grating 2.5 pounds of potatoes. Mix the grated potatoes with 2.5 cups of flour and half of a teaspoon of salt, and use your hand to make a small hole in the middle of the mixture. Then, crack an egg into the hole and use a fork to mix all of the ingredients together before kneading the dough until it's soft. Once a dough forms, roll portions of dough into long strips, and use a knife to cut the strips into small, rounded rectangles. Cook the gnocchi in boiling water for 2-4 minutes before serving! | Put the potatoes in a large pot and pour in enough water to cover them. Rinse 2 ⁄ 2 pounds (1.1 kg) of potatoes and put them into a large pot without peeling them. Pour in enough cold water to completely cover the potatoes. Use Russet potatoes for the best texture. You'll need about 4 large potatoes or 6 small potatoes. Boil the potatoes for 20 minutes over medium-high heat. Turn the burner to medium-high and bring the water to a vigorous boil. Keep the lid off of the pot and boil the potatoes until they're tender when you poke them with a fork. Avoid boiling the potatoes until they become mushy. This would make them difficult to peel. Drain the potatoes and place them on paper towels. Turn off the burner once the potatoes are tender. Set a colander in the sink and pour the potatoes into it so the water drains out. Place paper towels on a plate and transfer the potatoes to the paper towel so they dry. It's important to remove moisture from the potatoes so they don't make the dough soggy. Peel the potatoes. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, get out a small paring knife and use to peel away the potato skins. Discard the potato peels. If you notice any brown spots in the potato, cut away and discard them. To protect your hands, use a tea towel to hold the potatoes as you peel the potatoes. Push the potatoes through a potato ricer. Put a peeled potato into a potato ricer and press down to push it through the ricer and into a bowl. Repeat this for all of the potatoes. If you don't have a potato ricer, grate the potatoes against the fine side of a box grater. If the riced or grated potatoes look watery, set them on a paper towel-lined plate for 1 to 2 minutes. Scoop the potato onto your work surface and put flour and salt on it. Transfer the riced or grated potato onto a clean counter or cutting board. Scoop it together so it's in a mound. Then put 2 1/2 cups (300 g) of the flour and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt directly onto the potatoes. You can use all-purpose or 00 flour. You can find 00 flour in specialty shops and it will make a finer, softer dough. Use your hands to make a well in the middle of the potato mixture. Use your fingers like a scoop and sweep them around the center of the potato and flour mixture. This will make a deep well where you can add the remaining ingredients. Make the well large enough to hold the eggs and cheese, if you're using them. Crack 1 egg into the well and add the optional cheeses. Add the egg to the center of the well. If you'd like to make creamier pasta, add 1/2 cup (123 g) of ricotta and 1/4 cup (25 g) of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese along with the egg. Ensure there are no egg shells in the well or your dough will have hard bits. Use a fork to mix the egg with the flour and potatoes. Take a fork and beat the egg with the cheeses, if you're using them. Once the egg is beaten, use the fork to start mixing in the flour and potatoes from the sides of the well. While you can use a spoon to mix the dough, it will combine better if you use a fork. Knead the mixture into a soft dough. Use your hands to combine the crumbly mixture. Keep mixing until you have a dough that's smooth and doesn't fall apart. Avoid kneading it too much once it's formed or the gnocchi will be tough. You shouldn't need to add flour to your work surface at this point because the dough is already crumbly. Form the dough into a long rectangle. Keep the dough on your work surface and use your hands to shape it into a rectangle that's about 12 inches (30 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide. If the dough sticks, use a sprinkling of flour to loosen it. Cut the rectangle into 8 to 10 short strips. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut across the rectangle. Avoid using a serrated knife which could tear the dough. Make 8 to 10 strips that are about 4 inches (10 cm) long. The dough should feel light and airy if you haven't over-mixed it. Roll each strip into a long rope. Move 1 of the strips to the center of your work surface and use the palms of both hands to roll it into a long rope. If you want to make thin gnocchi, roll the dough into a rope that's about 12 inches (30 cm) long. Roll out each of the strips into ropes. If you want thicker gnocchi, roll the rope about 8 inches (20 cm) long. Cut each rope into 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces. Take your knife or bench scraper and cut across each of the ropes. Make 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces that will become the gnocchi. If the dough begins to stick, sprinkle more flour onto your work surface. Arrange the gnocchi on a floured baking sheet. Sprinkle flour evenly across a rimmed baking sheet. Place the gnocchi on the sheet and sprinkle more flour over them. Keep them on the sheet until you're ready to boil them. Boil the gnocchi within 45 minutes of cutting and putting them on the sheet. Make ridges with a fork or press each gnocchi to add a unique look. To add texture, press a piece of the dough onto the tines of a fork and roll the dough off as you press gently. For an easier shape, press your thumb into the middle of each piece of dough. If you don't want to add texture to your gnocchi, you can skip this step and begin boiling the pasta. Bring a pot of water to boil and add the gnocchi. Fill a stockpot three-quarters full of water and turn the burner to high. When the water boils, stir in salt and the gnocchi. The gnocchi will sink towards the bottom after you add them. Shake off the excess flour from the gnocchi before you add them to the boiling water. Boil the gnocchi for 2 to 4 minutes. Continue to boil the gnocchi until they're cooked throughout and they float to the top of the water. Stir them occasionally as they boil to prevent them from clumping together. Avoid adding oil to the water while the gnocchi is boiling. It's better to stir the pasta to prevent it from sticking together. Use a slotted spoon to remove the gnocchi. Turn off the burner and carefully scoop the gnocchi out of the water using a slotted spoon. Transfer the gnocchi to a saucepan. It's important to drain off all of the water or the gnocchi will become mushy. Cook the gnocchi with your choice of sauce for 2 minutes. Add your favorite sauce to the saucepan with the gnocchi. Turn the burner to medium and cook the pasta in the sauce for about 2 minutes. The gnocchi is now ready to be served. Cooking the gnocchi with the sauce will make the gnocchi tender and will help the sauce stick to the pasta. Refrigerate leftover cooked gnocchi in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days. | Put the potatoes in a large pot and pour in enough water to cover them. Boil the potatoes for 20 minutes over medium-high heat. Drain the potatoes and place them on paper towels. Peel the potatoes. Push the potatoes through a potato ricer. Scoop the potato onto your work surface and put flour and salt on it. Use your hands to make a well in the middle of the potato mixture. Crack 1 egg into the well and add the optional cheeses. Use a fork to mix the egg with the flour and potatoes. Knead the mixture into a soft dough. Form the dough into a long rectangle. Cut the rectangle into 8 to 10 short strips. Roll each strip into a long rope. Cut each rope into 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces. Arrange the gnocchi on a floured baking sheet. Make ridges with a fork or press each gnocchi to add a unique look. Bring a pot of water to boil and add the gnocchi. Boil the gnocchi for 2 to 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the gnocchi. Cook the gnocchi with your choice of sauce for 2 minutes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/File-Adverse-Possession-in-Texas | How to File Adverse Possession in Texas | In certain cases, under the theory of Adverse Possession in Texas, you may be able to claim ownership of property that belongs to someone else. While successful claims are rare, there are a few instances where you could be granted ownership. For instance, if you've paid taxes on the property, have fully fenced it in, or have made significant improvements to it, these all signify your intent to assume the property as your own. If you have done any of these things and possessed the property for 10 years, you may have grounds for adverse possession. You'll then need to hire a real estate attorney, locate the owner of record of the property, and have them served. Then, you'll need to appear in a hearing where you and your lawyer will present evidence as to why the property should be yours. | Gather legal documents related to the property. To succeed in an adverse possession claim, your possession of the property must be uninterrupted. If at any time the owner of record made any attempt to reclaim the property (in the form of a lawsuit, a letter asking you to leave, or a police report for trespassing), the period of time you adversely possessed the property would start over. Texas adverse possession law greatly favors the record owner. The more documents and proof you have that the record owner has abandoned the property, the greater your chances of succeeding in your claim. Any documents filed in the county recorder's office that are related to the property also might be considered to interrupt your claim. For example, a tax lien filed on the property for nonpayment of property taxes would interrupt your claim. Fence the property. A fence is a basic way to openly indicate your intent to claim the property and exclude others from it. However, under Texas law, it can't just be any kind of fence. The fence must enclose the property to which you claim adverse possession. The fence can't be one that doesn't follow the borders of the property. To the extent that it doesn't, you can't lay claim to any property outside the fence. If you only fence off part of the property, you only have a claim, at most, to the part you've fenced. Texas law also doesn't allow "casual fences" to establish adverse possession. These are fences put up to keep out livestock, or for decorative purposes. Fences erected for an unknown purpose before you took possession of the land may also be considered “casual fences.” Use a tall privacy fence that is clearly designed to enclose the property and keep other people out. Pay taxes on the property. If you pay taxes on the property, this is an unmistakable sign that you intend to take over the property and claim it as your own. It can also shorten the length of time the property owner of record has to dispute your claim to 5 years. If the record owner of the property is paying property taxes, you have no claim of adverse possession. Your possession of the property would not be considered exclusive or uninterrupted, since the owner is paying property taxes. Paying property taxes is no guarantee. If you pay the property taxes and later lose your adverse possession claim, you may not be able to get that money back. On the other hand, if you don't pay the property taxes and no one else is, you run the risk that the property will be subject to a tax lien. Make improvements to the property. If you improve the property, such as by cultivating the land or building a house on it, you also shorten the length of time the record owner has to dispute your claim. If you file a deed and pay taxes on the property, the property owner of record only has 5 years to file a lawsuit against you disputing your claim to the property. More commonly, adverse possessors improve the property without filing a deed. This shortens the period of time from 25 years to 10. Create a new chain of title. Texas law requires adverse possessors to have title or "color of title." This comes in the form of a deed filed with the county recorder's office that includes language indicating you are adversely possessing the property. The deed you file must be a warranty deed, not a quitclaim deed. If you decide you want to create a new chain of title, talk to a real estate attorney who has experience doing this. The language used in your deed must be very specific. Evaluate the applicable requirement of possession period. The default period of time for which you must continually possess the property in good faith is 10 years, but you can shorten it in various ways. In general, the landowner has 25 years in which to challenge your claim to the property, after which the title passes to you. The shortest period is 3 years. For this period to apply, you must have filed a warranty deed to the property in the county recorder's office. The owner of record has 5 years to dispute your claim if you file a deed, make improvements, and pay property taxes. If you make improvements but don't file a deed, you must occupy the property for 10 years, and the owner has 25 years in which to challenge your claim. Consult a real estate attorney. Adverse possession is a complex area of property law, and successful cases of adverse possession are rare. If you intend to file a suit for adverse possession, it's best to have an experienced attorney on your side. Ideally, you want an attorney who has experience representing adverse possessors in trespass to try title lawsuits. If you decide to go it alone, the court will expect you to know and follow Texas law, including rules of evidence and procedure, just as an attorney would. The requirements for this type of lawsuit are complicated and time-consuming. Locate the owner of record. When you file your lawsuit, you must include the full legal name of the owner of record on the lawsuit. You also need to be able to serve them with the lawsuit in some way, which means you need at least a general location if not a specific address. This information may be included in the deeds filed for the property at the county recorder's office. However, it's also likely the deed would simply include the address of the property you currently possess and use. Property tax records might also provide some clues as to the owner of record's location. Draft a "trespass to try title" petition. This petition must include specific facts about your claim or the court will dismiss it. These facts are listed in Rule 783 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. You must demonstrate that you have had possession of the property in good faith for at least 1 year before the date of action, and that you have made permanent and valuable improvements to the property during your period of possession. At a minimum, your petition must include a specific legal description of the property, along with a description of your interest in or title to the property. These petitions have extensive legal requirements, so get help from an experienced property law attorney. Typically, these lawsuits are filed by the owner of record against a trespasser or adverse possessor. However, you can also file this lawsuit to gain record title of the property. You will need to provide grounds for your claim, as well as a list of any improvements you have made and the value of those improvements. Attach evidence of title. Your petition rests on the claim that you have a superior title to ownership of the property. If you filed a deed to create a new chain of title, a copy of that deed should be attached to your petition. If you don't have any title or deed to the property, your complaint must include specific language that describes your right to the property under the theory of adverse possession. In this situation, you would need evidence that the record owner had notice of your possession and did not dispute it during the statutory period. The law here is complex, so get an attorney to help you if this is your situation. Take your petition to the proper clerk's office. File your lawsuit with the clerk of the court in the county where the property is located. Call ahead or check the court's website to find out if any additional forms are required, as well as the amount of the filing fees and methods of payment accepted. Bring your original petition as well as 2 copies. The clerk will stamp them all and give the 2 copies back to you. One copy is for your own records, while the other is for the owner of record. Have the record owner served. If you know the location of the record owner, service is a fairly simple process. Hire a sheriff's deputy or private process server to hand-deliver the petition along with a subpoena to the record owner. If you don't have an exact address where the owner of record can be found, you can serve them through publication. This means you publish a legal advertisement announcing the petition in a newspaper of record in the area or areas where the owner might be. Typically publishing in the county where the property is located is sufficient. If you don't have an attorney and need to serve the owner through publication, someone in the clerk of court's office can help you determine where, when, and how to publish your advertisements. Gather evidence of your adverse possession. One of the reasons adverse possession claims are rarely successful is the difficulty of finding sufficient evidence to prove the claim. In addition to legal documents, you need photos and testimony from witnesses, including neighbors and friends. Since your possession must be continuous, your evidence must also be continuous. This means if, for example, your claim falls under the 10-year statute of limitations period, you need evidence that you continuously, exclusively, and openly possessed and used the property for 10 years. For possession to be continuous, it must be regular and habitual, not sporadic or occasional. Your possession must also be exclusive, meaning no one else had access to the property. A proper fence typically may establish this. Finally, you must show that your possession was open, which means the record owner and anyone in the area saw that you were possessing or using the property. Appear in court for the hearing. You will have a hearing before a judge, who will review the petition and facts presented. If the record owner has been served and they don't show up or respond to your lawsuit, you may be eligible to win by default. In court, it is up to you to prove that you have superior title to the property and the land is rightfully yours. The judge decides who has rightful title to the property based on the evidence presented. If you do not prove that you have superior title, the judge will issue a "take nothing" order, which divests you of any and all interest you ever had in the property. If you made improvements to the property, you may be able to make a claim to be compensated for those. You can request compensation at the hearing. | Gather legal documents related to the property. Fence the property. Pay taxes on the property. Make improvements to the property. Create a new chain of title. Evaluate the applicable requirement of possession period. Consult a real estate attorney. Locate the owner of record. Draft a "trespass to try title" petition. Attach evidence of title. Take your petition to the proper clerk's office. Have the record owner served. Gather evidence of your adverse possession. Appear in court for the hearing. |
https://www.wikihow.fitness/Use-a-Smith-Machine | How to Use a Smith Machine | To use a Smith machine to do squats, start by standing 4 inches in front of the bar and wrapping your hands around it. Then, place the bar on your shoulders and slowly lower your hips until your thighs are parallel with the floor. Next, push up from your heels to raise yourself back up, making sure to keep your back and core muscles tight to avoid injury. Repeat the squat 9 times, take a short rest, then do one more set of 10 squats. Alternatively, rest one foot on a bench behind you while doing squats to work your quads and glutes. | Do back squats to strengthen your core, quads, and glutes. Stand in front of the bar with your shoulders resting on it and your hands wrapped around the bar. Your feet should be 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) in front of the bar with your feet hip distance apart and your toes pointing outwards. Tighten your back and core as you slowly lower your hips until your thighs are parallel to the floor, keeping your hands gripping tightly on the bar. Lower the bar as you squat. Put weight in your heels as you push yourself back to the starting position. Repeat for 2 sets of 10 reps. Make sure you do not curl or round your back. Keep your heels on the floor as you squat and your knees turned outward. Look forward, rather than upward, so you do not strain your neck. Try split squats to work your quads and glutes. Put a bench 1 foot (0.30 m) behind the bar. Stand in front of the bar, with your shoulders resting against it and your hands wrapped around it tightly. Place one leg on the bench, shin down. Holding the bar, bend your front leg until it forms a 90 degree angle. Then, put weight in your front leg and push the bar back up to the standing position. Do 2 sets of 10 reps on each leg. Make sure you keep your front foot flat on the floor, pushing upward with your heel. Check that your back is straight as you squat. Try inhaling as you lower the bar and exhaling as you rise back up. Avoid doing deep squats on the machine. Doing deep squats with the Smith machine, where your hips drop below parallel to your thighs, can put a lot of stress on your knees and joints. Using the machine for deep squats can also limit your range of motion and put you at risk of injury. Avoid doing deep squats with this machine so you don't injure your knees or back. Do deep squats with free weights instead. Perform bench presses to strengthen your upper body. The Smith machine is also great for bench presses, especially if you do not have a spotter. Place a low workout bench under the machine. Lay down on the bench, positioning the lower section of your chest under the bar. Make sure the bar sits just above your chest. Put your hands on the bar in an overhand grip, keeping your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle out to the sides. Exhale as you raise the bar upward, making sure not to lock out your elbows. Then, inhale as you bring it back to the starting position. Do 3-5 sets of 6-12 reps. Keep your feet flat on the floor or on the end of the bench with your knees bent so your back stays flat against the bench. Try shoulder presses to work your deltoids. Place a bench in the upright position just under the bar. Hold the bar in an overhand grip, with your hands shoulder width apart. Lower the bar toward your upper chest. Hold the bar just below your chin for 1-2 seconds. Then, push the bar back up, straightening your arms without locking them. Do 3-5 sets of 6-12 reps. Make sure you keep your elbows forward slightly and your back flat against the bench as you do the shoulder presses. If your lower back feels uncomfortable with your feet on the ground, try putting them on the bench. Make sure you're not arching your back. Do incline push ups to work your arm muscles. Place the bar 2 to 3 feet (0.61 to 0.91 m) from the floor to start, locking it in on the machine. Stand facing the bar and put your hands slightly more than shoulder distance apart on it. Stretch your feet out behind you so your body is at an angle from the ground and there is a straight line from your head to your heels. Tighten your core as you bend your elbows and lower your chest toward the bar. Then, push yourself back to the starting position. Do 2-3 sets of 8-15 reps. Keep in mind the lower the bar is set, the more challenging this exercise will be. Adjust the height of the bar based on your fitness level. Perform decline push ups for a full body workout. Put the bar 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) above the ground and lock it in. Then, position yourself in front of the bar in a push-up position, with your feet just underneath the bar. Raise one foot at a time onto the bar. Tighten your core as you bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the ground. Then, raise yourself back up the starting position. Do 2-3 sets of 8-15 reps. Keep in mind the higher you put the bar on the Smith machine, the harder this exercise will be. Start low and work your way up to a higher setting If there are a lot of people waiting to use the Smith machine, you can do this exercise on a bench instead. Practice tricep dips to strengthen your tricep muscles. Place the bar so it sits just above your knees and lock it into place. Stand in front of the bar so the backs of your legs are touching it. Bend your knees slightly and place your hands behind you onto the bar slightly more than hip distance apart. Tighten your core as you bend your elbows and lower down, keeping your hips stable. Then, straighten your arms and rise back up, tightening the muscles on the backs of your arms. Do 2-3 sets of 8-15 reps. Make sure you are using your arms only to lift yourself up and down, rather than your legs. Try inhaling as you lower down and exhaling as you push yourself back up to regulate your breathing. You can also do this exercise on a bench if there's a long line for the Smith machine. Do inverted rows to strengthen your upper body. Place the bar close enough to the ground so you can lie underneath it and stretch your arms out to grab it. Hold the bar with an overhand grip, keeping your heels on the floor. Check that your upper body is hanging slightly above the ground, forming a straight line from your head to your heels. Tighten your core as you squeeze your shoulder blades and pull your chest towards the bar. Then, lower back down to the starting position. Do 2-3 sets of 8-15 reps. If you find the bar slippery or hard to grip, use chalk on your hands. You can also wear fitness gloves to make gripping the bar easier. Don't lock your arms or legs when using the machine. Locking your arms and legs can lead to joint injury. If you're doing an exercise where your arms or legs are fully extended, make sure they're not locked at the elbows or knees. Start with low weights and work your way up to heavier weights. The beauty of a Smith machine is that it allows you to use weights without a spotter. However, you should be careful not to start with weights that are too heavy right away, as this can strain your joints and muscles. Instead, begin with lower weights until you build strength. Then, add more weights, or heavier weights, to the bar once you are ready. Perform free weight exercises to complement the Smith machine. Like any exercise machine, you should not be using the Smith machine exclusively. Make sure you are doing exercises with free weights as well so your body can move dynamically and freely without a locked bar. A good balance of free weight and Smith machine exercises will help you build different muscle groups and maintain a wide range of motion when you workout. For example, you may do one workout session where you do bench presses on the Smith machine and then bicep curls with free weights. Or you may do squats on the Smith machine and then bicep lifts with free weights. | Do back squats to strengthen your core, quads, and glutes. Try split squats to work your quads and glutes. Avoid doing deep squats on the machine. Perform bench presses to strengthen your upper body. Try shoulder presses to work your deltoids. Do incline push ups to work your arm muscles. Perform decline push ups for a full body workout. Practice tricep dips to strengthen your tricep muscles. Do inverted rows to strengthen your upper body. Don't lock your arms or legs when using the machine. Start with low weights and work your way up to heavier weights. Perform free weight exercises to complement the Smith machine. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Snap | How to Play Snap | To play Snap, gather 2 to 6 players and deal the cards face-down, starting with the person to the dealer's left. Next, the first player picks up the card on the top of their pile quickly so that they can't see it before anyone else, then they lay the card down face-up in a new pile. The player who calls “Snap!” first gets to take both piles of face-up cards and add them to their own face-down pile. The player who wins all of the cards wins the game! | Gather a group of players. Snap can be played with as few as two players and up to six (or even more). The game does become a bit hard to control when there are more than six players. It will require a second deck of cards for playing when you go above six players. Choose a deck of cards. The deck does not have to be completely full, because what matters are the ranks of the cards and not their suits. Some people choose to play Snap with decks from other card games, such as Old Maid, as long as the backs of the cards are all the same. Shuffle the deck thoroughly. Before beginning to pass out cards, the dealer must carefully and thoroughly shuffle the deck. Deal the cards face-down one at a time. Starting with the person to the left of the dealer, each person is given one card at a time, and it needs to be face-down. The dealer continues to pass out the cards face-down in piles in front of each player until the last card is dealt. No players should look at their cards while they are being dealt. Begin play with the player to the left of the dealer. The first person picks up the card at the top of his/her face-down pile. The card must be turned over very quickly so that he/she cannot see it before anyone else. Then, the card is laid down face-up in a new pile next to the face-down pile. It is recommended to flip the card over in such a way that the face is away from the player. This way, if the card is flipped too slowly, then the player will be the last person to see it. Continue clockwise around the table, with each person repeating Step 5, until the first round is completed. At the end of the round, each person should have one card face-up next to his/her larger pile of face-down cards. Call “Snap” when two cards of the same rank appear face-up. This game requires the skill of paying attention to what is going on around you, as well as to what you are doing. The first person to notice that two cards with the same rank (i.e. 6, King, 2, et cetera) are face-up yells “Snap!” Remember that the suit does not matter. The person who calls “Snap!” does not have to be one of the players with the matching cards, although you can play a variation with the rule that it does have to be one of those players. Take the two piles with matching cards and add them to the bottom of the face-down pile. The player who successfully calls “Snap!” first gets to take both piles of face-up cards and add them to the bottom his/her own face-down card pile. Resume play with the person to the left of the last person who flipped over a card. The game should immediately continue after the two matching piles have been collected. The players who lose their face-up piles will start new ones from their remaining face-down pile. This means that they are closer to being out, unless they win piles by calling “Snap!” Create a snap pool if two players call “Snap” simultaneously. When this happens, take the two matching piles and combine them into one pile in the middle of the table. This is the snap pool. Play will resume, and when someone draws a card that matches the top card of the snap pool pile, the first player to yell “Snap pool!” first wins the middle pile. Move a player's face-up pile to the middle of the table for a snap pool if he/she incorrectly calls “Snap! ” When a player calls “Snap!” at the wrong time, his/her face-up pile becomes a snap pool. Play is the same as in Step 10. Players must continue playing with the cards they have left if they lose their piles. Reuse the face-up pile of cards when all cards in the face-down pile are gone. Pick up your face-up pile of cards, turn it face-down without shuffling, and continue play. Eventually, as the game gets closer to the end, players with strong memories can memorize the order of their cards so that they can spend more time looking at their opponent's piles to call “Snap!” Remove players from the game as they run out of cards. When a player is completely out of cards, he/she is out of the game. The winner of the game is the player who wins all of the cards. Gather a group of players. Single pile snap is great for young kids, for example, because it is easier to track. Only one pile in the middle of the table has to be tracked instead of several piles around the table for all players. Get a deck of cards. You can choose to play with education-themed cards for kids instead of regular playing cards. The deck does not have to be a full 52 cards. Shuffle the deck of cards. If children are playing, assist them in shuffling the cards or simply shuffle the deck for them. Deal the cards face-down one at a time until all cards have been dealt. You can start with the person to the left of the dealer, or you can start with the youngest player or some other variation. No one should look at their cards while they are being dealt. Begin play with the person to the left of the dealer, the youngest player, or however you choose. This player turns the card at the top of his/her pile over and places it face-up in the middle of the table. All players will add to this central pile of face-up cards throughout the game. Continue play in a clockwise fashion around the table. Each player will flip over the top card of his/her pile and place it at the top of the center pile. Each player must turn over his/her top card quickly so that no advantage is given to one person by seeing the card first. Call “Snap” when two matching cards are laid down one after the other on the center pile. The player who calls “Snap!” collects the center pile and adds it to the bottom of his/her face-down pile. Play resumes after the pile has been collected. Create a snap pool when multiple players call “Snap” at the same time during the game. When this happens, push the center pile off to the side. Continue play with a new pile. The first player to spot a card that matches the top card in the original center pile calls “Snap pool!” and collects both piles. The cards are added to the bottom of his/her face-down pile. Give away a card if a player calls “Snap” incorrectly. When this happens, the player who wrongly called “Snap!” must give the top card of his/her face-down pile to the player on whose card they mistakenly called “Snap!” Continue play until only one player remains with cards. When the other players of the game are out because they ran out of cards, the player who is still holding cards or who has won most of the cards by calling “Snap!” wins the game. | Gather a group of players. Choose a deck of cards. Shuffle the deck thoroughly. Deal the cards face-down one at a time. Begin play with the player to the left of the dealer. Continue clockwise around the table, with each person repeating Step 5, until the first round is completed. Call “Snap” when two cards of the same rank appear face-up. Take the two piles with matching cards and add them to the bottom of the face-down pile. Resume play with the person to the left of the last person who flipped over a card. Create a snap pool if two players call “Snap” simultaneously. Move a player's face-up pile to the middle of the table for a snap pool if he/she incorrectly calls “Snap! Reuse the face-up pile of cards when all cards in the face-down pile are gone. Remove players from the game as they run out of cards. Gather a group of players. Get a deck of cards. Shuffle the deck of cards. Deal the cards face-down one at a time until all cards have been dealt. Begin play with the person to the left of the dealer, the youngest player, or however you choose. Continue play in a clockwise fashion around the table. Call “Snap” when two matching cards are laid down one after the other on the center pile. Create a snap pool when multiple players call “Snap” at the same time during the game. Give away a card if a player calls “Snap” incorrectly. Continue play until only one player remains with cards. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Precision | How to Calculate Precision | To calculate precision using a range of values, start by sorting the data in numerical order so you can determine the highest and lowest measured values. Next, subtract the lowest measured value from the highest measured value, then report that answer as the precision. When reporting precision data, be sure to specify what you measured and what you're reporting, such as the range or mean! | Determine the highest measured value. It helps to begin by sorting your data in numerical order, from lowest to highest. This will ensure that you do not miss any values. Then select the value at the end of the list. For example, suppose you are testing the precision of a scale, and you observe five measurements: 11, 13, 12, 14, 12. After sorting, these values are listed as 11, 12, 12, 13, 14. The highest measurement is 14. Find the lowest measured value. Once your data has been sorted, finding the lowest value is as simple as looking at the beginning of the list. For the scale measurement data, the lowest value is 11. Subtract the lowest value from the highest. The range of a set of data is the difference between the highest and lowest measurements. Just subtract one from the other. Algebraically, the range can be expressed as: Range = x ( m a x ) − x ( m i n ) {\displaystyle {\text{Range}}=x(max)-x(min)} For the sample data, the range is: Range = x ( m a x ) − x ( m i n ) = 14 − 11 = 3 {\displaystyle {\text{Range}}=x(max)-x(min)=14-11=3} Report the range as the precision. When reporting data, it is important to let the readers know what you have measured. Because there are different measures of precision, you should specify what you are reporting. For this data, you would report Mean=12.4, Range=3, or simply that the Mean=12.4±3. The mean is not actually part of calculating the range or precision, but it is generally the primary calculation for reporting the measured value. The mean is found by adding up the sum of the measured values and then dividing by the number of items in the group. For this set of data, the mean is (11+13+12+14+12)/5=12.4. Find the mean of the data. The average deviation is a more detailed measure of the precision of a group of measurements or experiment values. The first step in finding the average deviation is to calculate the mean of the measured values. The mean is the sum of the values, divided by the number of measurements taken. For this example, use the same sample data as before. Assume that five measurements have been taken, 11, 13, 12, 14, and 12. The mean of these values is (11+13+12+14+12)/5=12.4. Calculate the absolute deviation of each value from the mean. For this calculation of precision, you need to determine how close each value is to the mean. To do this, subtract the mean from each number. For this measurement, it does not matter whether the value is above or below the mean. Subtract the numbers and just use the positive value of the result. This is also called the absolute value. Algebraically, the absolute value is shown by placing two vertical bars around the calculation, as follows: Absolute deviation = | x − μ | {\displaystyle {\text{Absolute deviation}}=|x-\mu |} For this calculation, x {\displaystyle x} represents each of the experimental values, and μ {\displaystyle \mu } is the calculated mean. For the values of this sample data set, the absolute deviations are: | 12 − 12.4 | = 0.4 {\displaystyle |12-12.4|=0.4} | 11 − 12.4 | = 1.4 {\displaystyle |11-12.4|=1.4} | 14 − 12.4 | = 1.6 {\displaystyle |14-12.4|=1.6} | 13 − 12.4 | = 0.6 {\displaystyle |13-12.4|=0.6} | 12 − 12.4 | = 0.4 {\displaystyle |12-12.4|=0.4} Find the average deviation. Use the absolute deviations and find their mean. As you did with the original data set, you will add them together and divide by the number of values. This is represented algebraically as: Average deviation = Σ | x − μ | n {\displaystyle {\text{Average deviation}}={\frac {\Sigma |x-\mu |}{n}}} For this sample data, the calculation is: Average deviation = 0.4 + 1.4 + 1.6 + 0.6 + 0.4 5 {\displaystyle {\text{Average deviation}}={\frac {0.4+1.4+1.6+0.6+0.4}{5}}} Average deviation = 4.4 5 {\displaystyle {\text{Average deviation}}={\frac {4.4}{5}}} Average deviation = 0.88 {\displaystyle {\text{Average deviation}}=0.88} Report the precision result. This result may be reported as the mean, plus or minus the average deviation. For this sample data set, this result would look like 12.4±0.88. Note that reporting precision as the average deviation makes the measurement appear much more precise than with the range. Use the correct formula for standard deviation. For any size data set, the standard deviation is a reliable statistic for reporting precision. There are two formulas for calculating standard deviation, with a very slight difference between them. You will use one formula if your measured data represents an entire population. You will use the second formula if your measured data is from only a sample of the population. Your data represents an entire population if you have collected all the measurements possible from all possible subjects. For example, if you are conducting tests on people with some very rare disease, and you believe that you have tested everyone with that disease, then you have the entire population. The standard deviation formula in this case is: σ = Σ ( x − μ ) 2 n {\displaystyle \sigma ={\sqrt {\frac {\Sigma (x-\mu )^{2}}{n}}}} A sample set is any group of data less than an entire population. This is actually going to be used more often. The standard deviation formula for a sample set is: σ = Σ ( x − μ ) 2 n − 1 {\displaystyle \sigma ={\sqrt {\frac {\Sigma (x-\mu )^{2}}{n-1}}}} Notice that the only difference is in the denominator of the fraction. For an entire population, you will divide by n {\displaystyle n}. For a sample set, you will divide by n − 1 {\displaystyle n-1}. Find the mean of the data values. As with calculating the average deviation, you will begin by finding the mean of the data values. Using the same set of measurements as above, the mean is 12.4. Find the square of each variation. For each data point, subtract the data value from the mean, and square that result. Because you are squaring these variations, whether the difference is positive or negative does not matter. The square of the difference will always be positive. For the five data values in this sample, these calculations are as follows: ( 12 − 12.4 ) 2 = ( − 0.4 ) 2 = 0.16 {\displaystyle (12-12.4)^{2}=(-0.4)^{2}=0.16} ( 11 − 12.4 ) 2 = ( − 1.4 ) 2 = 1.96 {\displaystyle (11-12.4)^{2}=(-1.4)^{2}=1.96} ( 14 − 12.4 ) 2 = 1.6 2 = 2.56 {\displaystyle (14-12.4)^{2}=1.6^{2}=2.56} ( 13 − 12.4 ) 2 = 0.6 2 = 0.36 {\displaystyle (13-12.4)^{2}=0.6^{2}=0.36} ( 12 − 12.4 ) 2 = ( − 0.4 ) 2 = 0.16 {\displaystyle (12-12.4)^{2}=(-0.4)^{2}=0.16} Calculate the sum of the squared differences. The numerator of the standard deviation fraction is the sum of the squared differences between each value and the mean. To find this sum, add together the figures from the previous calculation. For the sample data set, these are: 0.16 + 1.96 + 2.56 + 0.36 + 0.16 = 5.2 {\displaystyle 0.16+1.96+2.56+0.36+0.16=5.2} Divide by the data size. This is the one step that will differ for either a population calculation or a sample set calculation. For a full population, you will divide by n {\displaystyle n} , the number of values. For a sample set, you will divide by n − 1 {\displaystyle n-1}. This example has only five measurements and is therefore only a sample set. Thus, for the five values being used, divide by (5-1) or 4. The result is 5.2 / 4 = 1.3 {\displaystyle 5.2/4=1.3}. Find the square root of the result. At this point, the calculation represents what is called the variance of the data set. The standard deviation is the square root of the variance. Use a calculator to find the square root, and the result is the standard deviation. σ = 1.3 = 1.14 {\displaystyle \sigma ={\sqrt {1.3}}=1.14} Report your result. Using this calculation, the precision of the scale can be represented by giving the mean, plus or minus the standard deviation. For this data, this will be 12.4±1.14. The standard deviation is perhaps the most common measurement of precision. Nevertheless, for clarity, it is still a good idea to use a footnote or parentheses to note that the precision value represents the standard deviation. Use the word precision correctly. Precision is a term that describes the level of repeatability of measurements. When collecting a group of data, either by measurement or through an experiment of some kind, the precision describes how close together the results of each measurement or experiment are going to be. Precision is not the same as accuracy. Accuracy measures how close experimental values come to the true or theoretical value, while precision measures how close the measured values are to each other. It is possible for data to be accurate but not precise or to be precise but not accurate. Accurate measurements are close to the target value but may not be close to each other. Precise measurements are close to each other, whether or not they are close to the target. Choose the best measure of precision. The word “precision” does not have a single meaning. You can represent precision using several different measurements. You need to decide the best one. Range. For small data sets with about ten or fewer measurements, the range of values is a good measure of precision. This is particularly true if the values appear reasonably closely grouped. If you see one or two values that appear far from the others, you may wish to use a different calculation. Average deviation. The average deviation is a more accurate measure of precision for a small set of data values. Standard deviation. The standard deviation is perhaps the most recognized measure of precision. Standard deviation may be used to calculate the precision of measurements for an entire population or a sample of the population. Report your results clearly. Very often, investigators will report data by giving the mean of the measured value, followed by a statement of the precision. The precision is shown with a “±” symbol. This provides an indication of precision, but it does not clearly explain to the reader if the number following the “±” symbol is a range, standard deviation, or some other measurement. To be very clear, you should define what measure of precision you are using, either in a footnote or parenthetical note. For example, for one series of data, the result could be reported as 12.4±3. However, a more explanatory way to report the same data would be to say “Mean=12.4, Range=3.” | Determine the highest measured value. Find the lowest measured value. Subtract the lowest value from the highest. Report the range as the precision. Find the mean of the data. Calculate the absolute deviation of each value from the mean. Find the average deviation. Report the precision result. Use the correct formula for standard deviation. Find the mean of the data values. Find the square of each variation. Calculate the sum of the squared differences. Divide by the data size. Find the square root of the result. Report your result. Use the word precision correctly. Choose the best measure of precision. Report your results clearly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Stapler | How to Use a Stapler | To use a stapler, start by gripping the metal bottom of the top half and opening the stapler to make sure it's loaded. The spring will slide back to expose the staple tray. If your stapler is empty, load it with a strip of staples with their pointy legs facing down, and close it. Then, place the upper left edge of your papers into the staplers mouth and press down firmly and quickly. Flip your papers over and check that the staple has bent around the back. Alternatively, if you can straighten the stapler away from its base, you can use it to tack things to a wall. Just place the stapler against the wall and press down hard on the back. | Open the stapler. Most staples are top load staplers. To open these, grip the base of the stapler, then pull the top of the stapler until it lifts open and the staple tray is revealed. Back load staplers usually have a button on the back, so to open these, push the button until the stapler tray pops out slightly. Then, pull on the staple tray until it is fully extended. Electric staplers will also have a release button on the back. Hold the base steady when opening a stapler. Some models may vary, but in general, you can open a stapler by pulling it open or by pushing a back button. Load the stapler. Insert the recommended staples, placing the pointy legs first into the staple tray. To close top load staplers, push the top of the stapler down until it clicks into place. For back load staplers, push the stapler tray in to close it. Gather up to 20 pieces of paper. This is the amount most manual desktop and electric staplers can bind, but heavy-duty staplers can handle up to 100 or more pieces. Be sure your papers are all facing the same way and are in the order you want to bind them in. Put the upper left edge of the stack of paper in the stapler’s mouth. The staple is going to come out of the stapler ejection gap (located at the very end of the stapler tray), so place the part you want to staple under it. If you are using an electronic stapler, the staple will shoot out immediately. If the electronic stapler does not shoot the stapler out immediately, push your papers further back, and be sure it is plugged in. You will hear electronic staplers “click” when the papers are bound. Press down firmly and quickly on the top of the stapler. Then, let go of the stapler's top, and your papers should be bound. Check to make sure that the staple has bound the papers. You can remove the staple if it is not in the location you wanted, if it is loose, or if it is bent. Pry open the staple legs, then pull the staple out, and try stapling it again. Unjam the stapler, if necessary. Staplers often jam if you try to staple too many papers or if a staple bends in an unexpected way. Open up the stapler, and use tweezers, pliers, or a similar tool to pull out any jammed staples. Unplug electronic staplers before fixing any jams. Open the stapler. Hold the base of the stapler firmly in one hand, then pull back the top of the stapler where the staple tray is. Other stapler models include a silver tab on the bottom of the stapler, toward the back. Press it, and the stapler will automatically pop open, enabling you to use it for tacking purposes. Let the base hang as you use the stapler tray end for tacking. Do not use electronic staplers for tacking. Hold up the paper you are trying to staple. You may need to ask a friend for help since you do not want to tack a crooked piece of paper to the wall, and using the stapler to tack will require two hands. Tape the paper in place while you staple it if a friend cannot help you hold it. Push the stapler ejection gap firmly down on the part of the paper you want to tack. You will hear the staple enter the wall. Repeat this tacking process as necessary. If the tacking function is not working, do not force it. Your walls may simply be too thick for staples, and you will have to use screws or hooks. | Open the stapler. Load the stapler. Gather up to 20 pieces of paper. Put the upper left edge of the stack of paper in the stapler’s mouth. Press down firmly and quickly on the top of the stapler. Check to make sure that the staple has bound the papers. Unjam the stapler, if necessary. Open the stapler. Hold up the paper you are trying to staple. Push the stapler ejection gap firmly down on the part of the paper you want to tack. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pass-a-Drug-Test | How to Pass a Drug Test | If you need to pass an upcoming drug test, start by finding out how long the drug you're using remains in your system, so you know how far in advance you should stop using. For example, drugs like marijuana can stay in your system up to 7 days after a single use. Additionally, avoid diluting or tampering with the sample, which will likely get your test flagged and cause you to automatically fail. You should also wait to resume drug use until you're certain you won't be retested, since you may be required to take another test shortly after the first one. | Recognize that urine tests are the most common drug test. If your employer requires a drug test, it is likely that you will be providing a urine sample. In rarer cases, an employer may also require a blood, saliva, or hair test. A urine test may be done privately (in a bathroom stall at a laboratory) or it might be observed by a laboratory employee. Provide a list of your medications. False positive drug tests are very rare in licensed, reputable laboratories. However, certain prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal remedies can be mistaken for drugs of abuse in drug tests. For example, some decongestants might lead to a positive drug test for amphetamines. In order to ensure that your drug test does not provide a false positive, make a thorough list of all your medications and provide the list to your employer, along with any supporting documentation required. Know what drugs are tested for in the 5-panel test. Urine tests can detect a variety of substances in your system. The particular drugs tested for are depend on a variety of factors: your personal or legal history, the requirements of your job, legal guidelines, or the occurrence of workplace accidents might all affect the specific drugs your employer chooses to test for. However, the most commonly administered drug test is the 5-panel urine test. Most 5-panel tests detect the following drugs: Marijuana Cocaine Opiates Phencyclidine (PCP) Amphetamines Know what other drugs are tested for. While the 5-panel test is the most common, some employers or legal personnel might choose to add other drugs to their screening. They might add testing for any or all of the following substances: Alcohol MDMA (ecstasy) Barbiturates Propoxyphene Benzodiazepines Know how long drugs remain in your system. A urine test does not test your sobriety at the exact moment at which you provided the sample. Instead, it tests your past use of drugs over the past few days or even weeks. Habitual drug users often have higher concentrations of the drug in their systems than occasional drug users. For this reason, habitual drug users may test positively for drugs even after being sober for several days or weeks. Other factors might affect the concentration of drugs in your system, such as your metabolism, quality and amount of drugs taken, hydration levels, and overall health. In general, however, you can expect a urine test to detect drugs for the following times: Amphetamine: 2 days Barbiturates: 2 days-3 weeks Benzodiazepines: 3 days (therapeutic dose); 4-6 weeks (habitual use) Cocaine: 4 days Ecstasy: 2 days Heroin: 2 days Marijuana: 2-7 days (single use); 1-2+ months (habitual use) Methamphetamine: 2 days Morphine: 2 days PCP: 8-14 days (single use); 30 days (chronic users) Discontinue drug use for the proper amount of time. The only surefire way to pass a drug test is not to use drugs, especially when you are in the testing window. In some cases, you might know in advance when the test will take place. In other cases, however, you might not have any warning. In that case, consider whether your circumstances will make it likely for you to be tested for drugs in the near future. For example, discontinue drug use if you: Are on the job market Are on probation Are in a profession that requires occasional random drug testing Avoid spiking or masking the urine sample. This is a method used to throw off testing equipment from seeing certain results. Commercial and over-the-counter chemicals containing nitrates were once used to mask THC (the active drug in the marijuana plant) but are now commonly tested for. These products are all detectable, and will result automatically in a failed drug screen. Don't try to dilute the sample. Dilution is the process of reducing the concentration of drug or drug metabolites in the sample. This is accomplished by adding fluid to the sample, and some sites online may recommend it. However, drug testing laboratories all routinely test samples to detect dilution. One method of diluting the sample involves adding liquid to urine. However, the temperature of the urine is measured by drug tests, and diluted urine is easily detected. Another method of diluting the sample is to flush your system by drinking excessive amounts of water. However, drinking excessive amounts of water can be dangerous (people have died from water intoxication) and risky because colorless urine arouses suspicion, possibly flagging the sample. You will likely be asked to provide another sample after a few hours, which will not be enough time for your body to rid itself of drug traces.. Provide a sample when you're well-hydrated and have urinated earlier in the day. While excessive flushing will likely lead to a failed urine test, you may be able to slightly lower the concentration of THC in your urine if you are well hydrated. For those who have not used marijuana for several days, this might make a significant difference in your drug test result. In order to provide an optimal urine sample, you can: Drink 3-4 glasses of water the morning of your test. Pee at least twice before providing a urine sample. Your early morning urine will have the highest concentration of drugs in your system. Give your body some time to flush these chemicals out, and never use your first pee of the day in a drug test. Drink a coffee or caffeinated soda. Caffeine is a mild diuretic, which can help your body flush out fluids more quickly. Beware of advice that tells you to substitute the sample. Substitution is a method that involves substituting your urine with that of another person's or a synthetic sample. There are many companies that sell devices for urine substitution over the internet, as well as companies that sell synthetic urine. Be aware that defrauding the urine test might be a crime. In many states, it is illegal to substitute someone else's urine for your own. This could be considered an act of criminal fraud, and you might be putting your job, employment, or legal status at risk. Consider carefully whether it is worth the risk to attempt to defraud a urine test. Synthetic urine comes in two basic forms: the liquid type found in smoke shops that is similar to what is used to calibrate lab equipment; or vials of a powdered concentrate that can be added to a few ounces of warm water. Both are kept in a delivery device with a temperature meter. One of the challenges of urine substitution is ensuring that the urine remains at a normal body temperature (91-97 degrees Fahrenheit). Some labs are now testing for synthetic urine. For your legal protection, it is critical that you do not use this method for any government tests including military, civil service, and especially probation. The liquid premixed urine has a couple of drawbacks as it doesn't have a head or small layer of bubbles on the surface and it has no smell. Powdered synthetic urine does. Many labs and collection sites will reject your specimen if they suspect it is synthetic and ask you to urinate under direct observation. Substituting another person's urine might also be risky, since it is possible that they will not pass the drug test either. Urine also darkens over time, and bacteria can grow, contaminating the sample. If deterioration becomes noticeable the lab may suspect something. Do not use drugs after passing a urine test. In some cases, an employer or parole officer might ask for a re-test of your urine. Do not celebrate a passed drug test by using drugs: you might simply fail the next one. Be patient, and make sure that your results were believed before taking any further action. Understand how the hair testing process works. When drug metabolites are in the blood, they'll end up in the blood vessels, including those in the head. The traces of the drug then get filtered through the hair, leading to a failed drug test. Hair drug testing can show the drugs a person may have used over the past several months. It is a more accurate test of long-term drug use than a urine or blood test. A hair drug test involves cutting 50-80 strands of hair from the back of the head, close to the crown. Note that even though the drug test is often referred to as a "hair follicle" test, your skin will not be broken in this test. A minimum length of 1.5 inches of head hair is necessary for the test. If this length of hair is unavailable (such as when the person being tested has a crew cut), body hair such as face, chest, or arm hair can be used. Recognize that hair drug tests are less effective measures of single drug use. A hair follicle test is a more effective test of long-term or heavy drug use. A single, minor use of a drug is much less likely to lead to a failed hair drug test, though it can happen. If you have only smoked a single joint in the past 3 months, you can be cautiously hopeful that you will pass the drug test. However, if you had a period of time where you smoked a joint every day for a week, you are much more likely to fail the drug test. Be aware that drugs take 5-7 days to enter your hair. While a hair drug test is highly effective for past drug use, very recent drug use is harder to detect in this way. It usually takes several days to a week for recent drug use to appear in your hair. For this reason, some employers and agencies will require that you take both a hair test (for long-term drug use) and a urine test (for short-term drug use). Know the drugs that will be tested for in the 5-panel test. One of the more common hair follicle tests is the 5-panel drug test. Like the urine 5-panel test, the hair follicle 5-panel test detects traces of the following drugs: Marijuana Cocaine Opiates Amphetamines (including ecstasy, meth, and molly) PCP Know other drugs that can be tested for. Some employers or legal agencies choose to test for additional drugs outside of the traditional 5-panel test. These drugs include many categories of prescription medication in addition to common street drugs. These drugs include: Benzodiazepines Methadone Barbiturates Propoxyphene Oxycontin Demerol Tramadol Stop use of all drugs 90 days before the test. In general, the portion of hair that is tested is the 1.5 inches of head hair closest to the crown of the head. This portion of hair is enough to test your use of drugs in the past 90 days. The only way to be sure to pass a hair test is not to have drugs in your system during this period. Be aware that hair tests are very difficult to fool. Many of the techniques used to fool a urine drug test are not suitable for a hair test. For example, your hair sample is often collected by a lab assistant directly since there are no privacy concerns (as there are for a urine sample). There are no chemical masking agents or dilution methods that can lower toxins in the hair. And a temporary stoppage of drug use is not sufficient to pass most hair drug tests. The very high success rate of the hair drug tests is precisely why many employers and legal agencies use them. It is particularly difficult for people with dark colored hair to fool a hair follicle test. For this reason, there are many claims that hair drug tests are ethnically biased and racist. Be cautious about special shampoos and rinses. There are a number of shampoos on the market that claim to help you pass a hair follicle drug test. However, none of these effects have been scientifically proven, and any evidence of their success is anecdotal and possibly suspect. A potential home remedy that has been rumored to be successful involves rinsing your hair with white vinegar, salicylic acid, and laundry detergent, followed by using a temporary hair dye. This treatment is unproven but is also relatively inexpensive and, as long as you keep these chemicals out of your eyes, has few side effects. Some studies show that cosmetically treated hair is less likely to show traces of cocaine. Know how the test works. Saliva/oral fluid-based drug tests can generally detect drug use during the previous few hours and days. They're becoming more prevalent because of their convenience, non-invasiveness, and low cost. Saliva tests can detect any drug that can also be found in the blood. Know the detection times. Drug detection in saliva tests begins immediately upon use and can continue for up to 4 days. However, many light drug users might be able to pass a saliva test as soon as 26-33 hours after drug use.. For this reason, some people consider a saliva drug test to be a more useful diagnostic for impairment than general drug-related behavior. People in professions that are concerned about impairment (such as commercial trucking companies) might be more likely to take a saliva drug test for this reason. The drug detection times in general are as follows: Marijuana and hashish (THC): An hour after ingestion, and up to 24 hours depending on use. Cocaine (including crack): From time of ingestion up to 2 to 3 days. Opiates: From time of ingestion up to 2 to 3 days. Methamphetamine and ecstasy: From time of ingestion up to 2 to 3 days. Benzodiazepines: From time of ingestion up to 2 to 3 days. Refrain from drug use within 2-4 days of getting tested. Most saliva drug tests are taken directly at a laboratory, making it difficult to substitute samples or contaminate your saliva. Unlike a urine test, there are no privacy concerns with a saliva test, meaning that you might be watched throughout the duration of the test. The only guarantee of passing a drug test is refraining from drug use during the detection period, 1-4 days prior to the test. Rinse your mouth with food, beverages, or mouthwash. Studies show that eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, or using mouthwash might have a temporary effect on saliva drug test results. However, these effects disappear after 30 minutes or so. For this reason, many drug companies require that you do not eat or drink for 30 minutes prior to the test. During this period, you might be observed in the laboratory. However, if you are not observed, you might be able to get away with rinsing your mouth with a commercial mouthwash. It is possible that you might be asked to re-take the test if this contamination is detected. Know when you might be observed during a drug test. There are many situations that may require an observed test. If you hold a Commercial Driver's License and provide a specimen that is outside of the acceptable temperature range or shows signs of tempering or it requires an immediate, observed retest.. Some employers require an observed collection for professionals (doctors, nurses, etc) who have been a history of drug or alcohol abuse. You can of course always refuse to provide an observed specimen, but there may be repercussions including job loss. Know the law. At least ten states (Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Texas) have outlawed the sale of synthetic urine or adulterants for the purpose of passing a drug test. Be aware of this as you consider your options. Recognize when you are likely to be tested. Employers are currently allowed by law to require that workers submit to urinalysis or saliva screening to be considered for employment and/or to retain their employment. States have laws which often limit how and when testing can be done, such as requiring that the company have a written policy or that 'random' testing not be used. However, some circumstances when you are most likely to be tested include: During the hiring process. You do not have to submit to a blood test as a job applicant. However, a potential employer can make passing a drug test a requirement of a conditional job offer once it is extended to you. If you are a pregnant woman in the hospital. In the United States, some states have required pregnant women to be tested for illegal drug use as part of their prenatal care. The US Supreme Court ruled the secret testing of women unconstitutional in the case of Ferguson v City of Charleston, in March 2001. However, women who arrive to deliver in a hospital have their blood tested routinely. A delivering mother could face endangerment charges or even worse if traces are found in her blood. If you operate a vehicle or heavy machinery. Jobs where lives might be put in danger when an employee is impaired--such as construction or truck driving--often require routine tests for impairment. If you exhibit suspicious behavior. If you commit an accident in the workplace, have slurred speech, or behave erratically, your employer might require you to take a drug test as a condition of your employment. Know when drug testing is not permitted. Laws vary from state to state and change frequently. You can find out the details of your state´s drug testing laws by contacting a trade organization, your state government or an employment lawyer. Your right to test workers for drug use depends on several factors. Drug testing also falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes several key features: The ADA makes it illegal for any employer to test a prospective employee without first making a conditional offer of employment. The ADA also says you can't discriminate against prospective employees on the basis of past drug-related problems. Then again, you may refuse to hire people if you have reason to believe they will return to substance abuse or endanger the safety and health of your workers. If you aren't sure how to proceed with an applicant who has a history of drug abuse, consult an attorney. The ADA doesn't prohibit asking a person with a history of substance abuse to enroll in a rehabilitation program before joining your firm. Know what's true and what's not about drug testing. There are a number of false rumors and unsubstantiated claims about passing drug tests. There are also a number of commercial products that promise customers they will be able to pass a drug test without backing up these claims with evidence. Common myths include: Secondhand smoke. Cut-off levels are set so as to keep one failing due to casual secondhand smoke. Poppy Seeds. The current recommended cutoff level was raised from 300 ng/mL to 2,000 ng/mL in 1998 in order to avoid false positives from poppy seeds You would need to eat a whole loaf of poppy seed to register for even one day. Bleach. Adding bleach to nullify a urine sample will change the pH and flag the sample as being tampered and you will fail. Drinking bleach will blind you and maybe kill you. Aspirin. Aspirin has been claimed to create a false negative for THC. This only works under ideal circumstances and only for certain kinds of test. It is not a guarantee of passing. Bleaching and redyeing your hair will not remove the metabolites from hair during the hair follicle test. However, natural blondes are more likely to pass a hair follicle test. | Recognize that urine tests are the most common drug test. Provide a list of your medications. Know what drugs are tested for in the 5-panel test. Know what other drugs are tested for. Know how long drugs remain in your system. Discontinue drug use for the proper amount of time. Avoid spiking or masking the urine sample. Don't try to dilute the sample. Provide a sample when you're well-hydrated and have urinated earlier in the day. Beware of advice that tells you to substitute the sample. Do not use drugs after passing a urine test. Understand how the hair testing process works. Recognize that hair drug tests are less effective measures of single drug use. Be aware that drugs take 5-7 days to enter your hair. Know the drugs that will be tested for in the 5-panel test. Know other drugs that can be tested for. Stop use of all drugs 90 days before the test. Be aware that hair tests are very difficult to fool. Be cautious about special shampoos and rinses. Know how the test works. Know the detection times. Refrain from drug use within 2-4 days of getting tested. Rinse your mouth with food, beverages, or mouthwash. Know when you might be observed during a drug test. Know the law. Recognize when you are likely to be tested. Know when drug testing is not permitted. Know what's true and what's not about drug testing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Tortilla-Chips | How to Make Tortilla Chips | To make easy tortilla chips, start by preheating oil in a large skillet or frying pan. Next, stack your tortillas into neat piles and use a sharp knife to cut them in half. Then, cut each half into 3 even wedges. Once your tortillas are cut, fry them in oil for about 2 minutes per side, or until they're golden brown. Finally, transfer the chips to a towel-lined baking sheet, and sprinkle them with salt. | Preheat the oil. Add about 2 cups (470 ml) of oil to a large skillet or frying pan. Heat the oil over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes, until it reaches 350 F (177 C). If you don't have a thermometer, you can tell the oil is ready when it's shimmering but not smoking. Ideal oils for frying tortilla chips are vegetable and canola. Stack and cut the tortillas. Arrange your tortillas into four neat piles. This will make the tortillas easier to cut into wedges for chips. Use a sharp knife to cut the tortillas in half, and then cut each half into three even wedges. Repeat until all the tortillas have been cut. For smaller chips, cut each tortilla half into four wedges. You can either use store-bought or homemade tortillas to make these chips. Fry the chips in small batches. When the oil is ready and the chips have been cut, add 10 to 20 chips to the oil. Make sure the chips aren't crowding each other, or they won't cook evenly. Cook the chips for about two minutes, until golden brown. Flip the chips and cook them for another two minutes. Remove the chips from the fryer with a slotted metal spoon. When the chips are golden brown on both sides, carefully remove them from the hot oil. Hold the slotted spoon over the skillet for a minute to allow excess oil to drain off. Transfer the chips to a towel-lined baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with a layer of paper towel. Transfer the cooked chips to the baking sheet and set them aside to cool. As they cool, the paper towel will absorb more of the excess oil. Repeat until all the chips have been fried, removed from the oil, and transferred to the baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm or cold. Once all the chips have been cooked and have had time to drain on the baking sheets, sprinkle them with your favorite salt, to taste. As soon as the chips are cool to the touch, they're ready to be enjoyed with your favorite dips, or as part of other dishes. You can also season the chips with pepper, garlic powder, herbs, and other spices and seasonings. Store leftover chips. Transfer any leftover chips to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag with an airtight seal. They will keep at room temperature for about five days. Combine the masa harina, salt, and hot water in a large mixing bowl. Stir the mixture with a spoon to incorporate all the ingredients. Masa harina is a soft corn flour that's been soaked in an alkaline solution, and that's often used for making tortillas and other corn-based dishes. To make these tortillas with wheat flour instead, reduce the amount of water in the recipe to ¾ cup (176 ml). Knead the dough. Turn the dough out onto a flat surface, like a countertop. Knead the dough for about two minutes, until it's smooth, elastic, and not sticky. If the dough is too dry or too sticky, there are things you can do to fix this: If the dough seems too dry and crumbly, work in a tablespoon (15 ml) of water. If the dough feels gummy and sticky, work in a tablespoon (7 g) of masa harina. