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https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-Dry-Ice | How to Handle Dry Ice | If you need to handle dry ice, start by taking precautions to protect your skin, such as by wearing a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and goggles. Then, use metal tongs to pick up and move the dry ice. Alternatively, try putting on a mitt or draping a towel over your hand before picking up the dry ice. If you need to store dry ice, put it in an insulated styrofoam container that's not air tight to avoid a build-up of carbon dioxide. To get rid of dry ice instead, pour warm water over it until it sublimates. | Know the dangers of handling dry ice. Handling dry ice is dangerous due to its extremely cold temperatures that can lead to frostbite and tissue injury. The carbon dioxide vapors in an unventilated area are also toxic. If prolonged contact with dry ice occurs, do not rub the affected area. Remove clothing that is not frozen to the skin and place the affected area in a warm water bath. Avoid direct dry heat. Protect yourself by dressing in a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toed shoes. Proper protection is essential while handling dry ice. The best protection is to cover all of the surfaces of your body that could be exposed. Gloves and goggles are extremely important to protect your hands and eyes from injury. Pick up the dry ice with tongs. Never handle dry ice directly with your bare hands. If possible, use metal tongs when transferring chunks of dry ice to new locations. If you do not have tongs available, wear an oven mitt or towel while handling the dry ice. Metal tongs with serrated edges work best. Use a chisel to break off smaller pieces from the block. If you purchased a block of dry ice and need smaller pieces, use caution while chiseling them off. Break off pieces of the ice by setting a chisel to the desired point, and tapping it lightly with a mallet. Always wear eye protection while chiseling to prevent chips from flying into your eyes. Use the dry ice in a well-ventilated area. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide. As it warms, it sublimates (turns directly from a solid to gas, skipping the liquid phase) into its gaseous form. Exposure to large amounts of gaseous carbon dioxide is hazardous to your health and can cause you to lose consciousness or suffocate. Working in a room with good ventilation or an open window can prevent a dangerous buildup of gas and keep you safe. Symptoms of excessive carbon dioxide inhalation include dizziness, headache, and increased heart rate. Store dry ice in an insulated container that is not airtight. Dry ice sublimates relatively quickly, but its shelf life can be extended by storing it an insulated container such as a Styrofoam cooler. Make sure the container is not airtight to prevent the buildup of carbon dioxide gas. Too much gas in an airtight container can lead to an explosion. Melt the ice when you are finished with it by pouring warm water over it. The warmer the dry ice gets, the faster it sublimates. To dispose of it, you can either leave it open to the air in a warm area or pour warm water over it until it is gone. Do not leave children unattended around dry ice. Don't try to dump the dry ice down a sink drain or toilet or you could damage the pipes. Don't dispose of dry ice in the trash. Don't let the dry ice evaporate in a small area without proper ventilation. The build-up of carbon dioxide can lead to unconsciousness and even suffocation. Wear protective gloves when handling dry ice. Dry ice is very cold and should never be handled directly. Protective, insulated or leather gloves should be worn while handling the ice. An oven mitt or towel is also sufficient to protect your skin. Prolonged direct contact to dry ice can freeze your skin cells and cause an injury similar to a burn. If possible, use tongs to transfer the dry ice to different locations. Use certified food-grade dry ice. Dry ice can be obtained in a pellet or block form. During production, the dry ice is in contact with many potential contaminants that can be hazardous to your health. For many applications, these contaminants are not hazardous as the items that are being kept cool will not be consumed. If you are using the dry ice to keep your food cold, make sure that you get food grade dry ice that is contaminant free. Food that comes in direct contact with the dry ice is perfectly safe and can be consumed without worry. As dry ice warms up, it turns directly in the gas carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is what gives the fizz to a soda and is perfectly safe to consume in these small amounts. Do not put dry ice directly into drinks or food that will be consumed as this can cause severe burns to the mouth and throat. Put a piece of cardboard or newspaper between the dry ice and the food. Dry ice is much colder than the temperature of your freezer or refrigerator. If possible, avoid having the food in direct contact with