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Return the dough to the original mixing bowl. Cover it with a damp towel and set it aside to rest at room temperature. As the dough rests, the flour will finish absorbing the water, making for soft and tasty tortillas. The resting period isn't vital if you don't have time to wait, and you can roll the tortillas as soon as the dough is ready. The resting period will give the masa harina time to fully absorb all the water, and improve the texture of the tortillas. Roll out the dough for the tortillas. Turn the dough back out onto the counter. For each tortilla, break off about 3 tablespoons (30 g) of dough. Roll each piece of dough into a ball, and then use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a flat circle that's one-eighth inch (3 mm) thick and 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. You can also use a tortilla press to flatten the dough balls into tortillas. Preheat a griddle. When all the tortillas have been rolled out, heat a non-stick griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Allow the griddle to heat for a few minutes. To test if the griddle is hot enough, sprinkle a few drops of water onto the surface. If the water sizzles and evaporates, then the griddle is ready. Brush the griddle with a thin layer of oil if you don't have a non-stick pan. Cook the tortillas. When the griddle is hot, add your first tortilla to the pan. Cook the tortilla for one to two minutes, until the edges begin to curl and the surface is lightly browned. Flip the tortilla and cook for an additional one to two minutes. Remove the tortilla from the griddle and transfer it to a wire rack to cool. Repeat until all of the tortillas have been cooked. Brush the tortillas with oil. Fill a small bowl with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of canola or vegetable oil. Use a pastry brush or silicone brush to coat both sides of each tortilla with a thin layer of oil. As you brush the tortillas, make sure you get the edges. This will help the chips to crisp up when they bake. Stack, cut, and season the tortillas. Arrange the tortillas into four neat piles. Cut the tortillas in half, and then cut each half into three even wedges. Arrange the chips in a single layer on baking sheets, making sure they don't overlap. Before baking, sprinkle the chips with salt or other favorite seasonings, such as: Pepper Rosemary Garlic or onion powder Curry powder Lime flavoring Bake the tortillas until lightly browned. Preheat your oven to 350 F (177 C). When the oven is hot, transfer the baking sheets to the top rack. Bake the chips for 8-12 minutes, until the chips are slightly browned and the edges have crisped up and lifted off the baking sheet a little. Watch the chips carefully as they bake, because they are thin and prone to charring. Serve the chips warm or cold. Remove the chips from the oven and set them aside to cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes. As the chips cool, the centers will become harder and crispier. You can serve the chips warm as soon as they're cool to the touch, or let them cool completely for another hour. Store leftover chips in an airtight container for up to five days. | Preheat the oil. Stack and cut the tortillas. Fry the chips in small batches. Remove the chips from the fryer with a slotted metal spoon. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm or cold. Store leftover chips. Combine the masa harina, salt, and hot water in a large mixing bowl. Knead the dough. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Roll out the dough for the tortillas. Preheat a griddle. Cook the tortillas. Brush the tortillas with oil. Stack, cut, and season the tortillas. Bake the tortillas until lightly browned. Serve the chips warm or cold. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-a-Fake-MAC-Cosmetics-Product | How to Spot a Fake MAC Cosmetics Product | MAC makeup is popular and expensive, and unfortunately, some sellers try to make money by selling counterfeit MAC products. To spot a fake MAC cosmetics product, look at the logo and lettering on the packaging. The MAC logo is typically centered and is in a sleek and stylized font. Counterfeit versions may put the logo on the bottom of the product and the font may be stretched out. MAC products also come in a casing that has tiny glitter particles on the surface, but counterfeit versions will have a duller look. If you've ordered lipstick, you can also detect a fake by the smell since a genuine MAC product will smell like vanilla while a knockoff will smell like plastic or cheap perfume. | Look at the logo and lettering on the packaging. MAC has a distinct logo and font used for all of their packaging, which is very sleek and stylized. Counterfeit products will have the same logo but it will either be stretched or manipulated in some way, or it will be placed in a different area of the packaging or casing than it would normally be. For example, the MAC logo is usually centered on its genuine products but a counterfeit may position the logo at the top or toward the bottom. Additionally, MAC uses capital letters for all of its packaging and lettering. Compare the lettering on the package to a MAC product you already have that you know is not counterfeit. If you observe obvious differences, you may have a counterfeit. Study the casing. MAC products come in a casing that has tiny glitter particles on the surface, giving it a subtle shimmer. Counterfeit products will usually manufacture casings that are dull or have a different sheen in comparison. They are also often a slightly different shape, usually bulkier and/or larger than its genuine counterparts. Study the labels. The labels on the bottom of the casing is a great indicator of whether or not the product is genuine. MAC uses all caps on their labelling and labels are either gray with black print or white with a light gray print. The font used by counterfeit manufacturers tends to be bulkier and less sleek. Sniff the product. MAC lipsticks have a faint sweet vanilla scent. The fakes will often smell like plastic or cheap perfume. If you're unsure, take a whiff of the product; the smell should be able to give it away. Check the name of the product. Some fakes will have a name, but it may not be the name of any genuine MAC items or products. To find out, simply go to www.maccosmetics.com and click on the magnifying glass symbol in the upper right hand corner. Search for the name of the product. If it does not appear, it may either be a discontinued product or it is fake. Rub the pad of your finger on the product. If you are swatching a pressed powder such as eyeshadow or blush, you should press the pad of your finger lightly on the surface of the makeup and rub it in circles a few times. This will lift the product from the casing onto your finger. Notice the consistency of the product. Sometimes fakes are creamier or softer than the genuine products. Don't be fooled by this. If you are swatching lipstick or any other makeup that uses an applicator, rub the product directly onto the skin. For example, run the tip of a lipstick directly onto the surface of the skin to see how the color appears. If you do not want to use your fingers, you can also use a brush. Rub the brush on the product in order to coat the bristles with enough product to transfer it to your skin. Try a concealer or eyeshadow brush, which can be obtained at any beauty supply store. Swipe your finger on the inside of your arm. Once you have some of the product on your finger, gently swipe it along the inside of your arm, where the skin is soft and hairless. You can also do this on the back of your hand, whichever is easier for you. The goal is to see how the makeup appears on the skin. Observe the pigmentation of the makeup. The counterfeit MAC products usually have less pigmentation than the genuine ones and will require you to go over the surface of your skin two or more times to be able to clearly see the color on the surface of the skin. Swatching it next to a similar or identical product should allow you to see the discrepancies between the two products. Look closely at the pictures. When looking at an online posting for makeup, observe the pictures closely to see how much detail the seller is providing. If you can clearly see the labels and the product itself, it may safe to purchase. If you are unsure in any way, it may be best to avoid purchasing from that seller. Think about the price. If the deal is too good to be true, then chances are that it is a fake MAC product. For example, if an item is being sold for $10, and the retail price at the MAC counter is $30, you should be wary of purchasing that product. Consider purchasing directly from the source. To save yourself the headache of purchasing fake MAC products, consider buying the makeup directly from the MAC makeup counter or ordering it online from MAC's website. This will give you confidence that you will be receiving the genuine product, instead of inadvertently giving in to gimmicky fakes. Report counterfeits directly to MAC. If you accidentally receive fake MAC makeup or notice fake makeup from an unauthorized seller or boutique, contact MAC to report the counterfeits. You can do this by visiting their website at www.maccosmetics.com and clicking “Counterfeit Education” in the menu at the bottom of the page. Call the 800-number provided on the website under “Counterfeit Education” and give the seller's name and address (if you have that information), the type of location (i.e. whether it's eBay, an independent boutique or other), the product(s) that are being sold, and the trademark details. | Look at the logo and lettering on the packaging. Study the casing. Study the labels. Sniff the product. Check the name of the product. Rub the pad of your finger on the product. Swipe your finger on the inside of your arm. Observe the pigmentation of the makeup. Look closely at the pictures. Think about the price. Consider purchasing directly from the source. Report counterfeits directly to MAC. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Greens | How to Clean Greens | To clean greens, start by pulling the leafy greens off their tough stem and placing them in your sink. Then, fill the sink with cold water and move the greens around with your hands to rinse them off. When you're finished, leave the greens to soak in the water for a few minutes. Finally, transfer them to a colander to drain. | Clean the sink thoroughly inside and around the edges, making sure not to leave any soap residue behind. It doesn't have to be sterile, just washed down so there aren't any food remnants or other contaminants. The larger the sink , the better. , but don't fill it with water just yet. Stop up the sink Know that the easiest way to core and separate a head of lettuce is to firmly (but not squeezing) hold the head of greens in your hands with the stem side down and strike the cut end of the stem against a counter top. This usually cores the head in one or two blows. Then you may pull greens apart (so that nothing remains between leaves that are stuck together) and put them in the sink. For smaller baby greens the stem can usually be pinched away with a thumb and forefinger. To remove tough stems from greens, fold the greens in half along the stem line with one hand clasping close to the stem. With the other hand rip away the stem from the base toward the tip of the leaf. Discard the heart (unless you plan to use the heart for a dish) and any tough stems. Fill the sink with cool water. Agitate the greens around gently with your hands to circulate the water through them thoroughly. Each leaf should be submerged and moved around. Let the leaves sit for a couple minutes, to allow the dirt to settle on the bottom of the sink. Lift out the leaves one or two at a time, tearing them into the size you want, or leaving them whole for use later. If you pull a leaf out of the water and it still seems dirty, swish it around in the water gently or, if you have a double sink, run it under the tap in the other sink. Try not to stir the water (and dirt) up too much. Put the leaves in a colander to drain. If you place the colander in the sink, make sure you have drained the sink fully and rinsed away any remnants. To remove excess water from greens, place the greens in the center of a large piece of cotton muslin (36' x 36'). Gather up the four corners and four edges of the muslin and grasp firmly. Go outside (or in a shower stall) and swing your arm around in a big circle. The water will spin away from this centrifuge action. Then while you prepare the rest of your meal you can open up the muslin and place the greens on a surface somewhere cool and dry, so the greens dry off even further. You can also use a salad spinner, but muslin is much easier to store and less expensive. Dry greens make the best salads -- the salad dressing is not diluted by rinse water, and the leaves are less prone to rot when the salad is stored. Consider using a washing machine if you have a large amount of sandy greens. This method isn't practical for most situations. But if you have harvested a lot of greens from your garden that have a lot of dirt or sand on them, this can be a good way to go. thoroughly so that there's no residue remaining. Rinse out the washing machine Set the delicate cycle, with cold water. Put the greens in the washing machine and let them swish around for up to 5 minutes, but don't let them spin (see Tips). Drain the water. Do a single rinse in cold water. Pull out the greens and drain them in a colander. Don't put them in a dryer! | Clean the sink thoroughly inside and around the edges, making sure not to leave any soap residue behind. , but don't fill it with water just yet. Know that the easiest way to core and separate a head of lettuce is to firmly (but not squeezing) hold the head of greens in your hands with the stem side down and strike the cut end of the stem against a counter top. Fill the sink with cool water. Agitate the greens around gently with your hands to circulate the water through them thoroughly. Let the leaves sit for a couple minutes, to allow the dirt to settle on the bottom of the sink. Lift out the leaves one or two at a time, tearing them into the size you want, or leaving them whole for use later. Put the leaves in a colander to drain. Consider using a washing machine if you have a large amount of sandy greens. thoroughly so that there's no residue remaining. Set the delicate cycle, with cold water. Put the greens in the washing machine and let them swish around for up to 5 minutes, but don't let them spin (see Tips). Drain the water. Do a single rinse in cold water. Pull out the greens and drain them in a colander. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Real-Estate-Appraiser | How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser | To become a real estate appraiser, start by contacting your state's licensing department to find out about educational requirements for real estate appraisers in your area. Then, enroll in an appraisal education program that focuses on your area of specialty. For example, if you plan on working primarily in an urban setting, enroll in a program offering specialty courses geared towards that market. After completing your education, apprentice yourself to a seasoned real estate appraiser to get hands-on training. | Get approximately 75 hours of basic appraisal education. Before completing your real estate appraiser apprenticeship, you'll typically need to complete around 75 hours of basic appraisal education. This coursework will focus on appraisal principles and procedures, and offer you an introduction to universal standards of professional appraisal practice. Contact the licensing department in your state or jurisdiction that issues professional appraisal licenses to find out about educational requirements for real estate appraisers in your area. They may have this information posted on their website, along with a list of approved schools in your area. The exact number of basic appraisal educational hours will vary depending on your local laws and regulations. Obtain a diploma relating to real estate to complete your education. In some jurisdictions, a 75-hour education will only be enough to get you into an apprenticeship with a real estate appraiser. To become licensed, however, you'll likely need to obtain a four-year degree. There are many degrees that might fulfill the diploma requirement, including a Bachelor's of Business, a Bachelor's of Land and Property Management, or a Bachelor's of Property. These courses will provide instruction regarding report writing, income approaches, sales comparison, statistics, modeling, finance, and case studies. Contact your local labor department or real estate licensing authority for information about which degrees and institutions are acceptable for people interested in becoming real estate appraisers. Focus on your area of specialty. Some educational programs offer additional training in how to evaluate property in rural or urban areas. If you intend to work primarily in a rural or urban setting, enroll in a program that offers appropriate specialty courses to strengthen your skill set and resume. Find out about licensing requirements in your area. Licensing regulations sometimes change, so it's best to contact your local licensing authority for the most up-to-date information. Call or check the website of your local licensing, regulations, or labor board to find out what sort of education and experience you need. Some of the most common requirements include citizenship in the nation where you wish to practice as a real estate appraiser and a clean criminal background. You'll also likely need to be at least 18. Become a trainee appraiser by contacting real estate appraisers. Ask the real estate appraisers if they will accept you as their apprentice. A trainee or apprentice appraiser will get hands-on training from a seasoned real estate appraiser. To find an appraiser who might be able to train you, run a search online for “real estate appraisers” or some similar formulation. Alternately, use your phone book to locate real estate appraisers. In some cases, your local licensing authority will connect you with an appraiser. You can often begin as an apprentice before beginning your educational requirements, but you won't be able to complete your apprenticeship and become a licensed real estate appraiser without gaining the requisite education. In the U.S., you could use the Appraisal Subcommittee's “Find an appraiser” search function at https://www.asc.gov/Pages/FindAnAppraiser.aspx. Complete the real estate appraiser application. The application varies from country to country, and regional variations often exist even within a single nation. Generally, however, you'll need to include (or agree to) a criminal background check, provide copies of your academic transcripts, and provide basic contact information (including your name, phone number, and address). Contact your local real estate licensing authority, labor department, or regulatory board for information about where to obtain the real estate appraiser application. Apply for the license you’re interested in. There are often several types of real estate appraisal licenses. The types of licenses available in your area will define which types of real estate you can appraise. You can typically apply for more than one license, though additional licenses might require additional educational requirements and fees. Some of the most common licenses include: State licenses, which allow you to appraise 1-4 family residential units with a value of less than $1,000,000. Certified residential appraisal licenses, which allow you to appraise residential units for 1-4 families of any value. Certified general property appraisal licenses, which allow you to appraise all types of real estate. VA loan appraisal certification, for appraisers who wish to work with the Veterans Affairs Department. Include the appropriate fee with your application. Most real estate appraiser applications require you to submit a processing fee along with your application. Check the application carefully for details regarding the cost of the fee as well as the acceptable payment methods. Application fees range from about $20 USD to $100 USD, depending on where you apply for a license. Complete the qualifying exam. After submitting your application to your local real estate appraisal authority, they'll provide you with directions for taking your qualifying exam. You might be able to take the exam online, or you might have to sit for a traditional paper exam. The exam varies from place to place. Even within a single country, the qualifying exam can be highly regional. Generally, however, you'll be asked questions that test your competence in and knowledge of real estate appraisal techniques, theories, ethics, and best practices. There is wide variation regarding the time limits and the number of questions on exams in different locations. Consult a review guide and practice tests specific to your area. Your real estate appraisal authority can direct you to helpful resources. Improve your credentials. There are various levels of licensure within the real estate appraiser profession. For instance, after completing your apprenticeship, you will typically become a licensed appraiser (that is, the state will validate your ability to appraise real estate). With more education and experience, you could become certified through a professional organization. The precise educational and experiential requirements you'll need to improve your credentials vary depending on the professional organizations that operate in your area. Contact local professional organizations to find out about their certification programs. Join a professional organization. In addition to offering additional certification opportunities, professional organizations like the Real Estate Appraisers Association allow you to network with other real estate appraisers at conferences and seminars. During these events, you'll be able to hear all the hottest developments in the world of real estate appraisal. You might also gain access to professional journals, periodicals, and newsletters that can help you improve your appraisal skills. Take on a variety of appraisal projects to gain more experience. The more experience you have, the more attractive your services and skills will be to people and businesses in need of real estate appraisal. Over time, you might branch out from a specific type of appraisal (like urban or residential) to a more general type of appraisal. Renew your license before it expires. After you pass the exam, you'll receive the license digitally or in the mail. Real estate appraiser licenses expire eventually. The length of time your real estate appraisal license is good for depends on the regulations and rules in your locale. Licenses usually expire after two to five years. Consult your real estate appraisal authority for information about how to renew your license. | Get approximately 75 hours of basic appraisal education. Obtain a diploma relating to real estate to complete your education. Focus on your area of specialty. Find out about licensing requirements in your area. Become a trainee appraiser by contacting real estate appraisers. Complete the real estate appraiser application. Apply for the license you’re interested in. Include the appropriate fee with your application. Complete the qualifying exam. Improve your credentials. Join a professional organization. Take on a variety of appraisal projects to gain more experience. Renew your license before it expires. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-a-Sugar-Cane | How to Eat a Sugar Cane | Before you eat sugar cane, use a sharp knife to cut off at least an inch from each end to remove any dried-out parts. Then, cut the cane into 6-inch pieces, which are easier to work with. Next, cut or peel off the outer layer, or “bark.” Finally, you can eat your sugar cane by chewing on a small piece to release its flavor. When there's no sweetness left, spit the piece out and throw it away. Alternatively, use a piece of your sugar cane as a skewer to sweeten fruit or meat, or as a swizzle stick to add sweetness to unsweetened tea or rum-based cocktails. | Look for the cane in the grocery store. Look for raw sugar cane in many grocery stores. Find the raw stalks in the produce section. Check Latin grocery stores, farmers markets, or any other place that sells fresh produce. Find sugar cane more easily in areas known to grow it, which are typically temperate in climate. In the United States, this includes Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas. Identify the sugar cane. Look for the long stalks of raw sugar cane. The product that appears in stores is a leafless and hard stalk, typically cut to under a couple feet long. Many people often recognize sugar cane for its resemblance to bamboo, with jointed, green to brown stalks. Expect the sugar cane to be one to two inches thick, with a hard exterior. Choose a healthy and flavorful stalk. Look for the best quality in a sugar cane by examining the color, weight, and moisture of the stalk and inner flesh. Find the best stalk of what's available for the best taste. Choose stalks that are light green fading to yellow, with reddish-brown patches. Avoid ones that are white, cracked, or blackened in some areas. Pick up stalks in your hand to feel the weight. Favor thinner, heavier stalks over thicker, lighter ones for more moisture. Also choose a stalk with longer jointed sections for easier cutting and eating. Ask a produce clerk to make a cut at either end of a stalk for you. Pick one that has off-white, moist, opaque flesh inside. Avoid dry flesh that is brown or red in color. Cut a small part off from each end. Use a sharp knife and cutting board to remove a section of at least an inch from each end of the stalk. This will remove the dried-out portions from older cuts. You may need to score the tough outer edge of the stalk by cutting or gently sawing a few millimeters in all the way around the stalk, then breaking it along the scoring, rather than trying to chop all the way through. You may need to cut more from each end if the ends have become very hard and dried and you cannot access the juicier flesh. Cut the cane into sections. Divide a long stalk into several smaller pieces that are easier to work with. Score and break or chop through the stalk to make pieces of about six inches. It will be easiest to cut through sections of the stalk in between the thicker joints. Keep in mind, however, that the sections between the joints will also be the easiest to chew or use for other purposes, so it's best to keep them intact. You can also cut the stalk lengthwise into two, four, or more thinner sticks for consumption. Do this before cutting off the outer layer, or afterwards if it's easier to do so. Cut off the outer layer. Stand a piece of the cane on its end and cut downward to remove the outermost layer of the stalk. This eliminates the hard, green “bark” that cannot be chewed. Cut in about a millimeter from the edge, or wherever you see that the tougher green bark is distinguished from the inner white flesh. You may be able to peel the outer layer down and off the stalk with your fingers after making an initial cut, depending on how easily your cane's bark separates from the flesh. Chew the fiber to extract sweetness. Stick a small piece of the peeled sugar cane into your mouth to chew. Biting the fibrous inner flesh, called bagasse, will release the sweet flavor. You can also try squeezing or muddling the stalk to release the sweet juice of the plant, but it may be difficult to do so, or to collect the resulting juice for consumption. Once you have chewed the fibrous material and extracted all of its sweetness, spit it out and dispose of it. Use the cane as a skewer. Try using a thin section of the peeled stalk as a skewer for fruits, meats, etc. This can impart the sweet flavor of the sugar cane into other foods. Cut sugar cane pieces into thin sticks with a sharp point on one or both ends for optimal use as a skewer. You can leave the bark on for greater strength when skewering tougher foods. Use skewers for dessert items, like fruit kebabs or to dip strawberries in chocolate. Or freeze the skewers to more easily stick them into fish and meats for cooking or grilling the sweet flavor into proteins. Try the cane as a swizzle stick. Use the peeled sugar cane as a swizzle stick in any sort of beverage. This can give alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages a natural sweetness. Try dropping a stick into unsweetened tea. You can leave it in hot or iced tea for a few minutes to extract the sweetness, or just enjoy the gradual sweetening of the stick stirred in over time. Use a sugar cane swizzle stick in a rum-based cocktail like a mojito or planter's punch for a gentle sweetener. | Look for the cane in the grocery store. Identify the sugar cane. Choose a healthy and flavorful stalk. Cut a small part off from each end. Cut the cane into sections. Cut off the outer layer. Chew the fiber to extract sweetness. Use the cane as a skewer. Try the cane as a swizzle stick. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fudge-Brownies | How to Make Fudge Brownies | To make fudge brownies, start by putting chopped chocolate and unsalted butter in a large heat-safe bowl. Next, melt the chocolate by boiling water in a large saucepan and placing the bowl inside the saucepan. Once the chocolate and butter are evenly melted, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Then, slowly stir in sugar and vanilla, add eggs one at a time, and finish by whisking in flour and salt. Once your batter is smooth, pour into a greased baking pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes. | Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C/gas mark 4) and place the baking rack in middle. Melt the chopped chocolate and butter in a double boiler over medium heat. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water and place a heat safe bowl on top; make sure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the surface of the water. Add the chopped chocolate and the butter, and turn the heat to medium. Stir the butter and chocolate with a whisk until they melt. Do not add the chocolate chips just yet. You can use bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, or even a combination of both. The better quality chocolate you use, the better your brownies will turn out. If you cannot find any unsalted butter, you can use salted butter instead; just remember to reduce the amount of salt later. You will be mixing your batter in this bowl. Make sure that it is big enough to hold the rest of the ingredients. Set the melted chocolate aside. Once the chocolate and butter are melted, mixed together, and smooth, take the bowl off the saucepan and set it aside. Allow it to cool to lukewarm temperature before continuing. If you add the eggs too soon, the hot chocolate mixture will cook them. Stir in the sugar and vanilla extract, then add stir in the eggs, one at a time. Add the sugar and vanilla extract first. Once they are evenly combined, add the eggs. Stir the mixture well after each egg you add. If you are using semi-sweet chocolate, use 2 tablespoons less sugar. Whisk in the salt and flour. If you used salted butter, reduce the salt to just ½ teaspoon. Keep whisking until the flour is evenly mixed in and there are no lumps of clumps. Add the chocolate chips, and if desired, the chopped walnuts as well. The chocolate chips will give the brownies that extra, rich, chocolatey goodness. The walnuts are not completely necessary, but they will lend the brownies extra flavor and texture as well, Pour the batter into a lightly greased and floured 9 by 13-inch (22.86 by 33.02 centimeters) baking pan. Use a rubber spatula to help the batter spread evenly across the pan. If you need to, use the spatula to smooth down the top as well. Bake the brownies for 25 to 30 minutes, then let them cool for 20 minutes. You can check for doneness by poking a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, or if it has a few moist crumbs clinging to it, the brownies are ready. Once they brownies have baked, set them aside to cool off; leave them in the baking pan while they cool. Prepare the frosting, if desired. Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and milk. Once the mixture starts to thicken and boil, remove it from head and whisk in the powdered sugar. These brownies are delicious enough on their own, but the frosting will give them some extra richness. Pour the frosting over the brownies. If necessary, use a rubber spatula to help spread the frosting over the brownies. If you'd like, you can garnish the brownies with a handful of chopped walnuts. Keep the brownies in the pan while covering them with frosting. Let the brownies cool before cutting them into 24 bars and serving them. If you poured frosting over the brownies, consider putting them into the fridge for an hour so that the frosting can harden and set. Store any leftovers in the fridge. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C/gas mark 4) and place the baking rack in middle. Melt 5.4 ounces (150 grams) of the chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat, then set it aside to cool. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water and place a heat-safe bowl on top; make sure that the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the surface of the water. Place the chocolate into the bowl and set the heat to medium. Stir the chocolate until it melts, then set it aside to cool. Reserve the remaining 1.6 ounces (50 grams) of chocolate for later. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a separate bowl. Sift the flour into a large bowl first, then add the cocoa powder. Stir them briskly together until evenly combined, then add the sugar and salt. Add the vanilla extract, oil, soy milk, and melted chocolate. Stir the ingredients together until everything is smooth and evenly combined. Make sure that there are no lumps, clumps, streaks, or swirls. Add the remaining chocolate, and if desired, the chopped walnuts. The chopped walnuts are not completely necessary, but they will give your brownies some extra flavor and texture. The chocolate will give them some extra crunch and chocolatey goodness. Pour the batter into a greased 8 by 8 inch (20.32 by 20.32 centimeters) square pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to smooth down the top before putting the brownies into the oven. They are ready when the edges look done but the center looks moist. Another way to test for doneness is by poking a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean or if it has some moist crumbs clinging to it, the brownies are done. Allow the brownies to cool, preferably on a cooling rack. Leave the brownies in the pan while they cool. If you plan on adding any frosting, allow them to cool completely before continuing, about 20 minutes. This will allow the frosting the set up much faster. Prepare the frosting if desired. Combine the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and oil in a bowl. Stir the ingredients together until they are evenly combined. There should be no lumps, clumps, streaks, or swirls. If you don't have any maple syrup, use agave nectar instead. Pour the frosting over the brownies and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours. Use a rubber spatula to help spread the frosting evenly across the brownies. Once you have the brownies completely covered, put the entire pan in the fridge so that the frosting can cool and set. Keep the brownies in the pan while covering them with frosting. For an added touch, sprinkle a handful of chopped walnuts over the frosting. Cut the brownies into 16 squares and serve them. If you have any leftovers, cover them with plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge. | Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C/gas mark 4) and place the baking rack in middle. Melt the chopped chocolate and butter in a double boiler over medium heat. Set the melted chocolate aside. Stir in the sugar and vanilla extract, then add stir in the eggs, one at a time. Whisk in the salt and flour. Add the chocolate chips, and if desired, the chopped walnuts as well. Pour the batter into a lightly greased and floured 9 by 13-inch (22.86 by 33.02 centimeters) baking pan. Bake the brownies for 25 to 30 minutes, then let them cool for 20 minutes. Prepare the frosting, if desired. Pour the frosting over the brownies. Let the brownies cool before cutting them into 24 bars and serving them. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C/gas mark 4) and place the baking rack in middle. Melt 5.4 ounces (150 grams) of the chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat, then set it aside to cool. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a separate bowl. Add the vanilla extract, oil, soy milk, and melted chocolate. Add the remaining chocolate, and if desired, the chopped walnuts. Pour the batter into a greased 8 by 8 inch (20.32 by 20.32 centimeters) square pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Allow the brownies to cool, preferably on a cooling rack. Prepare the frosting if desired. Pour the frosting over the brownies and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours. Cut the brownies into 16 squares and serve them. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Silly-Putty-Out-of-Carpet | How to Get Silly Putty Out of Carpet | To get silly putty out of carpet, first fill a sealable plastic bag with ice cubes. Seal the top of the bag and place it on the silly putty. Let it sit for 2-3 hours, refilling the bag as needed whenever the ice melts. Then, remove the bag and use a small knife to cut the frozen putty into small pieces. Discard the small pieces and continue freezing, cutting, and removing the putty until it's entirely gone. For a silly putty stain, dip a cotton ball into some nail polish remover and gently blot the stain with it until it's gone. Finally, soak up any leftover nail polish remover with a clean cloth. | Fill a plastic bag with ice. The number of ice cubes you use will depend on the size of the putty stain, but try to use at least three or four. You want there to be enough ice in the bag to cover the entire surface of the silly putty. Place the bag of ice on top of the silly putty. Make sure all the silly putty is covered by the bag. Let the silly putty harden under the ice for 2 - 3 hours. Refill the bag with new ice if the old ice melts during the wait. Break up the hardened silly putty with a knife. You want it to break apart into tinier pieces that you can easily pull up from the carpet. Discard the hardened bits of silly putty that you're able to remove. Mix two spoonfuls of mild laundry detergent into a cup of warm water. Make sure the detergent is free of bleaches or chemicals that could stain the carpet. Soak a cotton ball in the diluted detergent mixture. If you don't have a cotton ball, you can also use towel or wash cloth. Use the cotton ball to blot the carpet stain and any remaining silly putty. Make sure the entire surface of the stain is covered in detergent. Let the detergent soak into the carpet and leftover silly putty for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, place a dry cloth over the silly putty and press down to absorb the detergent. Use a damp cloth to wipe the stained area. The stain from the silly putty should be gone, and some of the leftover particles from the silly putty should be easier to remove. Soak a cotton ball in acetone nail polish remover. You can also use rubbing alcohol if you don't have access to nail polish remover. Blot the silly putty with the cotton ball. Make sure the surface of the silly putty gets completely covered in nail polish remover. Use a knife to scrape away the silly putty. Discard the pieces of silly putty as you scrape them off. Repeat the process until all the silly putty is gone. If the silly putty won't come up from the carpet, try using more nail polish remover or freezing the silly putty with an ice pack before applying the nail polish remover. | Fill a plastic bag with ice. Place the bag of ice on top of the silly putty. Let the silly putty harden under the ice for 2 - 3 hours. Break up the hardened silly putty with a knife. Mix two spoonfuls of mild laundry detergent into a cup of warm water. Soak a cotton ball in the diluted detergent mixture. Use the cotton ball to blot the carpet stain and any remaining silly putty. Let the detergent soak into the carpet and leftover silly putty for 20 minutes. Use a damp cloth to wipe the stained area. Soak a cotton ball in acetone nail polish remover. Blot the silly putty with the cotton ball. Use a knife to scrape away the silly putty. Repeat the process until all the silly putty is gone. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Bed | How to Buy a Bed | To buy a bed, start by choosing a mattress such as in inner spring mattress, keeping in mind that higher coil counts are more expensive. Alternatively, pick a foam mattress if you want extra comfort and softness. Then, test the mattress by lying on it for about 15 minutes, changing positions to imitate how you would normally sleep. After picking your mattress, choose the right bed frame, such as a high frame for a thin mattress or a frame with bottom storage for rooms without closets. | Purchase an inner spring mattress. Inner spring is the most common mattress type, and almost every mattress store will carry this model. Chances are you have either seen or slept on this type of mattress before. The inner spring mattress is usually distinguished by coil count. Generally, the higher the coil count, the higher the price. However, these types of mattresses are available in all price ranges. Consider buying a foam mattress. Foam mattresses are made of memory foam, which is soft and conforms to the body. It is good for people who desire extra softness. This type is often more expensive than the inner spring type of mattress because it conforms to people's bodies. This can be good for some people and a negative for others. For example, people with pressure points and joint problems may prefer a foam mattress. Some people find that this type of mattress makes them uncomfortably warm. Maybe your current mattress is quite soft, and you want to find a bed with adequate firmness. If this is your situation, then you may want to avoid memory foam and stick to an inner-spring type of mattress. Look into air mattresses. Air mattresses can be adjusted by the user for an appropriate amount of softness. This is done with an electric pump. Sleep Number beds are the most well known type of air mattress. These beds are separated into 2 areas, which can be controlled by remotes. The air pockets above the coils can be firm or soft. Often times, mattresses like this will have a foam covering as well. If you disagree about the type of mattress you and your partner want, you should consider an air mattress. Consider significant additional features. There are characteristics in mattresses that you may specifically want or need. For instance, you might want to make sure you are buying an “eco-friendly” mattress. In that case, research potential mattresses to see if they were built to either OE Standards or the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS). If you have pain or simply feel uncomfortable, you may want a bed with adjustable positioning. This type of bed will allow you to rest at an incline. If you have specific health concerns you might want to ask your doctor for advice. Choose a size preference. You might consider a twin if you are by yourself. Maybe you're alone, but you want some extra space. In that case, a full could be what you want. Queen size and king size beds are generally preferred by couples. Twin, full, queen, and king are all standard mattress sizes. However, if these sizes are too small for you, then you may want to consider the California King size. This extra large mattress is 72 by 84 inches (182 cm by 213 cm). Make sure you consider the size of the bedroom. You might like a king, but if it barely fits into the room it's not going to be a good choice. Test your mattress. Lie on the mattress in your regular fashion. Aim to spend at least 15 minutes on the mattress. You want to create a sleeping situation as close to the one you have at home. Make sure that you change positions frequently in order to imitate how you would normally go to sleep. Never buy a mattress that is untested. If you will share the mattress, make sure both people try it before you buy. There are an increasing number of mattresses you can buy online. These can be a great choice if you are looking to save money, though you will not be able to try them out. Make sure the company you buy from has a good return policy and that you understand the terms. Measure your room. Look at the space where your bed will go, and measure it with a tape ruler. Make sure there is at least a few feet of space to the walls and any furniture in the room. The size of the bed will depend on the size of the room. Another way to get an accurate measure if you already have a mattress, is to place the mattress on the floor of your room. By doing this, you will see exactly how much space the mattress itself will take up. This will be incredibly helpful in choosing what type of bed frame to buy. Common bed frame sizes are twin, full, queen, and king. A twin bed frame will fit in a space of 39 inches by 70 inches (99 to 178 cm). For a full bed frame, you will generally need a space measuring 54 by 75 inches (137 by 190 cm). 60 by 80 inches (152 by 203 cm) is a large enough space for a queen bed frame. A king bed frame will require 72 by 84 inches (183 by 213 cm). These sizes vary between the EU and United States. You should note this in case you buy the bed frame or mattress from a retailer in an EU country. Measure your mattress. Check the height of the mattress and bed sets you are considering. Then, determine if you need a high or low bed frame. So, if you have a mattress that's four inches high, then you might want to consider a high bed frame. Using a low bed frame with this mattress might lead to your bed standing too close to the floor. You don't want the bed frame to be so high that it is difficult to get in and out. At the same time, you don't want to get a bed frame that is so low that your mattress is touching the ground. Determine whether you want a footboard. Measure how tall you are. A bed frame that is too small will be uncomfortable, because you will consistently be banging your head or feet when you get into it. Use your height to decide if you need a bed frame with a foot board. If you don't, you can buy minimal bed frames in both wood and metal. Buy a platform bed frame. This type of bed frame has wooden slats that hold your mattress up. If you are in the market for a smaller frame, consider buying a platform bed frame. With some beds, you may not need a box spring in addition to the platform. Take into account that platform bed frames are generally closer to the ground than other bed frames. If you prefer a simple look with the mattress resting right on the slats of the frame, there's no need for a boxspring. Buy a bed frame with bottom storage. Depending on your living situation, you might need a bed that has multiple functions. If your apartment or room is quite small, then you might benefit from a bed that can store your things. A bed frame with bottom storage will have space under the bed for books, supplies, and other possessions. Usually, this storage area is located under the place where you will put your mattress. This is an especially great option for rooms without a closet or small apartments that are lacking in storage space in general. You can even find bed frames with built in drawers. Choose a color and style. Pick a frame with colors and décor style that you like. Page through décor magazines such as Pottery Barn , West Elm , Ikea , Restoration Hardware and Crate and Barrel. Try to take detailed notes about what you like. Choose your style and then go comparison shopping in furniture stores or in box stores, like Target. Don’t rush. Give yourself some time to buy the perfect bed. Don't simply buy the first thing that you see. You want to make sure that you have done thorough research. The more rushed you are in making a purchase, the less likely you are to find a good deal. Choose the right time. Buy your mattress in May if possible. Mattress companies often come out with new models in May or June. These are also months when retailers will mark down old models. Other good times include holidays, like Labor Day and President's Day, when furniture stores have big sales. Be cautious when buying online. Unless you are completely sure, it is best to avoid buying a mattress online. If you slept on the mattress while staying with friends or at a bed and breakfast, you may be able to order it at discount online without too much worry. Yes, there are definitely cheap options on the Internet; however, since you usually won't be able to see the bed firsthand, you should be wary of online deals. Do comparison shopping online. After you test out mattresses at several stores, look online for the best prices. Make sure to include shipping costs and warranties. The price you calculate online may be cheaper than what is offered in-store, in which case you can bring the price into a store to ask for a price reduction. After going to several stores, create a comparison sheet between retailers. Get a comfort warranty. Talk to the salesperson and ask if they offer a comfort guarantee. A comfort warranty states that if the bed is not comfortable, then you can exchange or return it. If they do, ask for specific details. You want to know if you will need to exchange the bed or pay for the bed to be shipped back. Generally, this is included in the mattress price. Give preference to any retailer that gives a comfort guarantee for 1 year after purchase. Search for discounts. Look for any discounts available. For example, some stores give you a discount for buying a bed set. Sold separately, a box spring and mattress can be over $1,000 each. However, most bed stores are willing to make a deal when you purchase both at once. Some stores offer prices reduction if you find that another store has a cheaper price for the same item. You should also ask about payment plans, and if it is possible to sign up for one. Consider interest-free financing. Going this route depends on your budget. If you think you can pay for the bed immediately, then you probably shouldn't use an installment plan. However, if you can't pay for your bed up front, many furniture stores still offer installment payments. Speak to the salesperson, and ask for information about this option. All plans are not the same. For example, stores will often ask you to go through a third party lender such as a bank or finance company. Usually, these institutions will need to approve you for credit. They may also have minimum purchase amounts and application fees. | Purchase an inner spring mattress. Consider buying a foam mattress. Look into air mattresses. Consider significant additional features. Choose a size preference. Test your mattress. Measure your room. Measure your mattress. Determine whether you want a footboard. Buy a platform bed frame. Buy a bed frame with bottom storage. Choose a color and style. Don’t rush. Choose the right time. Be cautious when buying online. Do comparison shopping online. Get a comfort warranty. Search for discounts. Consider interest-free financing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Respiratory-Problems-in-Bulldogs | How to Treat Respiratory Problems in Bulldogs | To treat respiratory problems in bulldogs, listen for signs of breathing distress, like excessive wheezing and panting, whenever you're around your dog. Also, remember to limit exercise and let your dog recover its breath whenever it gets winded. If your bulldog's breathing becomes labored or exaggerated when you're playing or walking, bring it something cool to drink and let it rest in a cool place. Call your vet right away if your dog's breathing does not improve after several minutes. If your dog is having breathing issues when it's at rest, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible for evaluation. | Keep an eye on your dog's breathing. If you have a bulldog you should always be on the look out for signs of breathing distress. If you notice labored breathing early, it can help your dog avoid the discomfort of severe breathing difficulty. If you are walking your dog, continually assess how the dog is breathing and if it is having difficulty. Signs of breathing difficulty include excessive wheezing, panting, and, in extreme cases, passing out. Give your dog lots of rest. Do not over exercise a dog that has difficulty breathing. While we all want our dogs to get plenty of exercise to stay healthy, the health of a dog with respiratory problems can actually be put at risk when forced into extreme exercise. Once breathing becomes labored, you need to allow the dog to recover its breath. If the dog is breathing very hard, do not ask the dog to walk to a shady spot or cool room. Instead, pick it up and carry it. Under normal conditions, your dog should recover its breath in a few minutes. However, if it is hot or your dog has a severe respiratory issue, it may take the dog longer to recover. Cool the dog down. If your dog is overheated and having respiratory problems, you need to cool the dog down. If breathing becomes exaggerated, immediately let it rest in a cool place. You should also offer it cool water to drink. This can help to cool the dog down on the inside. Be prepared to take your dog to a veterinarian. If your dog's breathing does not improve rapidly, phone your vet. Tell them you have a possible emergency. Be prepared to tell the veterinarian about your dog's symptoms and how long they have been going on. Keep the dog calm, quiet, and cool on the way to the clinic. Get emergency veterinary treatment for a dog having labored breathing. The vet can give cool intravenous fluids if the dog is overheated. The vet can also put it in an oxygen tent to aid its breathing. In addition, drugs such as corticosteroids can relieve swelling at the back of the throat, that has arisen as a result of increased breathing efforts. However, if the dog's problems are severe enough to warrant emergency treatment then corrective surgery once the dog is stable, should be considered. Consider surgical correction of BAOS. Depending on the extent and type of problem you bulldog has, it may be able to be corrected. This is especially true if the dog is young, as it will recover from surgery more easily. Your vet may consider the following options in order to improve your bulldog's breathing: Nostril surgery: Corrective surgery means removing a cake-slice of flesh from the nostrils with the intent of making the nostrils wider to facilitate breathing through the nose. Soft palate surgery: Trimming away the excess length of soft palate means the back of the throat is clearer and the windpipe less likely to become plugged with the palate from time to time. Laryngeal saccules removal: Specialist surgeons can remove the laryngeal saccules, hence removing another obstruction from the back of the throat. Unfortunately, there is no surgery that can fix a relatively oversized tongue or the small diameter of the windpipe. Give post-operative care. Dogs that go through surgery and anesthesia may have a hard recovery. Your dog may be groggy and lethargic for quite awhile. Overall, make sure your dog is gradually recovering and follow all directions that come from your veterinary surgeon. Keep a eye on your dog for signs that it is having difficulty breathing. If it is, call the veterinarian and take the bulldog in for treatment. Even after surgery your dog may have difficulty breathing in extreme conditions. Take sensible precautions, such as not over-exerting your dog in the heat. Also, use a harness rather than a collar, as this puts less pressure on the windpipe, making it easier to breath. Look for labored breathing at rest. Think of a normal dog and usually at rest they breathe steadily and silently through their nose, with no panting involved. Now consider the bulldog at rest, who is likely to pant with an open mouth, snort, and breathe so loudly you can hear it from the next room. This is not just a cute attribute of the bulldog but indicates a compromised respiratory tract. Pay attention to the dog's behavior while active. When more demands are placed on its respiratory system, such as during exercise or hot weather, the signs of BAOS are exaggerated. These include: Excessive heavy panting: The dog will pant a lot, with a tongue that becomes very dry and strings of sticky saliva hanging from its lips. Reluctance to move: The dog stubbornly refuses to move because to do so requires extra oxygen that it does not have. Choking or snoring sounds: Typically these sounds are made as a result of the soft palate being sucked into the windpipe. Pale or blue-tinged gums: A warning sign that the dog is distressed is that the normally pink membranes of its mouth look pale or blue-tinged. Collapse: If the dog cannot get in enough oxygen it will collapse and faint. Assess whether your bulldog has the physical attributes that could bring on BAOS. This will signal that you should be on the look out for symptoms. The significant components of BAOS include: Narrow nostrils: This makes it difficult for the bulldog to breath in through its nose Foreshortened nose: This means the bony scrolls (or turbinates) inside the nose are compressed into a smaller space. Large tongue: Although bony structures, such as the nose, are shortened, the tongue is a regular size. Thus the tongue takes up too much room inside the mouth and blocks the back of the throat. Overlong soft palate: The flap of flesh at the back of the throat that separates the nose from the mouth, and prevents food going down the windpipe, is too long relative to the size of the nose. This means yet more tissue occupying the back of throat, and its location makes it prone to being sucked into the windpipe and making choking noises. Everted laryngeal saccules: Glandular tissue at the back of the throat (equivalent to tonsils) gets sucked out of the area they should sit in. This leads to them intruding into the airway and further cutting down on the ability to breath. Hypoplastic windpipe: Unfortunately, selectively breeding for a flat face led to selection of dogs that also have an unnaturally narrow windpipe. This means the tube connected to the lungs is too narrow, adding another layer of difficulty to breathing. | Keep an eye on your dog's breathing. Give your dog lots of rest. Cool the dog down. Be prepared to take your dog to a veterinarian. Get emergency veterinary treatment for a dog having labored breathing. Consider surgical correction of BAOS. Give post-operative care. Look for labored breathing at rest. Pay attention to the dog's behavior while active. Assess whether your bulldog has the physical attributes that could bring on BAOS. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Spaghetti-Bridge | How to Build a Spaghetti Bridge | To build a spaghetti bridge, start by drawing a blueprint on graph paper and laying strands of spaghetti over it to build the sides and the bottom the bridge. Then, use epoxy to glue the pieces of pasta together, since it's strong and dries quickly. For a stronger bridge, try making your sides triangular and using a few layers of pasta for the base of your bridge. Also, leave the middle layer of pasta in the base unglued, so that it can shift weight across the bridge and hold more weight. | Design a support structure for your bridge. You will first need to build or find a structure that simulates the terrain on either side of the bridge. You can build a bridge across two, equally tall tables or build a structure out of wood to place your bridge on. It's usually best to build the structure so that you can hang a container of some type underneath the bridge. Determine your bridge length. Now that the support structure is in place, you need to measure the distance between the two sides of the support structure to determine the length that your bridge will need to span. It's a good idea to start with a short distance when building your first spaghetti bridge. Then, slowly increase the length of your bridges as you learn how to build them successfully. Design a template. Design your bridge on a sheet of graph paper first. Cover the paper with a clear plastic film, such as plastic wrap, and use it as a template. Lay the spaghetti strands over your drawn design to cut them to the right length and glue them together. Draw a sketch of your bridge on the graph paper first before laying down the clear film covering. Then lay your spaghetti over the lines you have drawn on the graph paper. Once you have ensured that the spaghetti has been cut to the proper specifications outlined on your graph paper, remove the spaghetti from the clear film covering and carefully glue the pieces together. Choose your adhesive. The type of glue you use will make or break your bridge. Regular craft glue is a poor choice, as it is water based, which causes the pasta to soften when the glue is applied, and it takes a long time to dry. Model airplane glue and hot glue from a glue gun are easy to apply, but are slightly more flexible when they dry. This is not ideal for reinforcing the joints of your bridge. Epoxy, although messy, is the ideal solution for maximizing the strength of your bridge. Epoxy dries up firmly and will provide the best support for your bridge joints. Many brands of epoxy dry in five minutes or less. You can buy epoxy at a home improvement store or online. When working with very young children, you can use marshmallows or even popcorn to hold the joints together, rather than glue for fun and safety. This obviously makes for a less sturdy bridge, but the same general principles of engineering can be gleaned from the exercise. Build your trusses. Trusses are triangle-shaped support beams that attach point-side down to the roadbed of the bridge on either side. Attach the trusses to each other with glue. Trusses distribute the forces of the weight you will add to the bridge. Rectangular trusses will work, but will drastically decrease the weight or load your bridge can hold. Triangular trusses are ideal for building a spaghetti bridge. Create the roadbed. You can do this by gluing several layers of spaghetti to each other to make a thick, flat roadbed. You may want to leave the strands unglued in some layers so they will naturally move and help redistribute the weight. Attach the trusses. Securely attach the trusses you have built to each side of the roadbed and to the trusses on the other side. The finished bridge will have a roadbed on the bottom with trusses rising above on both sides, like walls and a roof. Weigh your bridge. Rather than setting the bridge itself on the scale, set it on something stable like a box and weigh both. Then, subtract the weight of the box. You can also use 2 scales, placing 1 underneath each edge of the bridge, and then add the weights together. Weighing the bridge is optional. This is usually done as an instructive method. It allows a teacher to show the relationship between the bridge's total weight and the weight it can hold. Set the bridge in place. Carefully position your spaghetti bridge over the support structure you arranged or built. Check that each side of the bridge has the same amount of bridge edge on the support structures to help stabilize it. Hang a lightweight container under the center of the bridge. You might use half an envelope or a paper box. The size of the container will necessarily depend on the size of the bridge you have built. Use a string or bent paperclip to attach the container to the center of the bridge. A thin bridge may break immediately after you attach the container, but a thicker, stronger spaghetti bridge will hold. You can use multiple hanging points to distribute the weight evenly across the bridge. Alternatively, you can place the weight directly on the roadbed of the bridge. However, this will increase the chances of you accidentally collapsing the bridge when placing weights on it, so be very careful. Acquire weighted objects. Again, the size and density of the weighted objects will depend on the size of the bridge you built. For smaller bridges, coins will work as weighted objects. For larger bridges, consider using something like bags of sand or, if your bridge is quite large, actual weights from a weight set. Make sure you know the actual weight of the objects you use so that you can accurately determine how much weight you've added to the bridge before it collapses. Add weight. Begin to add weights to the container a little at a time. Take care not to jar the bridge or cause the container to swing. This can be a very nerve-wracking process. Watch the bridge collapse. Eventually, you will have added too much weight for your bridge to hold and it will collapse. After enjoying the bridge's destruction, determine how much weight the bridge held by calculating the sum of the weights you added to the bridge. Go back to the drawing board. You will now want to go through this process again making minor alterations to the materials or adjustments to how you constructed the bridge. The goal here is to see if you can build a stronger bridge capable of holding more weight. Like any good science experiment, a little trial and error will be necessary. Select the best building materials. If you want to make a bridge that can sustain large amounts of weight, you will need to use the best materials. As stated above, epoxy is the strongest bonding agent you can use. Also, you want to make sure you have plenty of pasta on-hand to make the necessary reinforcements to your bridge. Consider the benefits and disadvantages of various types of pasta.Rounded spaghetti noodles may be better for some parts of your bridge while flattened noodles, like linguine, may be better for other parts. Design a stronger bridge. The purpose of building a spaghetti bridge is to apply the theoretical principles of engineering to a real-life construction project. As such, how you design the bridge deeply impacts the overall strength of the bridge. Some tips for building a stronger bridge include: Use triangular rather than rectangular trusses. Build the roadbed with multiple layers of pasta. You should leave the middle layer of your pasta roadbed unglued. Some flexibility in the pasta helps to redistribute weight across your bridge. Limit the space your bridge must cover. The longer the gap a bridge has to span, the harder it will be to redistribute the weight from one area across the entire bridge. So, if it is up to you, making a shorter bridge will help your bridge sustain more weight. Strike a balance. There is a relationship between the weight and strength of your bridge. Adding more pasta to your bridge during construction, when properly built, should add strength, but also adds more weight. The heavier your bridge is, the more likely it is that it will collapse when extra weight is applied. So, make sure you account for the weight of your bridge when designing your bridge. Identify where to compete. A number of schools, school districts, science museums, universities, and engineering-oriented groups hold spaghetti bridge building competitions. Find one in your area and sign up. Some competitions have various categories for different types of bridges. Make sure you identify what type of bridge you want to build for the competition and enter it into the correct category. Read the rules closely. Spaghetti bridge building contests have unique rules about sanctioned building materials, size limitations or restrictions, types and sizes of weights, etc… Be sure to read and follow all of the rules carefully. You don't want to get disqualified. Look for inspiration. You can find inspiration for your spaghetti bridge by looking at actual bridges around the world. Bridges are unique feats of engineering, with each one being built to very exact specifications. As such, looking at real life bridges can give you some great ideas to outdo the competition when the time comes. Practice. Each spaghetti bridge building competition is different and, as such, will employ a different system of applying weight to the bridge to make it collapse. It is wise to start preparing early and to use the same type and placement of weights to test the strength of the bridge you will build. Be careful when moving your bridge. While some bridge competitions require that you build your bridge on-site, others may require you to bring an already built bridge to the competition. If this is the case, make sure you have a safe and effective way to move your bridge from point A to point B without breaking or weakening your bridge. | Design a support structure for your bridge. Determine your bridge length. Design a template. Choose your adhesive. Build your trusses. Create the roadbed. Attach the trusses. Weigh your bridge. Set the bridge in place. Hang a lightweight container under the center of the bridge. Acquire weighted objects. Add weight. Watch the bridge collapse. Go back to the drawing board. Select the best building materials. Design a stronger bridge. Limit the space your bridge must cover. Strike a balance. Identify where to compete. Read the rules closely. Look for inspiration. Practice. Be careful when moving your bridge. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Walk-10,000-Steps-a-Day | How to Walk 10,000 Steps a Day | If your goal is to walk 10,000 steps a day, purchase a pedometer or wear a fitness tracker to keep up with how many steps you've taken. For the first 2-3 days, try to follow your normal routine so you can get an idea of how many steps you usually take. Then, start adding in about 300-500 steps each day until you reach your goal. To take more steps, try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away from the door when you go somewhere, and take a walk each day in the morning or evening. | Purchase a pedometer. Visit an online retailer or sporting goods store near you to purchase a step tracking device. You can purchase a regular pedometer that tracks steps for $15 USD online. You can also purchase a fitness tracking device, like a Fitbit or Garmin, which will keep track of your heart rate and sleeping patterns, too. These devices range from $50 USD to $150 USD online. Regular pedometers clip to your belt or pants and track each time your hip moves up and down. Fitness trackers are often worn on the wrist and double as watches. Many smartphones also have built-in fitness apps that will also count your daily steps. If your phone does not come with a pedometer app, you can download one in your phone's app store. Track how many steps you take in a regular day. For 2 or 3 days, track the number of steps you typically take without altering your routine. Track how many steps you take on a work day, as well as tracking your steps during the weekend. This will give you a well-rounded portrait of the steps you take in a typical week and show you how much you need to improve. Buy a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Before increasing your daily walking, it is important to find a pair of shoes that are both comfortable and appropriate for your daily tasks. Wearing supportive footwear will help prevent injury, especially as you begin to increase your walking on a daily basis. If you have a dress code at work, purchase a pair of insoles that you can place in your work shoes to make them more comfortable. If you work from home or do not have a dress code, wear running or jogging shoes. Increase your walking in small intervals every day. The best way to reach 10,000 steps in a single day is to begin altering your routine to allow for small walking breaks. Begin with adding 300 to 500 steps every day, doing so until you reach your goal of 10,000 steps. Changing your routine in small intervals will make the goal more manageable and allow your body to adapt to the changes. Log your progress in a journal. Track the amount of steps you take each day in a notebook with detailed descriptions of how you met your goal. Take notes about how much active walking you did in a day, as well as how much of your walking was incidental. Keep close record of the habits that are most comfortable for you so that you can adapt to the changes in your daily routine. Incidental walking is the walking you do in order to accomplish your daily tasks, such as walking from the car to the grocery store, or walking from your desk to the bathroom at work. Active walking is the walking you do when you take time out of your day to gain extra steps, such as going for a walk around your neighborhood or walking on the treadmill. Decide to walk instead of driving short distances. If you are in the habit of driving to your local grocery store or driving your kids to school, changing these habits can make a big impact on your step count. Instead of driving to distances within a mile or 2 of your home or work, walking will add 2,000 to 3,000 steps to your daily tally. Walk up stairs rather than taking the elevator. Avoiding the elevator during your workweek is a great way to get more steps. If you work or live in buildings with multiple floors, replacing the elevator with the staircase will increase your step count without you having to alter your schedule. The same goes for escalators. Take regular staircases instead whenever you are able. Visit your coworker's office rather than contacting them through email. With technology, communicating with coworkers has become really simple. Take this opportunity to set down your phone and walk to a coworker's desk. You will gain small amounts of steps every day and enjoy some face-to-face interaction. If you work from home, try taking gifts to your neighbors or walking with a friend during your breaks instead of talking on the phone or texting. Use the bathroom that is farthest away from you. A great way to add steps to your daily tally is to simply go out of your way during your daily routine. If there is a bathroom up a flight of stairs or on the opposite side of the building, decide to spend the extra time walking. These small changes in your routine will make an impact on your overall step count. Walk in place while doing stationary tasks. If you sit while talking on the phone or watching television, you are missing out on a lot of opportunities to increase your step count. Walking in place or pacing back and forth while you do an otherwise stationary task will increase your step count without you realizing that you are exercising. Consider purchasing a treadmill desk to increase your steps while you work. These walking desks cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 USD. Go for walks around the office during breaks at work. During your 15-minute breaks from work, make the conscious decision to leave the building and go for a walk outside or simply walk around the office. Downloading podcasts to your phone and listening to them while you walk is a great way to make these walks fun and interesting. Set reminders so you don't forget to go for walks. Instead of trying to remember to walk every day, decide on a time that works consistently for you and set an alarm on your phone. Using the alarm app on your phone or the alarm on a clock at home, use this tool to keep you consistent throughout the week. If you do not have a consistent schedule, set your daily alarm every morning once you know when you'll have free time. Take a walk after your meals. The best time to get extra steps in during your day is after eating, as you will have just spent a good amount of time sitting. By going for a small walk after each meal you will begin to create new, healthy habits. Before you know it, walking after you eat will become second nature. Walking after you eat is also a great way to digest your food quickly, leaving you more prepared for work after the walk. Take your dog on a walk. Having a dog is a really good way to get in extra steps throughout your week, as they need to be walked consistently. Take your dog for walks around your neighborhood, or take them to a park where you can walk on a loop. Although you shouldn't buy or adopt a dog for this purpose alone, they do make great walking companions. If you've been wanting a dog for reasons other than just having a walking partner, consider visiting a pet shelter or rescue center to find the perfect pet for you. Go on walks with friends to keep yourself accountable. Recruiting friends for long walks after work or on the weekends will help you get in more steps. Instead of seeing a movie or going out to eat, ask your friends to go on walks around your neighborhood. These walking dates will make you accountable for getting in extra steps at night, and you can walk until you meet your goal. If your friends can't meet in person, try calling a friend or family member who lives out of town and speak with them on the phone while you walk. Use a treadmill if you live in a hot region. Walking outside in the heat can sometimes be too much during the summer. If it is too hot to walk outside, purchase a treadmill or use one at a gym so you can walk in a comfortable room with air conditioning. You can purchase a used treadmill for around $200 USD online, or get a membership to a gym and pay monthly. Take up a new sport that involves walking. Sports like hiking, tennis, or golf will significantly increase your weekly step count, especially if you hike long distances or play multiple games of tennis. Find a sport that you enjoy and ask a friend to participate in the sport with you. Sports are a great way to stay active and will help you reach your goal of 10,000 steps a day. If you are golfing, ditch the golf cart and walk from hole to hole to really increase your count. | Purchase a pedometer. Track how many steps you take in a regular day. Buy a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Increase your walking in small intervals every day. Log your progress in a journal. Decide to walk instead of driving short distances. Walk up stairs rather than taking the elevator. Visit your coworker's office rather than contacting them through email. Use the bathroom that is farthest away from you. Walk in place while doing stationary tasks. Go for walks around the office during breaks at work. Set reminders so you don't forget to go for walks. Take a walk after your meals. Take your dog on a walk. Go on walks with friends to keep yourself accountable. Use a treadmill if you live in a hot region. Take up a new sport that involves walking. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Coin-Disappear | How to Make a Coin Disappear | To make a coin disappear, start by putting on a loose long-sleeve shirt or jacket. Then, place a coin in the center of one of your hands with your palm facing up, and let the sleeve from your shirt or jacket fall down a little bit so it's partially covering your hand. Next, take your free hand and snap your fingers above the coin a few times. Finally, on your last snap, hit the coin with your fingers so it flies into your sleeve and disappears. | Gather the things you need. For this trick, you'll need: two pieces of plain paper, a clear glass cup, a pen or pencil, scissors, clear tape, a coin, a table to perform the trick on, and a piece of cloth or fabric. Make sure the cloth or fabric you choose is big enough to cover the glass completely when you lay it on top of the glass. Prepare the paper cover for the glass. Place the glass top down on one of the pieces of paper. Use your pencil or pen to draw on the paper, around the top of the cup. Cut out the shape. Remove the glass from the paper, and then use your scissors to cut out the circle you drew in the paper. Go slowly and cut along the pencil guide as closely as possible. Attach the cover to the glass. Stick small pieces of tape onto the cut out paper circle. Stick the shape onto the top of the cup, so the glass is covered with a piece of plain paper. Trim the edges with scissors so that when the glass is upside down on a bigger piece of the same plain paper, it is not noticeable. You only need four small pieces of tape, around the edge of the circle. Check the effect. The upside down glass on the piece of paper should look like a normal glass, with nothing unusual able to be seen from a distance of a few feet. Prepare for the performance. Have with you the other, unaltered sheet of paper, your cloth, your coin, and the glass. Put the sheet of paper on a table. Place the glass with the topside down on the paper. Start the performance. Now is when you gather your audience. Put a coin on the sheet of paper. Tell your audience you will make the coin disappear. Cover the glass. Lay the cloth over the glass so that it's completely covered. The coin should still be visible somewhere else on the piece of paper. Cover the coin. Grab the glass near the bottom of the upside down glass, with the fabric still covering it. Place it so that the glass lies over the coin. This is an excellent time to distract the audience with some flourish. Try making an exaggerated gesture over the glass with your other hand as you move it. Remove the cloth. The paper on the bottom of the glass should have covered the coin. Your audience won't know because the paper looks the same. You have made a coin disappear! Before you remove the cloth, you can increase the entertainment factor of the trick with some magical flourish. Use a wand, or say some made up magic words. It's up to you, so you can get creative here. Reverse the action. You can do the same thing again to make the coin reappear. Just cover the glass, move it away from the coin, and remove the cloth. Now the coin has reappeared! Make sure you know how to snap. If you don't already know how to snap your fingers with one hand, you'll need to learn before learning this trick. Get a loose jacket or shirt. Use an item of clothing with extra room in the wrist. Put the long-sleeve shirt, sweater, or jacket on. Make sure whatever long-sleeved article of clothing you wear has long enough sleeves to partially cover your hand. Start your performance. Now is when you gather your audience. Ask your audience for a coin. In case they don't have one, make sure you have one handy. Pull one sleeve down. Discreetly pull or let fall one of your sleeves so that it is slightly covering your hand. Do this to the hand opposite of the one which you can snap best with. It'd be wise to do some misdirection at this point, so that the audience doesn't see you purposely letting one of your sleeves cover your hand. Hold the coin in your other hand and wave it around while you talk to the audience, preparing them to see the coin disappear. Turn your hand upwards. Turn the hand with the sleeve partially covering it so that your palm faces upwards. This is the hand that will hold the coin. Place the coin. With your dominant hand, place the coin on your upturned hand. The coin should lie in the center of your palm. Snap the coin into your sleeve. First, snap your hand above the coin a few times, close to the coin but never touching it. On your last snap, make your snapping finger hit the coin so that it flies into your sleeve. You'll need to practice this trick a few times by yourself to make sure you can reliably flick the coin into your sleeve. Show how the coin has disappeared. Hold both of your hands with palms facing upward to show the audience how the coin can't be seen. Then turn both hands downwards. You can do this a few times and make a show of it, and the coin will rest in your sleeve as long as you don't tilt your arms too far downward. Gather your materials. For this trick, you'll need a piece of cloth or other fabric, two coins, and a table to perform the trick on. Prepare the trick. Place one of the coins on the table. Lay the cloth on top of the coin so that the coin is under the center of the cloth. The edge of the cloth needs to be flush with the edge of the table. For this trick to work, you'll need to either have something under the table that will muffle the sound of a coin falling, like soft carpet, or a rug, or you'll need to be standing so that the hand not doing the trick can discreetly catch the coin. Start the performance. Now is the time to gather your audience. Ask the audience for a coin to borrow for the trick. If no one has one, use the other coin you brought. Place the coin on the cloth. Put the coin down on the center of the cloth. Try to place it close to where the other coin beneath the cloth is, but don't worry if it's not exact. Pull the coin off the cloth. Start making a rubbing motion with your hand over the coin, so that your hand is making circles just above it. With each circular motion, touch the coin very gently so that your hand pulls it towards the edge of the table a few inches. Continue doing this until the coin falls of the edge. If your table isn't over something that will muffle the sound of the coin falling, catch the coin with your other hand. You may need to practice this so that you can do it discreetly. While you're pulling the coin off the table with each circular motion, do some misdirection with your other hand and voice to keep the audience from looking too closely at the place the coin originally was. Reveal the other coin. Remove your hand from above the cloth to show how the coin has disappeared. Then pull the cloth off with your other hand to show the coin beneath the cloth. If you caught the coin as it fell with the other hand, do this quickly so that you can pull the cloth off with the coin still hidden in your hand. | Gather the things you need. Prepare the paper cover for the glass. Cut out the shape. Attach the cover to the glass. Check the effect. Prepare for the performance. Start the performance. Cover the glass. Cover the coin. Remove the cloth. Reverse the action. Make sure you know how to snap. Get a loose jacket or shirt. Start your performance. Pull one sleeve down. Turn your hand upwards. Place the coin. Snap the coin into your sleeve. Show how the coin has disappeared. Gather your materials. Prepare the trick. Start the performance. Place the coin on the cloth. Pull the coin off the cloth. Reveal the other coin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-100-Dollars-Fast | How to Make 100 Dollars Fast | It can be really tough to make $100 quickly, but if you work hard and use your imagination, you can do it! Look for short-term gigs in your local classified ads, either in the paper or online, like cleaning, doing manual labor, or transporting vehicles. If you enjoy being outdoors, ask your neighbors if they need help raking leaves, mowing their lawns, or shoveling sidewalks, and charge a small fee for each task. You can also babysit for your friends and family if you're responsible and good with children! If you can find a few opportunities, you should be able to collect $100 fairly quickly! | Look for gigs in your local classified ads to find quick work. Nestled below the “Jobs” category, Gigs is used to list more unusual, usually one-time jobs in the area. You are likely to find opportunities to clean, transport cars, write, promote local businesses, or do manual labour. You won't need to do many gigs to make an easy $100. Respond immediately to the listing for the best chances of landing the gig. If you're under 18, bring someone with you to the job site. It's always safer when there's two of you. Look online and in newspaper classifieds. Do yard work in your neighborhood if you enjoy being outdoors. If you have access to gardening tools, try knocking on doors and ask to be hired for yard work such as raking leaves , shovelling sidewalks , or mowing lawns. If it is Christmas time, offer to hang their Christmas lights. Be creative with your offers! Try to price your service according to the time it takes to complete the task. For instance, a task that takes an hour might warrant $20 or $25, while a task that takes 15 minutes might warrant $5 or $10. Bring a friend along with you when you knock on doors. This is a safer option and will likely be much more fun. Offer to babysit for friends and family if you like kids. If you are good with young children and have a friendly demeanour, consider working as a babysitter. Let your friends and family know that you are looking for babysitting work. Once you have looked after their children, ask them to help spread the word of what a great babysitter you are! If you are having trouble finding work, print fliers with your contact details on them and place them in letterboxes around your neighbourhood (provided that this is legal in your community). The pay rate will vary depending on how many children you babysit and long you are looking after the children. On average, the pay tends to be about $10 per house so you would need to work for 10 hours to make $100. Walk neighbourhood dogs or offer to pet sit if you love animals. In many households, pets are considered fully fledged members of the family and pet owners are willing to pay to have their animals well looked after while they are at work or on vacation. Let friends and family know that you are looking to make some extra money and are willing to look after their pets. Choose another a different money-making option if you're not experienced with dogs. Pay rates will vary depending on what the dog owner is willing to pay. $15 per half hour walk is about normal so you would need to do 3-4 hours of dog walking to make $100. Drive your way to $100 with Uber or Lyft if you have your own car. If you live in a populated area and have a valid driver's license, you may be able to make a nice profit by offering your services as a driver. Apply online to start the registration process. The great thing about driving for Uber or Lyft is that you are able to pick your own schedule, which is really useful if you have kids or a full-time job. You will only need to work about 5 hours a week to make $100. Rent out your spare room to strangers if you live in a popular tourist area. Many travellers like the more personal and affordable option of renting a room instead of a traditional hotel. Simply take great photos of the room and amenities, write a description of the house, and list the room on a vacation rental site. Airbnb is the most popular site for travellers looking to stay in houses. HomeAway is another good option. If you are renting your house, make sure you check with your landlord before subletting any rooms. Similarly, always ask your parents before attempting to rent out your room! If you are going away for the weekend, consider listing the entire house. The rate for renting a room varies dramatically depending on the area that you live and how nice your house is. Look online at room rentals in your area to get an idea of what to charge. Get paid to take surveys online. Many companies will pay you to take surveys in order to get feedback about their products, services, or target market. Most surveys only take about 5 minutes to complete and are paid between $0.50 and $5 each. Sign up at an online survey site to start taking surveys. MySurvey, Earning Station, Survey Junkie, and iSurvey World are popular paid online survey sites. You might need to sign up on several different sites and do surveys for a while before getting paid. In order to get paid you will normally need a PayPal account. Check to make sure that the site pays in cash, since many survey sites pay in gift cards and prizes. Lend your skills on a freelance marketplace if you have industry experience. There is an ever-increasing demand for qualified freelancers, which is great news if you want to make money from home. If you are a skilled writer, designer, administrator, or translator, there are people that are willing to pay for your skills. Choose an online freelancing platform, create a profile, and start applying for freelance gigs. Fiver, Upwork, and Craigslist are popular freelance platforms. Teach your native language online if you like tutoring. The demand for language teachers, especially English, is high. Search online for a platform that allows you to teach your native language and create a profile. Some sites will require you to have a degree, whereas other sites only require that you are a native speaker. Chegg Tutors, Noodle, University Tutor, and Take Lessons are popular language teaching platforms. On average you can expect to earn US$15 per hour. Sell any clothes that you no longer wear. Most of us have clothes in our wardrobes that we don't wear anymore, or no longer fit. Look through your closet and identify any clothes that you haven't worn in the last year. List the clothes on sites like eBay, Craigslist, or Designer Wardrobe and simply wait for people to buy them! Try listing your clothes for sale on your social media channels and see if any of your friends are keen to buy them. Take high quality pictures of your clothes to increase the likelihood of people purchasing them. Host a garage sale and sell old or unused items. Look around your house and gather unwanted items into boxes. Consider selling old children's toys, DVDs and video games, furniture, and clothes. Put up signs around your neighborhood advertising your garage sale and let friends and family know. Arrange the items for sale on tables or on a rug. Price your items realistically to increase the amount of money you make. It's better to sell lots of items for a slightly lower price than to only sell a few things. Ask your parents for help if you live at home. List unused items online or on social media pages. Selling unwanted household items is one of the quickest ways to make money quickly. Simply take photos of anything you no longer use and list the item online. Make sure to include all the details of the item, such as the dimensions and brand, so that people know what they are buying. Research what similar second-hand goods are selling for and set your prices accordingly. Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace are popular and effective sites for selling second-hand goods. Always be safe when you sell items online. Offer to post items instead of having buyers pick them up. If the buyer needs to pick an item up, make sure someone else is home when they arrive. | Look for gigs in your local classified ads to find quick work. Do yard work in your neighborhood if you enjoy being outdoors. Offer to babysit for friends and family if you like kids. Walk neighbourhood dogs or offer to pet sit if you love animals. Drive your way to $100 with Uber or Lyft if you have your own car. Rent out your spare room to strangers if you live in a popular tourist area. Get paid to take surveys online. Lend your skills on a freelance marketplace if you have industry experience. Teach your native language online if you like tutoring. Sell any clothes that you no longer wear. Host a garage sale and sell old or unused items. List unused items online or on social media pages. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-Asparagus-for-Cooking | How to Prepare Asparagus for Cooking | To prepare asparagus for cooking, start by running the spears under water and drying them with a clean towel. Once they're clean, snap each spear with your fingers at their natural breaking point, which is near the bottom, and cut off the uneven ends. Then, put the asparagus in a baking dish and season it with salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and parmesan. Finally, set the dish in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F. | Choose asparagus in the spring from a local source. Seek out asparagus at a local farmer's market to find the freshest local produce. This asparagus will be the ripest. Asparagus from Latin America is available internationally year-round if your local asparagus is not in season. If you live in the U.S., asparagus is ripest from February to May on the West Coast and from May to June on the East Coast. Look for spears that are brightly colored. Seek out asparagus in your preferred variety that is vividly colored. Asparagus comes in 3 varieties: white, green, and purple. White asparagus should be bright white to slightly yellow. Green asparagus should be Kelly green with darker tips and ends, and purple asparagus should be a brilliant, dark violet. Brightly-colored asparagus is fresh and in good condition. There is little nutritional difference between the different colors of asparagus. Compared to green and purple asparagus, white asparagus may be more mild and turnip-like in flavor. Look for compact, tightly-closed tips. Inspect the tips of the asparagus bunches for dense, closed tips. Asparagus that have begun to blossom or are falling apart are not at the peak of freshness for eating. Pass over any asparagus that looks dried out or slimy. Look for asparagus that is unblemished and healthy. Avoid asparagus bunches with dried out stalks or tips that have begun to brown. The same goes for asparagus that is sticky, which may be a sign of rot or damage. If you don't feel confident about selecting asparagus, ask a grocery store associate or farm stand owner to help you select a nice bunch. Some asparagus may be stored upright in water at the grocery store. Assuming the water looks clear, this will keep the produce fresh longer. Avoid any slimy-looking asparagus stored in cloudy water. Trim 1 inch (2.5 cm) off the ends of the asparagus at home. Keep your asparagus in its rubber band, and cut about an inch off the bottom using a sharp knife. If your asparagus bunch is too thick to cut through, remove the rubber band and separate the bunch into 2 smaller bunches to trim. Trimming the asparagus at this stage removes the dead ends, allowing them to draw up water while being stored. Stand your trimmed asparagus up in a glass container. Fill the container with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of fresh water. Choose a glass container with tall sides, so your container won't tip over. Place the asparagus in the fridge. A mason jar or other narrow container works well to hold your asparagus vertically. Store your asparagus in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Cover your trimmed asparagus loosely with a plastic bag. Change the water if it begins to look cloudy. For the best results in your recipe, cook your asparagus within a week. If your asparagus browns or turns slimy, it is past its prime. Throw it out. Freeze only cooked asparagus. Avoid freezing raw asparagus, as it doesn't keep well. To store your asparagus, cook it as desired and freeze it in a covered, airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cooked asparagus will keep for up to 10 months in the freezer. Thaw frozen asparagus in the refrigerator overnight. Eat thawed, frozen asparagus within 3-4 days. Wash the asparagus spears. Rinse your asparagus under cool tap water to wash off any sand or dirt. Dry the asparagus by rolling each spear gently between 2 kitchen towels, taking care not to damage the tips. Set your cleaned asparagus aside. Pinch each asparagus between your fingers using both hands. Pinch your fingers around the asparagus, putting 1 pinch in the middle of the asparagus using 1 hand and the other pinch at the thick end with your other hand. Bend each asparagus until it snaps at its natural breaking point. Gently bend the asparagus until it snaps in 2 pieces on its own. If your asparagus is at the end of its week in the fridge, you may need to apply a little force to get it to snap. This natural break will occur at the place where the asparagus has started to lose its moisture. You'll likely end up with spears of different lengths; that's okay! Discard the thick, woody ends of the asparagus, reserving the tender upper halves. Trim off the uneven ends with a sharp knife. Use a sharp knife to create an even cut at the new, broken end of the tender spears. Trim off as little as possible, to preserve your delicious, moist asparagus. Create a simple preparation of asparagus with Parmesan and lemon. Blanch 1 pound (0.45 kg) of asparagus for 2 minutes and drain the hot water. While the asparagus are still warm, toss them with 2 tablespoons (10 g) of Parmesan cheese, a teaspoon of lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil. Season the asparagus with salt and pepper to your taste. Roast your asparagus with garlic for a tasty side dish. Heat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Over medium heat on the stovetop, cook ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) of olive oil, 8 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon (5 g) of onion powder, and 2 tablespoons (10 g) of chopped parsley until your garlic is fragrant but not brown. Drizzle the oil mixture over 2 pounds (0.91 kg) of thin asparagus, and season with salt and pepper. Roast your asparagus on a sheet pan for 8-10 minutes. When done, the asparagus should be bright green, deep purple, or slightly yellowed white, depending upon what type of asparagus you're using. Create a cheesy roasted asparagus casserole. Place 2 pounds (0.91 kg) of prepared asparagus in a shallow baking dish, and heat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Pour ⁄ 4 cup (180 ml) of heavy cream over the asparagus and sprinkle the cream with 3 minced cloves of garlic. Scatter the top with 2 cups (250 g) of your favorite shredded cheese, such as provolone or mozzarella. Bake the dish until the cheese is bubbly and golden, about 25-30 minutes. | Choose asparagus in the spring from a local source. Look for spears that are brightly colored. Look for compact, tightly-closed tips. Pass over any asparagus that looks dried out or slimy. Trim 1 inch (2.5 cm) off the ends of the asparagus at home. Stand your trimmed asparagus up in a glass container. Store your asparagus in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze only cooked asparagus. Wash the asparagus spears. Pinch each asparagus between your fingers using both hands. Bend each asparagus until it snaps at its natural breaking point. Trim off the uneven ends with a sharp knife. Create a simple preparation of asparagus with Parmesan and lemon. Roast your asparagus with garlic for a tasty side dish. Create a cheesy roasted asparagus casserole. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Airbag-Burns | How to Treat Airbag Burns | Airbag burns can be painful, but with the right treatment, they should heal within a few weeks. Call emergency services as soon as possible, since airbag burns usually require medical attention and may have chemicals in them. If you're at home or near a faucet, hold your burn under lukewarm running water for 20 minutes or until an ambulance arrives. This will help to cool the burn and wash out any toxic chemicals. The doctor will check your burns and dress them for you. They'll probably advise you to keep your dressing on for 24 hours, then change it once or twice a day. When you change your dressings, wash your burns with lukewarm water and unscented soap. Then, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment before you redress the wounds. If your burns don't start healing within 2 weeks or look infected, visit your doctor to get them checked out. | Call emergency services as soon as possible. Airbag burns are usually second-degree in severity, which require medical attention. The face, neck, and hands are often affected, and a doctor should examine burns of any nature that affect these areas. There's also a chance the burn could be chemical in nature, which requires a medical professional. Additionally, burns are prone to infection, and seeking medical treatment will help ensure proper healing. Remove clothing or jewelry near the burn immediately. Burns quickly swell, and jewelry or clothing can restrict blood flow and become difficult to remove from swollen areas. If clothing is melted or stuck to the burn, cut around it and leave the stuck patch in place. Don't attempt to remove the stuck clothing on your own, and wait for emergency services to address it. Run lukewarm or cool water over the burn for at least 20 minutes. Begin irrigation, or flushing the burn, as soon as possible. Run as much water as possible over the burn, and use lukewarm or cool water instead of cold water or ice. Since chemical agents might be present, the burn needs to be continuously flushed with large amounts of water to wash away toxic, corrosive substances. For burned eyes, hold the eyelids open and flush the eyes continuously for at least 15-20 minutes. If possible, do this in the shower so it's easier for you. Water is more likely to be available, but if you can access large quantities of saline solution or Ringer's lactate solution, use either instead. The burn should be flushed continuously, even during transport to a hospital. Perform a litmus test to determine pH. Airbags can cause alkaline chemical burns, so a doctor or emergency responder should administer a litmus test when the burn victim arrives at the hospital. If pH is higher than 7, the burn is chemical in nature and the burn must be flushed to lower the pH. A litmus test measures acidity (pH below 7) or alkalinity (pH above 7). A pH of 7 is neutral. If the burned area is pH neutral, it's not necessary to flush it for several hours. Proceed to apply ointment and dress the wound. Continue irrigation until pH normalizes, if necessary. Flush an alkaline chemical burn with saline solution or water to bring the burned skin's pH back to 7. It could take 2 to 12 hours to normalize pH. Apply an antibiotic ointment. A doctor or other medical professional will apply a topical antibiotic to the burn. This will help prevent infection and keep the wound moisturized. They'll also prescribe a topical ointment to apply at home. Cover the area with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing. After applying an antibiotic ointment, a medical professional will dress the burn with sterile gauze or a non-adhesive bandage. They'll likely recommend you keep the dressing in place for 24 hours, then change it 1 to 2 times daily. Nearly all airbag burns are relatively minor, and only need to be flushed and dressed. Skin grafts and other treatments for severe burns probably won't be necessary. Discuss care instructions before leaving the hospital. Your doctor will tell you how and when to wash the burn, apply ointment, and change the dressing. Specific instructions depend on the burn's severity, so follow your doctor's recommendations. Ask, “How long should I keep the dressing on before changing it? Should I wait 24 to 48 hours before bathing? How many times per day should I change the dressing?” Take pain relievers as directed. For a serious airbag burn, your doctor might prescribe medication for pain. In most cases, they'll recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Take any medication as prescribed or according to the instructions on the label. You can also hold a cool compress over the burn to help bring down swelling and inflammation. Remove the dressing after 24 to 48 hours. Leave the dressing on for 24 hours or as long as your doctor recommended. Remove the dressing dry instead of soaking it during removal. Dry dressing removal helps clear dead tissue and debris. Wash the area gently with lukewarm water. After removing the dressing, carefully wash the burn with lukewarm water, unscented antimicrobial soap, and a clean cloth. Test the water before running it over the burn, which is sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Don't use liquid soap that contains alcohol in it or you could damage the burn. Apply a thin layer of ointment to the burn. Use a cotton swab or lint-free gauze to spread a thin layer of antibiotic ointment over the burn. Don't double dip or touch the swab or gauze to the ointment container after it's touched the burn. Discard the swab or gauze promptly, and don't let it come into contact with any surfaces after it's touched the burn. Redress the burn with gauze or a bandage. After washing the burn and applying ointment, cover it with sterile gauze or a non-adhesive bandage. Wash, apply ointment, and redress the area 1 to 2 times per day or as directed by your doctor. You might not need to cover a facial burn with gauze. Ask your doctor about specific care instructions. Attend follow-up appointments. The doctor will probably have you schedule at least 1 follow-up appointment within 1 to 2 weeks. They'll check the burn to ensure it's healing properly, examine scarring, and look for pigmentation changes. Depending on the burn's severity, it should take at least 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Seek prompt medical attention for signs of infection. See the doctor if the burn becomes increasingly painful or smells bad, seeps pus, doesn't start healing within 1 to 2 weeks, looks red and feels hot to the touch, or if you develop a fever. These are signs of an infection, which could lead to a medical emergency if left untreated. Avoid exposing the area to direct sunlight. You'll likely need to keep the area out of direct sunlight for at least 12 months. Wear a hat if you suffered a facial burn, and always apply SPF 50 sunscreen to affected areas whenever you go outside. | Call emergency services as soon as possible. Remove clothing or jewelry near the burn immediately. Run lukewarm or cool water over the burn for at least 20 minutes. Perform a litmus test to determine pH. Continue irrigation until pH normalizes, if necessary. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover the area with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing. Discuss care instructions before leaving the hospital. Take pain relievers as directed. Remove the dressing after 24 to 48 hours. Wash the area gently with lukewarm water. Apply a thin layer of ointment to the burn. Redress the burn with gauze or a bandage. Attend follow-up appointments. Seek prompt medical attention for signs of infection. Avoid exposing the area to direct sunlight. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Thread-a-Kenmore-Sewing-Machine | How to Thread a Kenmore Sewing Machine | If you need to thread a Kenmore sewing machine, turn the clutch knob counter-clockwise to release it, then place your spool of thread on the spool pin. Pull thread from the spool and fit it into the small tension disc, then pull the thread through the hole of the bobbin. Once you've done that, push the bobbin to the right until it clicks. When it's securely in place, start the machine and press the foot pedal to wind the bobbin. When the winder stops on its own, clip the thread and tighten the clutch again. | Release the clutch. Turn the clutch knob toward you, or counter-clockwise, to release it. The clutch knob should be located on the right side of your machine. For most models, you will need to hold the outside of the knob still with one hand while turning the inner portion of the knob toward you with the other hand. The outer portion is the hand wheel, while the inner portion is the clutch knob. Place your thread on the spool pin. Situate the spool of thread so that the spool pin of your machine sits in the center hole of your spool. The thread of the spool should be wrapped around the center in a counter-clockwise rotation. For most models, the spool pin is vertical. On some models, though, like the Kenmore 385.16120, the spool pin will actually sit in a horizontal position as you wind the bobbin and thread your machine. On the Kenmore 117.591, the spool pin is located at the base of the machine and the bobbin winder, along with its corresponding parts, are located on the front right of the machine. Draw thread through the bobbin winder tension disc. Pull thread from your spool and fit it into the small tension disc, usually located near the front top of your machine. Insert the thread into the disc from the upper right and wrap it around the entire left side, ultimately bringing it back out and to the lower right. Do not wrap it around the disc in a complete rotation. Pull the thread through the hole of the bobbin. Before placing the bobbin on your bobbin winder shaft, insert the thread through the hole in your empty bobbin spool. When done, place the bobbin on the machine's bobbin winder shaft. Make sure that the bobbin spool is flipped so that the hole appears on the top, rather than the bottom. The bobbin winder shaft usually lies to the right of your spool pin. As you place the bobbin on its shaft, make sure that the thread wraps around it a bit from the bottom of the bobbin. Push the bobbin to the right. Firmly push the bobbin and its shaft to the right of the machine until you hear a click. The bobbin should now be directly next to a bumper. This bumper helps control the amount of thread wound onto the bobbin. Start the machine and wind the bobbin. Hold onto the end of the thread coming out of your bobbin with one hand. Use your foot to press on the machine's power pedal, running the machine as a result. Continue winding the bobbin until the winder stops on its own. Note that you should also consider snipping off the excess end from the top of the bobbin after you partially fill the bobbin spool. On some models, this excess thread will even snap on its own. This is true for the Kenmore 158.1340, 1345, 1350, and 1355. Cut the thread. Push the bobbin winder back to the left and lift the bobbin off. Cut the thread, leaving a small tail behind. Tighten the clutch. Hold the outer portion of the hand wheel still while turning the inner clutch knob away from you, in a clockwise rotation. You should feel the clutch tighten up again. On some models, you can push the hand wheel in to tighten the clutch. This is true for the Kenmore 158.1430, 1431, 1625, 1641, 1940, and 1941. Remove the extension table. On most models, this can be accomplished simply by pulling it to the left. The extension table sits at the bottom left front of your machine. It covers the bobbin shuttle, so you'll need to remove it before you can load the bobbin. Open the shuttle cover. Find the embossed or marked portion on the shuttle cover at the new front of your machine. Pull this part of the cover down to open the cover. Usually, this embossed handle is located to the left of the cover. On some models, the shuttle door is actually located just to the front of the needle plate and not on the front of the machine. The door will lift up instead of swinging out. This is true for the Kenmore 1222, 1310, 1311, 1322, and 1422. It's also true of the 1521, 1560, and 1937. Raise the needle. Turn the outer portion of the hand wheel toward you. Watch the needle as you turn the wheel, and stop rotating it once the needle reaches its highest point. Take the bobbin case out. You should see a latch on your bobbin case. Pull this latch toward you to release the case from the shuttle, then pull the case straight out to remove it. Release the latch once the the case is out of the machine. Insert the bobbin. Position the bobbin so that the thread winds around it in a clockwise rotation. Push the bobbin into the case, and weave the end of the thread into the slot located at the top of the case. Continue pushing it through this slot until you can pull the thread under the tension spring. The tension spring is a little piece held on top of the case with a small screw. Return the case to the shuttle. Lift the latch out once more and push the loaded case back into the shuttle. The latch should face the left of your machine. Release it once the case is back in the shuttle. You will usually hear a click when you release the latch. Wiggle the case around to make sure that it has been locked in place. Raise the take-up lever. The take-up lever is a hook located at the left front of the machine, well above the needle. Rotate the outer portion of the hand wheel toward you, in a counter-clockwise rotation, until you see this level reach its highest or most outward point. Raise the presser foot. Find the presser foot lever, usually located just behind and needle and above the pressure foot. Lift it up to lift the pressure foot off the bottom of the machine. Place the thread on the machine's spool pin. Situation the spool of thread so that the thread winds in a counter-clockwise rotation and comes off the spool from its back. As mentioned previously, the spool pin will be vertical for most models, but some models do use a horizontal spool pin. Draw the thread through the rear thread guide. This thread guide is located on the top of the machine, toward the back, and usually to the left of the bobbin guide. Wrap the thread around the left side of this guide, drawing it down toward the front of the machine. You should hold the spool stationary with your right hand while threading this part of the machine. Doing so keeps the thread sufficiently taut and prevents the threading from accidentally coming loose. Wind the thread down the front of the machine and back up again. The front of your machine should be marked with an "A" path and "B" path, or with equivalent labels. Draw the thread down the A path, hooking it into the latch at the bottom of the path, and back up through the B path at the left. For most models from the Kenmore 158 series and 385 series, there will be a tension knob at the bottom of your first thread path. There are hidden tension discs in between this knob and the machine, and you will need to wrap the thread around the bottom of this knob to insert it in between these tension discs. For other models, there will be a tension area with a check spring holder located near the front bottom of the machine instead of a tension knob. You will need to wrap the thread around the check spring holder from the back. This is the case for the Kenmore 385.11607 and 12714 models, as well as several other models from the 385 series. Note that on the Kenmore 117.591, the thread guides and all corresponding parts are located on the left side of the machine and not on the front. The threading process essentially remains the same, though. This is also true of several other models, including the Kenmore 28, 29, 40, 1100, 1101, and 1102. Thread the tension spring. The tension spring should be located at the top of your B path, or just a hair to its left. Pull the thread up and into this spring to secure it in place. Draw the thread down the front of the machine again. The front of your machine should have one more marked path. Draw the thread down this path, making sure that it clips into the take-up lever in the process. You should be able to release the spool at this point. Pull the thread through the lower guide. Clip the thread into the first lower thread guide at the bottom of the previous thread path. Clip it into the second lower thread guide positioned just above the needle. This second thread guide will look like a small horizontal pin. Thread the needle. Weave the end of the thread through the front of the needle and out from the back. Leave a small tail extending out toward the back of the machine. Note that if the eye of the needle faces side-to-side instead of front-and-back, thread the needle from the left side to the right side. Rotate the hand wheel toward you. Loosely hold the end of your top thread with your left hand while turning the outer part of the hand wheel clockwise, or toward you. Rotate the wheel a full turn. Make sure that the presser foot has been raised before doing this. Bring up the bobbin thread. You should notice a small loop coming up from the bottom of your needle plate. Gently tug on your upper thread end to straighten this loop and pull the bobbin thread out from within the shuttle. Pull both threads under the presser foot. Position both thread ends so that they are underneath the pressure foot and pointing toward the back of the machine. Leave a tail of thread roughly 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) long for both the top thread and bobbin thread. | Release the clutch. Place your thread on the spool pin. Draw thread through the bobbin winder tension disc. Pull the thread through the hole of the bobbin. Push the bobbin to the right. Start the machine and wind the bobbin. Cut the thread. Tighten the clutch. Remove the extension table. Open the shuttle cover. Raise the needle. Take the bobbin case out. Insert the bobbin. Return the case to the shuttle. Raise the take-up lever. Raise the presser foot. Place the thread on the machine's spool pin. Draw the thread through the rear thread guide. Wind the thread down the front of the machine and back up again. Thread the tension spring. Draw the thread down the front of the machine again. Pull the thread through the lower guide. Thread the needle. Rotate the hand wheel toward you. Bring up the bobbin thread. Pull both threads under the presser foot. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Quail | How to Care for Quail | Quail are relatively easy birds to look after, as all they need is a safe home, food, water, and company. Feed your quail bird food such as game bird crumbles, turkey starter, or fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure that your quail always have access to fresh, clean water inside the enclosure. Transfer them into an outdoor enclosure once a week so that they can explore the outdoors and enjoy the sun. Place a shallow container of dry sand in the enclosure to encourage dust bathing. | Purchase a suitable home for your quail. Due to their small size, quail can live in most sorts of housing including guinea pig hutches, rodent cages, chicken coops, and aviaries. There's two ways to acquire a house, you either buy one or build one. It's important to give quail no less than 1 square foot of floor space. A longer cage allows your quail room to roam but a smaller cage can cause them stress from close confinement. Make sure that the spacing between the wiring is at most 1/2 an inch, as quails can squeeze their head through anything larger. Owing to their tiny feet, they do not do well with wire floor grids, as they can fall and slip through, causing discomfort and possible injury Make sure the housing is the best it can be for your quail. Quail can be kept in any sort of housing but their home does need a few things to make it safe and suitable for your quail. These things include: The home must have easy access so that you can grab the birds when necessary, feed and provide water for the quail every day, and clean the cage with no troubles every week. The quails home should have shelter from the rain, wind, hail, snow and the sun. Keep in mind that although the cage should have shelter from the wind and sun, it still needs plenty of fresh air and a bit of sunlight. If you cannot obtain housing with shelter then you could try covering a water-proof sheet (e.g. tarpaulin) over the housing to keep it safe. The home should be secure and predator proof. Dogs, wild cats, rats, snakes, raccoons and foxes will eventually kill your quail if the housing isn't predator-proof or secure enough. It's also possible for small dogs to dig under the housing and get in, birds can peck at the quail from the wiring and raccoons can reach through the wiring and grab the quail. Be aware that you can house your quail with finches, canaries and budgies. Keep in mind that if you are going to do this then it is best to keep the quails and the small birds in a fairly large aviary. Housing them in a simple bird cage can cause stress on both the quail and the small bird. You get advantages and disadvantages with this option. The advantages are that you do not need to spend a lot of money on a home for your quail and the quail will clean up the seed that the birds drop on the floor. The disadvantages are that the quail might attack the other birds or get attacked themselves, there is more mess to clean up in the aviary, and when the quail breed and hatch out chicks, the chicks might get attacked by the other birds in the aviary. Place the housing in a suitable environment. Quail need a calm, warm yet cool, quiet and undisturbed place to stay to be happy. They should also be housed away from predators including pets. A suitable place to house quail is under a tree during summer or in a garage/shed during winter. Add bedding to the home. For their habitat bedding you can use pine shavings, fir wood chips, sand, newspaper pellets, grass pellets, Timothy hay or non-skid kitchen draw liners. It is highly recommended that you give the quails some straw/hay to make their nests with. This will encourage them to start laying eggs and they may even want to have some chicks. Add padding to the top of the quail's cage (optional). You may think that quails can't fly, but when frightened, they can fly straight up to the roof. So for their cage, make sure to add padding to the top to stop the quails from damaging their head if they do fly up quickly. Add a few other items for your quail. Quail need more than just bedding to keep them happy. Some items they need are: Water container. This shouldn't be too big or deep as quail need to have easy access to it and not be in danger of drowning. Feeder. The quail should be able to get to the feeder easily as well as the water container. Hiding spots. You can purchase a couple of large hamster huts and place them in the quail's cage. Quail love a place to retreat to when they feel frightened or think they are in danger. Sand tub. Quail love dust bathing on a daily basis, the sand also prevents annoying parasites such as mites. Because quail make a mess when they dust bathe it is best to keep the sand tub away from the water container. Small plants. If your quails live on dirt or grass, growing or potting a couple of plants in the housing will make your quails very happy! Remember, quails are curious and love different types of plants in their habitat, just make sure the plants aren't toxic to them. Decide which quail breed you wish to care for. Quail breeds are all different and generally chosen depending on their purpose (e.g. for meat, eggs or breeding). You should do some proper researching on which breed is best for you and your lifestyle. Some popular breeds are: The coturnix quail. These are the most popular owned quail and are chosen because they are thought to be the best breed for beginners, they are easy to take care of, they lay good eggs and they are great quails for raising for meat. The bobwhite quail. These are another recommended quail breed which are normally kept for breeding and meat. The male's heads tend to be the colour white whilst the female's heads are the colour ginger which makes bobwhites easy to sex. The button quail. These quail aren't usually kept for meat or eggs due to their small size. The advantages of keeping button quail are that they are great breeders, some types have bright and beautiful colours and they are fun to keep as pets. Button quail are also known to be kept at the bottom of aviaries to clean up seeds that other birds drop down. Know how to house quail. Before you purchase quail you need to know the basics of housing quail: Males cannot be housed together; otherwise they will start to fight. It is possible to house them together as long as they have a large amount of space and plenty of hiding spots to retreat to when attacked, but if you cannot provide this for your quail then it's best not to try to house males together. Do not house males with no females. This can sometimes cause stress to the males and they will also call a lot more than usual. You must house at least two quails together. The reason for this is because they are social birds that will get lonely even if you visit or play with them every day. If breeding quail, you need at least 1 male with every 2-5 females to ensure that the eggs get fertilized. Purchase a healthy quail pair. You can purchase quail from any local breeders, online and possibly a nearby pet shop. Also, before you buy the quail, make sure the breeder is caring for them properly. The quail should be fed a high quality feed, their water and cage should be clean, and they should have plenty of space in their home. Make sure the quail are healthy. The last thing you want to do is end up spending lots of money on a pair of ill quails even if you think you are 'saving' them. Some tips on which quail is healthy and which quail is not can be seen below: They shouldn't be huddled up in the corner. The quail is either cold or seriously ill. They shouldn't be panting. This means that the quail is too hot or very thirsty and probably isn't being cared for properly. Their eyes should be clear. Bad eyes are droopy and cloudy. They shouldn't have featherless bodies or backs. If it is a lot of loss in feathers this may indicate stress in the quail. The cage shouldn't be dirty. This includes the water, the only reason for the cage being dirty is because the current day is the day the cage gets cleaned and it hasn't been cleaned just yet. The quail shouldn't be injured or have blood on them at all! Never, ever choose a quail with injuries or any other quail that is housed with the injured quail. The only good excuse for a breeder to have an injured quail is because they were given the quail and are trying to raise it back to health. They shouldn't have mites on them. If the quail do have mites it means that their cage isn't cleaned out properly. Mites are seen as little black creatures around the body and head of the quail. They shouldn't be sleeping or at least appear to be sleepy. The quail should be awake and lively unless it is night time or very dark in the cage. They should be alert and cautious. Quail should be frightened of sudden movements yet quite curious. But if the quail is tame it probably will not be frightened. Be aware that some appearances/reactions of quail are natural. Many people think that the quail looks ill or not cared for when they are perfectly fine, some examples include: Bald heads. This is different to bare backs or featherless bodies as bald heads do not indicate stress but mating. Bald heads are mostly common with females during the mating season which is during spring and summer. Quail chasing each other. These quail should be males and it is normal for them to chase each over to show dominance, do not think that it is due to a lack of space. However, if they have a wound do not purchase the quail as this is usually very bad unless they are healing. The quail are eating so much food! Most breeders give quail a certain feeding time and it is normal for quail to be inside the feeding containers and getting dirty with the feed. Remember, quail do not over-eat. Leave your quail undisturbed for a week. Before you interact with the quail you must first let them settle in to their new surroundings. The quail might be seen running up and down and along their cage for the first week and the females will not lay eggs until they are settled in which might take a couple of weeks or more. Prepare the quail's food. For food you have a large range of choice. Suitable food includes: Game bird crumbles, finch/canary mix, turkey starter and some gravel or grit. You can also give them a wide range of treats which you can see in the steps below. A common choice is to supply the feed in a feeder but if your quail live on dirt/grass you can try scattering the feed on the ground so that your quail can forage for the feed, they will love this. Give your female quails crushed oyster shells or crushed egg shells if you want them to lay hard and healthy eggs. You could also put them on a layer pellets diet instead of their ordinary diet to ensure that you get the best eggs out of them. Give your quails a limited amount of treats. You can feed your quail many types of food including fruits, vegetables, seeds, small bugs, greenery and table scraps. Quail can even eat meat if you want them to. Quail are quite fussy when it comes to treats. But don't worry, they'll eat what they like and leave what they dislike so you will soon get to know what to feed them. Remember to dispose of foods that the quail do not eat instead of leaving them to waste away in the quails home. Provide your quails with a constant supply of fresh water. Make sure the water container isn't too deep or big for the quail and that it is in an easy to get to place. You should clean the container at least once a week to prevent a build-up of bacteria. Know what types of food you should not feed your quail. Quail should not eat avocado, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, salty or sugary treats, uncooked potato, tomato leaves and stems, parsley, citrus fruits and grape seeds as these all are toxic to quail. Some types of plants are toxic to quail as well, so be aware of what plants you put in their habitat. Do not worry too much on what not to feed your quail as they will avoid toxic foods unless they are at the point of starving hungry. Consider moving the quail to an outdoor cage at least once a week. Quail love new things and they are very curious! They'll nibble at the grass, dust-bathe in the dirt, eat any small bugs they find, and peck about in ground. The sun is also good for laying hens! If you notice the female quail is not laying eggs, it may be because of her diet or a lack of sunlight, so it's a good idea to put the cage outside for a bit. Also, if you have an outside cage, be on the lookout for such birds as ravens and crows. These birds may view the quail as prey and peck their heads. If you have these birds in the area, it's recommended that you cover the cage with a tarpaulin or something alike when you're not watching them. Allow for dust bathing. Quail love to dust bathe daily! Dust bathing also prevents parasites in quail. To get them to dust bathe all you need to do is provide them with a shallow but wide tub of dry sand. They will soon start to dust bathe throughout the day. Clean the quails cage every 1 or 2 weeks. Cleaning the quails cage prevents diseases, bacteria, and mites and isn't a big task. You should dispose of all bedding, hose the cage down, rinse the feeders and water container, replace the tub with fresh sand and refill the feeder and water container with fresh food and water. Since quail waste is high in ammonia you must clean the bedding at least once a week to prevent diseases. Just chuck the bedding in a bin or chuck it in your compost. Be sure that the quails cage (or room) is dark at night. Quail need plenty of sleep to stay healthy, happy and overall fun birds! Don't leave any lights on or at least move the quail to a dark room so that they can sleep properly. Quail can only have up to 15 hours of light per day, otherwise they will not be able to sleep. Keep noisy or dangerous pets out of the same room as the quail. There is a possible chance that a dog or cat will try to kill the quail and if you have a noisy pet in the room they will disturb the quail and cause stress. Collect eggs daily. You should collect the eggs once every day to ensure that they are fresh, especially during a hot day. You can put the eggs in an egg carton and leave them on the side or put them in the fridge to stay fresh for a longer period of time. Your female quail will lay about one egg every day so you should get 5-6 eggs every week. Keep an eye on your quail's health. If your quail seems to be acting a bit unusual or isn't eating lately then it's probably because the quail is unwell. Although you can take your quail to a veterinarian, you can also fix some small problems yourself. Some problems that may occur are: Your quail is huddled up in the corner of the cage. This is either because the quail is ill or is cold. If the quail is ill you should take it to a veterinarian. If the quail is cold then take it out of the cage and place it in a warm box or something alike. The room should be inside and it should also be very warm. Provide a little bit of food and water in the quails box and wait until the quail is quite lively until you return it to its cage. You should also observe the quail for a few days after it returns to its cage. Your quail has mites. All the quail that live in the enclosure should be taken out and put in a suitable sized box together. After all the quail are out of the enclosure, clean the enclosure thoroughly. Treat the quails by either giving them a good dust-bath, buying some mite powder or any other safe method that gets rid of quail mites. Your quail is injured. This isn't some sort of illness but it is just as serious. You should remove the quail that is injured as soon as possible and keep it separated in its own enclosure until it is fully healed. If you are going to put the quail back in its flock after it has healed, observe the quail for a few days to make sure it gets along with the others. Your quail is too hot. This can easily be treated by moving your quail to a cooler room, providing the quail with shade or taking the heat source away. Consider taming your quail. Although taming fully-grown quail is hard, it can be done. Taming quail is handy if you ever need to grab them when necessary, take them to a veterinarian or play with them for a little while. To tame your quail you have to offer them food from your hands, visit them often, be very gentle to them, etc. Consider clipping your quails wings. Quail can fly very high when frightened, so if your quail manages to escape it's handy to clip the quail's wings so that it cannot fly away from you. Determine the gender of your quail. If you don't know the gender yet, here are some helpful ways to work this out: Vent sexing is the most accurate way to know the gender of your quail. The male should have a bump and some white foam coming out whilst females will not. Male quails usually have brighter feathers around their neck, head and back and are more aggressive than females. You can also tell the gender by looking at the breast. Females sometimes have a loss of feathers due to mating and aren't as colourful as the male quail. Males will crow now and then. For coturnix quail this is obvious but button females might also call, usually for chicks. Breed your quail if desired. When breeding your quails do not disturb them or take any eggs out of their cage. They'll need to make a clutch of eggs before any of the male or female quail lays on them and it takes up to about 21 days for the eggs to hatch. | Purchase a suitable home for your quail. Make sure the housing is the best it can be for your quail. Be aware that you can house your quail with finches, canaries and budgies. Place the housing in a suitable environment. Add bedding to the home. Add padding to the top of the quail's cage (optional). Add a few other items for your quail. Decide which quail breed you wish to care for. Know how to house quail. Purchase a healthy quail pair. Make sure the quail are healthy. Be aware that some appearances/reactions of quail are natural. Leave your quail undisturbed for a week. Prepare the quail's food. Give your female quails crushed oyster shells or crushed egg shells if you want them to lay hard and healthy eggs. Give your quails a limited amount of treats. Provide your quails with a constant supply of fresh water. Know what types of food you should not feed your quail. Consider moving the quail to an outdoor cage at least once a week. Allow for dust bathing. Clean the quails cage every 1 or 2 weeks. Be sure that the quails cage (or room) is dark at night. Keep noisy or dangerous pets out of the same room as the quail. Collect eggs daily. Keep an eye on your quail's health. Consider taming your quail. Consider clipping your quails wings. Determine the gender of your quail. Breed your quail if desired. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Self-Piercing-at-Home | How to Do a Self Piercing at Home | Although it's always better to go to a professional, if you're going to do a self-piercing at home, you'll want to do it safely. Use a piercing needle, not a sewing needle, since sewing needles can be more painful and damaging to your skin. When you're ready to get started, wash your hands with soap and water. Then, soak the needle you're using in rubbing alcohol to disinfect it. Mark your piercing site with a pen or marker, line the needle up with the mark, and push it through in one quick motion. Leave the needle in for 20 minutes, then quickly replace it with some jewelry so the hole doesn't close. Use jewelry made out of surgical steel, niobium, or titanium to reduce the risk of infection. | Sanitize your hands and the area to be pierced. Scrub your hands well with an antibacterial soap, and dry them with a clean towel. After your hands are clean, you must clean the area you are piercing. Pour some rubbing alcohol onto sterile gauze and clean the skin thoroughly. Alcohol wipes also work for this. To avoid contaminating the piercing site, after you've cleaned the area, don't touch it again. The easiest piercings to do at home are your earlobes. Nose and belly button piercings can also be done at home with minimal risk. When it comes to doing a piercing near your mouth (such as tongue or lip), near your eye, or at the top of your ear, it is best to see a professional. You can end up with permanent scarring, damage to the body part, and even deformities. Do not risk it. If possible, after washing your hands you could wear sterile gloves to prevent infection. Disinfect the piercing needle. Ideally, you should use a piercing needle that has never been used. Take it out of the packaging only when you are ready to use it. If you have a piercing needle that's been opened or used, you will need to sanitize it well. Soak it in rubbing alcohol before you use it to pierce. The more you disinfect the area and the needle, the lower the chance of infection. You must use a piercing needle for this, not a sewing needle or any other type. Piercing needles are the proper size and sharpness for the task, and anything else can cause unnecessary pain or damage to your skin. You can purchase piercing needles on Amazon. Choose your jewelry. It is important that you use a high quality piece of jewelry, to reduce the risk of infection, irritation, or allergic reaction. Professional piercing staff suggest choosing a piece that is made of surgical steel, 14-karat or 18-karat yellow gold, 18-karat white gold, niobium, or titanium. Don't buy a cheap piece of jewelry in an effort to cut costs. Invest in a good piece of jewelry for your immediate wear after piercing, and you may be able to tolerate lower-quality jewelry once you are all healed. Clean your jewelry with rubbing alcohol. Mark your skin where you want your piercing. Use a pen to draw a little dot where you want your piercing to go, making sure you choose the spot where it will look best. If you're piercing your ears, make sure that they're symmetrical. Look at the mark from all angles and make sure that it's in the exact place you want it. This mark is a guide for your piercing needle. If you're not quite sure if you want the piercing or the position of the piercing, use a permanent marker and just keep a mark there for a few days. See how you react when you see it in the mirror. This will help you determine if you like the look of a potential piercing before taking the leap. If you're piercing your belly button, pinch your skin above it. Draw your dot on the topside of this skin fold. When you're actually piercing it, it's best to do it from the bottom. In other words, poke the needle up through this fold of skin, and line it up so it goes through the dot you've drawn. It's obviously tricky to draw a dot on your tongue. Take this as a sign that you really shouldn't pierce your own tongue. It can be tempting to try to save money and time, but it is not worth it when it comes to the organ you need for speaking and tasting. Line the needle up with the dot. Make sure you have a steady grip on the needle. It should be at the same angle that you want your jewelry to go. In other words, the needle should go through your ear like an earring would, or through your belly button like a belly ring would. Piercing your skin at an odd angle will make it difficult to get jewelry inserted, so take your time lining the needle up. If you want, apply a bit of numbing gel onto your ear before you pierce. Make sure you give it time to start working. Take a deep breath and push the needle. It should be one fast, fluid motion. If you push a little, stop, push a little again, and so on, you're more likely to rip the skin. One, smooth puncture will make a smooth hole and also make the healing process easier. Push the needle until it is halfway through your ear. Leave it in for about 20 minutes to ensure that the hole remains there long enough to get an earring in when the needle is removed. Remove the needle and quickly replace with your jewelry. After the needle has been in the hole for about 20 minutes, it's time to put something much better looking in. The hole will heal up quickly, so it's important to have the jewelry ready to go before you remove the needle. Pop your clean jewelry into the new hole you created. It's okay to use a little bit of pressure to get the jewelry through your skin, but don't force it. Clean your ear piercing with a saline solution. While it was appropriate to clean your piercing equipment and skin with rubbing alcohol prior to piercing, it can dry out your new piercing now. A saline solution is gentler and won't dry the hole out. You can purchase a saline solution at the drug store, or make your own. Try to physically let your pierced body part soak in the solution, like in a shallow bowl or cup. If you're unable to do this, use a tissue or Q-tip to apply the solution to the piercing. If you choose to make your own solution, use non-iodized, fine-grain sea salt. Some grocery stores stock this with the regular table salt, or you may need to buy it online. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt into one cup of filtered or bottled water. Reduce the amount of salt if your skin becomes dry. Avoid touching your piercing. It can be tempting to fiddle with your new jewelry, but this greatly increases your chance of infection. Try not to touch it at all, unless you're doing one of your daily cleanings. Never touch your piercing at all unless your hands have been thoroughly washed. Keep your original jewelry in while you heal. Even if you have an entire collection of awesome, high-quality body jewelry, changing your jewelry while the hole is still healing will increase your chances of getting an infection. Depending on the area that you've pierced, this can take anywhere from one month to a year. You can learn more about your specific piercing area by doing a Google search. Know that your piercing may bleed. The tongue contains blood vessels and a large vein near the front that will bleed excessively if punctured. Do not pierce your tongue yourself. While the tongue may bleed the most, other areas will still certainly bleed. Again, it is best to go to a professional, who can ensure that the blood loss is minimal. Understand you might get unwanted scar tissue. If you pierce yourself, you are at a higher risk for infection and unsightly scarring. Even if you remove the piercing later, the scar can last forever. Consider this before you go at your nose, ear, eyebrow, lip, tongue, or belly button with a needle. While going to a professional piercing salon will cost time and money, it will have your risk of getting a permanent scar. Be aware that serious infections can occur. There are severe complications that can arise from a piercing. Piercings can cause an array of nasty infections. Infections that aren't treated can lead to sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, and blood poisoning. It is incredibly important to understand potential consequences before you pierce yourself. Whether you pierced yourself or got it done professionally, it's important to know what issues to look for. If your piercing is producing discharge, you should see a medical professional. If your piercing is red, painful, and swollen for longer than 3 days, you should also see a medical professional. If something seems wrong with your piercing, don't wait long to get it checked out.. | Sanitize your hands and the area to be pierced. Disinfect the piercing needle. Choose your jewelry. Mark your skin where you want your piercing. Line the needle up with the dot. Take a deep breath and push the needle. Remove the needle and quickly replace with your jewelry. Clean your ear piercing with a saline solution. Avoid touching your piercing. Keep your original jewelry in while you heal. Know that your piercing may bleed. Understand you might get unwanted scar tissue. Be aware that serious infections can occur. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Think-%27Outside-of-the-Box%27 | How to Think 'Outside of the Box' | To think outside of the box, try to learn new things and pick up new skills as much as possible, which will broaden your horizons and help you think of unique and unusual ideas. Also, exercise your creativity by doing fun, creative projects at home that require you to be resourceful. Even just changing up your daily routine by doing things like taking a different route to work or grabbing breakfast from a new coffee shop can spark your creativity and help you think of a new way to approach an issue. | Change your space. It's important to get away from all the typical routines in order to foster creativity. The idea of changing it up is a common one amongst successful and creative thinkers. This means that you either create a specific ritual around creativity, or that you simply find a way to take a break. Take a shower. There is something weirdly conducive about showering, as anyone who's had that amazing idea while stuck in the shower (only to forget it when you finally locate a pen and paper). If you're stuck on an idea, hop in the shower, with a pen and some paper handy and see what comes up. Go for a walk. Like showering, something about walking fosters creativity. Whether it's taking a walk as a prelude to getting started with your creative project, or as part of the project itself, taking a walk will help get those creative juices flowing. Steve Jobs used to hold walking meetings to brainstorm ideas. Tchaikovsky took several walks around his village before working on his latest creation. Create psychological distance between your normal routine and the time for creativity. Writer Toni Morrison always watched the sun come up in the morning before she would begin writing. She felt that this enabled her to access her creativity. Brainstorm. Throwing out tons of different ideas, especially ideas that might seem slightly off-the-wall can be a great idea to pick out a few really good ideas. Brainstorming helps to open up your thinking so that you aren't stuck in the same old thought patterns. The brainstorming stage isn't about what is or isn't feasible. Avoid limiting yourself when you're brainstorming. This is the time when all ideas are welcome, no matter how silly or unworkable they sound. If you start limiting yourself during this stage of the thinking game, you aren't going to progress very far. Avoid saying things to yourself during this phase that will shut down creativity rather than encourage it. Catch yourself anytime you say: "That won't work," "We haven't done it that way before," "We can't solve this problem," "We don't have enough time." For example: say you get stuck while writing your new story. Instead of obsessing over the next stage of the story, start thinking throwing out ideas for what might happen next, or how the story might progress if there were no boundaries on what you could write (even if you needed to change the ending to make the story possible). Re-conceptualize the problem. Part of finding creative solutions and ideas stems from looking at the problem or project in a new way. Looking at something in a new way allows you to look at new possible solutions that you might not otherwise have considered. Fortunately, there are some concrete aids to re-conceptualizing that you can drawn on. Turn the problem upside down. This can be done literally or figuratively; turning a picture upside down can actually make it easier to draw, because your brain has to look at it in terms of it's makings rather than what it thinks should be there. This works for more conceptual problems. For example, if you're writing a book and you can't figure out how to get the protagonist to a certain spot in the story, ask yourself "does this character actually need to be the protagonist? how would the story work with a different character as protagonist? or more than one character?"). Work backwards. Sometimes what you need is to focus on the solution first, and build backwards from that solution. For example: say you work in the advertising position at a newspaper. The paper is losing money because it hasn't been getting enough ads. Start from the final, best outcome (having lots of the right kind of ads). Work backwards by contacting the types of businesses and groups that can provide the best, most cost-effective ads. Daydream. Daydreaming helps you to make connections and form patterns and recall information. This is key when you're thinking outside the box, because daydreaming can help you make connections that you might not otherwise have considered. So often your best ideas seem to come out of nowhere while you're daydreaming. Give yourself time to daydream. Turn off the computer, t.v., and your phone. If you're constantly plugged into distractions it will be much harder for your brain to rest and make connections. You can daydream while on that walk, or in the shower (this is one reason taking time to go for a walk or shower can be so conducive to creative thinking). Daydream in the morning before you have to get up, or at night before you fall asleep. Set parameters. Sometimes if you're having difficulty thinking outside the box, it's time to give yourself some basic parameters. This may seem like it would hinder creativity, but if you set the right parameters you'll find that it can actually open things up for you. Starting too broad can put too much pressure on you. For example: instead of saying "how can I increase ad sales" ask questions like "how can I encourage ad growth from businesses in the community? what can I do to make ads in our paper seem like a good option?" or "how can I target the businesses most likely to place ads in our paper?" or "what compensations can I use to encourage businesses to advertise?" You're still asking open questions and still considering a wide variety of options, but you're anchoring your ideas to a specific question or task. This will help you come up with more specific ideas. As another example: instead of asking yourself "how can I make my young adult novel different than the others on the market?" you consider more specific parts of the story: "who is the main character? is this main character just like every other main character (white, heterosexual, pretty but doesn't know it?)?" or if it's a fantasy novel "what is the magic system like? is it the vague paganesque, witchy magic that is popping up all over the YA section?" Or you could tell yourself that you have to rewrite a scene in your story only now the character doesn't have access to their magic. How are they going to get out of the situation? Consider the worst case scenario. Fear is what holds back creativity. Fear is what makes you stick the paths that you know the best. When you consider the worst case scenario not only can you plan for it, but you can also convince yourself that the worst case scenario isn't bad enough that you shouldn't try. For the ad person example: you might consider what will happen if you try to implement a creative new scheme to offer incentives for long-time advertising partners (like better placement in the layout, a full color ad for a reduced price, etc.). Perhaps the worst that could happen is that no one takes the offer, or that you lose money because of it. Come up with plans for how you might deal with these potential setbacks. For the novel-writing example: your worst case scenario might be that no publisher or agent wants to market your novel because what they actually want is a clone of the latest YA bestseller. Eliminate negativity. The thing that will hold you back from thinking outside the box more than anything else is negativity. Consistently telling yourself that you can't think creatively or vetoing every idea as too "out there" is going to severely limit what you come up with. Consider what it is that you tell yourself about your ideas. When you come up with that amazing book idea do you immediately think "I could never write that?" That is a surefire what to ensure that you never do write that. Whenever you find yourself responding negatively to your ideas, replace the negative thought with a positive or neutral thought. For example: if you found yourself thinking "I'm never going to be able to entice advertisers with these incentives" stop yourself and say "I'm going to test out how these incentives work to get us better advertising faithfulness." Keep your creativity sharp. Like any skill, creativity needs to be exercised to keep it going. Even when you don't have a particular problem that needs your creative solution, keep working on your creativity. It will help you when you are suddenly confronted with something that needs thinking outside the box. Alphabetize words. Take a word from a magazine or a billboard and alphabetize its letters. For example: the word NUMBER would be spelled B-E-M-N-R-U. The reason that this exercise boosts your brain functions is that it forces you to use all the information you're given (all the letters) and do something unusual with them. It trains your brain to come up with surprising connections and solutions and look at problems differently. Make a game out of coming up with new or different uses for items in your house. This will teach you to look at items and situations with an eye for the unusual approach. For example: using an old boot as a planter, or building a table out of books. Change up your routine. Creativity thrives when you don't stay stuck in the same old routine. Even the littlest changes can have good consequences for getting you out of a rut and encouraging creative thinking. Get outside your comfort zone. Doing new things, especially things you haven't planned for helps you to cope more easily with new situations. It also helps to open your mind and introduce you to new ideas and situations which can help you come up with new or unusual ideas. Be spontaneous. Do things that you haven't planned for, occasionally. This will force you to adapt to the moment and overcome problems on the fly. You could even tie this in with an ongoing project. Change little things. For example: walk home from work a different way each day. Change up which coffee shop you go to in the mornings. Study another industry. This will help to show you how people outside your chosen field operate and give you ideas you can incorporate into your field. The industry could be completely different from yours, or have some overlap, but it should be different enough to give you a fresh perspective on your own. For example: the ad person might take a look at psychology topics or look into how the businesses they're asking for ads from operate. The novelist might read outside their chosen field (YA) looking at nonfiction, mysteries, and the classics for inspiration. Learn new things. The more you broaden your horizons the more connections your brain is going to be able to make. The more information your brain has access to, the more it's able to come up with unusual ideas. Take classes outside of your field. This could be anything from cooking classes (provided you aren't a chef) or rock climbing. The novelist might then use what she learned in their cooking class to come up with a system of magic (the people who have a feel for what they're doing and don't use instructions as opposed to those who carefully follow a specific set of instructions). Learn a new language. Not only does this help keep your mind sharp and forming new connections, it can open you up to new ways of thinking. The ad person might use it to start a section of bilingual ads that reach to a different group of people than she had normally been targeting. Surround yourself with creative people. Humans are social animals. You'll be inspired when other people are inspired. The creativity will remain high when you work or befriend people who inspire that creativity in you and in your work. You find it especially helpful if you befriend people who aren't in the same field that you are. These people can give you perspective on your work that you wouldn't get from someone who is saturated in the same ideas that you are. This is another reason why it's so important to do things outside of your comfort zone. That is where you'll meet people who challenge and inspire creativity in you, people who think differently from you. Pay attention to other people’s ideas. Ideas don't exist in a vacuum. Even creative thinkers like Salvador Dali (as an example) started with ideas in his painting that he'd gotten from earlier sources. Paying attention to other people's ideas will help foster your own. You'll see how other people think outside the box. Learning other people's thought patterns and ways of thinking will help you keep from stagnating in your own thinking. You could even say to yourself "How might my creative painter friend view this problem of ads?" You can also look at the ideas of famous innovators. Examine what ideas they had that worked and what ideas didn't work. Look at their practices for encouraging creative thinking (like the examples of Steve Jobs, Tchaikovsky, and Toni Morrison in the first part of the article) and try those practices out. Learn to listen. One way to encourage creative thinking is to stay quiet and listen to what other people are saying. Part of why this is such a good idea is that it helps you really hear what other people are saying so you don't present the same ideas that have already been presented. It also helps you to marshal your thoughts before you speak. For example: the ad person tried to sell ads to a business that really hated the newspaper. If they hadn't really listened to the concerns of the business (like they felt their ads weren't given priority, and they didn't like some of the content in the newspaper), they wouldn't have gotten the business to place an ad. This business then became part of their scheme to bring other unsatisfied advertisers back into the fold. Remember, you will be presenting ideas that might be outside of "normal. " This is just something to remember when you're engaging with other people, especially in terms of business relations. Sometimes the ideas from outside of the box aren't actually the right way to go. It's also good to keep in mind that your ideas aren't always going to work. That's okay! It's a part of the learning process and it's why you consider the worst case scenario when you're coming up with an idea. | Change your space. Brainstorm. Re-conceptualize the problem. Daydream. Set parameters. Consider the worst case scenario. Eliminate negativity. Keep your creativity sharp. Change up your routine. Study another industry. Learn new things. Surround yourself with creative people. Pay attention to other people’s ideas. Learn to listen. Remember, you will be presenting ideas that might be outside of "normal. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-Sex-with-HPV | How to Have Sex with HPV | Having HPV doesn't mean you need to stop having sex, but it does mean you need to use extra protection. Before you get intimate with your partner, tell them that you have HPV. For instance, you could say, “Before we continue, I want to be totally honest. I was diagnosed with HPV a while ago.” If your partner is okay with it, you'll need to use a condom for any type of sex, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. You should also wear latex gloves when performing manual sex. Make sure to throw away condoms and gloves right after you use them so you don't spread the infection. If you have the type of HPV that causes genital warts, stop having sex until they go away, since your risk of spreading the infection will be higher. | Review factual information about HPV before you talk to your partner. There are a lot of common misconceptions about HPV. By reviewing common facts about HPV, you will be able to answer your partner's questions and concerns with confidence. Important facts to know are: Any person who is sexually active can contract HPV, even if they had sex with only one person. HPV typically does not cause any health problems and goes away on its own. HPV is most commonly spread through anal or vaginal sex. A person can develop symptoms years after they have had sex with someone who is infected. Gather informational resources for your partner. Naturally, your partner will want to know more information about HPV. Provide your partner with reliable information about HPV. Ask your doctor for an information pamphlet. Alternatively, print out information about HPV from a reliable website like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC). By having these resources on-hand, you can prevent your partner from finding information about HPV from unreliable sources. Bring up the topic. Once you and your partner start to become more intimate with each other, talk to them about it. Tell your partner that you were diagnosed with HPV, a common virus that is transmitted sexually. Keep in mind that having HPV isn't a reflection of you, your values, or your character. This way, you can answer your partner's questions confidently. Try to avoid viewing the conversation as an apology or confession. Say for example, "Before we get intimate, I want to be totally honest with you, Jack. I was diagnosed with HPV awhile ago. But HPV is really common. It's like the flu of sexually transmitted diseases, and most cases are harmless. I totally understand if you want to learn more about it before we proceed. I have a lot of resources with great information that I can give you to read." Use a condom for vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Condoms will not protect your partner 100% of the time, but they can help reduce the spread of the infection. Use male or female condoms whenever engaging in oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Make sure the condom has not expired, and does not have any tears or defects. Avoid using both male and female condoms at the same time. Perform oral sex with a dental dam. Although it is not 100% effective, a dental dam will help reduce the risk of your partner contracting the virus. Use dental dams whenever performing oral sex, whether it is mouth-to-vagina or mouth-to-anus. Use a polyurethane or latex dental dam. Use silicone or water-based lubricant to prevent the dental dam from breaking. Use latex gloves for manual sex. When performing manual sex, latex or nitrile gloves will protect your partner's hands. Have your partner wear the gloves before you engage in sex. Throw the gloves away afterward. This method is not 100% effective, but it will help reduce the spread of the infection. Avoid sex while you have warts present. If you have the type of HPV that causes genital warts, you should not have sex during a breakout of warts. Wait until the warts go away or are removed. While you can spread the virus at any point, the risk is higher when warts are present. Eat healthy meals. Nourish your body with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates. This way, your body will be able to maintain a healthy immune system. By having a healthy immune system, your body will be able to fight and suppress the virus. Try to avoid processed foods, and foods high in sugar, saturated fat, and salt. Exercise regularly. Exercise also increases immune system health. Try to get at least 135 minutes of exercise each week. Walk, bike, or run around your neighborhood for 30 minutes, 5 days out of the week. Alternatively, bike or run for 45 minutes every other day. Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Smoking can actually increase the risk of HPV turning into cancer. Make a plan to quit smoking to reduce this risk. You can use over-the-counter drugs to help you quit, or join a support group. If you need more serious help, contact your doctor. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a medication, like Chantix, to help you quit smoking. Visit your doctor to get a pap test. If you get HPV, visit your gynecologist for a pap test. The pap test is used to determine if the cells in your uterus are shaped abnormally. This can occur if you have HPV-16 and HPV-18, the two types of HPV that can cause cancer. Get a check up every 12 months if you have abnormal cell behavior. Your doctor will probably ask you to return in a year, and every year after that to check on your abnormal cells. This will continue until your body clears the infection. Because cervical cancer is so slow to develop, and because you may heal in the meantime, you shouldn't worry in between visits. Your doctor will catch it if anything is happening. Get the HPV vaccination. If you already have HPV, the vaccine will not treat or cure the infection. However, it will help protect you from getting other forms of HPV. The HPV vaccine is given in a series of 3 separate shots. The 2nd shot is administered 2 months after the 1st shot, and the 3rd shot is administered 4 months after the 2nd shot. If you are 9 to 14 years old, you will only need 2 shots. Each shot can cost up to $240. Your health insurance will likely cover this vaccine. | Review factual information about HPV before you talk to your partner. Gather informational resources for your partner. Bring up the topic. Use a condom for vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Perform oral sex with a dental dam. Use latex gloves for manual sex. Avoid sex while you have warts present. Eat healthy meals. Exercise regularly. Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Visit your doctor to get a pap test. Get a check up every 12 months if you have abnormal cell behavior. Get the HPV vaccination. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Balance-Beam | How to Make a Balance Beam | To make a balance beam, first glue six 8-foot pieces of wood together for the top. When the glue has dried, sand the wood and mount angle holders underneath the ends of your balance beam. Then use wood screws to fasten four 12-inch pieces of 2x4 planks into the holders for the legs. Make a stable base for your balance beam by attaching one 24-inch piece of 2x4 plank to the bottom of each leg. Finish your balance beam by covering it with synthetic suede padding. | Purchase the required lumber from your local hardware supplier. To build the balance beam you will need six 8 foot (2.44 m) pieces of 1-by-6 pine beams, four 12-inch (61 cm) pieces of 2-by-4 wood planks and four 24-inch (30.5 cm) pieces of 2-by-4 wood planks. You will also need to purchase everything listed below in "Things You'll Need". These items can all be found at your local hardware supplier or stores such as Home Depot and Lowes. Wash the entire surface area of each wood piece. Use soap, water and a washcloth, sponge or coarse brush to scrub the wood pieces thoroughly. This is very important as dirt and grime can prevent the wood glue from working as effectively. Let the wood sit for a while until it is completely dry before adding the glue. Glue the six 8 feet (2.4 m) wood pieces together. Place the pine beams vertically next to one another as that is how they will need to be administered. Glue the largest sides (the flat sides with the most surface area) of the wooden beams together with an industrial-strength wood glue (preferably waterproof). Use a very generous amount of glue in this process as that is what keeps the wood beams together. Make sure they dry before the next step! When finished the fronts and backs of the beams should be completely flush, creating 1 large beam measuring 8-feet (2.44 m) long and around 4.5-inches (10.2 cm) wide. The 4.5-inch (10.2 cm) surface will be the top of your homemade beam. Secure the beams together while the glue dries. The best solution for securing the beams together is to use wood clamps. If you don't have clamps, lay the beams flat on their widest part and apply a heavy weight to help fuse the boards. Allow the beams to dry for at least 24 hours. Sand the wood. When the glue has dried, remove the clamps or the weights, and sand the entire surface of the beam. Use a sanding plane or sand belt to ensure the surface is uniform and even. Mount steel galvanized angle holders to the beam. Screw the angle holders (the angle holders will come with screws) to the underside ends of your balance beam approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) from the end of each side. Add legs to the beam. Fasten the four 12-inch (30.5 cm) pieces of 2-by-4 wood planks into the angle holders to create the legs, using 4 wood screws per leg, or 16 screws total. There should be 4 available spaces in the angle holders, 1 for each leg. Anchor the base for each leg. Attach one 24-inch (61 cm) piece of 2-by-4 wood plank to the bottom of each leg, using 4 total, with 4 wood screws per anchor. These will ensure greater stability and a balanced surface. Cover with synthetic suede padding. Cut a long, thin strip of the suede padding to fit the length and width of the beam. Glue the padding onto the surface so it covers the entire beam. For optimal results, use a piece wide enough to fit all the way around the beam with enough left over to fasten to the underside with the angle holders. Allow the padding and glue to fully dry before using the beam. | Purchase the required lumber from your local hardware supplier. Wash the entire surface area of each wood piece. Glue the six 8 feet (2.4 m) wood pieces together. Secure the beams together while the glue dries. Sand the wood. Mount steel galvanized angle holders to the beam. Add legs to the beam. Anchor the base for each leg. Cover with synthetic suede padding. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Polish-Granite | How to Polish Granite | To polish granite, look for a product that doesn't contain ammonia, bleach, or vinegar, since these ingredients can damage the surface of your granite. Alternatively, make your own polish by mixing ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol with a few drops of dish soap and 16 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Start by cleaning your granite surfaces with dish soap and a clean cloth to get rid of any dirt or debris. Then, spray your granite polish onto the surface to restore its shine. Once you've polished your granite, dry it with a paper towel or microfiber cloth, since any leftover moisture can cause streaks or stains. Clean your granite surfaces once a week to keep them sparkling. | Select a granite-safe polish. General polishes may damage the surface if they contain ammonia, bleach, or vinegar. You can buy wet or dry polish. Dry powder (which you mix with water) can be better at removing scratches and is less expensive. Clean the granite with warm water and dish soap. Using a dish cloth, gently wipe the stone to remove dirt or debris. Use a mild pH-neutral dish soap without ammonia or bleach. Harsh chemicals could strip away sealant. Spray granite polish or cleaner over the entire area. Soap is good for cleaning but can leave granite looking dull so a stone-specific polish will restore shine. Never use a gritty or coarse product as this might scratch the surface or eat at the sealant. Less is more. Only use the recommended amount of polish (read the box as using too much will leave a dull residue. A thorough cleaning should be done once a week to make your stone sparkle. Dry the granite completely. Leaving product or water on the surface can cause streaks or stains. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe away excess liquid. Buff with a dry microfiber towel. A microfiber cloth contains tiny split fibers that make it more absorbent than cotton, meaning it will soak up leftover residue instead of just smearing it around. Rub in small circles with firm pressure. Check to see if your granite needs to be resealed. To do this, put a few drops of water on your countertop. If it leaves a watermark or soaks into the stone, you should seal your granite. You should seal granite after polishing for best results. Mix rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and water in a spray bottle. Pour ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of rubbing alcohol into a 16 oz (450 g) bottle, then add a few drops of dish soap. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Shake to combine. Use a dish soap that doesn't have antibacterial additives which can leave streaks on the surface of the granite. You can swap the dish soap for castile soap for a more environmentally-friendly alternative. Store your spray at room temperature. It should last for 1 to 2 months. Spray the polish on your granite. Make sure you've cleaned any spills or sticky residue off the surface with a damp cloth before spraying or it won't be as effective. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel. You don't need to rinse with water - simply buff the area with a soft microfiber towel, making sure not to leave excess cleaner on the granite. Shape the edges with a power sander. Use a 40 or 60 grit sandpaper disc to even out the edges. A finer grit sandpaper (like 120 or 150 grit) will work if the edges just need minor shaping. Always wear a dust mask and safety glasses to protect yourself when using a power sander. Wipe the edges with a damp cloth. This will remove any debris or particles left over from the sanding. Continue sanding with a finer grit sandpaper. Once your edges are shaped, you'll want to use a small 600 grit sandpaper to put on the finishing touches and smooth out the texture. Apply polishing spray to the granite. Use a microfiber towel to buff into the surface and dry. Granite typically takes at least 12 hours to dry completely. Seal the edges. This will protect the granite and make it easier to clean. When sealing granite , keep in mind that the edges will often require 2 applications of sealant. Seal your granite once a year. Unsealed stone is more vulnerable to stains. In areas that get used a lot or are exposed to water frequently (like around a sink), have a professional reseal the granite annually. Sealant in lower-use areas can last up to 10 years if cared for properly. Use coasters or placemats for food and drinks. Letting food that has dyes or oils in it sit on granite will often cause stains. Always use a cutting board when cooking, too, instead of placing food directly on the counter. Heat can also harm granite so don't put hot pots or pans directly on the stone. Use a trivet or hot pad. If you have granite floors, lay down some rugs to minimize grit being etched into the stone from being walked on. Wipe down granite daily. It's not necessary to use a cleaner on your stone every day but simply wiping it with a dry cloth can remove grime and any spills, avoiding permanent stains or scratches. Vacuum floors often, as well. Make sure your vacuum isn't dragging on the surface or scratching it. | Select a granite-safe polish. Clean the granite with warm water and dish soap. Spray granite polish or cleaner over the entire area. Dry the granite completely. Buff with a dry microfiber towel. Check to see if your granite needs to be resealed. Mix rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the polish on your granite. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel. Shape the edges with a power sander. Wipe the edges with a damp cloth. Continue sanding with a finer grit sandpaper. Apply polishing spray to the granite. Seal the edges. Seal your granite once a year. Use coasters or placemats for food and drinks. Wipe down granite daily. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Brewer%27s-Yeast-As-a-Flea-Treatment-for-Dogs | How to Use Brewer's Yeast As a Flea Treatment for Dogs | If you're looking for a natural flea treatment for your dog, add brewer's yeast to your dog's food. Add about 1/2 tsp of brewer's yeast for every 10 pounds your dog weighs. If your dog won't eat the brewer's yeast in its food, sprinkle it into boiling water, then refrigerate the water to cool it down. If that still doesn't work, comb your dog with a flea comb, then sprinkle a small amount of brewer's yeast evenly over its coat. Use about the same amount you would pour into its food at one time. | Add powdered brewer's yeast to your dog's food for an easy option. Use about 1/2 teaspoon (1.4 g) of powder for every 10 lb (4.5 kg) your dog weighs. Using wet food instead of dry food can help it to dissolve, but you can also dissolve the powder by pouring a little hot water over its dry food. Not only will the powder dissolve more evenly into its food, but your dog will absolutely love the gravy-like liquid in their bowl. Use beef or chicken stock if you really want to get it excited. Dissolve it into their water bowl to mask the scent of the powder. You may find powdered brewer's yeast dissolves better in hot water. Boil water and dissolve the powder into it, then put it in the fridge overnight or the freezer for no longer than an hour to cool it down. Change out your dog's bowl each day and add about 1/2 teaspoon (1.4 g) of powder for every 10 lb (4.5 kg) your dog weighs to its daily fresh water. Be sure to provide another water bowl for your dog while you prepare the brewer's yeast water. Sprinkle powder onto your dog's fur if it refuses to eat or drink powder. Use a flea comb to get all the fleas out of its fur, and make sure you kill the fleas by drowning them in soapy water. Then, load the brewer's yeast into a jar with a sprinkle cap, and sprinkle a small amount evenly over its coat. If the dog licks the flea powder off it won't make it sick, so don't worry if you see your dog doing this. It will still have an effect as the dog ingests it rather than absorbs it. Be wary of sprinkling too much onto your dog's coat, as brewer's yeast has been known to make dogs gassy and can have effects on their stomach. Use about 1/2 teaspoon (1.4 g) of powder for every 10 lb (4.5 kg) your dog weighs. Buy over-the-counter flea repellent pills that contain brewer's yeast. There are varieties with brewer's yeast and medication in the same pill, and varieties that contain just brewer's yeast. If you want to try to avoid medications, search your local pet store for pure brewer's yeast tablets. You shouldn't need a prescription for these pills. Know your dog's level of health and any allergies it has, and read the label looking for things that could negatively affect it. Tablets are not recommended for old dogs or dogs susceptible to yeast infections. Try a tablet infused with garlic or omega-3 oils. Garlic and omega-3 oils have flea-preventing effects, and mixing them with brewer's yeast in the correct doses has been known to enhance the effect of the medication. Be extremely careful with garlic, though, as it is a toxin to dogs like chocolate and can be deadly in large amounts. Check the label to know the correct daily dosage for your dog. Different tablets and brands have different dosages, even if they contain the same ingredients, similar to how humans can take several aspirin tablets throughout the day, but can only take one high-strength migraine pill. Make absolutely certain that you check your dog's weight and find the corresponding dosage on the back of the pill bottle. Wrap the pill in a food you know your dog will love. Foods such as slices of cheese or deli meat are great options, as it is likely your dog will gobble it up in one go. Still, be sure to keep and eye on it to make sure it swallows. Make absolutely sure to check the pill's packaging to understand the correct dosage amount, as large overdoses can cause reactions even in non-allergic dogs. Oftentimes brewer's yeast is infused with other anti-flea ingredients, which can help to prevent fleas further, but can also be harmful to your dog if it is prone to infections or if it is elderly. Check the ingredients to know exactly what you are giving your dog. | Add powdered brewer's yeast to your dog's food for an easy option. Dissolve it into their water bowl to mask the scent of the powder. Sprinkle powder onto your dog's fur if it refuses to eat or drink powder. Buy over-the-counter flea repellent pills that contain brewer's yeast. Check the label to know the correct daily dosage for your dog. Wrap the pill in a food you know your dog will love. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Decorate-a-Mason-Jar | How to Decorate a Mason Jar | To decorate a Mason jar, try spray painting it with metallic paint and turning it into a vase. You could use chalkboard paint instead if you want to write on the jar. Alternatively, try turning your Mason jar into a mosaic by gluing broken tiles, pieces of mirror, or even seashells onto the outside of it. After you glue all the pieces on, simply spread some grout over them, let it sit for 30 minutes, and wipe away the excess. For an easier DIY project, try wrapping some fabric, ribbon, or burlap around the jar. You can secure it by tying a bow, or you can use hot glue for a neater finish. | Choose the best size and shape Mason jar for your project. Bear in mind what you intend to use your jar for once it is decorated. Mason jars come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and even colors, so it is important for you to choose the right type for your specific project. If you plan to use your jar as a flower vase, for example, you will likely want to select a larger sized jar. If you are going to use your jar for toiletry or make up storage, you might want to select a small and short Mason jar. If your Mason jar is old or appears to be dirty, make sure that you clean it with dish soap and warm water. Air dry completely or thoroughly dry with a paper towel or rag before applying any paint. Mason jars are sold at most craft stores, grocery stores, and some home improvement stores, so it should be easy for you to find the size and shape you want to use for your project. Decide if you want to paint the inside or outside of the Mason jar. Paint the outside for more control over how the paint is applied, and to easily allow you to create designs. Painting the inside, on the other hand, can been useful because it won't be touched as much, so the paint won't wear off as fast. If you are using the jar to store any food, skincare, or living items, steer clear of painting the inside. Paint can contain toxic chemicals that could compromise the items being stored. Select your paint. Choose a spray paint for quick and easy application, or choose a brush-on paint to create more detailed designs. Whatever paint you decide to use, make sure that it is suitable for glass surfaces so that it will stick and not easily rub off. Pick a metallic spray paint to decorate your Mason jar and create a striking and sophisticated flower vase or storage container. Select a glitter spray or brush-on paint and add a tea light to create a festive holiday candle you could leave out all year long. Use chalkboard paint to turn your Mason jar into kitchen storage or a fun activity for kids. For an antiqued mercury glass look, choose a mirror spray paint and prepare some white vinegar in an empty spray bottle. Cover your work surface to protect the surfaces under the jar and around you. Use newspaper or tarp to cover a wide area if you are using spray paint. If you are using brush-on paint, you can use a smaller protectant for your surfaces, such as cardboard or paper towels, since you can be more precise with the application. Regardless of what type of paint you use, always work in a well-ventilated area to prevent harm from the fumes. If you are using spray paint, try to set up your work space outside or in a garage, as residual spray will likely extend out farther than you intend. Remove the lid and cover any areas you don’t want painted. Flip the Mason jar over to paint upside down if you are painting the outside of your jar. This will prevent any residual paint from falling into the opening. If you are painting the inside of your Mason jar, cover the top outside area of the jar with masking tape to prevent stray paint from marking it. If you are creating a design on your Mason jar, use painter's tape to mask off the areas that you do not want painted. Spray or brush-on 1 coat of paint evenly over the jar. Move the Mason jar around or move around the jar as you spray or brush-on the paint to ensure that you cover the entire surface. If you are using brush-on paint, try applying a light coat first to avoid dripping or oversaturating. Once the paint is dry, apply additional coats as needed to cover completely. If you are using spray paint, make sure that you follow the directions on the bottle and shake well before painting. Position the spray bottle several inches away from your jar to ensure that the paint is applied evenly. Leave the Mason jar to dry. Check the instructions on the label of your paint container for expected drying times.The drying time will vary depending on the type of paint you used and how many coats you applied. Make sure that the jar is completely dry before adding any storage or décor items. Select your mosaic material. Consider what you plan to use your Mason jar for, and what sort of look and decorative feel you are going for. You can mosaic a Mason jar with many different small decorative materials, including seashells, glass, seaglass, mirrors, or broken tiles. These items can be purchased in small or pre-broken, mosaic-ready form at most craft stores, or you can make them yourself. If you want to create a soothing, beachy candle holder, for example, seashells or seaglass would both be great options for your mosaic material. If you are going for a more funky, bohemian vibe with your Mason jar, broken tiles might be a better bet. To create your own mosaic materials, drop or throw the glass, mirror, or tiles on the ground, break them on a hard surface with a hammer, or use glass cutters for more precisely shaped pieces. Make sure that you wear safety glasses and protective gloves, cover your entire work space, and vacuum the area very well when you are done. Decide on your mosaic design. Spread out your mosaic pieces on a flat surface and try out different arrangements to help you decide on the placement of the mosaic pieces. You may want to trace your Mason jar with a pencil on a piece of paper so that you can determine exactly how many mosaic pieces you will need for each side of the jar. To replicate your exact design, remove the mosaic pieces from your arrangement one by one, placing each in the corresponding spot on the actual jar. Glue your mosaic pieces to the Mason jar. Apply a small to medium drop or mosaic adhesive on the back of a mosaic piece. Carefully press the adhesive side to the place you want it on the Mason jar. Hold the mosaic piece in place for a few seconds, then move on to glue the next piece. Repeat this process until you have mosaicked the entire Mason jar, or until you have completed your desired pattern. Make sure that your Mason jar is clean and dry before you begin to glue on your mosaic pieces. Wait 5 to 6 hours for the adhesive to cure. Let the adhesive cure for 5 to 6 hours, or check the label on the adhesive container to determine the exact curing time. While a mosaic adhesive will usually take about 5 minutes to set enough that your pieces should feel securely attached to the Mason jar, it generally takes several hours for the adhesive to completely cure. You may be tempted to continue earlier, but it is important that you wait until the adhesive has cured before you start grouting. Grouting before your adhesive has cured can cause your mosaic pieces to shift or fall off, forcing you to re-adhere these pieces and wait another 5 to 6 hours for the re-applied adhesive to cure. Smear grout onto your mosaic. Using your hands or a small craft knife, cover all the mosaicked areas on your Mason jar with grout. Don't worry about covering up your mosaic pieces – you will be washing these off later. Make sure that you use enough grout to get into all the crevices. Let the grout sit for 20 to 30 minutes, or the length of time specified on the label. Most craft stores sell mosaic grout that is pre-mixed and ready to use. If you do not purchase a pre-mixed grout, mix your mosaic grout by following the instructions on the label. If you are applying grout with your hands, you may want to wear gloves, as mosaic grout can be difficult to remove from skin. If you want to add an extra pop of color to your mosaicked Mason jar, consider adding color to your grout before applying it to your Mason jar. Wipe away excess grout. Using a lightly dampened sponge or paper towel, wipe the grout off the mosaic pieces using medium pressure. Once you are done, let your mosaicked Mason jar dry for 24 hours. If your mosaic pieces still look a bit hazy from the grout when you are done, wait 30 minutes and repeat this process again to make sure they are clean and clear. Apply a thin layer of mosaic sealer. Use a paint brush to paint over the entire bottle with a thin layer of mosaic sealer. This will protect the grout and mosaic pieces from dust and moisture and give your project a nice sheen. Let the mosaic sealer dry according to the instructions on the label, and then you are ready to use your uniquely decorated Mason jar! Adhere burlap to your Mason jar for a rustic vibe. Measure around the circumference of the thickest part your Mason jar and from top to bottom. Using fabric scissors, cut the fabric in a strip about 1 inch (2.5 cm) longer than the circumference of your Mason jar to ensure the fabric wraps all the way around, and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 3 inches (7.6 cm) less than the height of the body of your jar. Use a hot glue gun to apply glue to the strip of burlap and adhere it to the Mason jar by wrapping it around and holding it in place until the fabric is secure. If you want to cover more of your Mason jar, cut the fabric wider to suit your taste. If you want more of the jar to show, cut the strip of fabric thinner. You can also use twine or string to adhere the burlap to your Mason jar. To do this, cut a piece of twine or string about twice as long as the circumference of the jar. Wrap the burlap around the Mason jar, followed by the twine or string on top of the fabric in the middle. Secure with a knot or bow. Add a doily or lace for a cottage-ready storage jar or flower vase. Using the doily or lace of your choice, begin by laying the fabric flat on a protected surface. Using a glue gun, apply a thin layer of glue evenly across all of the edges and most of the fabric. Carefully, pick up the fabric and place it where you want it on your Mason jar. Hold it in place for at least 30 seconds to ensure that it is securely in place. Let it dry according to the instructions for your glue. Make sure that you use a doily or lace that is suitably sized for your Mason jar. In general, the best size is one that covers the jar fully without having to be cut. Doilies and lace fabric are very delicate, so it is best to cut as little as possible to avoid unraveling. While it is recommended that you use a hot glue gun to securely adhere fabric to your Mason jar, you can also use a craft adhesive suitable for glass. Apply carefully with a small paint brush. Wrap with string, ribbon, or twine for a quick and easy Mason jar decoration. Measure the circumference of the part of the Mason jar you wish to adorn (this could be the neck of the Mason jar, the part right below where the cap screws on, or the body of the jar, the thickest part of the jar). Cut your string, ribbon, or twine approximately twice as long as the circumference you measured. Wrap around the jar and secure tightly with a decorative knot or bow. You may want to trim your string, ribbon, or twine after you have secured it around the Mason jar if too much excess hangs down. If you want a rustic farmhouse vibe but want a thicker option, consider cutting a 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 2 inches (5.1 cm) strip of burlap or lace to use instead of string, ribbon, or twine. Clean and dry your Mason jar. Use dish soap and water to clean thoroughly. Leave out to air dry, or pat dry completely with a towel. Mod Podge is a relatively strong adhesive that works well with glass, but only if the glass is completely dry. Select your decoupage materials. Choose a common decoupage material, including magazine pages, wrapping paper, maps, graph paper, or personal photographs printed on paper, or get creative with a new idea. Almost any paper product will work for a Mason jar decoupage project, so you have many options for your decoupage materials. Whatever you choose, make sure that you have enough material to cover all of your Mason jar, or as much of your jar that you want to decoupage. Paint the Mason jar with an even coat of Mod Podge. Using a paint brush, dip the brush in the Mod Podge and immediately apply to the jar. If you want to cover the entire jar in decoupage, you will also want to paint the inside of the neck of the jar so that you can fold your material over the top and adhere it to the inside of the neck to cover the rim of the jar. Apply your decoupage material to the Mason jar. Start applying your materials to the Mason jar immediately so that the Mod Podge does not begin to dry. When the material is secure around the body of the jar, press the paper around the neck, making sure that you adhere the material in all the crevices. If you are applying one large piece of paper, wrap the material all the way around the Mason jar, pressing tightly so that it adheres to the glass. If you are using multiple smaller pieces of paper, place each piece where you want it on the jar and press down firmly. Using scissors, cut a few slits around any excess material on the top and bottom so that it folds down easily. Fold any excess material over the top and bottom and press to secure. Apply a coat of Mod Podge evenly over the Mason jar. Once your material is in place and securely adhered to the Mason jar, apply another coat of Mod Podge over the outside of all the paper. Let the Mod Podge dry according to the instructions. Trim away any excess paper. Once the Mod Podge is completely dry, use scissors trim away any excess paper that hangs over or does not lay flat. If you cannot cut close enough to trim as cleanly as you'd like, you can add another layer of Mod Podge to secure any stubborn bits in place. Let any touch-ups dry completely before use. | Choose the best size and shape Mason jar for your project. Decide if you want to paint the inside or outside of the Mason jar. Select your paint. Cover your work surface to protect the surfaces under the jar and around you. Remove the lid and cover any areas you don’t want painted. Spray or brush-on 1 coat of paint evenly over the jar. Leave the Mason jar to dry. Select your mosaic material. Decide on your mosaic design. Glue your mosaic pieces to the Mason jar. Wait 5 to 6 hours for the adhesive to cure. Smear grout onto your mosaic. Wipe away excess grout. Apply a thin layer of mosaic sealer. Adhere burlap to your Mason jar for a rustic vibe. Add a doily or lace for a cottage-ready storage jar or flower vase. Wrap with string, ribbon, or twine for a quick and easy Mason jar decoration. Clean and dry your Mason jar. Select your decoupage materials. Paint the Mason jar with an even coat of Mod Podge. Apply your decoupage material to the Mason jar. Apply a coat of Mod Podge evenly over the Mason jar. Trim away any excess paper. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-into-College | How to Get into College | To get into college, do things in high school that will help you stand out to admissions officers, like volunteering in your community, playing on a sports team, or working for your school newspaper. Also, try to build a good relationship with your teachers by participating in class and going to them for help so they'll be more likely to write you a letter of recommendation. You should also spend time studying for the SAT and ACT since a high score on those tests can help you get into college. | Make a list of things to focus on to strengthen your application. Most colleges evaluate potential students on a number of objective and subjective standards, including your academic record, your standardized test scores, your overall character, and so on. Keep a list of these criteria to guide your activities in high school and to keep your eye on the big picture. For most colleges, especially the more selective schools, your academic record (as reflected in your transcript and GPA) and your ACT or SAT scores will be the most important criteria. These should be your top priority when trying to bolster your application. Don't neglect extracurricular activities; they're more important on your application than you may think. Focus on activities that reflect passion and engagement. Remember, college admissions boards will judge you as a whole person, not just as a student. Colleges evaluate your character on a more subjective basis, based on your essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews. Be realistic about what your strengths and weaknesses are and use them to your advantage. A weakness in one area can be outweighed by a strength in another and vice versa. Choose classes in high school that will give you a leg up in applications. You should enroll in classes that will look good on your college application and also will give you college credit. Take classes that will challenge you, but don't overload yourself. You don't want to get an ulcer while you are still a teenager! Take AP and IB courses. AP and IB exams not only demonstrate a willingness to challenge yourself but also often give you college credits later. Talk to your school counselor about taking AP courses online if your high school doesn't offer them. Fulfill the coursework recommendations of colleges you are interested in. Most 4-year colleges want applicants to have taken 4 years of each main academic subject, including foreign language. Treat suggestions as requirements. For example, if one of your prospective colleges requires 3 years of high school science but suggests four, you should take 4 years of science to remain competitive. If you're confident in your academic abilities and interested in a topic, consider taking more advanced courses in that subject. This will impress the colleges you apply to and may even grant you course credit. Maintain a competitive GPA. You don't need a 4.0 to get into a great school, but remember that your cumulative GPA for all 4 years of high school is sometimes used as an initial screen for colleges that receive a lot of applications. Higher grades will make you stand out and expand your college choices. If you're a freshman or sophomore, focus on earning a relatively high GPA now. It's much easier to maintain a high GPA for 4 years than it is to spend 2-3 years trying to raise an already low GPA. AP and Honors classes are typically graded on a weighted GPA scale in which higher grades raise your GPA more than they would in a normal class on account of the added difficulty. Considering enrolling in weighted GPA classes to quickly boost your GPA. Use the average GPA of admitted students at the colleges you want to apply to to get a sense of these schools' academic expectations of you. Distinguish yourself in activities outside of school. Your extracurriculars will do a lot to strengthen your application and demonstrate to colleges your commitment. Focus your time on a few activities that you find most rewarding and pursue leadership positions in them. College admission boards can tell when a student only does an extracurricular to pad their resume. Make sure you do things you actually enjoy doing. Schools look at student activities to see students' passions, their leadership abilities, and how they impact their communities. Examples of some activities you could do include working for a school newspaper, volunteering in your community, or playing on a sports team. Enter contests. Awards will help your application stand out, and even if you don't win, the experience can't hurt. Use your summers productively. When it comes to working towards your college application, you're not limited to the school year. Use your summer to find an internship , volunteer , get a job , attend a summer program, or take courses at a community college. For example, if you're aiming to major in history, consider volunteering at a local history museum or historic site. You'll get valuable experience, make your application stronger, and the museum will definitely appreciate the help! If you know what you want to study at the college level, consider reaching out to a professor at your local college whose research topic interests you and ask if you can get involved. Make a resume and update it every semester. Keep track of your activities and the dates you participated in them so you don't forget anything when filling out your applications. Use your resume to keep a record of your courses, academic awards, community service, work experience, and extracurricular activities. Use active verbs when describing your activities (e.g., “created” and “led”) to make you stand out as a doer rather than a passive participant. Get to know your teachers. Reach out to them after class to ask questions or discuss topics of interest. This will help you to receive a strong letter of recommendation from your teachers and to begin building your professional network early. Developing a rapport with your teachers will also give you added sources of mentorship and friendship that may come in handy as you continue your academic career. You'll want to ask your teachers in person when the time comes to ask for letters of recommendation. Having a previously established personal relationship with them will make this conversation a lot less awkward for you. Take the SAT or ACT. Sign up to take the test in winter or spring of your junior year; that way, if you are unhappy with your scores, you'll have plenty of time to study and take the test again. Take the PSAT in October of your junior year if your high school offers it. This will help you learn what to expect on the actual exam, and if you do well enough, you may receive a financial award from the National Merit scholarship competition (free money!). Get a test prep book at least a month before your test and work through it. Focus especially on areas you have difficulty in and take full advantage of the book's practice tests. Use the practice questions posted on the SAT and ACT websites. The SAT, for example, provides a regular Question of the Day. Khan Academy is also a free online source of SAT practice questions. Consider enrolling in a test prep class, if possible. Don't worry if you can't afford to take the class though; it is completely possible to improve your scores through independent studying. Take SAT Subject Tests in areas you have excelled in. Unlike the SAT and ACT, these exams test knowledge of a specific topic such as Biology or U.S. History. Most selective colleges require you to submit scores for two different Subject Tests. Take the Subject Test immediately after finishing the relevant coursework at your school. For example, if you take Biology in your freshman year and do well, you should take the Biology Subject Test as soon as possible afterwards while the knowledge is still fresh in your mind. If you are considering a career in a STEM field and have taken some trigonometry and precalculus, you should strongly consider taking the Math 2 Subject Test. Many colleges will prefer math proficiency beyond the scope of the general SAT. Research schools to find which ones fit you the best. Use a college guidebook, college mailing lists, and college websites to start learning about schools you might apply to. Decide what you want your ideal college to be like and use that to guide your research. For example, you might look for schools to apply to based on their strength in the field you plan to major in. Alternatively, you might decide that having a fun or enriching college experience is most important for you and look for schools in exciting places. Use a college search engine to search for schools based on specific criteria, such as student body size, location, and average GPA. Schools will sometimes hold information sessions for prospective students in different locales. Attend any sessions that are hold in your hometown to get more information about the school of your choice. Visit schools in person if possible. Even with extensive research, it can be difficult to get a true "feel" for a college without spending time on campus. When you visit, sign up to attend a campus tour or information session-- or both. Both will give you valuable knowledge. Campus tours are often student-led, while information sessions are typically led by admissions officers. Remember during these tours that they're trying to make the school look as good as possible; they won't tell you about any negative aspects of campus life if you don't ask first. Take notes during or right after your visits. Without anything to refer back to, schools may begin to blend together in your head! Pay attention to campus atmosphere. What are the students like? What are they doing as you walk around campus? Can you imagine yourself among them? Set aside time to explore the area surrounding campus. Find out what sort of activities, entertainment, and resources you could take advantage of as a student there. Assemble a balanced list of schools to apply to. No matter how strong your application is, most colleges are not 100% guaranteed to admit you. You will need to apply to schools that range widely in selectivity to ensure that, come spring, you have been accepted to at least one program. Your list should include reach schools, target schools, and safety schools. Reach schools are colleges that you have only a small chance of being accepted to. Many college counselors will say that a college that accepts less than 15% of its applicants should always be considered a reach school, no matter how accomplished the student. Target schools are colleges that you have a good shot at being accepted at. You fit the profile of their accepted students: for example, you fall within their average range of test scores and GPA. Safety schools are colleges you are very confident you will be accepted at. These should be schools you apply to to ensure that, if your target and reach schools all reject you, you'll still be accepted to at least 1 program. Take cost into consideration when deciding on schools. Higher education is expensive; talk with your family about how much you can reasonably afford to pay for college. At the same time, remember that most colleges are "need-blind" and may offer you financial aid if you are accepted. Most college students receive at least some financial aid in the form of grants or scholarships. If you're worried about your ability to pay for school, there's a good chance you'll qualify for some level of financial aid. Seek out the "Price Calculator" on college websites, and enter your family's financial information to find out how much aid you can expect to receive. Be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1 to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Decide if you will submit an Early Application. Some colleges offer an "Early Action" or "Early Decision" option, which allows students to submit their applications earlier in the fall and receive their admissions decision sooner, in December. Consider applying early if you have a clear first choice school or just want to avoid the suspense of waiting on a decision. Keep in mind there are differences between these two options. Early Action is non-binding: you are not obligated to attend the college if accepted. In contrast, students accepted to a college through Early Decision must enroll there. If you have a clear first choice college, apply Early Decision if possible. Early Decision increases your chances of getting in by demonstrating to a college that they are your first choice. If you are unsure where you want to go, apply Early Action. Colleges generally have higher admissions rates for early applicants. Plus, hearing back earlier on will save you suspense-- and a favorable decision will put your mind at ease! Make a timeline for completing your application and stick to it. Personally check the website of each college on your list and note the most up-to-date admissions deadlines. Set a schedule for completing each part of your application so that you're able to submit by the deadline. If you are prone to procrastination, create mini-deadlines to encourage steady work. For example, you might plan to finish one new application each week, or finish a section of an application each day. Remember, your timeline will only work so long as you stick to it. Don't let yourself fall behind on your schedule once you've made it! Create a Common App account. More than 500 colleges currently accept this standardized application form. You only need to fill it out once, and once finished, you simply forward it to all participating schools you are applying to. The app opens each year online on August 1st, so you can begin filling out your application over the summer (lucky you!). The Common App requires a "personal statement," a prompt-based essay of no more than 650 words. The prompts generally stay the same from year to year, so it's possible to start drafting your response even before August 1st. A personal statement will help admissions officers get to know you through some important aspects of your identity. Although there is no one correct format, the most compelling essays usually recount and reflect on a personal story. Ask your teachers for letters of recommendation. The vast majority of colleges require letters from 2 teachers, both from core academic subjects. Ask early on in your senior year. Otherwise, your teacher of choice may be swamped with other requests by the time you reach them! Choose teachers who have a high opinion of you. Ideally, your recommender will have seen you excel or work to overcome challenges and will be able to speak to your passion and intellect. Choose recommenders who have taught you recently and for longer periods of time; they will have the best personal knowledge of you. You probably shouldn't ask a math teacher from way back in freshman year or the senior year math teacher you've only known for 2 weeks. Ask for your letters in person. You may feel awkward, but your request will have a more personal touch. Offer to send your recommender your resume, to help them write knowledgeably about you. Write any necessary supplemental essays. Many colleges require essays specific to their school in addition to your personal statement. Like the personal statement, this is an opportunity to convey important parts of your identity in a compelling, readable way. Two of the most common prompts for supplemental essays are “What do you want to major in?” and “Tell us about a favorite activity.” Supplemental essays vary in word count between schools and some will ask you to write 2 instead of just 1. Be sure you read the instructions for writing supplemental essays closely before proceeding. Revise and proofread your application before submitting. Now that you've finished your application materials, you'll want to make sure no silly mistakes have slipped through the cracks. Ask parents, friends, or trusted teachers to read it over, but make sure the words and ideas in your application remain your own. If you choose to edit your application for yourself, don't do so immediately. Give yourself a day to rest and refresh your eyes, then come back to proofread what you wrote. Make sure your essays don't become so edited by other people that they seem like they were written by someone else. College admission boards will be able to spot this and it will reflect poorly on your application. Prepare for any interviews. Not all schools require or even offer interviews; generally, schools will contact you after you submit your application with interview instructions. An off-campus alumni interview is a good and convenient option, but if possible, arrange an on-campus interview with an admissions officer, as this will hold more weight in the admissions process. Relax. Your interview will probably not make or break you, unless you show up in torn jeans and a sweaty T-shirt and start swearing. Research a college before going to its interview. Think about why you are applying to this specific school and what strengths you would contribute to it. Have questions ready for your interviewer. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the school, as well as to convey your genuine interest in a school. Look on the internet for some common college interview questions, and practice your answers beforehand-- but avoid memorizing responses in a way that will sound mechanical. Brush up on some current events. You don't need to know everything that's going on in the world, but it's not a bad idea to read the newspaper daily for a few days before the interview. | Make a list of things to focus on to strengthen your application. Choose classes in high school that will give you a leg up in applications. Maintain a competitive GPA. Distinguish yourself in activities outside of school. Use your summers productively. Make a resume and update it every semester. Get to know your teachers. Take the SAT or ACT. Take SAT Subject Tests in areas you have excelled in. Research schools to find which ones fit you the best. Visit schools in person if possible. Assemble a balanced list of schools to apply to. Take cost into consideration when deciding on schools. Decide if you will submit an Early Application. Make a timeline for completing your application and stick to it. Create a Common App account. Ask your teachers for letters of recommendation. Write any necessary supplemental essays. Revise and proofread your application before submitting. Prepare for any interviews. |