the dry ice, particularly in the refrigerator. Wrapping the dry ice in newspaper also adds an extra layer of insulation that can make the block last longer. Dry ice will freeze any food it comes in direct contact with. Know the proper placement of dry ice in a freezer or refrigerator. If you lose power and you don't want to lose all of the food in your refrigerator, dry ice is the best way to keep your food from spoiling. It is particularly useful if you know you will not have power for a few days. The placement of the dry ice is important: in a freezer, the dry ice should be placed above the food. When using dry ice in the refrigerator, place the block at the bottom of the freezer. Do not put dry ice in a functioning freezer or refrigerator. Because the dry ice is much colder than the temperature of the freezer, the freezer will turn off. Avoid placing dry ice near plastic or glass containers as the dry ice can freeze the container and cause them to crack or break. Use containers with loose lids that are not airtight. Frozen carbon dioxide sublimates into a gas, skipping the liquid phase. Dry ice must be contained in a cooler, fridge, or freezer that allows this gas to escape. Storing dry ice in an airtight container can lead to a hazardous buildup of gas and can be an explosion hazard. | Know the dangers of handling dry ice. Protect yourself by dressing in a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toed shoes. Pick up the dry ice with tongs. Use a chisel to break off smaller pieces from the block. Use the dry ice in a well-ventilated area. Store dry ice in an insulated container that is not airtight. Melt the ice when you are finished with it by pouring warm water over it. Wear protective gloves when handling dry ice. Use certified food-grade dry ice. Put a piece of cardboard or newspaper between the dry ice and the food. Know the proper placement of dry ice in a freezer or refrigerator. Use containers with loose lids that are not airtight. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Popcorn-Boxes | How to Make Popcorn Boxes | To make a popcorn box, start by drawing the template of a popcorn box onto a piece of cardboard or posterboard. You can print out a template from the internet, or you can freehand your own. Your template should have 4 main panels side-by-side that taper in slightly at the bottom. Once you've traced a template onto a piece of cardboard or posterboard, cut out the outline of the box so all of the panels are still connected. Finally, fold the cardboard or posterboard into a box shape along the lines you drew and tape or glue it together. | Choose and print a template. Find a template online by searching for free designs on blogs, or use the linked template at the bottom of this page. Download the image and prepare to print it in the size you need. Print the design onto cardstock. Make sure to use cardstock, not plain printer paper. Cardstock is thicker and sturdier, which will help hold the box together and keep it together. Printer paper will be too flimsy and may fall apart. Make sure to choose a paper size suitable for the size you want your boxes to be. For example, 8.5 in × 11 in (22 cm × 28 cm) paper will make small boxes that are more suitable for children. If you want larger boxes, try printing on 9 in × 12 in (23 cm × 30 cm) sheets or even 11 in × 14 in (28 cm × 36 cm). Before hitting print, make sure that your printer can handle the paper size and weight of the cardstock. Select the correct print settings under preferences. Cardstock will be somewhere between 50-110 lb. For a unique touch, you could print the design on a different color of cardstock, such as light blue or pink. Score the lines of the template. Use a bone folder or paper scoring wheel to score any lines that will need to fold in when you put together the box. Be careful not to cut all the way through the paper. Make sure to score the right side—the printed design side—so the paper will fold in the right direction. Cut the box out with scissors. Carefully cut along the edges of the design, making sure not to cut off any flaps or tabs. Make your cuts straight so your box isn't lopsided. Fold the box together. Make folds along the lines you've already scored and put the box together to make sure all the sides meet and match up. Check that all the correct flaps are in place. Glue or tape the sides together with designated flaps or tabs. Your printable should include some flaps or tabs to attach the box's sides to each other. Locate these extra panels and use non-toxic craft glue or tape to close off the box. Make sure to wipe off any excess glue, then let dry. Double-sided tape also works well for this step. When gluing or taping, make sure to align the edges carefully. You can bring the opposite side of the box down so that it is flush with the table's surface to ensure you are aligning the two pieces properly. Line with wax paper and fill with popcorn. Wax paper will keep the butter and oil from soaking into the paper, so you can use the boxes again. Fill