https://www.wikihow.fitness/Front-Squat | How to Front Squat | To do a front squat, start by lifting the bar off the rack and placing it across your shoulders. With a secure grip, flex your legs to push upwards as you take 1 or 2 steps away from the rack. Next, adjust your feet so they're shoulder-width apart. Then, slowly bend your knees while keeping your back straight until your thighs are almost parallel to the floor. Finally, flex your core and glutes to propel yourself back into an upright position. | Load the bar with weights. Start light with little or no weight if you are a beginner. The proper technique must be learned first, before moving on to lifting the plate-loaded bar. When you're ready, select plates in the proper weight and slide them onto the bar. Each side of the bar should contain the same amount of weight, which will help to keep it balanced. Place the largest, heaviest plates closest to the inside of the bar and the smallest, lightest ones to the outside. Don't overdo it with too much weight when you are learning this exercise. It is more important to work on your form than to lift the heaviest weights. Stand inside the squat rack. Set the bar so that the pins holding it up are about chest height. When you walk up directly next to the bar sitting on the rack it should hit you somewhere between your center chest and armpits. The safest way to perform a front squat is using a squat rack. This rack has notches that will allow you to set the bar back down mid-exercise without it falling on you. If you don't have a squat rack, then you'll need to use dumbbells or lift the bar to your shoulders using a “hang clean” move. Position yourself under the bar. Step under the bar and position yourself directly in the middle of it, so that the weight stays balanced. Move so that the bar rests lightly on your collarbone and across the front of your shoulder muscles (front deltoids). It shouldn't be far enough back to touch your neck. To check that the bar is in the right position, try to straighten your arms out right in front of you. If you can do this and the bar stays in place, then you are good. If your arms are angled, then try adjusting the bar up higher on your shoulders. You will need to bend your knees and squat down a bit in order to position yourself under the bar on a rack. This will place some pressure on your legs, so don't start the lift if you are already tired from bending and working on positioning. Adjust your grip. There are two times when you can adjust your grip while performing a front squat. The first is when you first grab onto the bar and position yourself under it. The second is after you've stood up and pulled the bar away, but before you've started to squat down. There are three primary grip styles that you'll need to choose from: clean, cross, and cross with straps. It's best to not shift your grip mid-exercise as this increases your chances of dropping the bar and possibly getting injured. However, if your grip starts to fail mid-exercise, try to step forward and drop the bar back onto the rack. As you consider which grip to use, remind yourself that your hands are only there to provide stability and balance the bar. They are not supposed to be doing the lifting, your core is responsible for that. Do a clean grip. This is the go-to grip position for the front squat. Set your fingertips just under the bar directly outside of where it leaves your shoulders. You can leave all or just a few fingertips in that position as you continue. Next, push your elbows upwards until your biceps are running parallel to the floor. Check to make sure that both arms mirror one another. After you get your elbows locked into position, this is a good time to experiment with whether to keep all of your fingers on the bar or just two or three. Most people find it somewhat uncomfortable to maintain contact with all fingers, especially as they are not being used for actual lifting. The thumb and pinky fingers are usually the ones let loose. If you have a wrist or shoulder injury, then you may want to consider using the cross grip instead. The clean grip places the wrist in an odd angle that can be troublesome for previous injuries. Go for a cross grip if you have wrist limitations. Cross your arms in front of your chest. Place the bar across your shoulders, as usual. Grip the top of the bar with the hands that are now resting on your opposing shoulders. Tighten your handhold and push your elbows toward the ceiling. Your arms should be straight forward and parallel to the floor. This grip has the benefit of being easier on anyone with wrist pains. But, it can feel a bit wobbly until you get used to the cross-armed pose. Try a cross grip with straps if you want additional support. Physical therapists use this grip for clients who want the challenge of doing a front squat without a difficult grip. Get two lifting straps and position them around the bar at about shoulder width. Grip each strap right up against the bar and adjust your hands into a clean grip position. Then, lift as usual. When performing this grip make sure that you've properly secured the lifting straps, as they will be transferring the weight of the bar to you. And only use straps that are designed for weightlifting. If you need to use straps, the weight you are lifting may be too heavy for you. To avoid injury, always get one-on-one instruction from a certified personal trainer to use straps. Lift the bar off the rack. With the bar across your shoulders and your grip secure, flex with your legs and push upwards. Straighten your spine slightly and take one or two steps backwards and away from the rack. Make sure to maintain even breathing throughout this stage. Adjust your foot position. Take a quick glance downwards at your feet. Check that they are around shoulder-width apart. Your toes should be angled 10 to 15 degrees outward. If you feel too spread out, then try moving your legs closer to hip-width and add in a few degrees to your toes outward push. Keep adjusting until you feel comfortable. This is another reason why it is good to start with a really lightweight lift. It gives you the ability to move around a bit and find out what body positions work the best for you. Flex and squat downwards. Slowly bend your knees, making sure to keep your back straight. Keep moving downwards until your thighs are almost parallel to the floor. Your thighs and calves will be making an angle just under 90 degrees. If you can't go that deep, that's okay, too. Just keep practicing and you'll get what you need out of the workout. When you are down in the lowest position, check to see that your knees are not going past your toes. If they are, tighten up your posture a bit, as this can place too much pressure on your knee area. Keep your head and elbows up and your abs tight to protect your back. Aside from a few quick glances down to check your positioning, your head should stay upwards at all times. Try to find a spot across the room and focus on it. Your elbows must also stay in an upright position, jutting out parallel to the floor and directly in front of you. It's really tempting to drop your elbows at the bottom of the lift, prevent this by giving them a quick flex upwards. Some lifters also suggest imagining a puppeteer holding strings attached to your elbows and pulling them upwards throughout the exercise. Push upwards at the bottom. When you reach the bottom position, flex your core and glutes and propel yourself back into an upright position. Make sure to keep your heels on the floor to maintain your balance. If you need to stop at a halfway point, go ahead and take a quick break before pushing once again. As you go up you'll likely feel some pressure on the middle part of your feet. This is because these spots should be bearing most of your weight. Repeat for your number of reps. Once you are back in your original standing position, the process starts all over again. Take a few breaths and then start to drop down into the lower position once more. Continue to do this until your reps are completed. Many people like to start with between 5-10 reps of full squats. As you work through your reps, pay attention to how your body feels. Never complete a set if you are in pain or if you feel an injury developing. | Load the bar with weights. Stand inside the squat rack. Position yourself under the bar. Adjust your grip. Do a clean grip. Go for a cross grip if you have wrist limitations. Try a cross grip with straps if you want additional support. Lift the bar off the rack. Adjust your foot position. Flex and squat downwards. Keep your head and elbows up and your abs tight to protect your back. Push upwards at the bottom. Repeat for your number of reps. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Rug | How to Clean a Rug | To clean your rug, blot spills with a clean, white towel and scrape up solid debris as soon as you can. Then, if you're dealing with mud or a mild stain, vacuum your rug. You can use a 2:1 dish soap-water solution to remove and disinfect food or drink spills. If you're cleaning up after an accident that involves urine, try mixing 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water and ⅓ part detergent, then using it to blot your stain. After you've treated your rug, hang it over a railing and use a fan to dry it completely. | Vacuum your rug regularly. To maintain an area rug, at least once a month flip it upside down and vacuum the back of the rug. Vacuuming the back with the beater bar/rotating brush helps push dirt trapped deep down toward the top of the rug. Flip it right side up and vacuum the dirt. Use only suction on the front of wool rugs, for synthetic rugs you can use the beater bar/rotating brush on the front and back. Do not vacuum fringe or tassels. They are delicate material, and easily tangled in the vacuum's beater bar or ripped by the suction. Fluffing them by hand is all they need. Anything else can cause damage to them. Vacuum wool rugs only a few times a month. Vacuuming more often can pull out the fibers. Rotate the rug to even out wear and tear. Foot traffic patterns can beat tracks into the pattern and fibers of a rug. This can be prevented by rotating your area rug regularly so as to avoid the formation of this unsightly wear. If your furniture is resting on a rug, consider moving your furniture regularly to avoid impressions or uneven fading on the rug. You can also turn your rug every other month to even out wear. Roll rugs for moving and storage. Keep the roll as tight as possible. This prevents creases and folds from forming in the rug. It is also significantly easier to break down, move, and store the rug when it is rolled. If you are transporting the rug for steam cleaning or dry cleaning you will need to roll the rug beforehand. Use diluted white vinegar to restore carpet color and shine. Dilute the vinegar, 1 part to 3 parts water, and blot slowly and in the direction of the carpet pile with a sponge. Do not soak the carpet, merely dampen it. Allow it to air dry while avoiding exposure to the sun, which can bleach colors. Sprinkle Borax on the rug to remove any insect infestation. Steam cleaning and shampooing are ineffective at controlling insect colonies. Borax naturally coats and degrades the exoskeletons of insects and destroys larvae and eggs. Sprinkle on the rug, wait approximately 20 minutes, and vacuum. Make sure there are no pets near the rug that could potentially inhale the Borax, which is a mildly toxic irritant. Clean spots or stains as soon as they appear. Always test your rug with a damp white cotton towel to make sure the colors will not run or bleed. Never allow your rug to dry on the floor, as this can cause damage to the floor and lead to permanent water damage. Avoid carpet shampoo on wool rugs. Carpet shampoos are usually made for synthetic wall to wall carpet and not wool area rugs. Always check the label before using any spot cleaners or rug shampoos. After using a spot cleaner or shampoo, make sure you rinse it all out. If there is any soap residue left in the rug it will attract dirt. Blot the spillage and remove any solid debris by scraping. Blot using a clean white 100% cotton dry towel. Press down very hard from the outside towards the middle. Do this repeatedly, turning the folded towel over and over until you have absorbed as much moisture as possible. When you blot the spot move the towel in straight lines. Do not rub in a circle, as this can damage the fibers and construction of the rug. Treat the rug according to the spill. Mud and mild stains can be treated simply by blotting dry and vacuuming. More complicated or serious stains require some chemical intervention, normally in the form of a mild acid to remove the dyes staining the carpet, a light detergent to remove any debris and disinfect, and ammonia in non-wool rugs to the same effect. If the rug is soaked, use a shop vacuum to suck up the moisture. Dry it as well as you can and take it to a cleaner's. Water damage cannot be reversed or treated at home without significant expertise, care, and hardware. If the spillage is perishable, care must be taken to rinse the area thoroughly with mild detergent and water to prevent souring of the residue. Using liquid dish soap diluted 2:1 with water will help remove and disinfect the spillage. Apply to a white cotton towel and blot until as much of the spill as possible is absorbed. For stains that require treatment with ammonia, take valuable rugs to a professional. Do not use ammonia or harsh detergents on wool rugs as the fibers will shrink and degrade with every water treatment. Take your rug to a professional cleaner to minimize cleaning-associated damage. For spills of perishable items, do not use hot water. Blot with a sponge, and treat with three parts acid, one part mild detergent, and one part water. If the rug is not wool, add a part of ammonia for disinfecting and cleaning. Neutralize odors from urine accidents and remove stains by mixing 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water and 1/3 part detergent and blot with white towel or clean sponge. Repeat the treatment for stains if the rug is discolored. Use a fan to dry the rug. Expose as much of the affected area as possible to the air stream to aid in evaporating moisture. Do not allow the rug to dry in the open sun, as photobleaching can ruin the colors in the rug and cause degradation of fibers. Do not allow the rug to dry on the floor, instead, place it on a drying rack. | Vacuum your rug regularly. Rotate the rug to even out wear and tear. Roll rugs for moving and storage. Use diluted white vinegar to restore carpet color and shine. Sprinkle Borax on the rug to remove any insect infestation. Clean spots or stains as soon as they appear. Blot the spillage and remove any solid debris by scraping. Treat the rug according to the spill. Use a fan to dry the rug. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Outdoor-Tiles | How to Clean Outdoor Tiles | To clean porcelain outdoor tiles, sweep them every day with a soft, natural bristle broom. Once a week, fill a bucket with clean, warm water and mop the tiles to remove dirt buildup. Deep clean the tiles once a month by mopping them with a cleaning solution made with 2 gallons of water mixed with 1⁄4 cup of white vinegar. Finish up by mopping the floor with plain water and drying the tiles with a microfiber cloth. | Sweep the tiles daily. Try to sweep your porcelain tiles every day or so. Use a soft, natural bristle broom or take a vacuum attachment and suck up the dirt. Regular sweeping will prevent your tiles from becoming caked with dirt and stained. If your porcelain tiles lead up to an entryway for your house, you'll want to sweep them more often. This will prevent people from tracking dirt into your house. Wash the tiles with clean water once per week. Every few days (or whenever you notice a little dirt or grime building up) you should clean your outdoor porcelain tires with warm water. Fill a bucket with clean, warm water and mop the tiles. This will remove most of the dirt and keep the tiles looking their best. Try to wring most of the water out of the mop. You don't want excess moisture just sitting on the tiles. Deep clean the tiles once a month. At least once a month, fill a large bucket with 2 gallons (7.6 L) of clean water. Add ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of white vinegar and stir the mixture well. Submerge a mop into the cleanser and wring it out. Mop the floor with the cleaner to loosen any dirt. If you prefer, you can buy a commercial cleaner designed for porcelain tiles instead of using the vinegar mixture. Rinse and dry the deep-cleaned tiles. Once you've scrubbed the floors with the vinegar mixture, submerge the mop into clean water and wring it out. Mop the floor with the water to rinse off the rest of the cleanser. Take a large clean towel or microfiber cloth and dry the tiles. If your porcelain tiles are really dirty, you may need to deep clean and rinse them a second time. If your porcelain tiles cover a large space, consider mopping, rinsing, and drying small sections of the floor at a time. Remove stains as soon as you notice them. Try to remove any stains as soon as you notice them. Fill a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket with water. Buy a commercial floor cleaner that's safe to use on porcelain and add 3 to 4 capfuls of the product to the water. Use a small brush or mop to scrub the mixture over the stain until it's removed. Avoid using an oil-based cleanser for stain removal on your porcelain tiles. These can leave an oily residue on the tiles which can make them slippery. Avoid cleaning with abrasive materials. While you might think that you need to scrub built on dirt with a rough brush, you should avoid anything that's abrasive to the porcelain. Avoid using abrasive cleaners like: Hard bristle brushes or steel wool Cleaning products with ammonia or bleach Oil-based detergents or wax cleansers Sweep the wood or composite tiles every few days. Try to sweep your tiles every day or as soon as you notice dirt, leaves, or grime. Use a soft, natural bristle broom to remove the debris that's on the tiles. Regular sweeping will prevent your tiles from becoming caked with dirt or stained. Wash the tiles with soap and water at least once a month. Fill a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket with water and a few squirts of mild dish soap. The water should be soapy and bubbly. Dip a mop into the soapy water and wring it out. Mop the tiles until you've removed the dirt. You can use a string mop or sponge head mop. Just avoid using a scratchy or abrasive mop on the tiles. Rinse the tiles. If you're cleaning a large space, take a garden hose and rinse the tiles with clean water to remove any soap residue. If you're cleaning a small area, you can dip the mop in clean water and wring it out. Mop over the tiles so they're rinsed with the clean water. Remove any grease stains. As soon as you notice an oily stain, wipe up whatever caused it. Dip a sponge or soft cloth into soapy water and wash the stain. This might remove the stain on its own. If not, use a deck stain remover that's specifically made for wood or composite tiles. You'll need to follow the manufacturer's instructions. The longer the stain sits on the tile, the harder it will be to remove. That's why it's important to clean up the stain quickly. Deep clean your tiles twice a year. In addition to keeping your wood and composite tiles swept and clean, you should try to deep clean the tiles in the spring and fall. Buy a tile cleaner developed for wood or composite. It should contain sodium hypochlorite. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Sodium hypochlorite will prevent mold and mildew from growing on your tiles. Avoid cleaning with abrasive materials. Your wood or composite tiles may become slightly scuffed over time. These scuffs may disappear on their own, so avoid trying to remove them with abrasive cleansers (like sandpaper or pressure washers). If you place salt or ice on your tiles in the winter, clean it off as soon as the hazardous weather passes. Ice and salt can damage the tiles if they sit on them for very long. Dry mop solid stone tiles every day or two. Dry mop your tiles every day or as soon as you notice dirt or debris. The dry dust mop will prevent sand and grit from rubbing against the tiles which can cause scratches. You should dry mop if your tiles are made of: Granite Slate Limestone Marble Sandstone Wash the tiles with soap and water. Fill a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket with water and a few squirts of mild dish soap or stone soap. Dip a mop into the soapy water and wring it out. Mop the tiles in small, overlapping circles to remove the dirt and prevent streaking. Choose a soapstone with a pH level of 7 or try to find a soapless cleanser since it won't leave streaks. If you're using dish soap, choose one that's phosphate-free and biodegradable. Identify if you should use a bleach solution. To remove algae or moss, clean the tiles with a bleach solution. If your solid stone tiles are near a pool, patio, or hot tub, wash them off with clean water. Pour 2 gallons (7.6 L) of water into a bucket and stir in 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of bleach. Use a sponge or mop to wash the area with the mild bleach solution. Rinse and dry the tiles. If you're cleaning a large space, take a garden hose and rinse the tiles with clean water to remove any soap residue. If you're cleaning a small area, you can dip the mop in clean water and wring it out. Mop over the tiles so they're rinsed with the clean water. Wipe the tiles with a soft cloth until they're dry and let them air dry completely. You'll need to change the water several times and keep rinsing until the soap residue is completely removed. Stone tiles tend to fade in color over time due to sun exposure, so use a stone enhancer and sealer to protect them. Make sure you find one that is safe for outdoor use. Avoid cleaning with abrasive materials. Never clean your solid stone tiles with anything that's abrasive. These can scratch and damage the tiles. When making or buying cleansers, avoid: Hard bristle brushes Vinegar or lemon juice Products with acid cleansers | Sweep the tiles daily. Wash the tiles with clean water once per week. Deep clean the tiles once a month. Rinse and dry the deep-cleaned tiles. Remove stains as soon as you notice them. Avoid cleaning with abrasive materials. Sweep the wood or composite tiles every few days. Wash the tiles with soap and water at least once a month. Rinse the tiles. Remove any grease stains. Deep clean your tiles twice a year. Avoid cleaning with abrasive materials. Dry mop solid stone tiles every day or two. Wash the tiles with soap and water. Identify if you should use a bleach solution. Rinse and dry the tiles. Avoid cleaning with abrasive materials. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Chemical-Engineer | How to Become a Chemical Engineer | Becoming a chemical engineer takes a lot of hard work, but if you're committed and study hard, it can be an exciting and rewarding career choice. Go to college to get a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. Depending on the job you want, you'll likely also need to complete a master's degree in your chosen specialty. While you're in school, apply for an apprenticeship or an internship for a chemical company so you can get hands-on experience. | Evaluate your skills and interests. Before deciding to become a chemical engineer, you should consider your skills and interests. This is because chemical engineers need a certain set of skills. If you're not interested in developing those skills, you won't enjoy it as a career. You should be good at completing high level math equations. You'll have to master algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and more. You should have an interest in the physical sciences. You'll have to complete many chemistry courses, including organic chemistry. You should have an eye for detail. Apply to an institution that offers a bachelor’s in chemical engineering. The minimum qualification for most chemical engineering positions is a bachelor's of science. Without earning a bachelor's of science, you won't be able to get a job as a chemical engineer. Some of the top universities to earn a bachelor's of science with an emphasis on chemical engineering include: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Cambridge, and Kyoto University. Most large public universities offer degrees compatible with a career as a chemical engineer. Complete your coursework. To earn your degree in chemical engineering, you'll have to complete a number of prerequisites and core courses. Without these courses, you won't have the foundation or specific knowledge to practice as a chemical engineer. Some courses include: Basic science and math courses like: chemistry, physics, and algebra. Chemistry core classes like: organic chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry. Chemical engineering core classes like: fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, engineering thermodynamics, and chemical reaction engineering. General engineering classes like: computer programming, instrumentation lab, and probability and statistics. Pick your area of specialization. While you're in your undergraduate program or soon after, you'll have the opportunity decide on which industry you'd like to work in. You can decide on your specialization based on interest, job availability, or compensation. In the end, though, this choice could impact whether you go on to seek a higher degree. Some specializations include: Petrochemicals Pharmaceuticals Food General manufacturing Environmental Get a master’s of science. Apply for admission to a program that offers a master's in chemical engineering or a related field. These programs could take between one and four years to complete, depending on the institution. During your studies, you'll complete advanced course work and gain hands-on experience working in interdisciplinary teams. Managerial or higher level chemical engineering jobs will likely require a master's. Complete an internship or apprenticeship. Internships or apprenticeships are positions you can apply for during your education or immediately after. If you are enrolled in an academic program, ask your advisor or a professor if they know of internship opportunities. In addition, depending on the institution you study at, they might have internship placement agreements with businesses in the area. Visit http://internships.aiche.org/ to view current internships. These positions generally offer low or no pay, but put you on a track for a permanent position once you've finished your education or gained a certain amount of experience. Many good bachelor's or master's programs will require or recommend that you complete an internship. In addition, your major professor or department might have contacts that will make it easier for you to secure an internship. Get cooperative engineering experience. Many employers value candidates with experience cooperating with other chemical engineers and engineers from different disciplines. Because of this, you should make it a priority to get experience working on teams to solve a variety of problems. You can gain this experience: During your work as an intern. In your graduate studies. At an entry-level job or through other related work experience. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Apply to take the test through your state or regional professional association. Very often, the exam is administered by national or international testing services. Ask your college professors or contact your local professional association for more information. This test is often taken during the test-taker's final year of college. After passing this exam, you will earn the title “Engineer in Training” or “Engineer Intern.” Earn a passing score on the Professional Engineering exam. Whereas the Fundamentals test is sponsored by professional associations, this exam is often sponsored by state or local governments. To sign up for it, contact your state board of licensing. To take this test, you must have four years of work experience. Once you pass the test, you will gain the title of "Engineer." Visit http://ncees.org/engineering/ for more information. Join professional organizations. By joining professional organizations, you'll have the opportunity to gain continuing education and engage in professional networking. After joining an organization, you will be able to attend your professional organization's annual conference. There, you'll meet professionals in your field. You may also have the opportunity to interview for jobs at conferences. The most noted organizations are: The American Institute of Chemical Engineers. This organization hosts annual regional conferences for students, as well as national or global meetings for professionals. The National Society of Professional Engineers. This organization is employment oriented, offers a job board, and organizes mentoring programs. Network with professionals. Keep the contact information of anyone you meet at conferences, fellow chemical engineering students in college, and others you meet while gaining experience. These professionals will serve as assets to you and may be able to help you advance your career later on. Look on the websites of major employers. Visit the employment websites of just about any major multinational corporation to see if they have any openings for chemical engineers. Depending on your region, and whether you're willing to relocate, you should be able to find a position that meets your skill set. Consider the following companies: Monsanto Archer Daniels Midland Dow Chemical International Paper General Motors Kraft Visit job board websites or recruiters. You'll be able to find a wide variety of chemical engineering jobs on major internet job board websites. These websites will list positions with various requirements and skill levels. Some websites include: Indeed.com Simplyhired.com Monster.com Sun Recruiting Look for better jobs. After you've spent a couple of years gaining experience, you should consider looking for a better job. A better job may offer you a higher salary, more advancement opportunities, and new professional challenges. To get a better job: Use the contacts you've made over the years. Keep an eye on job boards for new job postings. Visit conferences annually. This way, you'll continue to make new contacts and stay apprised of new opportunities in the industry. | Evaluate your skills and interests. Apply to an institution that offers a bachelor’s in chemical engineering. Complete your coursework. Pick your area of specialization. Get a master’s of science. Complete an internship or apprenticeship. Get cooperative engineering experience. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Earn a passing score on the Professional Engineering exam. Join professional organizations. Network with professionals. Look on the websites of major employers. Visit job board websites or recruiters. Look for better jobs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Support-Your-Girlfriend-After-She-Has-an-Abortion | How to Support Your Girlfriend After She Has an Abortion | To support your girlfriend after she has an abortion, the most important thing you can do is let her know that you're there for her. Let her talk about her feelings when she's ready, and ask if you can help her with anything she needs, like a ride to the doctor's office or help with errands. Don't forget to be kind to yourself too. Confront your own emotions and talk with your girlfriend about them when you're both ready. | Tell her that you’re here to support her in whatever way she needs. This may be a tough situation for both you and your girlfriend, and the best thing you can do is tell her how much you care for her. Try not to assume that you know what she wants. Instead, ask her what you can do to help and let her lead the conversation. She might want to talk about her feelings right away, but she might also want time alone. Simply let her know that you're there for her when she's ready. Listen to how she feels without judgment. If your girlfriend feels like talking about the abortion, focus on listening. She might be embarrassed of her emotions, so make sure she knows she can be honest with you, no matter what she's feeling. Be kind, supportive, and loving. Let her take her time and talk as much as she needs to. Don't assume that you know what she's feeling; it could be anything from sadness, pain, and regret to guilt, anger, or even relief. Make sure she knows that it's OK to feel this way, and that, no matter what, you won't judge her. Ask her open-ended questions about what she's feeling, what she's been through, and what she wants next. Say things like, “This is a really hard situation for both of us. I care about you and I'm here for you no matter what.” If she has negative feelings towards you afterwards, respond calmly and with compassion, even if you're getting upset. Say, “I'm so sorry that you're going through this. It's incredibly hard and all I want to do is help.” Offer to leave her alone for a while if that's what she needs. Don’t minimize her feelings, no matter what they are. It's natural to want to comfort your girlfriend by telling her that everything will be OK, but this risks trivializing everything she—and you—are going through. Instead, focus on acknowledging her pain and lending your support however she needs it. Don't try to talk her out of her feelings, even as a way to protect her. Letting her feel her emotions will help her work through them and start to heal. Say something like, “You're going through so much right now—we both are. I know it feels so hard, but you're strong, you'll get through this, and I'm here for you.” Stay calm if you have negative feelings about the abortion. If you didn't support the abortion or are having negative feelings afterwards, supporting your girlfriend can feel really difficult. If you can, stay with her and wait for your feelings to settle before talking to her, so you can avoid saying something you'll regret later. If you feel like you can't be around her, arrange for friends or family to stay with her. Do your best not to lay the blame on your girlfriend or lash out at her. It's over with now, and getting angry or upset with her will only make things worse. If you need to talk about your feelings right away, say, “I'm feeling really upset about this. When you're feeling up to it, I'd like to talk about what's going on with me.” If you need time away from your girlfriend, say “I need some time on my own to think about how I feel. I care about you so much and I don't want to accidentally say something hurtful while you're recovering.” Look at after-abortion resources together. Many sites offer advice and comfort to help you both through any emotional turmoil you might be going through. Some also offer talk lines that allow you to speak with a counselor anonymously. Some possible resources include: Planned Parenthood Exhale Project Voice All Options Watch for signs of depression or deeper emotional turmoil. No matter the situation, abortion can be traumatic for any woman and can leave her experiencing depression, numbness, or anxiety. Feelings of loss, sadness, or guilt are normal, but if your girlfriend seems to be more deeply affected, talk to her about speaking with a counselor. Symptoms of depression can include: Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness Anger or irritability, sometimes over small issues Loss of interest in normal activities Lack of energy Sleep disturbances Changes in appetite or weight Trouble thinking, concentrating, or making decisions Be there for her in-person as much as she needs. Ask your girlfriend if she wants you to stay with her, and tell her you'll be with her for as long as she needs. Ask if you can hold her hand, or offer her hugs and other soothing touches. She may be feeling sensitive after the abortion, so make sure to ask before you touch her. Say something simple and gentle, like, “Do you want me to stay with you for a while, or do you want some alone time?” Your girlfriend might not feel like being touched or being around others after the abortion. Remember that this is not a reflection on you, but that she simply needs time to recover emotionally and physically. Offer to help her with anything she needs. Giving her an open door to ask for help will ensure that she doesn't feel guilty or needy. Offer to do small things, like running errands, making meals, and taking care of pets or kids, and bigger tasks like making doctor's appointments or calling into work. Say, “I'm here to help you. Let me know if I can do anything to make you more comfortable.” Help her with her aftercare medications and requirements. Educate yourself on what side effects your girlfriend might experience, which could include cramping, bleeding, and nausea. Offer solutions like a heating pad or pain-relieving medication, but don't force them on her. Ask what she needs to be comfortable and do what you can to help. Ask the doctor or look online to know when a serious side effect needs extra attention. This could include heavy, persistent bleeding, fever, strong-smelling vaginal discharge, chills, or severe abdominal pain. You should avoid having sex for about 2 weeks after the abortion, as this can cause an infection. Your girlfriend will have to stop using tampons for 2 weeks as well. Offer to drive her to follow-up appointments. Ask your girlfriend if you can drive her to her post-operative checkup (which will likely be required by her doctors), or any other visits to the clinic or pharmacy. Wait for her in the waiting room so she knows she has someone there when she gets out. If she already has a friend or family member helping her out with this, ask if there's anything else you can do to help. Make her a care package of her favorite things. Gather up things that will make her feel loved and cared for, like her favorite foods, magazines, and flowers. Offer to watch her favorite movies or shows, or go out to her favorite restaurant when she feels up to it. You could also include a note telling her how much you care about her. These small gestures can help to brighten up what might be a tough day for her. Think about how you can help with contraception in the future. Considering how you can help bear the responsibility of contraception will show that you don't want to take chances with her health or wellbeing. This might be a sensitive subject, though, so don't bring it up with her just yet. Start thinking about possible solutions and broach the subject before resuming sexual activity. Bring up birth control after waiting a week or two, or whenever it feels like the right time. Wait for a moment when you're both alone and feeling calm. Say, “I wanted to talk about other birth control options before we start sleeping together again. I've been thinking about ways I could help and wanted to see what you thought.” Possible birth control options include condoms, spermicide, vasectomy (a permanent sterilization), or helping your girlfriend to track her fertility. Think about your own feelings about the abortion. You might feel you have to suppress your own emotions so you can be there for your girlfriend, but this will only result in more pain and frustration in the long run. It's OK if you don't feel ready to talk with your girlfriend just yet, but let yourself confront your emotions mentally. You might feel relief, loss, regret, guilt, confusion, or powerlessness. If you're feeling really negative about the situation, try talking to a counselor or someone that you trust like a family member or close friend. Try to parse out why you feel the way you do to help you understand your emotions. It's normal not to have the same reaction as your girlfriend, so don't worry if this is the case. If you don't talk about your feelings about the abortion, it could affect your relationship moving forward. Talk to her about how you feel when the time is right. Be honest with your girlfriend and tell her you'd like to talk about your reaction to the abortion, if she's ready. Openly communicating with her about how you feel can help keep your relationship healthy, and help both of you start to heal. Use your best instincts to know when the time is right to talk. You know your girlfriend well; you might want to wait a few days or a week to talk, or she might want to discuss your feelings sooner than that. If she wants to talk about your feelings but you're not yet ready, be honest. Say, “I'm not really ready to talk about that just yet. I know you're here for me and I'll let you know when I'm feeling up to it.” Reach out to people you trust. Talk to your girlfriend about the possibility of talking to a trusted friend or family member, or even a therapist or counselor. This can be a good solution if you're not sure how to express how you feel just yet, and can make opening up to your girlfriend easier. Your girlfriend might not be comfortable with you talking to others about something very personal. Set boundaries together and try to figure out a compromise that works for both of you Remember that your mental health is a priority. If she refuse to compromise, seek out the help you need on your own. If your relationship feels strained after the abortion, talk about trying couples therapy together. Say, “We're both going through a lot right now and I think talking to a professional could really help.” Remember that the process will take time for both of you. Your feelings may change over time, and so might your relationship. Give yourself time to work through your feelings and be kind to both yourself and your girlfriend as you go through this process together. The recovery process might be hard for one or both of you. Let yourself feel what you're feeling and talk to each other often. It takes time, but you will both heal and be able to move on. Focus on healing your mind and spirit through activities like art, meditation, exercise, and talking with people you trust. | Tell her that you’re here to support her in whatever way she needs. Listen to how she feels without judgment. Don’t minimize her feelings, no matter what they are. Stay calm if you have negative feelings about the abortion. Look at after-abortion resources together. Watch for signs of depression or deeper emotional turmoil. Be there for her in-person as much as she needs. Offer to help her with anything she needs. Help her with her aftercare medications and requirements. Offer to drive her to follow-up appointments. Make her a care package of her favorite things. Think about how you can help with contraception in the future. Think about your own feelings about the abortion. Talk to her about how you feel when the time is right. Reach out to people you trust. Remember that the process will take time for both of you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-You-Are-Ready-to-Go-on-Pointe | How to Tell if You Are Ready to Go on Pointe | Before you're ready to go on pointe, you'll need to have taken ballet for at least 2 years and be at least 11 or 12. Dancing en pointe too young means your foot bones will still be hardening and can be more easily permanently injured. Then, make sure you're at a healthy weight so your toes can support you, and have somebody check if you have a strong, straight core and upright pelvis when you dance. They should also check that you have correct turnout whenever you're dancing on flat foot or demi-pointe, because maintaining turnout is even harder en pointe. Ask your instructor to assess your foot and ankle strength, so they can give you an individual and informed assessment on whether you're ready for pointe work. Lastly, see if you can do 16 relevés in a row from any position in demi-pointe. If you can't, your muscles aren't yet strong enough for you to go en pointe. | Make sure you’re old enough. Experts argue that it's unsafe to begin dancing in pointe shoes before 11 or 12 years of age, because the bones in the foot are still hardening when you're young. Dancing en pointe at a young age, before your bones are strong enough to support your weight, could result in permanent injury to your feet. Take at least two years of prior ballet instructions. Though some students may be asked to wait longer, especially if they are not old enough, nobody should be considered for work on pointe until they have received, at minimum, two years of instruction in the fundamentals of ballet. This doesn't mean that you took one ballet class a month for two years, and are now ready to go on pointe. You need regular, rigorous training to prepare for pointe shoes. You should have consistently received at least 3-5 hours of training per week for the two years of prior instruction. Check the bone structure of your foot. Unfortunately some people will never be able to dance en pointe, no matter how hard they train, simply because the bone structure of their foot would result in injury if pointe were to be attempted. The ideal foot for dancing en pointe will have the following characteristics: Toes should be about the same length, to provide a “squared-off” platform for stability. The most difficult foot shape is one in which the second toe is longest. Ankle flexibility High arch on the instep of the foot Make sure you are at a healthy weight. Because all of your body weight is distributed across your toes when you dance en pointe, instructors might hesitate to recommend you for pointe work if they worry your toes will not be able to handle the amount of weight you will be asking them to support. Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to make sure you fall within a healthy weight category before attempting pointe. Check if you have a strong, straight core and upright pelvis when dancing. Have a teacher or parent evaluate you, or take a video recording of yourself dancing. It will be difficult to evaluate yourself in a mirror because craning your neck to watch your reflection might have a negative impact on your posture. Your back muscles and lower abdominal muscles should be engaged in holding the trunk of your body straight. You shouldn't sink down into your pelvis or hip bone when placing weight on one leg. See if you can do 16 relevés in a row in demi-pointe. Demi-pointe, also known as half-pointe, is when you balance on the balls of your foot rather than the toes of your foot. If you cannot perform 16 relevés in a row on demi-pointe from center, your muscles are not yet strong enough to go en pointe. Stand at a bar or other flat surface (like a table) to support yourself if you lose your balance. The releve can be performed from any position, first through fifth. Roll up onto the balls of your feet and hold that position for a few seconds. Keep your weight centered over first three toes. Don't let your weight shift so you're balancing on your little toes. Don't "release your turnout" by letting your heels turn backwards. Engage your rotators and abdominal muscles to keep your heels pointed inward so your toes and knees point outward. Roll back down until you're flat-footed. Repeat 16 times. Be able to maintain correct turnout while dancing on flat foot or demi-pointe. If you can't maintain correct turnout normally, you will have a lot of trouble maintaining it en pointe, because it's more difficult to maintain turnout then. Your foot should stay in line with your kneecap and hip joint, with your ball of your big toe acting as the balancing pointe for your body weight. You should maintain straight knees and keep your heels forward to avoid sickling. Ask your teacher to assess your foot and ankle strength. Although there are general rules of thumb, ballet instructors are more and more relying on individual assessment of students' feet and ankles to determine whether or not they are ready for pointe work. Either the instructor or a physical therapist recommended by your instructor will know what to look for in evaluating your body. If you think you meet the other benchmarks and are ready to begin pointe work, ask your instructor for an evaluation. Build ankle strength. There are many exercises you can do outside of ballet steps that will build up ankle strength to ensure you're performing technical steps safely. Play balance and catch: standing on one leg, throw a ball back and forth with a partner. The heavier the ball, the better the workout will be for your ankle. Have your partner throw it all around your center — above you, to your right and left, etc. — to further force your balance to shift. One-legged squats: Extend one leg in front of you, then do ten half squats. Swing the leg out to the side and do 10 more half squats. Swing the leg behind you, and do ten more half squats. (Adjust reps up or down based on comfort level.) Exercise with a Theraband. A Theraband is an elastic resistance band that can be used for both strength and flexibility training. With the following exercise, do not do it because of the research of new scientists showing that it harms your toes with the resistance both forwards and backwards. Instead, try doing the same thing but with a small ball, or a yoga ball. Sit straight-backed on the floor with legs extended in front of you. Loop the Theraband around the ball of your foot and pull backward to create tension. In a slow, controlled motion, point and flex your toes, making sure your feet do not sickle. Practice metatarsal doming. Metatarsal doming exercises strengthen the small, intrinsic muscles in the foot that you don't think about on a day-to-day basis, but which are very important for proper technique. In a standing position, tighten your toes to provide a stable base for your foot. Pull your foot back, arching your instep as far as possible. Hold this position for a count of six seconds, then relax for ten seconds. Perform ten reps of this exercise on each foot. Practice going on demi-pointe. Although it's safer than dancing en pointe, it's actually more difficult to hold positions in demi-pointe. Practice dancing on demi-pointe to strengthen the muscle groups you'll need to dance en pointe and work on your balance. Practice steps and exercises that will prepare you for pointe. Instructors will expect you to perform a specific set of steps when they make their decision about whether or not you are ready to graduate to pointe. Although you should ask your specific instructor what he or she will be looking for, in general, instructors are looking for the following abilities, which you should practice: Hold a passé balance, in which you pull one leg up and tuck the ball of your foot into your knee, while standing on half-pointe for as long as you can. Maintain perfect form during pliés, in which you bend your knees while maintaining your turnout, so your feet are pointed outward. Pointe your feet when dancing; pointing when dancing on demi-pointe strengthens the muscles you will need en pointe. Perform a piqué passé with straight leg: standing on one leg in demi-pointe, bring the other leg up into a passé balance, then bring it down to touch the ground, before bringing it back up into a passé balance. Do 16 relevés in the center in a row. | Make sure you’re old enough. Take at least two years of prior ballet instructions. Check the bone structure of your foot. Make sure you are at a healthy weight. Check if you have a strong, straight core and upright pelvis when dancing. See if you can do 16 relevés in a row in demi-pointe. Be able to maintain correct turnout while dancing on flat foot or demi-pointe. Ask your teacher to assess your foot and ankle strength. Build ankle strength. Exercise with a Theraband. Practice metatarsal doming. Practice going on demi-pointe. Practice steps and exercises that will prepare you for pointe. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-over-Being-Camera-Shy | How to Get over Being Camera Shy | If you're trying to get over being camera shy, practice different poses in front of a mirror until you find your most flattering angle and lighting. As you pose, take some selfies! Nobody has to see them but you, but that way you'll get used to being photographed and looking at photos of yourself. Try giving yourself positive self-affirmations by noticing your genuine smile in one picture or remembering what a great day you had in another. The best way to combat camera shyness is to keep taking pictures. | Identify the reason. Ask yourself why you don't want your picture taken. There are a number of reasons you may feel the desire to avoid a camera. Knowing what fuels your own shyness will help you identify ways to overcome it. Ask yourself: Is it because you don't like the way you look overall? Is there a certain feature you would like to hide? Does the idea of putting an image of yourself out into the world cause you stress or anxiety? Find a relaxation technique. If you know in advance that you are going to be in front of a camera, try a relaxation technique to help manage the stress. Yoga, deep breathing, or even dancing around before a photo shoot have all been recommended by camera-shy people. Try a deep breathing cycle immediately before stepping in front of the camera. Close your eyes and slowly inhale while counting to three, hold your breath for two seconds, then breathe out over another three-count. Release some endorphins by making yourself laugh before you get in front of the camera. Find a funny picture or joke, or look back on an enjoyable memory. Try using positive self-affirmation while looking at a photo. Positive self-affirmations can be helpful for building up your self-esteem, so they might also help you to feel more confident about how you look in pictures. Try giving yourself a compliment or reflecting on how happy you felt when the picture was taken. For example, you can tell yourself something like, "My smile looks genuine and I look happy." Or, "I remember this day. It was so peaceful and I look like I'm enjoying myself." Try to find something positive to say about each picture of yourself that you look at. Limit your time looking at photos of yourself. If you find that the longer you look at a photo of yourself, the more negative things you have to say about it, then it might be helpful for you to limit your time looking at pictures of yourself. Try to allow yourself no more than three seconds to look at a photo of yourself, or just long enough to see it. Then, put away the picture. Identify critical phrases you say to yourself. You may have certain things that you say to yourself repeatedly when you see a picture of yourself that you do not like. To begin changing your thinking, you will need to begin to question and revise these critical phrases. Start by questioning the critical phrase, such as by asking questions like: Is that really true? Would a caring friend or family member say that to me? Is there any benefit to thinking this way? If not, then why don't I stop thinking it? Then, try to turn the critical phrase into something positive. For example, if you tend to tell yourself, “I look ugly in all my pictures,” then try revising this by saying something like, “My eyes look really bright and blue in this photo.” Or, “I had just woken up and I was so sleepy!” Make yourself comfortable. Instead of trying to look good for the camera by finding a look that is fashionable or trendy, look good by finding a look that makes you comfortable. Even if your fears aren't rooted in how you look on camera, getting comfortable will cause less stress and distraction. Dress for yourself. Whether you prefer loose-fitting sweats or fashion-forward outfits, you'll feel the most comfortable in front of the camera when you feel like yourself. Find comfortable environments. For both more formal photo shoots and pictures with friends or family, start by only having your picture taken in places that are comfortable for you. If you don't like being the center of attention in public, for example, start by taking pictures at home. Boost your confidence. Work on getting your confidence up so that you feel better stepping in front of the camera. Try some quick confidence-boosters to feel better before you get in front of the camera. Try a confidence boosting positive affirmation. Before you get in front of the camera, repeat a phrase like, "I am going to take a wonderful photo," or "I will be fearless in front of the camera." Adjust your posture. Some research suggests that adopting a good posture sends reassuring signals of capability to the brain. Mentally reassure yourself. Picturing the best outcome can be mentally reassuring. Subdue your fears by picturing taking a great photo before you get in front of the camera. Give yourself a reason. Try motivating yourself by giving yourself a reason to step in front of the camera despite your fear. Remind yourself that photos capture memories of the times and the people most important to you. Remind yourself that your photos let you look back on times you enjoy. Think about times you really want to remember, such as vacations, celebrations with friends and family, and major life events such as getting married or starting a new job. Make an effort during those times to get in front of the camera. Look back over old photos to remind yourself of good memories and inspire you capture more. Set goals for yourself. Challenge yourself to appear in one photo during an event or with someone you care about. Pose in front of the mirror. Get comfortable with what lighting and angling can do to your look by posing in front of the mirror. Use this as time to find what works for you. Change up your lighting, as well as your pose. Compare daylight to an incandescent light, or midday to dusk. Don't focus on the poses you don't like. Instead of spending time worrying about why a pose didn't work for you, spend more time working with angles and positions you find flattering. Make the experience fun for yourself by turning on music or posing with a friend. Take a selfie. Try taking some pictures of yourself with your own phone or camera. Don't worry about getting a great picture. Just try to get used being photographed and seeing photographs of yourself. Remind yourself that no one else has to see your selfies. You can delete any of them that you do not like. If you are using your phone's camera, try different filters and effects to make your pictures more fun and less intimidating. Get props. You could use any number of things as a prop depending upon the situation. Simply try to find something that will help you feel occupied or comfortable on camera. Try a photo booth or photo booth filter on a phone's camera. Use hats, signs, and other props to take stress away from looking good for the camera. Pack a pair of sunglasses, a scarf, or some other accessory if you are going out with shutterbug friends. Throw on the glasses or bundle into the scarf so that only part of your face is exposed. This lets you practice being in pictures without feeling too overwhelmed. Work with a professional. Talk to a professional photographer to help find out what works best for you. Let them know that you are camera shy and that you want their help getting comfortable having your picture taken. Book a short photo shoot. Work with them on posing, stance, lighting, or other issues about which you may have questions. Ask specific questions about things that make you nervous. If, for example, you don't want people to see a feature such as a scar or birthmark, ask them, “How can I pose to downplay this feature but still look comfortable?” Have a friend there. Whether it's a professional photo or a candid shot, get a friend to help you out. If you worry about being the center of attention, bringing other people into the picture is a great way to diffuse focus. If you are going out with a group, ask a friend to be your photo buddy. Ask someone, "Hey, will you jump in next to me if someone pulls out a camera?" If you have to do a solo shoot, have a friend or loved one there to support you. Ask if they can stand alongside the photographer or near you but just out of the shot. Focus your attention on them instead of the photographer by asking, "How was your day?" or something else unrelated to the photo shoot. Distract yourself. Take your focus away from the camera by putting it on something else. Find or bring a distraction to make things easier. If you have a photo shoot planned, have music or a video loaded on a device that you can play during the shoot. Bring a friend or family member to talk to during a formal shoot. If someone brings out a camera while you are out, simply start talking to a friend. Find another event on which to focus. For example, if you are out at a park and your group takes out their cameras, focus on a dog going for a walk or an oddly-shaped cloud instead of the cameras. Just keep taking pictures. The best way to get over being camera shy is through exposure. Keep challenging yourself to step in front of the camera, and eventually it may become easier. | Identify the reason. Find a relaxation technique. Try using positive self-affirmation while looking at a photo. Limit your time looking at photos of yourself. Identify critical phrases you say to yourself. Make yourself comfortable. Boost your confidence. Give yourself a reason. Pose in front of the mirror. Take a selfie. Get props. Work with a professional. Have a friend there. Distract yourself. Just keep taking pictures. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-the-Right-Car-for-You | How to Choose the Right Car for You | Choosing the right car can seem confusing, but by setting a budget, considering fuel efficiency, and deciding on a new or used car, you can make your decision easier. Set a budget so your car payments don't exceed 15% of your monthly salary. That way, you have room to cover other monthly expenses as well. For the most fuel-efficient option, choose a smaller car like a sedan. If you need more room for a larger family, consider a minivan or SUV. Use your budget to look at your options to help decide between new and used, and avoid buying a car that's had numerous owners, which is usually a bad sign. Once you've got an idea of the car you want, check review websites to compare different makes and models to find one for you. | Buy a smaller car if you want to save money. Other than luxury sports cars, small cars generally cost less than larger models. They also consume less fuel, which will save you money over the long term. Opt for a smaller car if it suits your lifestyle and if your family can fit comfortably inside. Many small cars are surprisingly roomy inside. Visit a dealership to see them in person before dismissing them for being too cramped. Avoid 2 door cars for a family of more than 2 people. If you have kids, intend to have kids in the near future, or drive around friends or family on a regular basis, opt for a 4 door car over a small 2 door car. The process of pushing up a front seat to let your backseat passengers in and out of the car will likely grow tedious over time. Sedans and hatchbacks with 2 doors are good choices with affordable options on the market. Get a full-size minivan or SUV to suit a large family. If you regularly transport 4 or more people and need lots of trunk space, opt for a large vehicle to suit your needs. A minivan or SUV can carry up to 8 passengers when equipped with a second-row bench seat. Some large vans can accommodate up to 15 people. Opt for a pick up truck if you regularly transport large items. Pick up trucks are popular and powerful vehicles with a range of options and features. If you intend to pull a trailer or haul multi-ton loads, look for a full-sized, heavy-duty pick up truck. If your cargo transport needs mostly involve hauling dirty items that you wouldn't want in the interior of a vehicle, like construction debris and mulch, opt for a compact pick up truck. Work out your car budget. As a general rule, your car payments should not exceed 15% of your monthly salary. This percentage gives you room to cover your other monthly expenses, such as rent or mortgage, food, bills, and car insurance payments. Use a phone app or Excel spreadsheet to calculate your regular expenditures over a month , including money spent for entertainment and leisure, to see if more of your budget can feasibly go towards your car. Decide between a new or used car. Your budget will be the most relevant consideration when deciding between a new and used car. Used cars generally offer a better value but they require careful checking by an expert to ensure that they are in good condition. Avoid buying a car that has had numerous owners, which is usually a bad sign. Consider fuel efficiency. If you want a fuel-efficient car and you commute less than thirty miles daily, a hybrid car is a great option. If you travel long distances on a regular basis, opt for an economy sized four cylinder car. Having fewer cylinders means better fuel economy overall. Cars that run on diesel fuel may be a more fuel-efficient option for people who do a lot of highway driving as diesel is frequently cheaper than gasoline. Make use of car review websites. Checking local car review websites will give you the lowdown on features, performance, strengths, and weaknesses of different models of car. Read reviews from buyers and car experts to get a broad perspective on how the cars measure up. Reviews coming directly from car owners are likely to be the most honest and upfront about the potential problems or perks of certain vehicles. Car review websites are also helpful for compare similar cars. Research local car dealerships online. An important part of car shopping is having a quality experience with the dealership you choose to buy or lease from. Read online reviews of local car dealerships to see scores, stats, and buyer experiences. Opt for a long-running dealership as longevity is usually a sign of quality service and customer satisfaction. Reviews of dealerships in the U.S. can be obtained through the Better Business Bureau and Edmunds, a top online automotive resource. Look up cars that are within your budget. There are a variety of online resources available that will help you find a car that you can afford. Visit reliable car review websites to compare prices and get an idea of what car you should be shopping for. Such websites include: https://www.carmax.com/ https://www.edmunds.com/ https://www.kbb.com/ https://www.truecar.com/ Do price comparison shopping. Look up the prices of similar cars from different manufacturers and dealerships. If you are looking for a specific type of vehicle, like a small hatchback, limit your focus to that category to keep your research manageable. If prices are not readily available online or in local publications, visit local dealerships. Used car dealerships will be able to offer you certain deals and lower prices, so visit them in person to research their prices. Even if you really like a car, be willing to walk away from it if it's not in your price range. Schedule a test drive. The best way to find out if a car is right for you is to get behind the wheel. Visit a car dealership to arrange a test drive, either on the same day or at a later date. Aim to visit the dealership in the morning, early in the week, to ensure that you get the salesperson's full attention and avoid a long wait or crowd. Do not feel pressured to buy a car the same day as your test drive. Use the test drive as an opportunity to ask the salesperson extensive questions about the car. Check the exterior, interior, and trunk to make sure they all look good. Make sure the lights, air conditioner, power windows, locks, power seats, and any other electronic parts work properly. Then pop the hood and check the fluid levels. | Buy a smaller car if you want to save money. Avoid 2 door cars for a family of more than 2 people. Get a full-size minivan or SUV to suit a large family. Opt for a pick up truck if you regularly transport large items. Work out your car budget. Decide between a new or used car. Consider fuel efficiency. Make use of car review websites. Research local car dealerships online. Look up cars that are within your budget. Do price comparison shopping. Schedule a test drive. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Throw-an-Oscars-Party | How to Throw an Oscars Party | To throw a glamorous Oscar party, deck your house in shiny gold streamers and black tablecloths. Use a long tablecloth as a red carpet and old sports trophies as fake Oscar statuettes. Serve snacks like popcorn and chocolate strawberries throughout the long show. Ask guests to dress in dresses and suits for a formal affair, or specify casual dress to go more laid-back. For a fun competition, have guests fill out an Oscars ballot to guess the winners. | Invite 5-7 people for a more relaxed party. A smaller Oscars party, with just your close friends and family, can be just as much fun as a big bash—sometimes even better! Keep the guest list to 5-7 people, or even fewer, for a smaller affair. Don't worry—just because you have a smaller party, doesn't mean you have to ditch the fancy decorations and dress code, if you want them. A smaller party lets you save money on food, and you won't have to worry about entertaining lots of people. Throw a large party by inviting 7-15 guests, or more. If you want to go all out, opt for a grander party with a big guest list, anywhere from 7-15 people. Invite people from different friend groups to encourage interesting conversations and connections. A big, diverse group can make for a more lavish-feeling party, which goes perfectly with the Oscars theme. Depending on how large your house or venue is, you can go even larger than 15 people. More guests will mean more work and expenses for you, but a fabulous party might be worth it! Choose a location based on the size and feel of your party. Your house is the perfect location for both a large and fancy party or something smaller and more relaxed. If you want an even fancier feel, you could choose to rent out a room. You might rent a space, like a ballroom or large meeting room, at a hotel or community center. Using an outside venue will give the party a more formal and less personal feeling, but is great if you're looking to invite a big crowd of 50 or more guests. Make sure to book your venue at least a few months ahead of time. Go with an elegant, classy theme for a fun and fancy party. The Oscars serve as their own party theme, but you can play off of them to create your own unique vibe. You can go for an old Hollywood feel, modern black tie, or relaxed and casual. For a glam, red carpet affair, you can dress up your whole house and ask guests to come in elegant dresses and suits. A more laid-back party can be just as fun. Invite your guests over in their pajamas and relax on the couch with champagne and popcorn. Design simple, elegant invitations to go with the Oscars theme. You can make invitations by hand with construction paper and colored pens, or design them online and send them as emails. Keep your invitations clear and simple. Specify the time, date, and location of the party and ask them to RSVP. Show your theme through your invitations. If your party will be fancy, step it up with glitter and ribbons; if you're going for a more laid-back feel, stick to simple colors and fonts. If you're short on time, you can just send out quick text message invites. To add a bit of class, whip up just one pretty invitation, take a picture of it, and send it out to your guests. You can also use an e-vite website to easily design and send invitations virtually. Ask guests to arrive early if they want to watch the red carpet. It's up to you whether to invite guests to watch the Oscars pre-show or not—you might need the extra time to finish setting up the party! If you love seeing the glamorous suits and dresses, though, specify that guests can arrive early to join you. Look up the start time of the red carpet beforehand to make sure you specify the right time. Specify the dress code in your invites. Based on your theme, make sure to tell guests what they should wear. Put this important detail somewhere your guests will see, like in a colored box at the bottom of the invite. For a fancier party, you could ask guests to come in formal dresses and suits or flapper-style old Hollywood fashion. For a fun, relaxed party, tell guests to wear their comfiest pajamas and sweatpants. Look online for a few pictures of your desired style and include them in the invitation. This will give your guests an idea of exactly what you're looking for and how they can make it their own. Ask guests to bring a small dish if you want to throw a potluck. Think ahead and decide whether you want to make the party food yourself or enlist the help of your guests. It's totally appropriate to make your party a potluck—just tell your guests on the invitation, and specify what kinds of dishes they should bring. You might ask them to come with appetizers, desserts, or side dishes, and make any main dishes yourself. Good sides could include salads, potatoes, or light pasta dishes. To make it easier on your guests, you can also compromise and ask them to bring their own drinks instead of food. Just add a simple BYOB note to your invitation. Decide on a simple color scheme with black, gold, and/or red. For a classic Oscars look, make black and gold the main colors of your party. If you want a pop of color, add another striking color, like red, and try to add in sparkles and glitter anywhere you can. Red and gold floral patterns can also make great accents at an Oscars party. You can use them for napkins or ribbons to pull together your table settings. Lay a long red tablecloth on the floor for a “red carpet. ” No Oscars party is complete without a red carpet! Make your own budget version by buying a long red tablecloth or table runner. Lay it out in your entryway, hallway, or even on the steps coming into your house to give guests a glamorous entrance. Sprinkle gold sparkles over the “red carpet” to give it some extra shimmer. If you're putting the red carpet outside, make sure to hold it down with tape or rocks to keep it in place. Decorate tables with tablecloths, candles, and flowers. Set up your food and drink tables along the perimeter of your room. Throw a red or black tablecloth over the tables and scatter small votive candles around. A small vase of red roses, real or fake, can make a beautiful finishing touch. Sprinkle some more gold glitter or sparkles over the tables before you cover them with plates or food. Hang sparkling streamers and balloons on the walls. Head to the party store and buy glittery gold streamers, long metallic foil fringes, and sparkly wall hangings to string around the room. You can also get black, gold, and red balloons to blow up and float around the room for a classic party feel. If you have time to plan, you can also buy a few movie posters—from old, classic films as well as this year's nominees—to hang on your walls. Order them online and preview them before you buy to make sure they'll look good with your color scheme. Less is often more when it comes to wall decorations. Stick to 1 or 2 areas of bright decorations, rather than covering the whole room, which can be overwhelming. Line up plastic statuettes along tables and mantles. Nothing sets off an Oscar party like a few fake Oscars! You can order cheap plastic statuettes online, buy them at a party store, or use old sports trophies as stand-ins. Line them up on a table for an official awards look, or scatter them around the room. You can also use old dolls or actions figures to make your own Academy Awards. Remove the arms from a doll and glue it onto an old vase or block. Spray paint it gold for a DIY Oscars lookalike. Get plates and silverware to match your color scheme. Stock up on black, gold, and red paper plates, cups, and silverware at a party store. Mix and match the colors of your tablecloths and plates so that you don't have too much of just one color. For example, if your tablecloths are gold, go with black or red plates and silverware. For a fancier look, use red and gold holiday china plates and silverware. Their colors will fit in perfectly, but make sure your guests don't drop any! Glam up clear cups with gold tape. Buy glittery gold Scotch or Washi tape at a party or general store. Wrap a piece around the rim of each cup to add a simple stripe of gold to quickly add an upscale flare. Glittery tape edges look particularly great on clear plastic champagne glasses, but you can try it on any disposable cups or even plates that you want to use. You can use this technique on glass flutes and plates as well. Remember to peel off the tape before you wash the dish. Provide lots of snacks to last the whole ceremony. The Academy Awards ceremony can last for over 3 hours, so it's a good idea to set out lots of appetizers for your guests to snack on throughout the show. Some Oscar-worthy snacks you can consider include: Tortilla chips and fresh guacamole. Classic deviled eggs. Fruit or veggie salad. A classier version of nachos. Make them by sauteeing chopped mushrooms with shallots and truffle oil. Spoon your mixture onto chips with some taleggio cheese and ricotta and bake at 375 °F (191 °C) for about 5 minutes, until the cheese melts. Set out plenty of popcorn. No matter what other foods you're serving, popcorn is a must at an Oscars party. You can go with easy microwave popcorn, or try fresh stove-popped popcorn. Mix in some salt and butter, or go for a sweeter variety, like kettle corn. Besides fitting in with your Oscars theme, popcorn is also an easy, popular side dish that your guests can snack on throughout the show. Make or order an easy entree ahead of time to fill everyone up early. Serving a more filling main dish will ensure that your guests don't get hungry later on. Prepare the dish beforehand and heat it up when all your guests have arrived. For less work, you could order food from a restaurant. You could make a big Cobb salad, or whip up some pasta or lasagna. If you're ordering food from a restaurant, pizza is always a good bet. If Ellen DeGeneres could do it while hosting the 2014 Oscars, then it'll be good enough for your guests! For a fancier party, you can have a local restaurant cater. Remember to call in your order a few days beforehand. Have simple chocolate-covered fruit and sweets for dessert. Melt some chocolate before the party and dip fruits and other small sweets in it. Let the treats dry on a tray covered in wax paper, then serve them sometime around the middle of the party, after your guests have eaten the main dish or most of the appetizers. You could dip strawberries, chopped bananas, marshmallows, and pretzels. You could also rent a chocolate fountain and have guests do the dipping themselves! Look up rental places online and set it up on a separate table for guests to indulge themselves. Make Oscars cookies a few days beforehand, if you have time. Whip up a batch of sugar cookies a day before the party. Use an Oscar trophy-shaped cookie cutter to cut them into little statuettes, then frost them with yellow frosting and gold sprinkles. Your guests will love these festive treats! You can buy Oscars cookie cutters online. Pour out plenty of drinks, like champagne and sparkling cider. An Oscars party calls for lots of celebration, which means that champagne and sparkling apple cider are a must. Cover a counter or even a dresser with a tablecloth to make a “bar,” and set out bottles of champagne in a small bucket of ice. Offer beer and wine as well, and non-alcoholic drinks like juice, soda, and bottled water. Try serving a classy cocktail too, like a gin and tonic, or a martini. Play or stream the Oscars live. Look up the station the Oscars will be shown on ahead of time, and have it turned on while guests are arriving. If you'll be streaming the Oscars online, make sure to test the stream ahead of time to make sure it works. ABC is the current provider of the Oscars, so you can stream the show on abc.go.com or on the ABC app if you sign in with a TV provider. You can also watch on a subscription-based provider, like Sling TV, YouTube TV, or Hulu Live. Keep control of the remote so you can turn the volume up or down as needed. You may want to turn it up during major awards, or lower the volume during commercial breaks so your guests can chat. Challenge guests to predict what movie will win each category. Print out “ballots” that list all the nominees for each category and give one to each guest. Have them choose who they think will win in each category and mark each correct prediction as the ceremony goes on. Whoever guessed the most right is the winner! You can find ballots online by searching for “Oscars ballots 2018,” or whatever year you're printing them for. Play Oscars bingo during the show. Fill in bingo boards with things you might see or hear during the show. Make one unique board for each guest and give it to them as they walk in. As the show progresses, they can mark the boxes with an X when they see that item. The first guest to mark 5 boxes in a row is the winner! Fill the boxes with things like “Forgot to thank mother during speech,” “Yellow dress,” “non-black tuxedo,” and “tripped while walking.” You can create your own bingo card on the computer by making a 5x5 square separated into 25 boxes. Once you fill in the boxes, rearrange them to create each new board. Play Oscars trivia before the show and during commercial breaks. Set up a poster board and fill it with pictures of your chosen trivia category, such as Best Picture Winners or Famous Oscar Dresses. Place a sticker over the name of each movie or the face of each actress, mark each photo with a number, and have guests guess the name of each film or actress. Print out and post the title of the game as well. For a more creative name than “Oscars trivia,” write “Name that Best Picture Winner” or “Name that Oscar Dress.” For a simpler version, write down 20-30 questions and answers that have to do with Oscars or film history. Shout them out at random throughout the night to see who's paying attention! Set out board games and cards if all else fails. If the ceremony gets dull and your guests are getting antsy, feel free to break out the board games or card decks. Don't worry—even the best party planner can't predict a boring show! Be flexible, follow the mood of the party, and keep having fun! Look for movie-related games, like Scene It? or Double Feature, and set out old favorites like Monopoly, Clue, or Scrabble. Set up the games away from the TV, so guests who still want to watch aren't too distracted. Hand out “Oscars” to the winners of your games. Make sure to offer small prizes to the winner of each game. If you don't have plastic Oscar statuettes, hand out a bottle of champagne or a sparkling cider, or even a special dessert. | Invite 5-7 people for a more relaxed party. Throw a large party by inviting 7-15 guests, or more. Choose a location based on the size and feel of your party. Go with an elegant, classy theme for a fun and fancy party. Design simple, elegant invitations to go with the Oscars theme. Ask guests to arrive early if they want to watch the red carpet. Specify the dress code in your invites. Ask guests to bring a small dish if you want to throw a potluck. Decide on a simple color scheme with black, gold, and/or red. Lay a long red tablecloth on the floor for a “red carpet. Decorate tables with tablecloths, candles, and flowers. Hang sparkling streamers and balloons on the walls. Line up plastic statuettes along tables and mantles. Get plates and silverware to match your color scheme. Glam up clear cups with gold tape. Provide lots of snacks to last the whole ceremony. Set out plenty of popcorn. Make or order an easy entree ahead of time to fill everyone up early. Have simple chocolate-covered fruit and sweets for dessert. Make Oscars cookies a few days beforehand, if you have time. Pour out plenty of drinks, like champagne and sparkling cider. Play or stream the Oscars live. Challenge guests to predict what movie will win each category. Play Oscars bingo during the show. Play Oscars trivia before the show and during commercial breaks. Set out board games and cards if all else fails. Hand out “Oscars” to the winners of your games. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Speak-Proper-English | How to Speak Proper English | To speak English properly, listen to tapes or podcasts that feature native-English speakers and repeat the words they use. For additional practice, try saying tongue twisters, which can help you spot word patterns and write properly, and avoid using curse words, which can sound impolite. Additionally, improve your pronunciation by speaking with educated people if possible, like teachers. Listen to the way they speak, watch how they move their mouths, and do your best to mimic what they do and how they sound. | Speak to educated English-speakers. Education is not the most important part of learning proper English by any means, but people with extensive educations do often have a strong grasp on the rules of grammar and syntax. Speak to well-educated people, like your teachers, your family members, or even nice strangers to hear what English is supposed to sound like. Try to mimic how these people speak. It may feel strange or awkward at first, but with practice it will become second nature. Listen to podcasts and audiobooks. English speakers who are recording their voices will pay extra attention to their pronunciation and how they are saying a word. Read along with an audiobook to see how each word is pronounced, or listen to an educational podcast for a more conversational tone. You can even stop the recording and repeat new words until you get them right. Pronounce the endings of words. A common mistake many native and non-native English speakers make is not pronouncing the endings of words. Try over-enunciating the endings of words at first, then relax a little. Dropping the ends of words makes the language more informal, since some of them can be versions of slang words. For instance, instead of saying "goin',” say "going.” Instead of saying "makin'," say "making.” Practice tongue-twisters. To practice your pronunciation and moving from word to word quickly as you speak, say some tongue-twisters to yourself once a day. Practice ones that rely heavily on different letters and pronunciations so that you get a well-rounded practice. Common tongue-twisters include: “Sally sells seashells down by the sea shore.” ”Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” ”How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” Tongue-twisters are notoriously difficult to say, even for native English speakers. Don't get discouraged if it takes some practice to get these right. Include a subject, verb, and object word in your sentence. Sentences can be as long and complex as you make them, but they must include 3 main components to be classified as a sentence. A subject is usually a noun that is doing something described by a verb. An object word is what the verb is modifying. In the sentence “He obtained his degree,” “He” is the subject, “obtained” is the verb, and “degree” is the object word. In “She likes rice pudding,” “She” is the subject, “likes” is the verb, and “rice pudding” is the object word. Use pronouns that agree with the noun. Pronouns are words that you use in place of the names of a person, place, thing, or idea. Using someone's name or an object's description can get repetitive, so use pronouns like “she,” “he,” and “it” to replace them. If your noun is plural, use a plural pronoun. If it is singular, use a singular pronoun. In “Maisy read the book so she could study for her test,” “she” is a singular pronoun because “Maisy” is 1 person. In “When students arrive on the first day of school, they need help finding the classroom,” “they” is a plural pronoun because “students” refers to multiple people. Use "I" and "me" in the correct context. “I” is used when you are the one doing the action in the sentence. “Me” is used when the action is being done to you in a sentence. These pronouns can be confusing since they both refer to the same person: yourself. Try not to mix these up. For example, if you said, “I studied for the test,” you are the one doing the studying, so using "I" is correct. “Me studied for the test” is incorrect. In “She took me home,” “me” is being taken home. “She took I home” is incorrect. Speak in the past, present, or future tense. The English language has “tenses” that are determined by when the action in the sentence is happening. Most often, the tense is either the past, the present, or the future. Keep the tense the same throughout your sentence and do not mix tenses. An example of past tense is: “I drove home yesterday.” “Drove” is in the past tense. Present tense is: “I drive home every day.” “Drive” is in the present tense. Future tense is: “I will drive home later today.” “Will drive” is in the future tense. Take a writing or grammar class. Taking grammar classes will teach you how to form complete sentences with proper grammar. They'll also improve your writing ability and vocabulary. The more you practice writing and reading, the more you will be able to understand the grammar when constructing sentences both in text and in speech. Bad sentence structure will be more noticeable to you, and it will be more likely that good grammar will stay committed in your memory. Check with your local community college to see if they have any writing or grammar classes you can take. Read books in English. Reading is a great way to expand your vocabulary while also understanding the correct context of words. Seeing different words used in a sentence is much more helpful than just looking them up. Check out a popular book in English from your local library, or visit a book store near you to see what grabs your attention. Use a dictionary while reading so you can look up any words you don't understand. Read material that you find interesting. Novels, newspapers, or even comic books are great ways to learn English words. Describe people or objects to practice new words. As you learn new words in English, you may be presented with opportunities to use them in your daily life. Try to describe objects or people with really specific words. Instead of using small describing words like, "the building over there is big," use more eloquent words that convey more meaning. For example: "the building over there is gigantic." Instead of saying, “The sun is bright,” try saying, “The sun is radiant today.” Instead of “She looks thin,” try saying, “She looks delicate and fragile.” Label your household items until you know their names. If you're a non-native English speaker, it can be difficult to remember even basic words. A good way around this is to make labels for everyday household items which contain the English word and its pronunciation. Label things that you use every day so that you can commit them to memory. Items like your toothbrush, mirror, chair, or bed are great things to label. Download a vocabulary app to teach you new words. It can be tough to find new words in your daily life that you haven't already come across. Download an app on your phone that will teach you 1 new word per day. Write down or memorize each word and its definition to expand your vocabulary on a daily basis. PowerVocab and Word to Word are 2 popular vocabulary teaching apps. Don't use the word "like" as a filler. When you are telling a story or speaking for a long time, you may want to pause in between your words or sentences. A common mistake people make is using the word “like” to fill the pauses as they talk. Only use the word “like” when you are expressing that you like something or when you are comparing things. An incorrect use of the word "like" would be: "The other day I got on this, like, bus and went to, like, Southampton to meet my, like, boyfriend." The correct use of the word "like" would be: "I like biscuits and I also like American cookies." Another correct use of the word “like” is: “Her hair was pretty, like golden straw.” Avoid using curse words. Frequently using curse words or bad language does not give a good impression, especially in polite company. Expanding your vocabulary should help you to find alternative words to express yourself. If you can expand your vocabulary, you can eliminate swearing altogether. Once you accomplish this, you'll often find that in most everyday situations, there is no need to swear at all. | Speak to educated English-speakers. Listen to podcasts and audiobooks. Pronounce the endings of words. Practice tongue-twisters. Include a subject, verb, and object word in your sentence. Use pronouns that agree with the noun. Use "I" and "me" in the correct context. Speak in the past, present, or future tense. Take a writing or grammar class. Read books in English. Describe people or objects to practice new words. Label your household items until you know their names. Download a vocabulary app to teach you new words. Don't use the word "like" as a filler. Avoid using curse words. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Friends-to-Trust-You | How to Get Your Friends to Trust You | To get your friends to trust you, be honest with them about your thoughts and feelings. For example, don't agree to eat at a restaurant you don't like to please a friend, then complain about how you dislike the food. You should also treat your friends with respect by really listening to them when they speak, for instance. However, if you're trying to rebuild broken trust, start with an apology, then offer to make amends by paying back any debts you owe, returning favors, or even just promising to make an effort to do better next time. | Be honest. Trust is hard to build if people don't think you are honest. If you say things to either get your way or to please others, pretty soon people will catch on. Get to know your thoughts and feelings and communicate them to others in a respectful way. Make your actions and words match. If you're going to be late or miss something, let the person know. Don't say you'll maybe be there if you can't make it. Be honest and genuine about your wants, likes, and dislikes and communicate them. For example, don't say you want to eat Chinese food to please your friend, then complain about not eating what you want. Show that you're reliable. If you back out of plans last minute, chances are people won't trust you to do things or won't feel like they can count on you. If you say you'll be somewhere, be there. If you say you'll help your friend, help your friend. Once people see you as reliable, they will begin to trust you and count on you. For example, if someone proposes plans, try not to waver on them too long. You might fear committing to plans, but show that you're reliable and say either yes or no. Treat your friends with respect. Respect goes a long way in building and maintaining trusting friendships. Treat people with dignity and as equals to yourself. How you treat others shows the kind of person you are and whether you're deserving of people's trust. For example, listen when people speak without speaking over them. Don't make everything about you. Avoid spreading rumors or lies. If you're known as a gossip or someone who spreads rumors, chances are nobody will trust you. Drop this habit and learn to speak to people and about people differently. If you're not sure about something, ask the person directly instead of spreading a rumor. People want to know that you will treat them well and not say mean things about them to others. Be kind to others. People notice when you look out for other people and offer to help. Treat people you know and don't know with kindness. Be polite and show up for your friends when they need you. For example, ask a friend if they need help moving or if they need a hug after a difficult day. Being a friend to someone who's in need can show that you're a worthwhile and trustworthy friend. Trust your friends. Trust isn't all or nothing; you must build trust over time and begin to see your friends as trustworthy as well. Give trust to your friends and you'll likely be trusted in return. Choose to see people as trustworthy instead of being suspicious or closed off. For example, notice when someone comes through on something they said they would do. Open up to your friends. Being vulnerable is an important part of friendship. By telling your friends your secrets, insecurities, and deepest thoughts, you are showing them that you trust them. In return, they may share their most intimate thoughts with you. It can be hard to open up at first. Start small. Talk about things that are important to you. When the time is right, share more about yourself. It is important that you do not judge or laugh at your friends when they open up to you. Good friends are nonjudgmental when their friend shares something important to them. Give emotional support. Be willing to listen to your friends and give them support when they need it. Maybe a friend had a bad day or is going through a difficult breakup. Offer to listen and hear them out when they're struggling. Spend time with them and do things you know will help them feel better, like going on a walk or watching a movie together. Not everyone wants advice. Sometimes, people just want to talk and for you to listen. Ask your friends what they want from you so that you give them support in a way they appreciate it. Respect their privacy. Don't gossip about mutual friends or share private information. If your friend tells you something in confidence, don't go telling other people. Become the person your friends know they can count on to stay quiet and not gossip or share private details about their lives. Never give away secrets that your friends have told you. They may never trust you again. It may seem like the silliest secret, but it may be a big deal to your friend. Saying, “Sam told me not to tell anyone, so you have to promise to be quiet” isn't respecting your friend's privacy. Know when to be funny and know when to be serious. You might want to lighten to mood if something is serious, but there are times when it's best to take cues from your friends. Not every situation demands a funny person or a witty response. For example, if your friend is sad, focus on supporting them and not just trying to make them laugh or feel better. They may appreciate your friendship and support more than you trying to be funny. Stay away from blaming your friends. When you start pointing fingers or accusing your friends of wrongdoing, it demolishes trust quickly. If you make a mistake, own up to it. If your friend makes a mistake, listen to them and let them know how it made you feel. If you're upset about something your friend did, tell them, but do so respectfully. Use “I” statements to stay away from blame. For example, say, “I felt left out when you went to that concert and didn't invite me.” Forgive them when they mess up. Conflicts or disagreements are inevitable in any relationship. If your friend does something that upsets you, you must find a way to forgive them if you want to continue being friends. Be willing to hear their side of the story without dismissing them. Avoid trying to get revenge or punishing them for their wrong. Instead, be willing to move past the event and forgive them. Forgiving someone doesn't mean you have to pretend something didn't happen or that you weren't hurt. It just means giving your friendship a chance to move forward after a setback. Apologize for any wrongdoing. Rebuilding trust often starts with you. If you've hurt somebody, apologize to them and tell them you've learned from your mistake. Keep the focus on you and don't put any blame on the other person.Taking ownership of your mistakes and explaining how you've learned from them will help them see that you take responsibility and feel bad for what happened. Be sincere in any apologies you make. If someone doesn't think you're sincere, they won't think you're trustworthy. When talking about a touchy subject, try use "I" statements instead of "you" statements. For example, say, "I am sorry that I didn't consider your feelings" instead of "you know that I didn't mean it." This will help you avoid blaming your friend. Make amends. If you can go out of your way to do something to show sincerity in your apology, do so. Apologizing through your actions may be more effective than just saying that you're sorry. For example, if you owe someone something, give the item back or pay them money. If your friends have lost trust in you being on time, make an effort to be timely and show that you're willing to put in effort to make things better. For example, if your friend tends to pay when you go to a movie or out to eat, start pick up the next few bills. Follow through on what you say. It's important to show that you'll do things better after you mess up. You must be responsible and reliable, especially in your words. To rebuild trust, take note of what went wrong and make the effort to be responsible in that way. For example, if you lost someone's trust by lying, make an effort to be honest with the person you lied to. Be accountable for your honesty and show that you can be honest over time. Ask what you can do to make things better. You may try apologizing or making amends, but the friend or friends may not be forgiving. If this happens, talk to your friends and ask how things can be different. If people don't see you as a trustworthy person, ask them what you can do to be better. They may be able to tell you what upset them most or what they'd like to see more of from you. Remember that it can take time for trust to build up again. If your friend is unwilling to make it work, however, realize that you might not be able to get back their trust. Trust yourself. It's difficult to gain back people's trust, but it can also be difficult to gain back your own trust. If you've made mistakes in the past (such as with relationships or addiction), it's time to forgive yourself and build your own trust. If you continue to struggle, make an appointment with a therapist to help you. For example, if you've struggled with impulsive decisions that have hurt yourself and others, take a few moments before making a decision. Notice when you follow through on things you say you will do and feel proud of yourself. | Be honest. Show that you're reliable. Treat your friends with respect. Avoid spreading rumors or lies. Be kind to others. Trust your friends. Open up to your friends. Give emotional support. Respect their privacy. Know when to be funny and know when to be serious. Stay away from blaming your friends. Forgive them when they mess up. Apologize for any wrongdoing. Make amends. Follow through on what you say. Ask what you can do to make things better. Trust yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Acne-if-You-Have-Fair-Skin | How to Get Rid of Acne if You Have Fair Skin | If you have fair skin and want to get rid of your acne, wash your face with a mild cleanser twice a day with warm water to remove impurities, oils, and bacteria that cause breakouts. To protect your skin from the sun, apply an oil-free sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day even if you'll be inside since many acne products can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. To remove dead skin cells and debris that clog pores, exfoliate your skin 2 to 3 times a week. Too much exfoliation can irritate your skin, so don't do it more than you need to and avoid applying too much pressure. | Recognize comedonal and/or inflammatory acne. Comedonal acne consists of small whiteheads and blackheads that are the result of oil and dead skin cells that clog pores. Inflammatory acne is a step beyond comedonal acne, where the blackheads and whiteheads gain an inflamed, red halo and also lead to red bumps and pimples. Comedonal acne is most commonly found on the chin, nose, and forehead. Try oral antibiotics. Oral antibiotics work by reducing inflammation caused by bacteria that lives on your skin. Some antibiotics may not work if build up a resistance to them; in that case, your doctor will change your prescription. Common side effects of oral antibiotics include upset stomach and dizziness. A particularly concerning side effect of antibiotics for those with fair skin is increased sensitivity to sunlight. Try benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide comes in the form of topical lotions, creams, and gels. It is effective at treating mild to moderate acne because it causes the outer layer of the epidermis to shed. When applied on the skin, benzoyl peroxide breaks down into benzoic acid and oxygen that are toxic to the bacteria that cause acne. Apply the benzoyl peroxide to the affected areas with acne after washing your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water. It should typically be applied twice a day or as described by your dermatologist. Side effects include mild skin irritation, tingling, and dryness. The side effects are usually more severe if your skin is already dry. Use a cleanser with salicylic acid. Products containing salicylic acid are especially helpful for comedonal acne and are available over-the-counter. It can unclog pores and help slow the shedding of cells. Salicylic acid is most effective when used regularly, but make sure you read the directions so you don't over-use it and cause irritation. Try topical retinoid ointments. Retinoids, derived from vitamin A, are and effective acne therapy that have been used for over 30 years. Retinoid creams reduce blackheads and whiteheads by preventing hair follicles to become clogged with dead skin cells and sebum. Retinoids are available as topical acne treatments (ointments, lotions, creams) and may be associated with mild side effects that manifest in the form of skin irritation, mild skin flaking, and burning. The different retinoid products include tretinoin (e.g. Avita and Retin-A), tazarotene (Tazorac and Avage), and adapalene (Differin). Apply your topical retinoid treatment as directed by your dermatologist. Typically, this means applying your retinoid three times a week in the evenings at first, then every evening when your skin gets used to it. If you have sensitive skin or a sunburn, as fair-skinned people are prone to developing, then you are more likely to experience side effects. Consult your doctor if you experience side effects. Ask about a combination treatment. Retinoids and antibiotics may be used in conjunction to treat more severe comedonal and/or inflammatory acne. A topical retinoid is applied in the evening and antibiotics are taken in the morning to do double duty while managing acne-causing sebum and bacteria. Your dermatologist may also recommend combining your antibiotic treatment with a benzoyl peroxide cream. In addition, your dermatologist may prescribe a topical antibiotic. This is often already combined with a retinoid or benzoyl peroxide for easy and convenient use. Avoid makeup and hair gels that might worsen the condition. Thick makeup and hair gel can cause your acne to get worse. As your skin and hair naturally secrete oil throughout the day, residue from makeup and gel can get moved across your skin and clog your pores. Use only a light layer of makeup or consider going natural during some days. Always wash your makeup before bedtime (see last section). Choose makeup that is oil-free and noncomedogenic. Water-based or mineral-based makeup is usually a good choice. Ask about oral contraceptives (for women only). Hormonal fluctuations linked to the reproductive cycle often produce changes in your skin's alkalinity and naturally produced oil, leading you to develop hormone-linked acne. Oral contraceptives help to regulate levels of estrogen and progesterone that can cause you to get acne when they are out of balance. Combination oral contraceptives that contain both estrogen and progesterone are effective at preventing acne; some examples include Yaz, Ortho Tri Cyclen-Lo, and Estrostep. Women who are overweight or who actively smoke cigarettes should not take oral contraceptives due to increased risk of developing blood clots and strokes. Ask about spironolactone. Spironolactone is a medication that can be used to treat acne, particularly in post-adolescent patients. It work by reducing the amount of sebum, or skin oil, secreted by the glands by blocking the hormone aldosterone. Spironolactone was originally used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. Its ability to treat acne was discovered during clinical trials when female patients started reporting less acne. Although this medication is not indicated for acne, many dermatologist prescribe it off-label. Side effects of spironolactone include lightheadedness, increased urination, and breast tenderness. Recognize if you suffer from cystic acne. Cystic acne is the most severe category of acne and consists of rampant, infected outbreaks of pimples. Cystic acne tends to run in families and starts during puberty, often resulting in scarring. Cystic acne pimples are raised, red bumps that affect the deep layers of skin. They can become very large and deep. They often do not have the whitehead-looking appearance. They are often felt before they are seen and are almost always painful. Ask about photodynamic treatment. Photodynamic treatment is an in-office dermatological therapy that consists of using a medication that is activated by a light or a laser to shrink sebaceous glands, therefore limiting oil secretions that cause acne. Your dermatologist coats the affected area with a photosensitizing ointment that is absorbed into the skin for 30 minutes to three hours. From there, you sit underneath a lamp or have a laser treatment that causes your sebaceous glands to dry out and therefore shrink. This treatment takes place up to three to five times with a few weeks between each session. This treatment is both effective at addressing current acne concerns and also serves as preventative maintenance. Try Isolaz therapy. Isolaz is a laser-based therapy that targets bacteria that causes acne. It is done in-office and during the session, your dermatologist uses a strong vacuum to suck debris out of your pores, making them extremely clean. Then a laser is applied to the skin to kill off bacteria. Isolaz is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment that has two-sided effect — it both cleans the pores and kills acne-causing bacteria. Consult your dermatologist if your skin is suitable for Isolaz therapy. Treat cystic acne with isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a powerful prescription medication that clears up potentially scarring acne. It is prescribed in extreme cases only due to its many possible side effects. Isotretinoin can be prescribed as a topical cream or as oral tablets. Your doctor will assess your skin and acne and recommend the product that might be best suitable for you. Potential side effects include dry and flaking skin, impaired wound healing, liver damage, elevated triglycerides, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Because of the severity and range of side effects of this medication, risk counseling is usually required. Women must submit negative pregnancy tests prior to receiving this medication because it can cause severe birth defects. They must also use two forms of birth control. If you experience any side effects, call your doctor and ask if any changes to your treatment regimen should be made. Wash your face. Your daily skin care regimen should start and end with washing your face. Use a gentle face wash and warm water to remove impurities, oils and bacteria. Although washing is important, too much washing can irritate your acne blemishes and make them more irritated. Do not over wash and do not use a rough washcloth that can further irritate your skin. Use a mild cleanser (such as Cetaphil, Aveeno or specific acne cleanser) twice a day. If you experience any irritation, stop using the product and try something else. Learn more about how to Wash Your Face here. Protect your sink from the sun. The fairness of your skin makes it essential that you take precautions to protect it from the damaging effects of the sun. Wear an oil-free sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even if you will be inside most of the day. Many acne products can make your skin even more sensitive to the sun and getting red or burning can lead to increased irritation and worsening of acne. In addition, you greatly increase your risk of skin cancer and skin aging by exposing yourself to the sun without proper protection. Consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat , sunglasses, and protective clothing to add another layer of protection. Try to avoid going outside during peak sun exposure, between 10am and 4pm. Exfoliate twice a week. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and debris that accumulate over your skin and clog pores. As with too much washing, exfoliating too often can irritate your skin; thus, limit this to two to three times a week. After washing your face, apply a small amount of the product and gently rub onto the skin using a circular motion. Avoid exfoliating around the eyes. Rinse off the product and pat dry your skin. Avoid harsh products and applying too much pressure. This will only irritate your skin. Ask your dermatologist for advice on the best exfoliation products for your skin. Learn more about how to Exfoliate Your Skin. Apply an acne treatment (if applicable). If your dermatologist has prescribed or recommended you use an acne cream (such as benzoyl peroxide, retinoid, or tretinoin cream), apply that over the affected area. Use only small amounts according to the product label or as recommended by your doctor. If you are using a new treatment, watch for signs of skin irritation. If you experience mild irritation (pain or burning), this might be normal and should resolve quickly. However, if you experience long-lasting irritation or severe pain/burning or a rash, stop using the product and call your doctor. Apply an oil-free moisturizing cream. To finish off your daily routine, apply an oil-free face cream to hydrate your skin and prevent dryness and irritation. It is important that you use the a product that is suitable for fair skin and is also suitable for acne. Oily moisturizers clog your pores and cause further acne breakouts. Consult your dermatologist and ask what moisturizer he recommend for your skin. If you are using a new product, watch for signs of irritation (redness, dryness, oiliness, burning). If you experience any irritation, you may want to switch products. | Recognize comedonal and/or inflammatory acne. Try oral antibiotics. Try benzoyl peroxide. Use a cleanser with salicylic acid. Try topical retinoid ointments. Ask about a combination treatment. Avoid makeup and hair gels that might worsen the condition. Ask about oral contraceptives (for women only). Ask about spironolactone. Recognize if you suffer from cystic acne. Ask about photodynamic treatment. Try Isolaz therapy. Treat cystic acne with isotretinoin. Wash your face. Protect your sink from the sun. Exfoliate twice a week. Apply an acne treatment (if applicable). Apply an oil-free moisturizing cream. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Beanie | How to Wear a Beanie | The easiest way to wear a beanie is to pull the beanie down over your ears and most of your forehead. Push your bangs up under the beanie for a classic look, or leave them out of the beanie if you want to look more stylish. If you have thick or curly hair, wear a baggier beanie so your hair can fit inside of it. Try rolling the beanie once for a traditional look, or rolling it twice if you want to display your hair. | Cover your whole forehead and ears for a classic look. The front of the beanie should be just a little over your eyebrows. Leave the beanie a little loose on top and in the back. Push your bangs beneath the hat, especially if they are a little greasy or flat. Roll the cuff of the beanie once for a warmer wrap around the ears. If you plan on being out in the cold for an extended period this will help keep you warm and stylish. The beanie will be mostly pulled down and snug as a result, and it should cover your forehead, ears, and neck. This style can work especially well if you let your bangs loose in the front of the beanie. Wear the beanie higher on your head. For a fun little twist on the everyday, wear the hat over your forehead. The excess material of the hat can either stand up (this style is more fashionable on men than women), or you can give it a slight fold in the back. This style, called the "Peter Pan," causes the beanie to sit a little higher on your head and keeps it off your neck. The hat will only cover part of your ears as a result, though. This style works well with both hidden bangs and revealed bangs. This can create a more dramatic effect by choosing a beanie the contrasts your hair color. For dark hair a light colored beanie, and a dark beanie for lighter hair. Some beanies can be little more slouchy. Slouchy styles are simply great for giving you that cool off-duty appearance. Simply wear your beanie shoved back on your head while leaving the back of your beanie loose and slouchy. Give your bangs a little sweep. If you want a look that seems a little more stylish than usual, wear your hat in a looser style further up on your head and leave your bangs out. Sweep them off the the side a bit for a playful twist. If you have short enough bangs, you can let them hang straight down over your eyebrows. The beanie will flatten your bangs out, though, so this style tends not to work if you have longer bangs that would come down over your eyes. It also works best if you have long hair rather than short or medium hair. Leave your hair down. The easiest thing to do to your hair when wearing your beanie is to simply leave it down. Leaving your hair down prevents any strange bulges from appearing underneath the fabric of your hat, and it also provides you with extra warmth on your neck and ears for the chilly autumn or winter winds. Wear a low ponytail. You can either braid your hair or leave it straight, but if you do decide to wear your hair back, make sure that the ponytail sits low on your head or to the side to keep it from creating an uncomfortable bulge beneath your hat. Try wearing a baggier beanie if you have especially curly hair. This will allow the beanie to cover some or all of your hair without it looking misshaped or lumpy. Beyond choosing the right beanie many beanie styles work as well with curly hair as they do with straight hair. It is quite stylish to pull your curly hair back so the beanie pulls down over your forehead. Then let your curls release playfully from the back of the beanie. You can also pull the beanie behind the scalp line to create an attractive tangle of curls with your bangs. If you are trying to contain the curls try a head wrap to hold your hair close to your head with a beanie pulled down over the top of the wrap. Neither the wrap nor your hair would be visible. Choose a simple beanie. Guys fashion tends toward a more subdued style. Sequins, bead work, and decorative stitching can be a bit too difficult for men to comfortably pull off. Knit patterns can work, but the color palate should relate inversely to the complexity of the pattern. The more intricate the pattern is the more subdued the colors should be. Choose neon colors if you are hunting or otherwise participating in winter activities that require you to be very visible. If your hanging around in a coffee shop, or going on a date leave the neon colored beanie at home. Neon colors are generally appropriate for practical rather than fashionable purposes. Match the hat to your hair. Depending on the hairstyle you wear, certain beanie styles and ways of wearing your beanie will be preferable. If your hair tends to be done up in the front, for example, let it peak out from the beanie. If you put a lot of time into your hair make sure you have some visible. Remember though the beanie might unsettle your hair if you normally wear it with out product, so it is perfectly acceptable to cover the entire top of your head with the beanie. Stick it on your head. Wearing the beanie with out rolling the edges is a trendy way to wear a beanie. Generally, when wearing a beanie this way you will pull it down to cover part or all of your forehead. Try a single roll. This is a traditional style for wearing a beanie. Roll the brim once, making a cuff of two to three inches. This is a normal presentation for heavier knit beanies, but will also work with lighter beanies that fit loosely. This style reduces the overall size of the beanie, and typically allows some hair to be viable underneath the hat. Attempt a double roll. This style thickens the cuff, and reveals more of your hair. You typically would wear the hat farther back on your head allowing your hair to be prominently displayed. Try a hipster look by standing the beanie straight into the air. Men tend to have an easier time pulling this style off, and it can be quite dramatic. The bulk of the fabric will simply be standing on end off you head. this is a fun and very young look, so if you are aiming at serious or respectable then this look might be a step too far. Try a larger beanie if your hair does not flatten well. If your hair is especially curly or has a lot of body, a beanie with extra material in the cap will allow you to tuck your hair in without leaving it flat and lifeless. Ignore the rules! So as with any fashion advice the rules can easily be broken. Just be careful to keep your intentions in mind. If you are dressing for a job interview or a date being traditional is generally a virtue. (That, of course, depends on the date.) Consider a neutral color. Bright colors and prints tend to look a little juvenile and will make your style significantly less chic. Black, white, grey, brown, or tan works best, and neutral colors are more versatile overall. If you do want a color, opt for a classic color, like red or blue, and choose a gem tone or a bold color without gravitating toward neon shades. Keep it unadorned. Avoid styles with pompoms, beadwork, or zippers. A simple knit beanie looks classic and stylish, but styles with decorations or embellishments tend to look a little less sophisticated. If you do opt for embellishments, look for a subtle embellishment like decorative brown buttons. Gravitate toward loose-fit styles. Beanies with elastic in them tend to tighten around your forehead. Aside from being uncomfortable and leaving a red line across your skin, a tight-fitting beanie tends to look a little less fashionable. Remember, any rule can be broken depending on the occasion. For very casual events, like an outdoor football game, poofs or other adornments can be fun additions to your look. What matters most is that you feel comfortable and happy with your look. | Cover your whole forehead and ears for a classic look. Roll the cuff of the beanie once for a warmer wrap around the ears. Wear the beanie higher on your head. Give your bangs a little sweep. Leave your hair down. Wear a low ponytail. Try wearing a baggier beanie if you have especially curly hair. Choose a simple beanie. Match the hat to your hair. Stick it on your head. Try a single roll. Attempt a double roll. Try a hipster look by standing the beanie straight into the air. Try a larger beanie if your hair does not flatten well. Ignore the rules! Consider a neutral color. Keep it unadorned. Gravitate toward loose-fit styles. Remember, any rule can be broken depending on the occasion. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Remove-Spoiled-Milk-Odors-from-a-Car%27s-Interior | How to Remove Spoiled Milk Odors from a Car's Interior | If you've already cleaned up the spilled milk in your car and want to remove the odor, combine 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts water in a spray bottle. Next, spray the area until it's drenched, leave it to sit for 4-5 hours, and blot the area dry with a white cloth. Alternatively, apply a layer of baking soda to the affected area. Then, let it sit for 3-4 days so it can absorb any moisture before vacuuming it up. If you'd rather try a longer-term approach that's less work, try placing plastic tubs of coffee grounds under your car seats for 2 weeks to remove the smell. | Pat dry spilled milk. Immediately after a spill, clean up any excess spilled milk that is still wet or visible. This will help to remove spoiled milk smells from inside a car and make it easier to clean later on. Use paper towels, a white wash cloth, or a sponge and press it against any fabric or upholstery where milk has spilled. Continue padding the area until you have soaked up all of the moisture. Remove and wash the floor mats and seat covers. Any fabric or area that has a spill on it and can be removed, should. Floor mats without plastic or rubber can be washed in a household washing machine. Spray the mats with a stain remover, and put them in the washing machine on warm. All other materials should be sprayed with a hose or washed in a tub with water and soap. Let the mats air dry in the house or outside in the sun. Utilize a wet vacuum. Use a deep cleaning or steam cleaning vacuum to get deep-set spoiled milk odors out of your car. Many steam cleaners use solutions with special cleaning agents to eliminate food smells, which could help you get rid of the smell of spoiled milk. Hire an expert. Spoiled milk odors that persist after you've tried home remedies could be so deep in your car's upholstery that you can't reach them with simple methods. Consult an upholstery cleaning expert or a professional car retailer about having the car professionally cleaned and detailed to remove the spoiled milk odors from the car's interior. Use coffee grounds to pull stubborn odors. Coffee grounds will help to absorb spoiled odors that come from old milk and leave behind a coffee scent that will help mask unpleasant smells. Fill plastic containers with coffee grounds and slide them under your car seats. Let them stay there for about two weeks. Use the power of baking soda. Apply a layer of baking soda on the affected area to absorb moisture and spoiled milk odors. Baking soda works to filter the air and remove bad odors. Allow the area where the milk has spilled to dry completely before sprinkling baking soda directly on the area. Let it sit for three to four days, and then vacuum it out of the upholstery. Spray white vinegar. Vinegar has strong, odor-fighting powers, so try using it if spoiled milk odors are present. This will help break up enzymes from the milk trapped in the car's upholstery and reduce the odors. Best of all, it is safe to use and does not contain any dangerous chemicals. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar mixture directly to the affected area until it is completely drenched. Let it soak for about four to five hours, and then blot the area dry with a white wash cloth. Leave your car windows open to allow air ventilation. Try an enzyme spray. Purchase an enzyme cleaning product at your nearby home improvement store and spray any milk affected areas. The enzyme spray will eat away at the odor residues and leave a fresh scent behind. Let the enzyme spray to set in for one to two days, and then blot the area dry. Do not use an enzyme spray on leather or suede. Try a carpet cleaner. Carpet cleaners have strong chemicals in them that work to clean deep into fabrics. Just be sure to remove any moisture left behind after you have finished using the carpet cleaning. Read the instructions to determine how long you need to leave on the product and then vacuum it out. Air your car out. One of the reason spoiled milk odors develop are because the moisture becomes trapped in the car and start to grow mildew. After a spill, or during a cleaning session, leave you car windows open and in the sun so the upholstery can dry out, and new air can flow in. Wipe up any spills immediately. The longer milk, or any type of spill sits, the harder it is to remove the stain and smell. The sooner you soak up the spill, the better your chances are at preventing a smell from forming. Let fresh air in. After milk is spilled, it is always a good idea to open the car windows for a few hours. This will allow any milk moisture that has evaporated into your car's air to leave and be replaced with fresh air. Keep the inside of the car clean. Food and liquid can provide favorable conditions for bacteria to begin growing and smelling. Regularly vacuuming and shaking off car floor mats can be a great way to prevent bad odors. | Pat dry spilled milk. Remove and wash the floor mats and seat covers. Utilize a wet vacuum. Hire an expert. Use coffee grounds to pull stubborn odors. Use the power of baking soda. Spray white vinegar. Try an enzyme spray. Try a carpet cleaner. Air your car out. Wipe up any spills immediately. Let fresh air in. Keep the inside of the car clean. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Suede-Shoes | How to Clean Suede Shoes | To clean suede shoes, first make sure they're completely dry so you don't spread any moisture around and cause a stain. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to brush off any dried-out mud or dirt on your shoes. Brush in the direction of the fibers and avoid brushing back and forth to keep the nap looking smooth. For stubborn stains, pour a small amount of white vinegar on a cloth, and carefully wipe the stain with it. Let the vinegar dry, then go over the stain with a soft-bristled brush. You can also try gently rubbing the stain out with a pencil eraser. To protect your suede shoes from stains, Good Housekeeping recommends treating them with a waterproof spray every 6 months and to avoid wearing them when it's wet outside. | Get a suede brush and make sure your shoes are dry. Suede has a soft grain that is best cleaned with a special brush, which you can purchase with a suede cleaning kit. If your shoes have a care label, use whatever the manufacturer suggests. Suede is also very sensitive to water, so basic dirt and scuffs are best dealt with when the shoes are dry. Brush gently to remove dirt. Use the suede cleaning brush to lightly brush away dust or dirt that has accumulated on your shoes. Don't go back and forth: brush repeatedly towards the same direction. Once you get off this layer of grime, your shoes will already look newer. Brush vigorously to remove scuff marks. When you scuff your shoes, the suede's grain can get pressed down in one direction. Lift the grain by brushing scuffed areas vigorously back and forth. Again this is best done with a suede brush. For scuffs that are too matted down to respond to the brush, try scraping the area with a knife to lift the nap. Use an eraser for stubborn marks. Scuffs and marks that won't brush out can often be removed by rubbing with a pencil eraser or a piece of crepe rubber (the crinkled rubber that many shoe soles are made from). You can also by a special suede eraser designed for just this task. Apply a moderate amount of pressure and increase as tougher marks require. Protect your suede. Once they are clean (or when you first get them), spray a coat of suede protector spray on your shoes. This will help prevent further stains and marks. Follow the manufacturer's directions. Wet the entire outside of the shoe. Apply a light coat of water with your brush. Water can discolor suede, but properly applied water can also remove those stains. Use a sponge or dry cloth to soak up excess water. Dab gently until the leather is evenly wet without visible water stains. Stick paper and shoe trees in your shoes. Especially if you used a large amount of water, put dry paper in the shoes to help blot out excess water on the inside. Shoe trees (or just wads of paper) will help the shoes retain their original shape. Do not use newspaper because excess ink can soak into your shoes. Let the shoes dry at least overnight. Put them in a dry, well ventilated spot and let the water evaporate. Once dry, go over the shoes lightly with a suede brush. This will help shake out the grain back to its original look. Get out oil or "unknown" stains with a nail brush. Use a suede brush to scrub the stain as you would for a scuff. Then use a nail brush to scrub stubborn stains with warm water. Grease stains can be particularly difficult to remove from suede, and badly stained shoes may never look good again. Some recommend cornstarch for oil stains if the oil is still wet. Sprinkle it over the stain and then leave it overnight. The next day brush away the starch and mist the stain with an iron. Let mud dry before cleaning. Wipe away the excess mud without pushing too hard against the suede, then leave your shoes to dry in a sunny spot. Once the mud has hardened, you should be able to break off the larger chunks with your hands. Then use a suede brush to break off the remaining dirt particles. Put shoes in the freezer for wax and chewing gum stains. If you get gum stuck to your shoes, put them in freezer for a few hours. The gum will eventually become hard enough that you can chip it away in large chunks. Finish off with a suede brush. Lift blood stains with cotton balls and peroxide. Dab at the stain with a peroxide-soaked cotton ball slowly until the blood comes out. Get at ink before it sets—then use sandpaper. If you spill ink on your kicks, grab a towel and try to blot it up quickly. If it sets, scrape the stain off with sandpaper. A cotton ball with rubbing alcohol can also help in these dire circumstances. Apply white vinegar to recalcitrant stains. If a stain is giving you trouble with normal methods, apply a modest amount of vinegar with a soft rag or towel. Let it dry and then agitate with a suede brush. This can also be a good method for getting rid of salt lines. Use steel wool on dry stains. Brush steel wool vigorously against dry stains. However, be aware that this may require roughing up the rest of the shoe for an even look once the stain is removed. Try an emery board and steamer. If you don't have a suede brush, agitate the suede with the emery board nail file, then steam it with a kettle or iron. The heat should help open up the pores of the suede and make cleaning easier. | Get a suede brush and make sure your shoes are dry. Brush gently to remove dirt. Brush vigorously to remove scuff marks. Use an eraser for stubborn marks. Protect your suede. Wet the entire outside of the shoe. Use a sponge or dry cloth to soak up excess water. Stick paper and shoe trees in your shoes. Let the shoes dry at least overnight. Once dry, go over the shoes lightly with a suede brush. Get out oil or "unknown" stains with a nail brush. Let mud dry before cleaning. Put shoes in the freezer for wax and chewing gum stains. Lift blood stains with cotton balls and peroxide. Get at ink before it sets—then use sandpaper. Apply white vinegar to recalcitrant stains. Use steel wool on dry stains. Try an emery board and steamer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Freeze-Ginger | How to Freeze Ginger | To freeze ginger after cutting off a small piece, check to make sure the ginger is completely dry. Then, wrap the piece of ginger in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Put the wrapped piece of ginger inside of a resealable freezer bag, and press out all of the air before closing the bag. Once the bag is sealed tightly, place it in the freezer. Be sure to let the ginger thaw before cutting it for cooking. | Choose a fresh, unblemished piece of ginger (or more pieces, as required). Check that it is clean; if not, give it a gentle wipe and make sure it is dry before proceeding. Wrap the ginger piece or pieces in plastic kitchen wrap or foil. Wrap each piece separately if freezing more than one piece. Place the piece or pieces inside a resealable freezer bag. Try to match the bag size to the size or amount of ginger being frozen. Push down to expel as much air as possible before sealing tight. Place in the freezer. Remove a whole ginger for use at a time. Allow to thaw, then use as usual. If making a stir-fry and you have a decent sharp knife, slices can be made before the ginger thaws; it will thaw quickly during the cooking process. Select a suitable piece of ginger. Peel and mince finely. Use a fine grater or a food processor to mince the ginger. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or foil. Alternatively, use an ice cube tray. Spread a teaspoon or tablespoon amount at a time of the minced ginger across a part of the parchment paper or foil. Keep the layer as even as possible. Repeat until all of the minced ginger has been used up. Place a sheet of plastic wrap gently over the top of the spread ginger. Place the sheet or tray inside the freezer. Let freeze. Remove from the freezer. Lift off the frozen portions of the minced ginger. Transfer each portion to either a resealable bag or an airtight container. If using a bag, try to expel as much air as possible before resealing. Place back in the freezer. Use as needed. This ginger will keep for up to six months. Select the ginger. Choose a reasonably large sized ginger to make it easy to form medallion shapes. Peel the ginger. Cut medallion shapes. Simply cut down along the line of the ginger to make "rounds" that look sort of like crooked medallions. Continue until all of the ginger piece or pieces are used up. Put the medallions into a resealable freezer bag. Try to pack it as tightly as possible. Press down to expel the air out of the bag. Alternatively, arrange in layers inside a small freezer-proof container. Place in the freezer. This ginger will keep for up to three months. Select suitable ginger. The ginger can be peeled or unpeeled, according to preference. If you want it peeled, peel now. Chop the ginger into small pieces. Thumb-size or matchstick-length pieces are suitable shapes. Place inside either a resealable bag or an airtight container for storage. If using a bag, try to fill as much as possible and press down to expel as much air as you can. Place in the freezer. Use within three months. | Choose a fresh, unblemished piece of ginger (or more pieces, as required). Wrap the ginger piece or pieces in plastic kitchen wrap or foil. Place the piece or pieces inside a resealable freezer bag. Place in the freezer. Select a suitable piece of ginger. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or foil. Spread a teaspoon or tablespoon amount at a time of the minced ginger across a part of the parchment paper or foil. Place a sheet of plastic wrap gently over the top of the spread ginger. Remove from the freezer. Place back in the freezer. Select the ginger. Cut medallion shapes. Put the medallions into a resealable freezer bag. Place in the freezer. Select suitable ginger. Chop the ginger into small pieces. Place inside either a resealable bag or an airtight container for storage. Place in the freezer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Acclimate-Starfish | How to Acclimate Starfish | To acclimate your starfish, first make sure your tank water is between 71 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit, since anything out of that range could hurt your starfish. Start by floating your starfish's temporary container in the tank for 10-15 minutes so the water temperature has time to adjust. Once the temperatures are equal, add 1/2 cup of water from the aquarium to the container every 5 minutes until it's full. After you've filled the container, pour half of the water out into a sink. Then, replace the container in the tank and repeat the process of adding tank water every 5 minutes. Make sure to repeat this process of dumping out half the water and filling it again several times to help acclimate your starfish. After a few times, net the starfish and gently release it into the tank. | Add starfish to well-established tanks. Do not place a starfish in a new aquarium or one that has not had time to reach a balance with the fish and the chemistry of the water. Starfish are generally too fragile to accept the adjustments that a new tank needs. Even if your tank is well established, do not introduce a starfish to a tank where copper medication has been used recently. Copper is toxic to starfish. Make sure the temperature is correct. Starfish need to be in water that is between 22ºC and 26ºC (71.6 to 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Make sure that the water in your tank is this warm before starting the acclimation process. Most tropical fish tanks should be kept at between 25° to 27°C (76° to 80°F), so you should not have to adjust the temperature much to accommodate the starfish. Contact your supplier to determine the salinity of its tanks. Your starfish may have an easier time adapting to its new environment if your tank has salinity close to your supplier's. If buying a starfish from your local aquarium store, this information will be easy to get when you make your purchase. However, if you order a starfish online, you will need to contact the seller and ask them for the information. Keeping the starfish in the same salinity that it is used to will require that your other aquarium residents can thrive in that salinity as well. If they can't, then you will need to adjust the starfish to a new salinity. Equalize the temperature in the temporary container and the aquarium. Begin by floating the temporary container in the tank to make sure that both are the same temperature. Hopefully, they are close to the same temperature, so this will only take about 10 to 15 minutes. In most cases, your starfish will come in a plastic bag. If this is sealed tight, it can be floated on the top of the tank water to equalize the temperature. Establish a drip line between your established aquarium and the starfish's temporary container. Place the starfish's temporary container next to the aquarium. In order to slowly acclimate the starfish to its new tank, you will need to place the temporary container next to the tank and run a drip line between them. Drip lines are typically available at aquarium stores and online aquarium suppliers. They typically come with parts at the end that can control the flow of liquid. Set the drip rate to 2 to 4 drops per second. In order to make the acclimation of the starfish gradual, you should introduce the new water very slowly. As such, the drip method will take quite a bit of time. Start the siphoning and then assess how fast it is dripping. Plan for at least 2 hours when introducing a starfish to its new environment. Starfish are very fragile during the acclimation phase to a new aquarium, and the whole process must be taken slowly. Repeat the process several times. Watch the level of the water in the shipping container and once it is full, dump out half of it. Then begin dripping in tank water once again. You should do this process several times in order to get the starfish acclimated to its new tank. When you dump out half of the water, put it down the drain, not back into the tank. This will assure that the tank levels remain balanced. Move the starfish into the tank. Once you have added tank water into the temporary container for several hours, you can move the starfish into its new home. As quickly as you can, lift the starfish out of its temporary tank and place it on a rock in its new tank. The goal should be to limit its exposure to the air as much as possible. Equalize the temperature of the container and the tank. Float the starfish's temporary container in the aquarium. You should keep the water separate until the temperatures are the same. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes. While the starfish should have been shipped in a container that kept it at a reasonable temperature, it is likely that the temperature is not ideal. However, even if the temperature is not ideal, do not speed up the acclimation process. Your starfish needs time to get used to changes, even if they are for the good of the creature. Add tank water to the shipping container. Put 1/2 cup (.25 pt) of water from the tank every 5 minutes until the shipping container has been filled. This will get the starfish used to the new water's pH level. Adding the tank water in gradually will give the starfish the chance to get used to its new environment. Remove half of the water in the shipping container. Once you have the shipping container full, you will want to dump half of that water down the drain. Do not put it back into the aquarium, so that you don't disrupt the balance of the tank. Removing the water will give you room to add more tank water to the starfish's shipping container. It is allowing you to continue gradually acclimating your starfish to its new water. You can use the same cup you were using to add water to remove the water. Repeat this process again. Once again, add tank water to the shipping container and then dump some of the water in the shipping container out. Like before, add a 1/2 cup (.25 pt) of water from the tank into the shipping container. Do this every 5 minutes, so that the change continues to be gradual. Then dump half of the water out of the shipping container and begin filling it from the tank once again. Repeat this process several times. Move the starfish into the aquarium. Once you have acclimated the starfish to its new water, you can move it into its new home. Remove the starfish from the shipping container and place it on a rock in the aquarium. Do not expose the starfish to the air during the acclimation process since starfish are very sensitive to changes in oxygen. Watch to see that the starfish move around on the rock. This could take a few minutes. Pick a type of starfish. There are a variety of types of starfish that can be kept in aquariums. Ask what types are available at your local aquarium store and search online retailers for options. Some types of starfish that can be kept in aquariums include: Bahama stars Linckia starfish Sand cleaning sea stars Marble sea stars Harlequin serpent stars Chocolate chip starfish Order your starfish. Find an aquarium store in your area that sells starfish or can order one for you. You can also order one from an online retailer directly. A reputable online supplier should have healthy creatures and should know how to ship starfish properly. If the creature is less stressed when shipped, it is more likely to survive. Examine your starfish once it arrives. If you ordered your starfish online, you will need to look it over right away when it is delivered. Check for discoloration, spots, or injury and make sure the starfish's body is firm before starting the acclimation process. Contact your supplier immediately if you notice anything that may be suspicious or wrong. | Add starfish to well-established tanks. Make sure the temperature is correct. Contact your supplier to determine the salinity of its tanks. Equalize the temperature in the temporary container and the aquarium. Establish a drip line between your established aquarium and the starfish's temporary container. Set the drip rate to 2 to 4 drops per second. Repeat the process several times. Move the starfish into the tank. Equalize the temperature of the container and the tank. Add tank water to the shipping container. Remove half of the water in the shipping container. Repeat this process again. Move the starfish into the aquarium. Pick a type of starfish. Order your starfish. Examine your starfish once it arrives. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Bee-Sting | How to Treat a Bee Sting | If you've been stung by a bee, remove the stinger as soon as you can, either by grabbing it with your fingernails or scraping it out with a credit card. Wash the affected area with soap and cold water to clean it and ease the pain. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, dizziness, hives, or nausea, call for emergency services, as you may be having an allergic reaction. Take an antihistamine to try to slow down the reaction, but be sure to tell the response team which medication you took when they arrive. | Remove the stinger as quickly as possible. As soon as you get stung, get the stinger out of your skin. This is the most important thing you can do! Some people suggest that scraping the stinger out with a credit card is better than pinching it out, but this is more likely to slow down the removal. Some scientists don't think this is even true, and that removing the stinger as quickly as possible is the best thing you can do. You should be able to see the stinger where you've been stung. It will be about the size of the tip of a pen and consists of the stinger itself with some torn flesh from the bee. Sometimes, the bee will remain connected to the stinger by a string of flesh. Get it out with your fingernails, if possible. Otherwise grab a credit card to sweep it out don't pinch it or it will release more venom into the body. Wash the area with soap and cold water. The cold water will be soothing and the soap can help wash away any residual dirt or venom. Lather up well and rinse the area thoroughly. Watch out for symptoms of an allergic reaction. Even if you've been stung by a bee before without any problem, be on the alert for signs that you're having an allergic reaction. Allergies can develop or worsen over time. Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) can by life-threatening. Watch out for any of the following signs of anaphylaxis: Difficulty breathing or wheezing Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat Dizziness , fainting, or a drop in blood pressure Skin reaction like hives, flushing, itching, or paleness A fast, weak pulse Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Restlessness and anxiety Take an antihistamine like Benadryl immediately after the bee sting. This is a preventative measure, even if you don't end up having an allergic reaction. Call emergency services if you’re having an allergic reaction. If any of the above symptoms are present, call for emergency help right away. While you're waiting for help to arrive (or on your way to the hospital), take Benadryl or another antihistamine before a reaction sets in. If you have an EpiPen, use it. If you're waiting and start to have a serious reaction, you can take a double dose of antihistamine. Just be sure to tell the emergency team what you have taken and in what dosages. After you've been treated, see your doctor for a prescription for an EpiPen – a shot of epinephrine that you keep on hand in case of another reaction. Carry the epi-pen with you at all times. Make sure someone in your group knows you have an epi-pen and may need it. If you've had a serious reaction to a bee sting or any other sting, you should also make an appointment with an allergist. They can give you shots to help prevent severe reactions from recurring. Apply cold to the area. Run the sting under cold water, or place ice or an ice pack on the area. Wrap the ice in a towel first instead of putting it directly on your skin. Keep this on for 20 minutes. Reapply the ice later if the area gets sore again. While using home remedies, continue to assess the size of the sting. Often, stings will grow into larger areas. You can gauge the size of the sting by marking it with a pen. If the redness continues to spread, seek medical help. Elevate your arm or leg. If you were stung on the arm or leg, elevate it. Prop your foot up on pillows to be above the level of your heart. Rest your arm on something above your heart. This can improve pain and swelling. Make a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with water, apply the paste, and let it dry. This may pull out the venom if applied quickly and help relieve pain and swelling. Put a tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl and add enough water to turn it into a thick paste. You can also try making a paste out of baking soda, vinegar, and meat tenderizer and applying it to the sting. Add enough vinegar to a tablespoon of baking soda to make a paste, and add in a pinch of meat tenderizer. Apply honey to the sting. Dab some honey onto the sting with your fingers or a cotton ball. Honey has traditionally been used for its antiseptic qualities. Use honey that is as pure as possible, preferably 100% honey without preservatives, for the best effect. Put toothpaste on the sting. Apply a dab of toothpaste to the sore area. It may feel like tingling, which can improve the itchiness of the sting. Apply it as often as you want to. Natural toothpaste may work better than regular toothpaste, but give either a try. Dab on apple cider vinegar. Wet a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and hold it against the sting. It may burn momentarily, but then may provide some pain relief. Take over-the-counter pain medicine. Alleviate pain with OTC pain medicine from your local pharmacy or drug store, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ask your doctor or pharmacist which is the best medicine for you if you have any medical issues, especially if you have liver or kidney problems. Take the medicine as indicated on the bottle or by your doctor. Apply hydrocortisone cream. Apply hydrocortisone cream or other corticosteroid cream to the red, swollen area. This can decrease the pain and inflammation in the area. Use it as directed on the label. Reapply it after four hours if you need to. Dab on calamine lotion. Calamine lotion can help bee stings as much as it helps poison ivy rashes. Dab some onto your sting with a cotton ball. Use it as indicated on the label. Calamine lotion with analgesic (e.g. Caladryl), may be especially effective. Reapply it after four hours if you need to. Take antihistamine pills if your sting is itchy. Take oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorphenamine (Chlor-Trimeton). Use it as directed on the label or by your doctor or pharmacist. This can help relieve itching. Antihistamine pills might make you very drowsy. Be sure you know how they affect you before taking them when driving or going to work. | Remove the stinger as quickly as possible. Wash the area with soap and cold water. Watch out for symptoms of an allergic reaction. Call emergency services if you’re having an allergic reaction. Apply cold to the area. Elevate your arm or leg. Make a baking soda paste. Apply honey to the sting. Put toothpaste on the sting. Dab on apple cider vinegar. Take over-the-counter pain medicine. Apply hydrocortisone cream. Dab on calamine lotion. Take antihistamine pills if your sting is itchy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fool-Your-Opponent-in-Chess | How to Fool Your Opponent in Chess | With a little patience and cunning, you can easily fool your opponent in a game of chess. If you need a couple of moves to take one of your opponent's important pieces, try leaving one of your pieces unprotected. With a little luck, they'll take the bait and leave you free to take their more important piece. If you can think a few moves ahead and predict how your opponent will react, you'll have a much higher success rate. Even if you have fewer pieces, you can keep them well-guarded to intimidate your opponent. For example, the blockade is a common defensive play that involves blocking the path of your opponent's pieces with pawns so they can't advance. | Bait your opponent by a leaving a piece unprotected. Intentionally leave one of your pieces unprotected, or at least make it appear unprotected, to trick your opponent into making a rash move. Baiting is the one of the most basic strategies in chess, but also one of the most consistently successful. The "Legal Trap ," for instance, involves sacrificing one's queen in order to place the opponent's king in checkmate with minor pieces. Many of the most complex strategies and sequences in chess are sophisticated forms of baiting. Make sure you've played out every possible follow up move in your head before putting one of your pieces at risk. Intimidate your opponent with superior positioning. Even if your opponent has more pieces on the board, you can neutralize their advantage by getting your strongest pieces into clear, well-guarded positions. A good example of this type of placement is to set up one of your rooks at the "7th rank" (one row before the end of your opponent's side of the board). From there, the rook is able to keep the enemy king from escaping, all while picking off your opponent's minor pieces and being free to advance or retreat as needed. The "Blockade" is another fundamental defensive play that relies on cunning placement rather than capture or evasion. Setting up a blockade is as simple as blocking the path of your opponent's pieces so that they can't advance. While the opponent struggles to get around the blockade without losing valuable pieces, you can use your dominant position to lure them into danger, or escape danger yourself. Superior positioning can discourage your opponent from following through with their plans and force them to play the game you set for them. If you're careful and don't leave any obvious openings, you may psyche your opponent out and put them on the defensive. Controlling the board is often preferable to simply having more pieces. Think several moves ahead. It's not enough to simply move one piece, with no thought to the consequences it could have multiple turns down the line. Winning strategies require forethought, and are often devised half a dozen moves or more in advance. Do your best to predict how your opponent will logically respond to the moves you make, and adjust your tactics accordingly. Look over the options they have as well as your own. Try to "X-Ray" the board. X-Raying refers to a skilled chess player's ability to see where his or her pieces may be in a good position to attack or defend along a continued plane of movement, beyond the most immediate openings. Learning to X-Ray the board can help teach you to be more forward thinking with your moves. Take as much time as you need each turn to decide on a move that will have the most beneficial outcome. Never move a piece without first having an attack or escape plan ready. Examine the entire board. In order to determine your best course of action, you'll often have to look at the playing field as a whole, rather than just the squares around the piece you intend to play. A broader perspective will let you spot hazards and openings you might otherwise have missed. Pay particular attention to the position of you and your opponent's king and queen pieces, as well as pieces they seem to be moving with clear purpose. If you're being judicious and weighing your options, you'll be able to thwart your opponent's plans while carrying out your own. It can help to be able to identify whether a game is "open" or "closed." When a game is open, it means that many of the crucial squares near the center of the board are unoccupied, whereas these spaces reach gridlock in a closed game. Certain pieces, such as the bishop and queen, will have an advantage in open games where they have more room to maneuver. In closed games, pieces like the knight and pawn shine, as they can capture in close range and move around and in between stationary pieces. Chess operates on the principle of action and reaction. Analyze your opponent's movements closely. Ask yourself what you would do if you were in their position. Be patient. Don't get in a rush to win. This is especially critical during the final stages of the game, where you will be eager to score a checkmate but may be overlooking critical mistakes. When played seriously, chess should take a while. You should be prepared to survey the board, take inventory of your pieces and form a new plan of action every time your turn comes up. Sometimes, the winner will be the player that can think ahead and outlast the other. Don't move pieces around haphazardly whenever it's your turn. Think over your options at length and only move when you've decided on the best strategy. If you're preparing to make a move as soon as your opponent sets a piece down, you're not giving yourself enough time to assess the current situation, and it could cost you the game. A single game of chess can sometimes take days, months, or even years to complete. Rely on your most versatile pieces. Some pieces can move further or in more directions than others. These should be the ones that do most of the legwork on the board. The rook, for instance, can traverse an unlimited number of squares either forward, backward or to either side in a single move; the bishop can do the same in a diagonal direction. Knights can move across two spaces and up one, allowing them to navigate out of tricky situations and capture pieces in surprise attacks. The more movement options you have, the better able you'll be to pull off the strategy you've laid out. Train yourself to think of playing pieces in tandem with one another. Use your turns to set them up, then make it so your opponent has no way out. Remember that while some pieces have abilities that others don't, they are each useful under different circumstances. Not every piece is meant to be played the same way. Use pawns to protect valuable pieces. Position pawns around pieces that you can't afford to lose to keep them from being taken. One of the advantages of pawns is that they have strength in numbers, making them ideal for defensive blocking because you can easily sacrifice them. When enemy pieces approach, you can either capture them with your pawns or hold your position until your opponent makes a mistake, then follow up by mobilizing powerful pieces. This is why it's not a good idea to recklessly sacrifice your pawns. Inexperienced players too frequently sacrifice pawns, leaving their important pieces less protected. Pawns are also capable of being promoted to rook, bishop, knight or even queen pieces when they reach the opposite side of the board. Take control of the four center squares. As soon as the game starts, jockey your pawns to take as many of the four center pieces of the board as you can. You can then begin to move your other pieces in the center as the game progresses. The center position of the board is key to controlling the game, as it allows the most mobility, especially for versatile pieces like the knight and queen. Controlling the center gives you more freedom of movement, but it also puts you at more risk of being surrounded by a veteran player. Protect your king at all costs. Never make any movement without first considering whether it endangers your king. The game is over when either you or your opponent's king is cornered and can no longer escape. For this reason, the royal pieces, the king and queen, are without question the two most important in chess (the queen is the most mobile as well as the most evasive, and forcing the king into a checkmate is the key to winning the game). Use carefully considered positioning and offensive moves to defend the king while deftly whittling away your opponent's pieces. While the queen is the most versatile (and therefore the most powerful) piece on the board, losing your queen puts you at a terrible disadvantage unless you manage to promote a pawn to new queen piece. Be cautious with your queen and do whatever you can to keep her on the board as you enter the endgame (the final stages of the game when the kings come into play). One basic defense strategy is to “castle” your king by moving it over two squares and “jumping” it with a rook that's in the same rank, so that the rook is placed beside the king. This gets the king out of harm's way while putting the rook in position to intercept an opponent's threat. Know the layout of the chessboard. Study the board itself and get an understanding of how the playing field is configured. There are 64 squares on a chessboard: exactly twice as many as there are pieces. These squares are arranged in columns (known as “files”) and rows (known as “ranks”) of alternating dark and light colors. Getting used to the layout of the chessboard will improve your spatial awareness and allow you to better capitalize on openings. Most beginners and casual players take the chess board for granted—they see a jumble of squares and pieces and aren't able to look past the chaos to the significance behind each point of positioning. For this reason, the casual player is never able to develop a winning strategy. The chessboard can feel pretty cramped in the early going if you don't know how to properly mobilize your pieces. Acquaint yourself with the way each piece moves. Chess is played using 32 game pieces—on each side there are 8 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, a king and a queen. Each piece type has a unique pattern of direction that it must follow to move and capture other pieces. Be aware of what these patterns are, and how they are best employed in different parts of the board. Using your pieces in the areas where they're most effective will keep the game in your favor. You might already have a passing knowledge of how chess is played, but unless you've learned the capabilities and limitations of each piece like the back of your hand, your game will be lacking. There are no “good” or “bad” pieces in chess. Each piece serves a unique function and has advantages that the other pieces don't have. Make use of the space you have. Once you know how to move each piece, you can begin formulating a game plan using the space you have on the board. No two games will proceed in exactly the same way, so the pieces will always be arranged differently. Look for clear paths to move your pieces along that will put them closer to your opponent's vulnerable pieces or get them out of harm's way. Movements should be made decisively, with a clear motive in mind, rather than at random. Lure your opponent into sections of the board where you can outmaneuver them with pieces in key spaces. Don't be afraid to sacrifice a piece if it's absolutely necessary to protect your king or lend you a significant advantage. | Bait your opponent by a leaving a piece unprotected. Intimidate your opponent with superior positioning. Think several moves ahead. Examine the entire board. Be patient. Rely on your most versatile pieces. Use pawns to protect valuable pieces. Take control of the four center squares. Protect your king at all costs. Know the layout of the chessboard. Acquaint yourself with the way each piece moves. Make use of the space you have. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Gunsmith | How to Become a Gunsmith | To become a gunsmith, try taking some technical classes, like machining, drafting, and woodworking if you're still in school, which will help you build the foundational knowledge you need. Once you've learned the basics, consider applying for a gunsmithing program at a college or trade school, which will teach you all the technicalities of firearms and how to repair them. Alternatively, you can join an apprenticeship with a local gunsmith or through the Association of Gunsmiths and Related Trades for a more hands-on approach. Before you get a job as a gunsmith, you'll also need a Federal Firearms License so you can work on other people's firearms. When you've completed all of your training, search for a job with sporting goods and firearms stores, manufacturers, and armories to put your skills to use. | Have an aptitude for learning technical skills. Guns must be designed and built to exacting specifications in order to function safely and properly. Gunsmiths must be proficient in working with wood, metal, and other shop materials to create an intricate piece of equipment. Math skills are important for gunsmiths, since they must measure and cut wood and metal. Gunsmiths have excellent wood and metalworking skills. They know how to use shop equipment such as lathes, drill presses, precision measuring instruments, files and chisels, and other tools of the trade. Gunsmiths have mechanical expertise. They understand the way the individual moving parts in a gun work together, and are able to identify the problem when a gun isn't working correctly. Be interested in the history and production of guns. Gunsmiths understand that they are building on gunsmithing knowledge that has evolved over several hundred years. They're familiar with old and new gun models, manufacturers, and accessories. Gunsmiths are often collectors or hobbyists who have the desire to craft guns on their own. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Become-a-Gunsmith-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-a-Gunsmith-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Become-a-Gunsmith-Step-2.jpg\/aid1144932-v4-728px-Become-a-Gunsmith-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Many gunsmiths are members of organizations like the National Rifle Association, or attend conferences, trade shows and other events to congregate with other gunsmiths and learn more information about guns. Be serious about gun safety. Licensed gunsmiths know the importance of handling guns according to standard gun safety rules and the laws in their region. Gun safety extends to the crafting of the gun itself, since a faulty gun could be unsafe for the user. Start early. Take industrial arts courses in high school such as machining, drafting and woodworking. These types of classes will form the basic skill set you need. If you've been out of high school for several years, take classes at a local community college to brush up on your skills. Apply to a gunsmithing program at a college or trade school. Most of these programs take between six months and two years. A list of accredited schools can be found on the on the NRA website. Gunsmithing programs teach mechanical and tooling skills, the different functions and designs of various firearms, diagnosing and repairing guns, safety procedures, and in some cases chemistry and ballistics. Consider enrolling in an online gunsmithing program, a popular alternative in recent years. Gunsmithing programs always conduct background checks on their prospective students; those who don't pass are not admitted into the program. Find an apprenticeship. As an alternative or in addition to receiving a certification or diploma in gunsmithing, seek out a local gunsmith or apply through The Association of Gunsmiths and Related Trades (TAOGART) for apprenticeship status. In order to apply through TAOGART you must be 16 or older. All applicants must be able to legally own and possess a firearm in compliance to federal and state laws. If you are still in high school you must graduate and maintain at least a "C" average. You must have permission from your legal guardians and school officials (such as a principal or counselor). A gunsmithing apprenticeship consists of on-site training and classroom instruction that totals about 8,000 hours. This time can vary depending on the type of firearm apprenticeship you undertake. Obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL). This license differs from other firearms licenses in that it allows you to maintain possession of another person's firearm for more than a day, as you would do if you were repairing it. In order to receive an FFL you must be over 21 years of age meet a number of strict gun safety requirements. A field agent will be dispatched to inspect your gunsmithing facilities and conduct an interview with you before the license is granted. Apply for an FFL through the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Check your local area for other licensing requirements. Consider specializing in a certain type of gunsmithing. Some gunsmiths have found success by focusing on one of the following areas: Custom gun designing and building. Stockmaking, which involves building the gun stock using wood. Gun engraving, which adds aesthetic value to guns with decorative or patterned engravings in the wood or metal. Pistolsmithing, which is practiced by people who custom design and build only pistols. Other gunsmiths focus primarily on rifles or shotguns. Consider working for a company. Operating one's own business can be difficult and risky, so some gunsmiths prefer to work for someone else. Gunsmiths are employed at sporting goods and firearms stores, firearms manufacturers, and armories. Apply for membership in a gunsmithing guild. This can provide you with recognition and support. These associations also have scholarships for students going into the gunsmithing profession. | Have an aptitude for learning technical skills. Be interested in the history and production of guns. Be serious about gun safety. Start early. Apply to a gunsmithing program at a college or trade school. Find an apprenticeship. Obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Consider specializing in a certain type of gunsmithing. Consider working for a company. Apply for membership in a gunsmithing guild. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Survive-if-You-Cannot-Find-a-Job | How to Survive if You Cannot Find a Job | If you're finding it tough to survive because you can't find a job, look for financial support to help pay for your essential costs and take steps to shorten your unemployment as much as possible. Try searching online for benefit programs in your area that offer financial aid. You could also ask friends or family members to help you out with money during your difficult time. If this isn't an option, look for a way to raise money yourself, like selling a vehicle or some personal items online. Remember to make time every day to apply for jobs, since this is the best way to decrease the length of your unemployment. Another great approach is to take a training course to develop new skills, such as using computers or resume writing. | Apply for government assistance. Many government programs can help you with paying for your groceries, heating your home and even paying your rent. Use the U.S. government's benefits finder to help you find out what types of benefits you might be able to receive. One program you might apply for is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is available to low-income families and individuals who need help paying for groceries. The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program helps out workers in manufacturing, farming, and production who have lost jobs to overseas competition. It provides up to 104 weeks of paid occupational training, literacy training, and weekly cash payments for up to one year after unemployment benefits run out. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act helps people who have been part of mass layoffs in industries not covered by the program. They can get free training workshops, college courses, or professional development classes. Apply for unemployment benefits if you can. If you quit, got fired or were laid off from your job, you might qualify for unemployment benefits which would provide you with some money to help you survive. Each state has different rules for who can receive unemployment. Check with your state to see if you qualify. Don't be embarrassed to apply for unemployment. You have worked towards your unemployment, so take advantage of this option. Ask your community for help. Your family and friends may be able to help you through this difficult time. Talk to your family or friends about what you are having trouble affording and ask them if they can do anything to help. Make sure to let them know what you are doing, such as looking for a job, to make your situation better. Sites like Gofundme, Youcaring, and Indiegogo allow you to set up a fundraiser website. You can post these fundraisers on social media, like Facebook, so you can ask friends and family to contribute to you during your time in need. Contact your credit card company and loan providers. Most credit card companies and loan providers have special economic hardship programs for when someone becomes unemployed and can't pay his/her bills, or at least not the full amount of the monthly bill. To make sure that you don't get charged late fees or default on a loan, contact your credit card company and loan providers right away. When you call, keep it simple and say something along these lines: “I am unemployed, and I can't afford my credit card/loan payment right now. What options do you have available for someone in my situation?” Answer the questions that the credit card company or loan representative asks you. The representative will advise you on the best options available to you, based on your situation and the type of credit card or loan you have. Make a spending plan. Keep a spending journal to identify unnecessary expenses. Record everything you spend money on and label it essential or non-essential to determine what you may be able to eliminate. Identify the amount of money that you can spend each month, and budget that money among your essential categories. Decide what you can live without (even if only for a few months). Food, shelter, and basic utilities are essential expenses. Going to the movies, having a gym membership, and buying luxury items are not necessary and can be labeled as non-essential expenses. Record all of your expenditures in your spending journal to make sure that you stay on track. Cancel subscriptions and memberships. Monthly subscriptions and membership fees can add up quickly, so these are good places to start trimming your expenses. Review your subscriptions and memberships to see what you can live without for a while. Things like cell phones and internet may be necessary expenses. However, you can use the internet for free at your local library, so you may be able to cancel it for a few months. Cancel cable service because cable be expensive. Consider cutting your cable and just keeping your Internet service. You can watch many of your favorite shows and sports programs online. Consider switching to a cheaper cell phone provider. You can get your cell phone bill under $20 per line per month if you are willing to switch to a value provider like Ting, RingPlus, Zact, Republic Wireless, or FreedomPop. If you have a smart phone, you may consider going to a cheaper plan with no data. Keep in mind that there are catches to these services. Sometimes you have to buy a phone from the providers and the call service may not be as good. Read the fine print and shop around before you decide to switch. Drive less. Consolidate your errands so that you don't have to make individual trips. Use public transportation, ride your bike or walk whenever possible to save money on gas. Get regular maintenance on your car. Oil changes and other basic maintenance will help keep your vehicle running and may even help prevent more expensive problems down the line. Schedule regular oil changes for all of your vehicles. Consider moving. If your home or apartment is too expensive for you right now, look for a new place to live that is more suited to your current financial situation. You might even consider asking a friend or family member if you can live with them until your situation improves. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help you find affordable housing and can even provide housing vouchers if you are unable to pay your rent. Make sure you and your family members have health insurance. It may seem like an expense you can't afford, but you will be glad that you have health insurance if someone in your family gets sick or needs medical attention. Emergency room visits and other medical expenses without health insurance are extremely expensive and may put you into long-term debt. Government programs may help with the cost of insurance. Your options will vary by state, but see if you can apply for reduced-cost insurance programs. If you have insurance for your car or home, you may consider modifying your plan to a higher deductible to help save on monthly premium expenses. Keep in mind that if you need to file a claim, you will have to pay that higher deductible.This strategy is not a good long-term solution for saving money, but it can help you out for a short time. Shop sales and use coupons. Another way to cut your monthly expenses is to purchase your essential items when they are on sale, when you have a coupon or when you can save money over time by buying in bulk. Watch local ads, clip coupons, and compare prices on your essential items to make sure that you get the best possible prices on the items that you buy. Consider shopping at bulk retail stores, like Sam's Club or Costco. If you have a friend or family member with a membership, see if they will take you so you don't have to purchase your own membership. Some things can be purchased cheaply at these retailers. Make sure to consider unit price, however, because not all items sold at these stores are cheaper. Buy generic brands. Most grocery stores carry their own brand of products that sell for significantly less than other brands. This can be a way to reduce your grocery expenses. Give up certain things. Since you are cutting corners, you can't buy everything you usually do. Items like sodas, expensive meats, and snack foods are unnecessary expenses. Instead, buy what you need to feed you and your family. The extraneous items can be skipped for now. Cook meals at home. Plan ahead before you go grocery shopping. Make a meal plan so that you can cook all of your meals at home. Doing this will take a bit of extra planning and work, but it will save you money in the long run. Pack a lunch and snacks if you will be away from home for the day. Lunch at a restaurant plus the cost of little snacks here and there adds up. Bring a cooler with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks from home if you expect to be out of the house for the day. Skip your daily trip to the coffee shop and start brewing coffee at home. This can save a significant amount of money weekly. Conserve what you have. Think carefully about things that you do. Keep your air conditioner or heater off to conserve energy. Use candles or battery-powered lamps instead of electricity. Only use water when it's necessary. These small changes can add up to big savings on your utility bills. Be frugal with your food. Food is an expensive part of life, even if you buy generic and shop at discount stores. Don't eat because you're depressed or bored. Only eat because you have to. Prioritize your bills. Due to your financial situation, there may be bills you cannot pay. You need to prioritize the bills that must get paid first. Bills dealing with your living situation, such as house payment, utilities, and food, should be your top priority. Medical expenses come after that. Credit cards and other loans come after living expenses. Take a lower paying job. If you cannot find a job in your field, take a lower paying job in the meantime. This will more than likely be at a lower salary, probably minimum wage. Sometimes, you have to swallow your pride and find a way to temporarily pay the bills. There is nothing wrong with working a temporary job to support yourself and your family. Look for a job that could help build your resume. If you work at a retail store, use it as an opportunity to build your customer service and inventory skills. If you work in fast food, think about it as learning teamwork and job performance under pressure. Leave yourself time to job hunt. This is just a temporary job. You still want to devote time in finding a full-time job. Consider selling an extra vehicle. If you own more than one vehicle, consider selling a vehicle. Not only will you earn some money from selling the vehicle, you will also save on the cost of maintaining and driving that vehicle. Sell items online. Online selling can be a great way to make money to help during difficult times. You can sell clothes, shoes, collectibles, games, electronics, furniture - just about anything in your home. Try sites like eBay and Craigslist to sell your items. You may need to sell things you would rather keep. Prioritize. Sell items you can part with first, then consider the more important ones. It may be the difference between food or rent and one item. Look for any collectible items or antiques you have in your home. Some toys, memorabilia, and antiques can sell for a few hundred dollars. Sell crafts online. If you are crafty, try selling things online. Sites like Etsy are craft marketplaces where you can sell your homemade jewelry, clothes, candles, soap, paintings, or anything else. Make sure to balance the price of supplies with how much you are selling. Start small and grow from there. You may also try going to local craft fairs. This can be a great way to earn money, but beware that getting booths at some of these fairs can be expensive. Rent out a room in your home. One way you can make extra cash is to rent out a room in your home. If you live in a city, in a popular vacation spot, or a college town, this might be a viable option. Many people rent rooms to short-term and long-term roommates. Sites like Airbnb.com allow private, local hosts to list their homes as bed and breakfast-type accommodations for people passing through. Be aware that renting a room to someone can be a serious commitment. Think through this plan before allowing someone to live with you. If you will want them to move out in 2 months instead of 12 or 24 months, this may not be the option for you. Offer your services around your community. You can try to find work in your community doing various tasks. Try dog walking, pet or house sitting, cleaning, babysitting, adult care giving, and lawn care. Put up flyers around your neighborhood advertising your services, put an ad in a community-wide bulletin, or use social media, like Facebook, to try to gain business. Have a garage sale. Use your free time to do some much needed cleaning in your home. Instead of throwing out or donating unwanted items, have a garage sale. This is a good way to make extra money for food, gas, or bills. Apply for jobs every day. The best thing that you can do to help yourself survive a period of unemployment is to apply for as many jobs as you can. Set aside some time every day to browse help wanted ads and apply for jobs. Drop off resumes in person. Call people or e-mail them to ask if they are hiring even if they don't have a help wanted sign. Use online job sites, like monster.com and indeed.com. Not only can you search for jobs and apply online, but you can also post resumes so potential employers can browse your resume. Take a class to gain new skills. One great way to fill your time while you look for a job is to take a class that may provide you with some new skills. Filling your extra time with something productive like taking a class will show potential employers that you are motivated to learn and work. Some of these classes are free or offered at low costs. Check out the Department of Labor's One-Stop Career Centers. Many of these centers offer free classes in topics like computers and basic academic skills. They also help with career counselling and can provide information on available jobs. Microsoft's Elevate America works with U.S. veterans and with nonprofit organizations in communities to help people receive training for employment. The program offers no-cost and low-cost online training programs to help people develop technology skills. They also have a state voucher program to help people get vouchers for training and certification. Monster.com offers free eLearning courses that can help teach you vital skills and build your resume. Get an apprenticeship. Another way to get on-the-job training, and perhaps an in for a new job, is through an apprenticeship. The Department of Labor's website has a compiled list of hundreds of apprenticeship programs. Most of the apprenticeship programs are paid, although many at a lower salary to begin with. But with the benefits of on-the-job training, it is a worthwhile opportunity. Start your own business. You might consider starting a business of your own if you have any skills that you could put to use to earn some money while you seek full-time employment. Consider your skill set to determine what you can do to earn some money while you seek employment. Volunteer to gain experience. If you don't have much work experience or you would like to gain some new skills, volunteering is a great way to make yourself more appealing to potential employers. Consider volunteering at a local hospital, animal shelter or other nonprofit organization while you look for a job. Doing volunteer work will look great on your resume, and it will also be a rewarding experience for you. Work on your resume. One of the reasons why you have not been able to find a job might have something to do with your resume. Spend some time revising and reorganizing your resume. Try to look at it from the perspective of potential employers and highlight the things that they might be seeking in a new employee. Look online for resume how-to guides, templates, and samples. There are many websites that help you build an effective resume for any career. You may even be able to find forums where people will look over your resume and give you feedback. Proofread your resume for grammar, spelling, and usage errors. Employees will throw out a resume if it has too many glaring errors. Make sure it is polished and perfect before sending it out. Check the formatting of the resume. Make sure it looks professional. Use templates online if you are unsure. Make sure you have the proper fonts, font sizes, and spacing. Focus on your appearance. Before you go to job interviews or to drop off resumes, make sure your appearance is neat and professional. This doesn't mean you have to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on a suit. Make sure you dress in business casual. For men, wear nice slacks and either a collared shirt or a jacket and tie. For women, wear a skirt and blouse or a dress. Don't wear jeans, sneakers, or flip-flops. Make sure your hair is clean and combed, shower before you go, and make sure your clothes are clean. Iron your clothes before you go. Wrinkled clothes give a bad impression. If you can't afford to buy nice clothes, try yard sales or thrift stores. You can find many nice business casual outfits at either place for low costs. Or borrow something from a friend or family member. Stay busy. Many people who are unemployed get depressed because they have no job. This causes them to lose their motivation and not want to leave the house and apply for jobs. Instead of sitting around and feeling sorry for yourself, get out of the house or take up a new hobby. Go for a walk. Staying active and healthy during this time is very important. Don't ignore your friends, family, and community. Remember, getting out helps you make connections and find new opportunities. Reach out to friends and family for moral support. Being unemployed can lead to depression, which may make it harder to survive this difficult period. When you feel discouraged, make sure that you reach out to someone and talk about what you are going through. Confiding in a friend or relative about your struggles will make it easier for you to survive this difficult time. | Apply for government assistance. Apply for unemployment benefits if you can. Ask your community for help. Contact your credit card company and loan providers. Make a spending plan. Cancel subscriptions and memberships. Drive less. Consider moving. Make sure you and your family members have health insurance. Shop sales and use coupons. Cook meals at home. Conserve what you have. Prioritize your bills. Take a lower paying job. Consider selling an extra vehicle. Sell items online. Sell crafts online. Rent out a room in your home. Offer your services around your community. Have a garage sale. Apply for jobs every day. Take a class to gain new skills. Get an apprenticeship. Start your own business. Volunteer to gain experience. Work on your resume. Focus on your appearance. Stay busy. Reach out to friends and family for moral support. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Skin-Masses-on-Dogs | How to Diagnose Skin Masses on Dogs | If you notice a mass on your dog's skin, feel it and note whether it's soft and moveable or hard and fixed. Soft, movable lumps are usually harmless masses of fat, while harder ones are more likely to be tumors. You should also check the size of the mass and take your dog to the vet if you see any masses larger than about 1 centimeter across. Any time you spot a mass, keep an eye on it for a few weeks and note whether it changes or grows. If you notice any changes, take your dog to the vet for a checkup. Let them know when you first noticed the mass and how it has changed. | Feel the skin mass. Start by using clean hands to gently feel around the skin mass. The skin mass may be located on your dog's belly or trunk, though they can appear anywhere on your dog's body. Note if the skin mass feels soft and moveable under the skin. If this is the case, the skin mass may be a buildup of fatty tissue, known as a lipoma, which is not life threatening. If the skin mass feels hard and does not move with your touch, it may be a tumor. Regardless of how the skin mass feels, you should get it examined by a vet to confirm it is not a tumor. Doing the feel test is not a definitive way to diagnosis the skin mass. Note the size of the skin mass. If the skin mass is one centimeter or larger in size, you should get it checked by your vet. One centimeter is about the size of a pea. If your dog has multiple skin masses that are the size of a pea or larger, take her to the vet right away. Pay attention to how the skin mass develops. If you notice a very small skin mass on your dog, keep an eye on it and pay attention to how it develops over the next month. If the mass appears to be growing or spreading, you should bring your dog to the vet for a diagnosis. You should also note if the mass does not go away after a few weeks, as this could be a sign of a serious medical issue. Pay attention to how the skin mass develops in terms of feel. If the skin mass starts to feel hard or less movable under your dog's skin, you should bring your pet to the vet for a diagnosis. Note your dog’s behavior. If your dog has a skin mass and it is causing him discomfort, then he may do things to try and make himself feel better. For example, if you notice that your dog is licking or scratching at the lump, then this could be a sign that it is painful or uncomfortable. Monitor the mass for changes. If a mass on your dog's body is something to be worried about, then it will probably change in size, shape, or appearance quickly. Monitor the lump by checking it once per day or a few times per week. If you notice that a mass on your dog's body has grown in size, changed shape, or become red and irritated looking, then take your dog to see a veterinarian right away. Taking photos of the lump and/or measuring it can help you to track any changes with more accuracy than just looking at it. Try snapping a photo of the mass and write down the diameter to help you see if it is changing or growing. Notice if your dog appears physically ill. One symptom of a more serious medical issue due to a tumor in your pet is signs of physical illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Your dog may display these symptoms soon after the skin mass appears or a few days after it appears. If your dog displays these symptoms, you should bring her to the vet right away for a diagnosis. The sooner the skin mass is examined and diagnosed, the quicker your dog can get the treatment she needs. Check for blood in your dog’s stool. Another worrisome symptom in your pet is finding blood in your dog's urine or feces. You may look at your dog's stool after she has gone to the bathroom to check for this symptom. If you notice this issue, you should bring your dog to the vet right away. Note if your dog has a loss of appetite and appears lethargic. You should also pay attention to your dog's demeanor and notice any drastic changes, such as a loss of appetite and low energy. Your dog may not eat for a few days in a row or show little interest in foods she usually enjoys. You may also notice your dog appears lethargic and sluggish. She may not want to go for her usual walks or be interested in playing with you like she usually does. These may be signs she has a medical issue due to the skin mass and needs to be examined by your vet. Provide your dog’s medical history. Once you bring your dog into your vet, your vet will ask you a series of questions about your dog's medical history. Try to answer these questions to the best of your ability and provide detailed information on your dog's symptoms. Your answers will help your vet get a better sense of your dog's condition. For example, your vet may ask: “How long as the growth been on your dog? Has it gotten smaller or larger over time? How fast is it growing? How many skin masses are on your dog? Has your dog experienced any injuries or recent traumas? Have there been any changes in your pet's behavior or demeanor?” Let your vet do a physical exam of your dog. Your vet will do a complete physical exam of your pup, paying special attention to examining the skin mass. They will feel the skin mass and look closely at how the skin mass appears on your dog's skin. Allow your dog's vet to perform a biopsy. A biopsy is when the veterinarian surgically removes a small sample of tissue from the mass. This sample will be sent to the lab to determine what types of cells are present. A biopsy is an important part of the diagnostic process, so this may be your veterinarian's first suggestion for diagnosing a mass. This test may be necessary if the diagnosis of the mass is inconclusive or if the lump is suspected to be cancerous. In this case, removing the lump and having it analyzed is the best option. In some cases, a fine needle aspirate may be performed. This is when the vet collects a few cells from the lump by putting a needle into it. If an infection is suspected as the cause of the problem, then the vet will swab any discharge from the mass or send a small piece of tissue away for culture to identify the bugs present. Discuss your dog’s treatment options. The treatment for the skin mass will depend on your dog's diagnosis. If the skin mass is benign and just a lipoma, or buildup of fatty tissue, you may not need to do anything. Often, lipomas go away on their own. If the lipoma is large and restricting your dog's movements, your vet may recommend surgery to remove it. If the skin mass is diagnosed as a tumor, your vet may recommend surgery to have it removed as soon as possible. Smaller tumors that are removed right away will increase your dog's chances of recovery and reduce her risk of developing cancer. | Feel the skin mass. Note the size of the skin mass. Pay attention to how the skin mass develops. Note your dog’s behavior. Monitor the mass for changes. Notice if your dog appears physically ill. Check for blood in your dog’s stool. Note if your dog has a loss of appetite and appears lethargic. Provide your dog’s medical history. Let your vet do a physical exam of your dog. Allow your dog's vet to perform a biopsy. Discuss your dog’s treatment options. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Out-if-Something-Is-Copyrighted | How to Find Out if Something Is Copyrighted | To find out if something is copyrighted, start by checking it for a copyright mark, which may be a “C” in a circle, or the word “copyright” followed by a date and the name of the copyright owner. Additionally, look at the date, since the copyrights on all works published in the U.S. before 1923 have expired. If you can't tell by examining the work, you can try searching the records of the U.S. Copyright Office. Check the online database for works registered or renewed after 1977, or visit the office in person to check on older works. | Examine the work for a copyright notice. Many works state whether or not they have been copyrighted, although it is no longer legally required, even in the USA. You will know that the work has been copyrighted if it includes a "copyright notice," which is marked either by a "c" in a circle (©) or the word "copyright" followed by the date of first publication and the name of the copyright owner. If the work is a book, look for a copyright page. It is typically found on the back side of the title page. On older works it may be on the title page or on the last page of the book. If the work is a film or a television show, the copyright is usually included at the end of the credits. If you have a physical copy of a DVD or tape, the label or package may have a copyright notice. If the work is a cassette, CD or LP, look for a reference to the copyright on the label or packaging. It may include a "circle-P" mark for "phonograph copyright". If the work is a magazine, the copyright will likely be found near the Table of Contents at the beginning of an issue. If the work is a digital photograph, the copyright will be indicated by a tag. If it is a print photograph, the copyright will be on the back of the image. Look at the date. All copyrights have a statutory duration. Some works have entered the public domain because the copyright on them has expired. This applies to: All works published in the U.S. before 1923 Some works published with a copyright notice after 1922 if, for example, the copyright was published before 1964, but never renewed. To find out whether a copyright was renewed, you will likely have to search the records of the U.S. Copyright Office. Published works were required to carry a "copyright notice" only until 1989. Works made for hire that were published more than 95 years ago All works published more than 95 years ago, beginning in 2019. Unpublished works for which the author is known and the author died more than 70 years ago, or 120 years from its date of creation, whichever expires first. Phonographs (sound recordings) created or published in the US prior to 1972 currently have no statutory copyright protection under US federal law, but certain exclusive rights may be covered by relevant state laws, at least until preempted in 2067. It is quite possible that even sound recordings more than 120 years old may still have copyright protection under state laws. In 2018 the US Congress passed a new law granting specific, retro-active, copyright protections to pre-1972 sound recordings published in the USA: either 95, 96, 100 or 110 years, depending upon its publication date. For example, sound recordings published prior to 1923 now have copyrighted performance rights until 2021; those published after 1956 have 95-year copyright protection, during the "transition period" ending in 2067. Consider the type of work. Some works automatically enter the public domain upon creation because they are not copyrightable. These include: Titles, names, short phrases and slogans, familiar symbols, numbers Ideas, concepts and facts (e.g., the date of the Gettysburg Address) Processes, methods of operations, and systems Works and documents created by the US government. Note that the US government also publishes works created by others, for which there may be a valid and enforceable copyright. Look for the "CC0" Public Domain mark. Some owners of copyrighted works choose to waive their interests and place their works in the public domain through the website "Creative Commons." You can identify a work that has been dedicated to the public domain through the "CC0" mark. When searching for images online, look for small print under the image that reads: "Copyright and related rights waived via CC0." Authors are also allowed to simply "disclaim" their right to enforce their own copyright, but it must be done in writing and in a way to make it unambiguously irrevocable, without regard to the "Creative Commons" procedures. Determine whether a work is unpublished. Unpublished material may be protected by copyright law, even if it contains no reference to a copyright and has not been registered with the Copyright Office, provided it has not expired. The law only requires that such works be fixed in a tangible form. For this reason, you need to be even more careful about using material that has never been published. To be clear, any copy you have found qualifies as being "in tangible form", even if it is in computer memory or encoded in a form that you cannot read or understand. To determine whether or not a work has been published, find out whether or not it was intended for public distribution. If only a few copies were created and distribution was limited, it is likely unpublished. If you believe a work is unpublished, find out whether the author is deceased. Copyright in an unpublished work will expire 70 years after the death of the last surviving author. If an author is anonymous, or the date of the author's death is unknown, or it was a work made for hire, the copyright will expire 120 years after the date on which the work was created. Avoid using unpublished material found in archives or manuscript collections unless you are certain the copyright has expired. Much of this material is likely still protected by copyright. As mentioned above, Congress changed the copyright law in 2018 to grant 95-year protection to pre-1972 sound recordings. Unpublished pre-1972 sound recordings now have federal copyright protection for 95 years from "date of fixation", subject to many of the same exceptions and limitations of other copyrights. Be wary of "orphan works. " Many works published (with copyright notice) after 1922 are presumably still protected by copyright, but their owners cannot be found. Such works are referred to as "orphan works." You should be wary of using material from orphan works, as the true owner may eventually come forward and accuse you of violating his copyright. Mass digitalization projects, like Google Books, are replete with untraceable photos, letters and text that are technically still protected by copyright, even though their owners cannot be found. Until Congress passes legislation authorizing the use of such works, you run the risk of violating copyright law in taking material from them. Refer to websites that store only public domain works. Some websites collect books, images, illustrations, audio, and films where the copyright term has expired or the creator has not renewed the license. These works are in the public domain and free to be used for any purpose. Such websites include: Smithsonian Institution Public Domain Images New York Times Public Domain Archives Project Gutenberg, a collection of public domain electronic books Librivox, public domain audio books Prelinger Archives; a vast collection of advertising, educational, industrial, and amateur films. Conduct your own search at the Copyright Office. Identify the author, title and publisher of a work and then visit the U.S. Copyright Office to search for records regarding your work. For works registered or renewed after 1977, the Copyright Office offers an online, web-base database search in the Copyright Catalog. The Copyright Office is located in the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. and is open to the public on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Find-Out-if-Something-Is-Copyrighted-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-Out-if-Something-Is-Copyrighted-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Find-Out-if-Something-Is-Copyrighted-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid3742847-v4-728px-Find-Out-if-Something-Is-Copyrighted-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Register with the Public Information Office, which is located at LM-401 on the fourth floor of the James Madison Memorial Building. Once you are a registered user, visit the Copyright Office Public Records Reading Room (also on the fourth floor of the James Madison Memorial Building. Your search method will depend on the date in which the work was copyrighted. This presents a challenge since presumably you won't know whether the work was copyrighted in the first place. Based on what you do know about the work, make a guess as to whether it would have been copyrighted before or after 1978. For works copyrighted before January 1, 1978, use the physical card catalogue to search for your work. For works copyrighted after January 1, 1978, use the online card catalogue. If you believe it could have either, search both catalogues. If using the physical card catalogue, ask the Copyright Office employee on duty for help searching your work and retrieving the certificate registration and any other ownership documents. If using the online card catalogue, approach one of the available computers and click on "Search Records" from the home screen. On the next screen, click on "Search the Catalogue." Insert a search term into the top box. Indicate the type of search term (i.e. title of the work, the name of the author or keyword) in the bottom box. If searching by title, omit the initial article (i.e. "The" or "A"). Click "Begin Search" to perform the search. The search will produce a list of titles on the next screen. Look for the title and date that matches your work. Click on the correct work to view the certificate of registration and other records related to the work. Examine the certificate of registration. If you are performing the search on your own through the Copyright Office, you will need to examine the certificate of registration to determine who initially acquired ownership. You will also need to review other transfer and renewal documents to find out if ownership was transferred to a third party. When reviewing the certificate of registration, look for the owner's name in the space in Section 4 entitled “Copyright Claimant.” Look for assignments and other transfer documents to find out whether ownership was transferred to another party. Examine the date of the work's copyright notice. Any work published before 1923 is in the public domain. Look for renewal notices. Any works registered or published before 1964 in which a copyright was not renewed are now in the public domain. Any works registered or published after 1963 may still be protected even if the copyright was not renewed. Hire the Copyright Office to perform search on your behalf. If you are not able to or do not feel comfortable searching the records of the Copyright Office on your own, you can hire the Copyright Office staff to perform the search and send you a written report. This search will cost you $200 for each hour of research and there is a two hour minimum. Fill out the online request form on the Copyright Office website: www.copyright.gov/forms/search_estimate.html. The Copyright Office will respond with an estimate of the total search fee within two to five days. Provide whatever detailed information you know about your request, such as the title of the work, names of authors, name of the probable copyright owner, the approximate year when the work was published and the type of work involved (book, play, musical composition, sound recording, photograph, etc.). Hire a private search company. As an alternative to hiring the Copyright Office staff to conduct your search, you can hire a private company to search Copyright Office records for you. There are two advantages to hiring a private company to conduct your search. First, a private company can deliver reliable results more quickly than the Copyright Office staff, within two to ten days of your request. Second, in addition to determining whether a work is in the public domain or whether you can obtain the rights to use the work, a private company can provide other services, such as tracing the copyright history of a fictional character or locating similarly titled works. Private search companies charge from $75 to $300 per search. The largest and best known copyright search company is Thomson & Thomson Copyright Research Group (www.thomson-thomson.com). Create something new rather than copying. In determining whether the use of copyrighted material is considered "fair," courts consider the purpose and character of the use. If the material is used in a way that is transformative, meaning that it alters the fundamental character of the original work, the use is considered fair. However, if the new version merely copies or supersedes the original work, then the use is not fair. For example, a poet who uses a line from a T.S. Eliot poem in her own poem is likely within the doctrine of "fair use" because she is using it to create a new poem. Use only for certain purposes. The purpose for which you use the copyrighted work is also critical. Generally, the following uses are deemed "fair use" of copyrighted material: Criticism and comment-- for example, while copying a song lyric is generally not permitted, it may be considered "fair use" if reproduced within the context of a music review. News reporting Research and scholarship Non-profit educational use-- for example, photocopying of limited portions of written works by teachers for classroom use. Parody Consider the nature of the copyrighted work. Another factor courts consider is the nature of the copyrighted work. Certain types of works, like unpublished or highly creative works, are protected more closely. Therefore, your use of such works is more likely to violate copyright law. Determine whether the work you want to use is published or unpublished. If only a few copies were made and it was never intended for public distribution, it is likely unpublished and any use of it could be risky. Ask yourself if the work is highly creative or purely factual. If you choose to take material from a work that is highly creative, like a poem or a song, you are more likely to violate copyright law. Restrict your use to a small and relatively insignificant portion of the copyrighted work. Courts also consider the amount of the copyrighted work that was used and the relative importance of that section to the work as a whole. For example, copying a few lines from a novel could be safely within fair use unless those lines are critical to the heart of the overall work. On the other hand, even copying one line of a song might violate copyright law because the total content of the song is so short. Evaluate how your use will affect the value of the original work. A final factor courts consider is the impact of your use on the existing and potential market value of the original work. Ask yourself: will your use of the copyrighted work deprive the owner of the copyright of a significant source of potential or existing income? For example, a sculptor used copyrighted photographs to create sculptures and sold them for several hundred thousand dollars. Even though the sculptor used the photographs in a way that was entirely new, a court found the sculptor had violated copyright law by depriving the photographer of a potential market that existed for his photographs. | Examine the work for a copyright notice. Look at the date. Consider the type of work. Look for the "CC0" Public Domain mark. Determine whether a work is unpublished. Be wary of "orphan works. Refer to websites that store only public domain works. Conduct your own search at the Copyright Office. Examine the certificate of registration. Hire the Copyright Office to perform search on your behalf. Hire a private search company. Create something new rather than copying. Use only for certain purposes. Consider the nature of the copyrighted work. Restrict your use to a small and relatively insignificant portion of the copyrighted work. Evaluate how your use will affect the value of the original work. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Confirmation-Letter | How to Write a Confirmation Letter | To write a Catholic Confirmation letter, open with a statement about the importance of the sacrament of Confirmation. Address the confirmand personally, and congratulate them for taking this step. Include shared memories and experiences to demonstrate your love for the recipient of the letter, and supplement your stories with encouraging Scripture verses. Assure the recipient that they have your support. To make it more personal, consider writing your final letter by hand. | Use business letter format on company letterhead. A formal business letter on company letterhead sets the appropriate tone and establishes the letter as official business communication. Set a standard font and margins, typing the body of the letter in block-paragraph style – single-spaced, with a double-space between paragraphs. Avoid using any abbreviations when you type addresses in formal business letters. For example, instead of typing "123 Main St.," you would type "123 Main Street." If your letterhead includes the address for your business, you can typically eliminate the address block for yourself. List the job title, salary, and start date. Begin your letter with an enthusiastic tone, welcoming the recipient to the company in their new capacity. You might also include a brief summary of the recipient's job duties unless the job title makes them obvious. For example, you might write: "On behalf of Bob Builders, Inc., I am pleased to offer you the position of Secretary at a salary of $28,500 a year. Your first day will be January 22, 2019." Summarize the terms and conditions of the offer. If there are any limitations to your offer they should be clearly stated. Additionally, if the offer is contingent on anything, those contingencies should be stated up front. For example, the offer may be contingent on a clean background check, or a clean drug test. This section may also include any documents the new employee needs to sign, such as a confidentiality agreement or a non-compete agreement. If you include any contingencies, provide the new employee with a deadline by which those things need to be completed. If you're only asking for documents to be signed, you might state that those documents can be signed on the new employee's first day. Provide details about any benefits your company offers. If your company offers health insurance, retirement benefits, educational assistance, paid time off, or other benefits, list those briefly. Let the new employee know when they will be eligible for those benefits, and how they can find out more information about them. Some employers start benefits at day one, but most require employees to work 60 or 90 days before they become eligible for benefits. Close by thanking the recipient. Let the recipient know that you're grateful for their interest in your company and that you're glad they're coming to work with you. Communicate your excitement or enthusiasm for having the new employee join your team. For example, you might say "Thank you so much for your interest in our mission here at Bob Builders, Inc. We're excited to bring you on board and look forward to your contributions." Use a formal closing immediately before your signature, such as "Sincerely" or "Sincerely yours." Include your job title under your name. The business letter template provides 4 blank lines for your signature after the formal closing. Under that space, type your first and last name. Under your name, type your job title and the name of the company. For example, you might type "Director of Operations, Bob Builders, Inc." Proofread your letter carefully. Make sure your letter is free of any typos and spelling or grammatical errors. You may also want someone from human resources to read over the letter and verify that all the content is correct. Double-check numbers in particular. It's easy to transpose digits by mistake, and this can lead to a huge misunderstanding. These types of mistakes could also have legal consequences. Print and sign your letter for mailing. Your letter will look more professional if printed on quality paper. Even if you send an email confirmation, mail an official signed copy as well. Sign the letter in the space provided, using blue or blank ink. Include any credentials, such as "CPA" or "JD," if appropriate. Mail the letter promptly, so that your new employee will receive it well before their planned start date. Start with a statement about the importance of confirmation. The sacrament of Confirmation deepens baptismal grace, strengthening the bond between the confirmand and the Church. Address the confirmand personally, and congratulate them for taking this step and receiving this sacrament. For example, you might say "As you prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, I am honored to support you as you take this important step to deepen your bond with Christ and the Church." Use words and phrases from the Catholic Catechism to stress the importance of this step in the confirmand's journey of faith. Discuss your relationship with the recipient. Use shared memories and experiences to encourage and build up the confirmand. Supplement your stories with verses from Scripture or other sources. Choose stories or events that demonstrate your love for the recipient and their journey in the faith. For example, you might discuss memories of when the recipient was baptized. Questions the recipient may have asked you about the Church or about your faith are also good jumping-off points for reflection. Don't worry about making this long or overly detailed. Brevity can also be powerful. Include encouraging or inspirational quotes from Scripture. Use quotes to further express the meaning of the sacrament and the teachings of the Church. You can search online or use the Bible's concordance to find quotes that resonate with you. For example, you might try "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10). Another encouraging quote is "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." (Jeremiah 29:11). You might also try "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). Assure the recipient that they have your support. Close your letter by letting the recipient know that you support them on their journey and are praying for them. Thank the recipient for being in your life and bringing you love and joy. For example, you might write "I am extremely proud of you, and all the blessings you have brought to my life. I am honored to be your Confirmation sponsor, and pray that you will continue to grow in faith, hope, and charity." Write your final letter by hand to make it more personal. Formal letters are typically typed. However, a handwritten confirmation letter feels more personal and authentic, as though it came straight from the heart. This can be a great touch to add. If you're going to write your letter by hand, go slowly. Write as neatly as possible, and make sure you aren't introducing any errors. It can help to type your letter out first and then copy it. Type your letter in formal business letter format. A formal business letter communicates that you are serious and sets the proper tone for your letter. Most word processing apps include a business letter template that you can use to type your confirmation letter. Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial. In a legal sense, a confirmation letter also may be used to create a record of an agreement made orally. The formal business letter format is appropriate, as these letters may be used as evidence in court. Because confirmation letters are typically extremely brief, you may find that your letter only has a single paragraph. It should never be longer than a page. Use an appropriate salutation. Typically you'll start the salutation line with the word "dear," followed by "Mr." or "Ms." and the first and last name of the recipient of the letter. Place a colon at the end of the person's name to start the letter. If the person is a doctor, use "Dr." If you don't know the recipient's gender identity, simply use their first and last name. Don't use the abbreviation "Mrs." unless you know the recipient is a married woman who prefers that title. Confirm the specific arrangement made. There's no reason for any extended introduction or pleasantries in a confirmation letter. Get straight to the point of the event or arrangement you're confirming. This will likely include dates, times, and locations. For example, you might start the letter "This letter is to confirm" or "I am writing to confirm," followed by the information you're confirming. If you're writing to confirm receipt of something, you can start your letter "I am pleased to confirm," or "I was pleased to receive," followed by a list of the specific items you received. Include any other important information. Other details may include the names and roles of other people involved, specific tasks, conditions of the arrangement, or monetary agreements. Repeat any terms or conditions that were part of the agreement to clarify what is expected. For example, if you're writing to confirm that the recipient will volunteer at a nonprofit event, you might want to include the day, time, and location of the event, as well as specific acts the volunteer will be expected to perform. Ask for a follow-up if needed. Towards the end of your letter, let the recipient know if you need them to contact you and provide additional information. If your confirmation included a request or an assignment of responsibilities, ask them to confirm their agreement on those terms. Even if you don't have anything specific for the person to contact you about, it's usually a good idea to include a line with your preferred method of communication and let them know that they can contact you if they have any further questions. For example, you might write "If you have any questions or comments, you can reach me at (999) 444-1212." Thank the recipient. Start a new paragraph and add a line thanking the recipient for joining you in the arrangement or agreeing with you on the terms, whatever is appropriate to the subject of the letter. For example, if you are confirming someone's agreement to volunteer at a nonprofit event, you might say "Thank you so much for your commitment to our cause. We are grateful for all of your effort." Make a statement of your enthusiasm, if appropriate. For example, if you are writing to confirm a job interview, you might say "I appreciate the opportunity" or "I look forward to talking to you." Edit and proofread your letter before printing. Your confirmation letter won't be taken seriously if it includes typos or grammatical errors. In addition to proofreading, make sure your writing is as clear and concise as it can be. Reading your letter aloud can help you pick up on places where your writing could be simpler and more direct, as well as making it easier to notice mistakes. Edit out legalese or other industry jargon. Be clear and direct about what you're confirming. Print your letter on quality paper. Once you're confident your letter is error-free, print it on a premium, stationery paper. You can buy small quantities of this type of paper in office supply stores or online. If you're sending the letter in your capacity as an employee or representative of a business or organization, use the letterhead of that business or organization. However, if you're writing to confirm a personal matter, don't use the business letterhead – even if you own the business. Most word processing apps have templates you can use to create your own personal letterhead if you want your letter to look a little more polished. Sign the letter using blue or black ink. After you've printed the letter, sign it neatly in the space you provided over your typed name. Try to keep your signature professional and reasonably legible, without being excessively stylistic. Sign your first and last name exactly as it is typed. It's typically not appropriate to use a nickname or abbreviation when signing a confirmation letter. Send your letter to the recipient promptly. Try to get your letter in the mail the same day you sign it. You won't make a good impression if the date of your letter is several days before the date of the postmark. If the letter is confirming something that could possibly have legal significance, make a copy of the confirmation letter for your own records before you mail it. | Use business letter format on company letterhead. List the job title, salary, and start date. Summarize the terms and conditions of the offer. Provide details about any benefits your company offers. Close by thanking the recipient. Include your job title under your name. Proofread your letter carefully. Print and sign your letter for mailing. Start with a statement about the importance of confirmation. Discuss your relationship with the recipient. Include encouraging or inspirational quotes from Scripture. Assure the recipient that they have your support. Write your final letter by hand to make it more personal. Type your letter in formal business letter format. Use an appropriate salutation. Confirm the specific arrangement made. Include any other important information. Ask for a follow-up if needed. Thank the recipient. Edit and proofread your letter before printing. Print your letter on quality paper. Sign the letter using blue or black ink. Send your letter to the recipient promptly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Back-Pain | How to Avoid Back Pain | To avoid back pain when you're lifting heavy objects, spread your feet apart and place one leg slightly ahead of you. Lower yourself by bending at the knees, and keep your back straight up and down as you grasp the object firmly. Tighten your stomach muscles and push off the ground with your feet, rising slowly. Hold the object close to your waist, and do not lean, twist, or turn your hips or back, as this will increase your risk of an injury. | Avoid standing in 1 position for more than 10 minutes at a time. Stand with your hips in a neutral position and avoid rounding your shoulders so your back is straight. Don't stand for too long in 1 position so you don't put strain on your lower back. If you need to remain standing in 1 location, try putting a foot up on a footstool so you can lean on it or change from your left to right foot after several minutes to reduce the strain. Use an ergonomic chair to support your back at work. If you work in an office or in an environment where you have to sit for long periods of time, it's important that your back is properly supported so you don't strain or injure it. Use a chair with armrests and lumbar supports so your back isn't rounded or in an unnatural position. You could also place a small pillow or a rolled-up towel at the small of your back to support its natural curve. In addition to having a comfy chair, you should keep your forearms horizontal and your elbows at ninety-degree angles when working on a keyboard. Your computer screen should be at eye-level about an arm's length away so you don't have to crane your neck, which can cause back pain. Make sure your back is supported when you’re driving. Many people spend a lot of time sitting in their vehicles driving, so it's important that you use good posture when you're on the road to avoid back pain. Adjust your mirrors so you don't have to crane your neck or lean when you're driving to see, which can put stress on your back. Sit with your back straight and your hips in line beneath your shoulders. If you need extra support, place a small pillow or a rolled-up towel behind you in the small of your back. Be sure to support your back whenever you're travelling by bus, plane, or train. If you can, stand up and walk around or stretch once each hour or so to relieve tension on your back. Do shoulder squeeze exercises to improve your posture. Take a seated position and extend your arms out in front of you so they're parallel. Pull your elbows straight back as far as you can like you're trying to make them touch behind you. Hold the position for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times to open up your chest and improve your posture, which will ease tension on your back. Try this exercise in the morning and in the evening to help improve your posture. Get a feel for how much something weighs before you lift it. Before you pick up anything, take a moment to think about how much it weighs and try lifting up a corner to get a sense of how heavy it is. Picking up an object that's too heavy can injure your back or aggravate an existing injury. If it feels really heavy, ask someone to help you lift it or use a tool such as a hand cart to pick it up. Know your limits and strength level before attempting to lift something that could be too heavy. Bend your knees and keep your back straight when you’re lifting. When you go to lift an object, spread your feet so they're about shoulder-width apart and lower yourself down by bending at your knees. Keep your back straight and tighten your core muscles as you take hold of the object with your hands. Lift the item slowly and maintain good posture. Keeping your back straight, push off the ground with your feet and rise slowly. Try to keep the object close to your waist and even to minimize movement and reduce strain. Keep your back straight as you move or carry the object. Don't twist, lean, or turn your hips or back while holding a heavy object. Try a lower back core exercise to increase flexibility and strength. Lie flat on your back on the floor and bend your knees at a 45-degree angle, keeping your feet on the floor. Flex your core muscles to round your lower back and raise your belly up off of the ground. Hold the position for 5 seconds, then relax and gently lower your belly back to the ground. Repeat the exercise 5 times to strengthen your lower back and reduce pain. Try to add 1 or 2 reps each week as you grow more flexible. Aim for a maximum of thirty each day. You should be able to feel a flexing in your lower back at each pushing out and pulling in of your abdominal muscles. Build up your core muscles to reduce back pain. Your core includes the muscles in your torso and back that protect your spine. Strengthening your core muscles can help you avoid back pain, especially pain caused by soft tissue injury or back muscle strain. Exercises like the pelvic tilt, sit-ups on an exercise ball, back extensions, and cat curls all target your core muscles. Lift weights to strengthen your back muscles. Lifting weights can strengthen your back, but it's very important that you maintain good form so you don't injure your back or aggravate a previous injury. Keep your back straight and use proper body mechanics. Don't bend over at the waist when you pick up weights. Get a partner to help you lift things that are too heavy. Build stability with low-impact aerobic exercises. Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as walking or swimming, builds overall muscular stability and reduces the risk of lower back pain. Add a few low-impact aerobic exercises to your routine to help avoid back pain. Try to walk at least 10,000 steps per day. If you swim, try to progressively lengthen the distance and number of laps you can perform to build back strength. With any exercise, don't overdo it or you could pull or strain your back muscles. Perform knee-to-chest stretches to loosen up your back. Lie flat on your back and bring your left knee to your chest. Hold it there with both hands for 5 seconds, then gently lower your leg and bring your right leg up. Hold that position for 5 seconds, then relax and release your leg. Repeat the stretch 2-3 more times to loosen your back muscles. Mix it up by bringing both knees to your chest, and holding it for 5 seconds before you release it. Improve your range of motion with lower back rotational stretches. Lie on your back on the ground and bend your knees at a 45-degree angle with your feet on the floor. Lift your shoulders off of the ground slightly and roll both of your knees to the right as far as you can until your right knee touches the ground. Hold the position for 10 seconds, then roll both of your knees over to the left side and hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat the motion 3-4 more times on each side. Try a seated lower back rotational stretch. Take a seat on a stool or a chair without armrests. Cross your left leg over your right and place your right elbow against your left knee. Twist your torso gently to the left as far as you comfortably can and hold the position for 10 seconds. Then, gently release the stretch and rotate the other direction to stretch your back the other way. Repeat the stretch 2-3 times on both sides. Isolate your glutes and hamstrings with bridge exercises. Your glutes and hamstrings help support you when you're standing so strengthening them can help you avoid back pain. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor. Flex your ab muscles and your glutes, or your butt muscles. Keep your shoulders and head on the floor as you raise your hips so your torso and thighs are parallel. Hold the position for 3 deep breaths, then lower your hips to the ground and relax. Repeat the exercise 5 times to build up your glutes and hamstrings. As you begin to gain strength in your back, slowly add more reps to your bridge exercise regimen. Add 1 or 2 each week and aim for a maximum of 30 per day. Do a cat stretch to stretch out your upper and lower back. Take a position on your hands and knees on the floor so your knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle and your hands are directly beneath your shoulders. Gently arch your back by pulling your stomach up and in and hold the position for 5 seconds. Return your back to its original position and rest for a few seconds. Then, push your back in and your stomach out and hold for 5 seconds, then return to the starting position. Repeat the motion several times until you feel a good stretch. Do cat stretches in the morning and at night to loosen your back up before and after bed. Eat a healthy diet to lose weight. Being overweight adds extra stress to your spine and back, which can cause pain and injuries. Following a healthy diet is the best way to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you need to. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins such as chicken breast, tofu, nuts, and fish. Find healthy foods that you enjoy so you're more likely to stick to your diet. Avoid processed and junk foods. Trigger foods are unhealthy foods that can cause you to overeat or eat foods that can cause you to gain weight. If you're trying to lose weight to reduce your back pain, stay away from processed food, junk food, or any other unhealthy foods that trigger you to make poor dietary decisions. If you notice patterns of overeating with one particular food, avoid buying it, buy it in smaller portions, or buy it less frequently. Consume fewer calories than you expend to burn fat. Use a food journal or a fitness track application to keep track of the calories you take in and the calories you expend. Set a goal to take in about 200-300 fewer calories than you expend to start burning the fat your body has stored so you can lose weight and reduce your back pain. There are many fitness apps you can download to your smartphone or tablet. Get a workout buddy to help keep you on track. Working out with a friend can make exercise more fun, which will make you more likely to stick with a regular routine. Consistent exercise will help you lose weight, which will help you avoid back pain. Find a friend who is equally committed to losing weight and encourages you to push yourself and meet your goals. Even if you don't want a workout buddy, surround yourself with positive people who support your weight loss effort. Stay away from diet pills and fad diets for long-term results. Many fad diets involve short-term weight loss that you may regain if you change your eating habits. Additionally, diet pills can provide quick results, but they may not last, and some of them can be harmful to your health. The best way to permanently lose weight is through a healthy diet and with regular exercise. | Avoid standing in 1 position for more than 10 minutes at a time. Use an ergonomic chair to support your back at work. Make sure your back is supported when you’re driving. Do shoulder squeeze exercises to improve your posture. Get a feel for how much something weighs before you lift it. Bend your knees and keep your back straight when you’re lifting. Lift the item slowly and maintain good posture. Try a lower back core exercise to increase flexibility and strength. Build up your core muscles to reduce back pain. Lift weights to strengthen your back muscles. Build stability with low-impact aerobic exercises. Perform knee-to-chest stretches to loosen up your back. Improve your range of motion with lower back rotational stretches. Try a seated lower back rotational stretch. Isolate your glutes and hamstrings with bridge exercises. Do a cat stretch to stretch out your upper and lower back. Eat a healthy diet to lose weight. Avoid processed and junk foods. Consume fewer calories than you expend to burn fat. Get a workout buddy to help keep you on track. Stay away from diet pills and fad diets for long-term results. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Interpret-a-Dream-Involving-Dolls | How to Interpret a Dream Involving Dolls | If you had a dream involving dolls, you can interpret it using common psychoanalytical ideas. Dolls have strong associations with children and innocence, so it could represent something from your own childhood. Depending on the gender of the doll, it could also represent your feminine or masculine side. Think about any individual associations or memories you have of dolls. For example, if your grandma used to collect dolls, their presence in your dreams might be linked to her. You should also consider how you felt about the doll, like if you were afraid, amused, or worried about losing it, since this can change the meaning. Keep in mind that dreams don't always have a deep, psychological meaning, but keeping track of them is a good way to notice patterns of what you've been thinking and feeling. | Recognize the doll as a potential childhood symbol. Dolls are consciously associated often with childhood. It makes sense that this association would cross over into the subconscious realm. If you're having any thoughts about your childhood during your waking life, you should become more mindful of what they are and how they might relate to the doll dreams you've been having. Look for recurring symbols in your dream and life. Your dreams are almost always inspired by aspects of your waking life. Because of this connection, you should look for recurring ideas between the two. If you're able to connect the dream's symbols with real life experience, you'll have a much easier time of making sense of the rest of it. Spend time examining things you've been thinking lately. For example, have you been thinking things like, "My life is moving too slowly," or "Things are too crazy right now"? See if your dream is reflective of your recurring thoughts. For example, if you have a baby doll that grows up into an adult doll instantly, it may symbolize the feeling that your life is moving too quickly. Reflect on what you think may have inspired the dream. A dream is the brain's way of processing information in the subconscious. If you have recalled enough of your dream, you may be able to tie some part of it to something that's been on your mind. Relate the dream doll to gender identity. The psychologist Carl Jung interpreted dolls in dreams as an expression of the Anima or Animus, the opposite sex within ourselves. If you subscribe to this idea, try to analyze how the dream might comment on your gender identity. Is there a part of the dream that relates to your role as a man or woman? Has anything of that nature been on your mind lately? Asking yourself these questions may bring you closer to a valid interpretation of your dream. Think about what a doll symbolizes to you. Maybe you find dolls creepy, so a doll showing up in your dream may not be a good sign. On the other hand, maybe you loved playing with dolls as a child, and therefore, the symbol is a good one for you. In fact, many people associate dolls with fertility, so depending on how the doll appears, it could symbolize a desire to have children or fear of having children. For other people, dolls symbolize a desire to return to the innocence of childhood. Think about whether the doll could be a symbolic stand in for your own person or something that is going wrong in your life. Use dream dictionaries as guidance. Dream dictionaries are interesting to read, but you shouldn't use them as a definitive source. Like horoscopes, they're mainly useful as a vague psychological reference to kickstart your own observations. However, reading up on the symbols (like dolls) that have been appearing in your dream might lend you some perspective. Think about what the doll was doing. The action of the doll is as important as the symbol of the doll. A passive doll that is being played with by someone you dislike is completely different from a doll that comes alive and walks around. The doll could represent you in the dream. For example, if it came alive, that may symbolize the fact that you want to "wake up" into a new life. A doll being played with by someone you dislike could indicate you're feeling used or annoyed by that person. If you're playing with the doll, that could show that you are having a conflict with yourself, as you are playing with the doll, while at the same time, the doll could represent your subconscious. Pay attention to the background. The background to the doll can also help you decide what the doll symbolizes. For example, dollhouses may symbolize your desire to have a family or your focus on your family life. Alternatively, a dollhouse could symbolize that you want to be more in control of your life. Put the dream in emotional context. If you wrote down the emotions you were feeling when you woke up, use that to guide your interpretation of the dream. If you woke up feeling ecstatic, for instance, that's very different from waking up feeling anxious or disappointed. For example, if you doll comes alive but you wake up feeling anxious, that could mean your life is going in a new direction that you feel anxious about. Don't spring out of bed. If you can remember more of your dream, you are better able to analyze it. You can increase your chances of remembering your dream by taking a few extra minutes both to go to sleep and to wake up. If you allow yourself to wake up gradually, you're less likely to startle the dream out of your head. Write down everything as soon as you wake up. Dream memories are fleeting, and almost always dissipate unless you catch them early on. As soon as you awake, take a pen and jot down whatever you can remember, whether it's a colour, shape, or feeling. Every little detail will help you to make better sense of your dream. Keep a pen and paper at your bedside. When you wake up, you won't have long to catch your dream memories before they fade away. Having a pen and paper at your bedside will give you the fastest way possible to get your thoughts onto paper. Write the main picture down. When you wake up, try to get the main symbols in your dream down on paper so they don't disappear from your mind. You can write them or draw them, whatever is easiest for you. Obviously, you dreamed about a doll, but think about what else you saw. What other symbols showed up? Were other people there? Just try to get down the main ideas right now. Reflect upon whether the dream was positive or negative. The emotional impact of the dream is often more important than the visual symbols in your dream. As you write down the details of your dream, think about the emotions that accompanied it. Did you feel upset when you woke up? Did the dream make you happy or anxious? Try to identify what you're feeling upon waking, and write those thoughts down, too. Fill in other important details. Now that you've got the main ideas down, fill in the details. The details are any extra things you can think of that happened in the dream but weren't necessarily the main focus of the dream. The details can help put the symbols you see into context. For example, think about the setting. Was it night or day? Did you notice anything else in the dream that you may have left out? Maybe a particular color stood out to you, or maybe you saw a recurring flower. Just try to fill in as much as you can. | Recognize the doll as a potential childhood symbol. Look for recurring symbols in your dream and life. Relate the dream doll to gender identity. Think about what a doll symbolizes to you. Use dream dictionaries as guidance. Think about what the doll was doing. Pay attention to the background. Put the dream in emotional context. Don't spring out of bed. Write down everything as soon as you wake up. Keep a pen and paper at your bedside. Write the main picture down. Reflect upon whether the dream was positive or negative. Fill in other important details. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Quarantine-Freshwater-Fish | How to Quarantine Freshwater Fish | To quarantine freshwater fish, first set up a quarantine tank that's at least 10 gallons by filling the tank with treated water and installing a filter, heater, and power head. You should also add a few decorations and hiding spots to help your quarantined fish feel more comfortable. Then, test and adjust the water in the tank so it matches the conditions of the water in your main fish tank. Finally, transfer the fish you need to quarantine into sealed plastic bags, and float them in the new tank for 15 minutes to acclimate them before releasing them. | Equip your tank. Purchase a quarantine tank that is at least 10-20 gallons. Buy additional supplies including a filter to keep the water clean, a heater, a power head for surface agitation, and a fish net so you don't infect fish in your main aquarium. These supplies can ensure the health and vitality of your quarantined fish until you reintroduce them to their primary tank. Get an aquarium test kit for pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrate if you don't already have one to ensure that the tank water quality is high. The larger the fish, the more space you'll need to house the quarantined fish. Fill the tank with water. Clean the quarantine tank thoroughly with hot water before adding water. Place it in a spot that is dark to keep your fish calmer. Then use water from your main tank to fill the quarantine tank. This can ensure that your fish quickly acclimate to their new aquarium. Avoid using soap when cleaning the tank because the chemicals can be toxic to fish. Add new water to the main tank by adding distilled water that you've treated so that it has similar properties. Add the extras to the tank. Consider your quarantine tank to be an extension of your main tank. Place the filter, heater, and power head into the tank. Placing a few decorations and hiding spots can also help your fish feel more comfortable in their new surroundings. Check the quarantine tank environment. Allow the filter to cycle a few times and start the power head to clean and aerate the quarantine tank water. Take the temperature of the water to ensure it's the same as the main tank. Use your testing kit to ensure the pH is also similar or the same as the main tank. Making sure that the quarantine tank environment is the same or close to your main tank can maintain the vitality and health of your fish—and their offspring. Remove the fish from the main tank. Fill a plastic bag with tank water so you can place the fish you want to transfer into it. Using your new tank net, scoop up the animal you want to quarantine. Then place the fish in the plastic bag and move it to the new tank. Removing your fish this way can minimize its stress and help maintain its vitality. If you have new fish, keep them in their plastic bag to prevent shock. Acclimate your fish to the quarantine tank. Float the sealed plastic bag with your fish in the quarantine tank. Leave the bag in the water for 15 minutes so that the fish can gradually adjust to the water temperature. Cut the bag open the bag and allow the fish to swim free in the quarantine tank. Taking the time to acclimate your fish to the quarantine tank can minimize the risk of shocking the fish, which can harm its health. Observe the fish. For 3-4 weeks, closely watch the health and vitality of your quarantined fish. Look for the symptoms of potential problems to ensure prompt tank removal and treatment or when to remove male fish from the quarantine breeding tank. White spots or velvety patches on the body Missing scales or incomplete fins Cloudy or bulging eyes Ulcers or other lesions Rapid breathing, gasping at the surface and shaking Erratic swimming Listlessness or sulking in a corner A bubble nest from male fish Treat any illness. If any of your quarantined fish are ill or get sick, decide on the best course of treatment for it. This may include things such as improving water quality through cleaning or giving the fish medication. Extend the quarantine at least two weeks from the time you start treatment to ensure that the fish can heal without additional problems arising. Once the fish appears healthy, leave it in the quarantine for an additional week. Move fish back to the main tank. Once your fish is healthy, remove it from the quarantine tank with the new net. Place the fish in a plastic bag with water from the main tank. Then put the sealed plastic bag in the main tank for 10-15 minutes before letting your fish swim free. [[ Avoid mixing quarantine water into your main tank, as it could still contain medications harmful to your other fish. Clean and store the quarantine tank. Disinfect your tank and equipment once the quarantine is over. Mix 200mg bleach with one liter of water in the tank. Use more for larger tanks. Scrub down the tank surfaces and equipment with the bleach mixture and rinse thoroughly with clean water when you're done. Allow the tank and equipment to air dry, which can kill any lingering pathogens. Then store the tank in a clean, dry spot in your home. | Equip your tank. Fill the tank with water. Add the extras to the tank. Check the quarantine tank environment. Remove the fish from the main tank. Acclimate your fish to the quarantine tank. Observe the fish. Treat any illness. Move fish back to the main tank. Clean and store the quarantine tank. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Laptop-Screen-with-Household-Products | How to Clean a Laptop Screen with Household Products | Before cleaning a laptop with household products, make sure to turn it off to avoid damaging it during the cleaning process. Then, wipe the screen gently with a microfiber cloth to remove any dust and debris. If there are spots on the screen, try making a solution out of white vinegar and distilled water. Spray a small amount of the solution onto the cloth instead of the screen to prevent water damage to your computer. Next, gently wipe the screen in a circular motion, making sure not to press your fingers into the screen, which can damage the pixels. | Turn the computer off and unplug the power adapter and battery. Cleaning a screen that's in use can result in permanent damage, so be on the safe side of things and turn everything off. Don't just put it to sleep. Get a microfiber cloth. This is made with a type of fabric that doesn't produce lint, in addition to being very soft. If you use a washcloth, T-shirt or another type of cloth, it could leave extra debris on your screen or scratch it. Avoid using paper products as well. Never use a napkin, paper towel, toilet paper or another paper product, since these are scratchy and will damage the screen. A microfiber cloth is handy for cleaning all sorts of screens and lenses. Wipe the screen gently with the cloth. Using one sweep of the cloth should take care of any dust and loose particles on the screen. Wipe gently without exerting much pressure, since if you press too hard you could damage the screen. When you wipe with gentle circular motion, you'll be able to lift up some of the tougher spots. Never scrub the screen, or you could cause pixel burnout. Clean the laptop frame with gentle cleaning solution. If the area around the screen is dirty, you can use a standard household cleaning solution and a paper towel; just be very careful not to let it touch the screen. Turn the computer off and unplug the power adapter and battery. Since you're using a liquid to clean the screen in this method, it's important to turn off the computer and unplug it from the outlet. Create a gentle cleaning solution. The ideal solution is plain distilled water, which contains no chemicals and is gentle on the screen. If heavier cleaning is needed, a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water can also be effective. Make sure you use plain white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar or any other kind. Distilled water is better than tap water because it's chemical-free. Manufacturers no longer recommend using any cleaners with alcohol, ammonia or any strong solvents on LCD screens. Put the solution in a small atomizer bottle. This is the type of spray bottle that you push from the top to get a fine mist, similar to a perfume bottle. Pour some of the solution into the spray bottle and screw on the top. Don't use this to spray on the screen itself, however. Apply a minimal amount of the solution to a microfiber cloth. A static-free, fiber-free cloth works best. Remember not to use regular cloth, since this could scratch the screen. Do not soak the cloth; you just want to get it moist, which is the purpose of using the atomizer bottle to wet it. A wet cloth can drip or run when cleaning the screen and the solution can weep behind the bezel and permanently damage your screen. Try applying the solution to just one corner of the cloth at a time, to make sure you don't get it too wet. Wipe the cloth against the screen in a circular motion. Rapid circular movements generally eliminate streaks. Apply a gentle and even pressure to the cloth. Use only enough pressure to keep the cloth in contact with the screen. Take care not to press your fingers into the cloth or screen, since applying too much force when cleaning the screen can permanently damage the LCD matrix and render your screen unusable. Hold the screen toward the very top or very bottom to avoid re-smudging it as you work. You may need to pass over the screen multiple times before all the smudges have been removed. You may also need to re-dampen the cloth as you work, depending on how many passes over the screen you need to make. Never directly wet the screen. Do not, under any circumstance, spray water directly onto the screen of the laptop. This significantly increases your odds of getting water into the machine, thereby making a short more likely. Only use water if you apply it with a soft cloth. Do not drench the cloth in water. A soaked cloth is more likely to drip excess water into the machine, which could cause serious damage to your computer. If you accidentally use too much water, wring the cloth out well until it is only slightly moist. Do not use regular cleaning supplies on your screen. The only cleaners safe for your screen are the light water and vinegar mixture or a special store-bought cleaner meant for LCD screens. Do not use the following: Window cleaner All-purpose cleaner Dish soap, or soap of any kind Never scrub your screen. If you press too hard you can permanently damage your laptop. Use a gentle circular rubbing motion when you clean your screen. Avoid using a brush or anything but a very soft cloth to clean your screen. | Turn the computer off and unplug the power adapter and battery. Get a microfiber cloth. Wipe the screen gently with the cloth. Clean the laptop frame with gentle cleaning solution. Turn the computer off and unplug the power adapter and battery. Create a gentle cleaning solution. Put the solution in a small atomizer bottle. Apply a minimal amount of the solution to a microfiber cloth. Wipe the cloth against the screen in a circular motion. Never directly wet the screen. Do not use regular cleaning supplies on your screen. Never scrub your screen. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Peanut-Butter-Frosting | How to Make Peanut Butter Frosting | To make a simple peanut butter frosting, start by mixing ½ cup of softened butter and 1 cup of peanut butter in a bowl with an electric mixer. Keep mixing until the consistency starts to look fluffy and whipped. Then, gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar and keep mixing for around 3-5 minutes. If you want the frosting to be thinner, add a little bit of milk or cream. | Beat the butters. Whip the softened ½ cup of butter with the 1 cup of peanut butter in a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer. Whip the mixture until it becomes fluffy. This process should take about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar. Gradually add in the 2 cups of powdered sugar to the butter mixture. The sugar should be added to the butters as the electric mixer continues to beat the ingredients at a slow speed. This mixing process should only take about 3-5 minutes. To slowly add the powdered sugar, hold the container of powdered sugar above the electric mixing bowl, and slowly tap the container, causing a little bit of powder to fall into the butter mixture at a time. Adjust the frosting’s consistency. Add in about 2-3 tablespoons of milk or cream as needed, depending on how thick you want the frosting. The more milk or cream you add, the thinner the frosting will be. The less milk or cream you add, the thicker the frosting will be. Mix the cream cheese and butter. Mix the 8 oz. package of softened cream cheese with the ½ cup of peanut butter in a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer. Mix until the ingredients become smooth. This mixing should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar. Add in the 3-3 ½ cups of powdered sugar. Add in the powdered sugar in gradually, making sure every addition is blended in well before adding the next bit of powder. This blending process should take about 3-5 minutes. Add the vanilla. Once the powdered sugar is well blended, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla. The vanilla shouldn't take very long to mix in with the rest of the ingredients, about 30 seconds. When you add the vanilla, make sure the electric mixer is still going. You want the mixer to be constantly mixing. Blend to your desired consistency. Once all the frosting ingredients are mixed in, add in 2 tablespoon of either milk or cream to change the consistency of the frosting to your liking. If you're looking for a low-fat option, you can try using skim milk or reduced fat cream, along with reduced fat cream cheese. Beat the butters. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to blend together the ½ cup of peanut butter, 2 tablespoons of softened butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix these ingredients together until they are light and smooth. This process should only take about 2 minutes. Add in the wet ingredients. Blend in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla along with 3 tablespoons of milk until they are well blended into the mixture. Add in the dry ingredients. Once the vanilla and milk are blended into the mixture, gradually add in 1 ½ cup of powdered sugar, and ¼ cup of cocoa powder, mixing on a low speed. The dry ingredients might gravitate toward the edges of the mixing bowl, so use a rubber spatula to kneed the mixture back into the center of the bowl where the mixing beater are. Add milk for desired consistency. Add in the 3-4 tablespoons of milk to the frosting mixture, carefully adding more milk, if necessary, to reach your desired frosting consistency. Finished. | Beat the butters. Add the powdered sugar. Adjust the frosting’s consistency. Mix the cream cheese and butter. Add the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla. Blend to your desired consistency. Beat the butters. Add in the wet ingredients. Add in the dry ingredients. Add milk for desired consistency. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Pet-Hermit-Crab | How to Buy a Pet Hermit Crab | Before buying a hermit crab, make sure you're ready for the time and monetary commitment since they can live up to 40 years and can cost a few hundred dollars in setup costs alone. If you're still interested in getting a hermit crab, look for one that is active and comes out of its shell, which are signs that it's healthy. Additionally, look for a crab that have been housed properly, with access to both salt and freshwater. You'll also want a crab that's had sand for digging in and space to move around and hide. | Look for a healthy crab. Crabs that do not come out of their shells when misted might be ill, and should not be purchased. Likewise, if you see tiny crab limbs scattered about a crab's tank, do not purchase it. This is a sign that the crab is stressed and vulnerable to other illnesses. Do not obtain crabs that have a musty smell. This indicates they are overheating. Crabs that are active and moving about, and do not exhibit any of the above negative qualities, are probably in good health. Ensure the crab is housed properly. Crabs should be housed in an environment where they can dig in the sand, move around, and hide. Do not buy crabs that are crammed in tiny individual cages where they cannot move. Ask what kind of water the crabs have access to. Crabs need both fresh water and salt water, and should have one bowl with each. Crabs that are in tanks with tap water, however, will be slowly poisoned over time. Do not obtain crabs that are housed in tanks with flies and other bugs buzzing about. Think about alternatives to buying a hermit crab. Buying a hermit crab only fuels the cruel hermit crab trade that profits from their capture and sale. Instead of buying a hermie, try adoption. The Hermit Crab Association (HCA) connects sanctuaries and crab rescue agencies with people who want to care for a hermit crab. You need not be an HCA member to adopt a crab, but you may need to pay a small fee for the adoption service. Send an email to [email protected] expressing your interest in adopting a hermit crab for more information. In your email, include your location and how far you would be willing to travel to obtain your crab. Be sure you are ready for the commitment before buying. Hermit crabs are not toys, decorations, or temporary distractions. They are living creatures with particular preferences and needs. Over the long term, they can also be expensive. You'll need $300-$500 in setup costs alone, including a tank filter, companion crabs, and so on. Hermies can live up to 40 years. Ask yourself if you're willing to care for your crab that long. Think carefully before purchasing a hermie for a child. Children tend to lose interest quickly in hermit crabs since they have a tendency to hide under their tank's substrate for weeks at a time. Do not buy a hermit crab from a pet store. Pet stores and beach souvenir shops care little about the health and happiness of their crabs, and cram them tightly together for shipment in conditions where the crabs cannot access food or water. Pet shops care only about getting the crabs to the store, no matter what condition they are in, since consumers are often not equipped to evaluate the health of a crab based on how it looks. Do not buy a crab with a painted shell. Crabs in painted shells have been forcibly removed from their natural shell and crammed into new shells that might not accommodate them properly. This can cause the crab tremendous stress. Crabs in painted shells are also at risk for being poisoned if they eat paint chips from their painted shells. If the paint inside the shell didn't dry properly before the crab was jammed into it, the crab might be trapped when the paint dries against it. Quarantine your hermit crab, if possible. If you're introducing a new crab to another crab, or a whole population of other crabs, you should place it in a separate tank for a few weeks. That way, if your crab has parasites or other illnesses, they won't spread to your other crabs. However, many hermie owners simply rinse their hermies in a quick freshwater bath and add them straight into the main crab population, since isolating a hermit crab in a quarantine tank can have negative effects on your crab's health. Weigh your options carefully before deciding to quarantine your crab. Choose the right tank. When it comes to tanks, the bigger the better. Since hermit crabs are very social creatures, you should have at least two or three small crabs together in a single tank. A population of this size will not be comfortable in anything less than a 10 gallon (37.9 L) glass aquarium. If your crabs are immature, be sure to invest in a tank larger than 10 gallons (37.9 L), since the crabs will grow. Hermit crabs are excellent climbers. Keep a mesh lid on your tank to prevent your hermies from climbing out. This will also prevent gnats, mites, and other bugs from getting in and hurting your crabs. Install a substrate. Crabs need a natural substrate to dig and hide in. Use all-purpose sand (the type you'd fill a child's sandbox with) or coconut fiber. Fill the tank with substrate to a level two to four times higher than your largest crab. For instance, if your tallest crab is three inches tall, your substrate should be six to twelve inches deep. All-purpose sand is available at your local hardware store. Coconut fiber might be available at some pet stores, but you can order it easily online. If you wish, you can mix the sand and coconut fiber substrate together. Some hermie owners find that their crabs like this mixture best. Always wet your substrate until it feels like the sand that has just had the tide wash over it. Use a plastic spray bottle to keep the substrate damp. Do not use dry substrate, as this won't allow your crab to dig, and can dehydrate your crab. Do not use wood chips, gravel, reptile sand, or special hermit crab sand. Additionally, do not use any kind of artificially dyed or chemically treated substrate. Maintain your tank’s climate. The tank should be at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). Install a thermometer in the tank so you can always quickly check what the tank's temperature is. If you have a hard time keeping the tank hot enough, place it near a window or invest in an under-tank heater to keep your tank warm. Additionally, the humidity should be at least 70%. Invest in a hygrometer to measure the tank's humidity levels. If you need to increase your tank's humidity, just spray the substrate a few times with a water bottle. Check it after 30 minutes or so to see how the humidity level has adjusted. Spray again if necessary. Many hygrometers also have built-in thermometers. Under-tank heaters are available at most pet stores. Feed your crab. Hermies eat almost anything. Dried shrimp, sardines, and seaweed are common hermit crab foods. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts are also favored. Some human foods like cereal, oatmeal, or popcorn are acceptable, as well. Feed your hermies a variety of foods and see what they like best. Do not feed your crab anything labeled “hermit crab food.” These pet store mixes do not have the adequate nutritional profile a healthy hermie needs. Other foods to avoid include garlic, onions, citrus fruits and peels, and anything with added sugars, chemicals, iodized salt, and preservatives. Fresh food should be removed every day. Dry food should be removed as needed, but don't leave it in the tank longer than four days. Food that is still in the tank after four days is probably just not palatable for your crabs. Provide water. Hermit crabs need both freshwater and saltwater. Both types of water must be free of chlorine and chloramines. The temperature of the water should be approximately the same temperature as the temperature of the tank. When mixing saltwater, do not use salt mixes labeled for hermit crabs. Instead, use a non-iodized fish salt, and mix it according to the instructions on the package. Place the saltwater and freshwater in two separate bowls with the rims parallel to the topmost layer of substrate. Distilled or bottled water are the best options for providing your crab with freshwater. If necessary, invest in a dechlorinator. These are usually available at pet stores or home and garden stores. The amount of water you need depends on how many crabs you have. A five to six cup bowl of each type of water should be adequate for two to three small crabs in a 10 gallon tank. Provide a variety of shells for your hermit crab. As hermit crabs grow, they need to change shells. Hermit crabs are always looking to trade up their current shell for one that is smoother on the inside, or one that is of a lighter weight. There are a wide variety of both natural and synthetic shells available. You can buy shells online and at pet stores. If you obtain a synthetic shell, be sure it is not painted or treated with any chemicals. | Look for a healthy crab. Ensure the crab is housed properly. Think about alternatives to buying a hermit crab. Be sure you are ready for the commitment before buying. Do not buy a hermit crab from a pet store. Do not buy a crab with a painted shell. Quarantine your hermit crab, if possible. Choose the right tank. Install a substrate. Maintain your tank’s climate. Feed your crab. Provide water. Provide a variety of shells for your hermit crab. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Rear%E2%80%90View-Mirrors-to-Eliminate-Blind-Spots | How to Set Rear‐View Mirrors to Eliminate Blind Spots | To set your rear-view mirrors in order to eliminate blind spots, start by leaning your head to the left so that your head is almost touching the window. Then, adjust the driver's side window so that you can see just the rear end of the car in the mirror. Next, lean to your right and adjust the passenger-side mirror so that you can see just the rear end of the car on that side, as well. Finally, return to your usual position and move the center mirror so that you can see directly out your rear window, and avoid tilting the mirror to get a better view of the traffic on either side. | Lean your head over to the left and adjust the mirror. You should be leaning so that your head almost touches the driver's window. If your mirror is adjusted in the traditional fashion, the side of your car should almost take up the whole mirror. Correct this by adjusting the mirror until you can just see the rear quarterpanel (the rear end of the car). If you've adjusted the mirror correctly, the rear of your car should occupy less than a third of the mirror. Lean your head to the right and adjust your side mirror. Your head should be as close to the center as you can without having to leave your seat. From there, position the right side mirror so you can just see the rear quarterpanel of the passenger side in the mirror. Again, ensure the quarterpanel takes up less than a third of the mirror's view. Return to your usual position in the driver’s seat and adjust the center rearview mirror. Place this mirror to see as much of your rear window as you can. You want to see directly out of the rear of your vehicle; don't try tilting the mirror to get a better view of traffic on either side. The center mirror should compensate for what the side mirrors can't see, not compensate for badly adjusted side mirrors. Check the adjustment of your mirrors from a normal, seated driving position. You shouldn't be able to see your car at all in either side mirror, giving you a much wider view. If you can still see the side of your car in either mirror, try the above steps again. You'll likely need to adjust the mirrors so they point further outward. Confirm the additional view provided by your side mirrors after proper adjustment. Your mirrors should now cover more of the lanes right next to your car. Not only can you keep track of cars behind you and to the side, but you can follow them visually as they approach, going a long way to eliminating your car's blind spots. While you'll still want to perform a quick shoulder check for added safety when changing lanes, you'll now have a better view of vehicles and objects to the sides. Check to ensure objects to the rear transition to the side mirrors as they pass you. Pay particular attention to cars passing you. As they approach, you should first see them in the center rear view mirror. Then, as they pass you, they'll move laterally through your center rear view mirror until they appear in the corresponding side mirror. This transition should be smooth; the vehicle should be reflected by your side mirror as soon as it leaves the center mirror. This confirms the elimination of your car's blind spots. If there is a pause between the vehicle leaving the center mirror and appearing on your side mirror, you'll need to re-adjust your mirrors as there's still a blind spot left. | Lean your head over to the left and adjust the mirror. Lean your head to the right and adjust your side mirror. Return to your usual position in the driver’s seat and adjust the center rearview mirror. Check the adjustment of your mirrors from a normal, seated driving position. Confirm the additional view provided by your side mirrors after proper adjustment. Check to ensure objects to the rear transition to the side mirrors as they pass you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Shut-Off-Utilities-in-Your-Old-Home | How to Shut Off Utilities in Your Old Home | When you move, you'll need to call your utility companies to shut off your services. Call each company a few weeks before you're due to move out, and have your account number, password, and forwarding address ready. Don't forget your internet, phone, and cable providers too. It might be easier and cheaper to transfer your services to your new home, but if this isn't possible or you want to switch to new companies, just ask them to close your accounts. For electricity, gas, and water, you'll probably have to provide final readings just before you leave. Then, you'll receive your final bills for any outstanding balances at your new address. | Make a list of utility accounts. This will likely include electric, gas, heating, cooling, water, sewer and trash removal. This may also include internet, phone, and cable. Write down each service, the name of your provider, and the telephone number. This will help ensure that you cover all of your bases, and that no utility gets mistakenly left out. Gather your account information. When you call each company, they are going to need some information from you. In most instances, this will include some kind of account number, as well as your home address. In some cases, you may also need to provide a password, or other personal information (such as a social security number) to verify your identity. Gather this information before you call. Make sure you are not violating a contract. Some companies (often internet providers, for example) require you to sign a contract at the time of installation. Before you call to cancel, it is a good idea to figure out where you stand with your contract. If you will be violating your contract, you may be charged a steep fee. If this is the case for you, look into transferring your service to your new home. Consider a transfer of service. Particularly with media services (like phone, internet, and cable) it is relatively easy to transfer your service to your new home (as long as your provider offers service in that area). If you will be in the same city or even state, your electric, water, or trash company may stay the same as well. Before you cancel your service, determine whether or not any of your accounts will qualify for a transfer. (You can do this by calling each company and inquiring). Often, they can simply use your existing deposit and personal information, making the process of moving much more smooth. Choose a day. You don't want to pay for utilities that you aren't going to use. At the same time, you don't want to be stuck at home with no water or electricity. In other words, think carefully about the exact date you'd like your utility services to cease. You will likely need about 2-3 weeks between when you call to cancel, and the exact day you'd like your services to end, so begin thinking about this as early as possible. Contact each company. Moving down the list you created, contact each company one at a time, and inform them of your move. Once again, be sure to have any relevant account information or personal information ready when you call. You will want to call 2-3 weeks prior to your move. Return equipment. In some instances, you will need to return some equipment in order to close your account. If you have any equipment belonging to the company (such as an internet router), ask them what you should do with the equipment. If they say you must return it in person, be sure to drop it off before you move. When you do so, ask for a receipt, so there will be no dispute when it is time to receive your deposit. Leave equipment behind. In some cases, the company may simply tell you to leave certain equipment behind. (This is sometimes the case with cable boxes, for example.) If this is the case for you, be certain to leave the equipment when you move. Consider putting it in a safe place where you know it will not be packed by mistake. Ask for a final reading. When you call to cancel your service, you should ask the company to come out and do a final reading of your meters. (This is especially true for water and gas). This reading will provide you with final numbers before you move, so that you can be sure your last bill is accurate. You may consider taking a photo of your meters with your cell phone, this way you have some proof of your final readings in the case of a dispute. Provide a forwarding address. When you call to cancel your service, you will be asked to provide a forwarding address. This is important to do if you will be receiving a deposit, or if they will still need to send your final bill. Pay any outstanding balances. In order for your account to be fully closed, your account balance will need to be at zero. Inquire about any outstanding balances or fees and pay these at the time of cancellation. If you will still be receiving a final bill later, be sure to pay this bill in full when you receive it. Inquire about your deposit. Many utility companies require the payment of a deposit at the time of activation. If you have not violated your contract, if you have returned all equipment, and if you do not have an outstanding balance, you should qualify for reimbursement of this deposit. Speak to you provider about this and be sure that they send you a check. Leave a list for the next tenants. Something nice that you can do for the people who will be moving into your home after you leave is to compile a list of the utility companies you used and their telephone numbers. Of course, this is not required, but it is a nice gesture and it's easy to do. Bring important info with you. You may need to follow up with some of these companies in the future, so you will want to compile some information, important phone numbers, and possibly even your final bill. Put all of this information in a safe place that you will be able to access after the move. Check your final bill. When you receive your final bill, check to make sure everything is accurate. Ensure that your service was terminated on the date you requested, and compare the readings on your bill with the final reading numbers you received (or photographed). If there are any inconsistencies, contact your utility company right away. | Make a list of utility accounts. Gather your account information. Make sure you are not violating a contract. Consider a transfer of service. Choose a day. Contact each company. Return equipment. Leave equipment behind. Ask for a final reading. Provide a forwarding address. Pay any outstanding balances. Inquire about your deposit. Leave a list for the next tenants. Bring important info with you. Check your final bill. |
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