the box with your favorite flavor of popcorn and enjoy! When you're done, throw away the used wax paper and re-line the box the next time you use it. Choose your paper material. White cardboard or posterboard are great options for this project because they're sturdy and thick, but not too thick to cut through. You could also use a sheet of cardstock, either white or in the color of your choice. Find a template or freehand your own. Print out a template and trace it onto your cardboard or posterboard, or simply draw out your own template. To make the lines straight and accurate, use a ruler and measure out each panel as well as tabs to attach the bottom and sides together. Include four main panels side by side--these should be tall and rectangular, tapering slightly at the bottom. Along the edge of one of the outer panels, add a long tab to connect the sides together. Add a rectangle below one panel for the bottom. The sides of the square should be the lengths of the panels' bottom edges. Along the sides of the bottom square, add tabs to attach the bottom to the panels you fold it together. A standard size for the panels is 4 × 3 × 8 in (10.2 × 7.6 × 20.3 cm). Cut out the pieces with scissors, an X-acto knife, or a box cutter. Depending on how thick your paper is, choose the correct tool to cut out your design. You may also want to use a ruler with the knife tools to make straight cuts. If you're using cardboard, you should use a box cutter and a ruler. If you're using posterboard, an X-acto knife with a ruler should be sharp enough to cut through the material. If you choose to use cardstock, scissors will be sufficient to cut out your design. Glue or tape the pieces together. If you're using glue, spread some non-toxic craft glue along the edges and let the box sit for half an hour to dry before filling it with popcorn. If you use tape, place transparent or double-sided tape along the edges or flaps and press to close the box. Line the box with a sheet of wax paper and fill with popcorn. To reduce mess and re-use the box in the future, line your box with wax paper. Fill the box with warm popcorn and enjoy, then discard the greasy wax paper when you're done. Line the box with fresh wax paper the next time you use it. Find a small, thin box. Look for a thin cardboard packaging box, such as the packaging for ice cream cones. Cut off the tabs and straighten any edges on the top. If the box is too tall, cut it down to the right size by trimming the top. Cover the box in white paper. Use any thin, white paper that will fold and wrap easily. Some easy options include printer paper, wrapping paper, or butcher paper. Wrap the box in white paper and tape or glue it down, then trim off any excess. Add decorative accents. Use red construction paper or cardstock to cut out some stripes and a circle for a classic red-and-white box. For a unique, personalized popcorn box, decorate with paint, stickers, or markers. Add letters that spell out “popcorn. ” You could cut the letters out of white paper and glue them on or use stickers. If you're going for a classic look, place a red circle in the middle of the box and center the letters in the circle. Use glue to affix them to the box or, if you're using stickers, simply peel them off their backing and press them to the box. Line with wax paper and fill up with popcorn. Use a sheet of wax paper to cover the bottom and sides of the box and protect it from grease and butter. This way, you can re-use your box for another movie night. Fill the box with popcorn, then throw away the used wax paper when you're done. | Choose and print a template. Print the design onto cardstock. Score the lines of the template. Cut the box out with scissors. Fold the box together. Glue or tape the sides together with designated flaps or tabs. Line with wax paper and fill with popcorn. Choose your paper material. Find a template or freehand your own. Cut out the pieces with scissors, an X-acto knife, or a box cutter. Glue or tape the pieces together. Line the box with a sheet of wax paper and fill with popcorn. Find a small, thin box. Cover the box in white paper. Add decorative accents. Add letters that spell out “popcorn. Line with wax paper and fill up with popcorn. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Ghost-Crabs | How to Care for Ghost Crabs | To care for ghost crabs, fill a glass aquarium tank that's at least 20 gallons in size with enough sand for your crabs to burrow and dig in. You should also provide your crabs with places to hide and things to climb on, which you can do by adding a few clean shells, plastic plants, or bits of driftwood to their tank. Since dehydration can have a serious effect on a crab's health, make sure to always provide your crabs with a dish of salt water and keep their tank at 70% humidity, which will help them breathe and keep their gills moist. During feeding time, offer your ghost crabs a variety of foods, like vegetables, fruit, fish, and meat, to see which they prefer. | Get a large tank. The first step of providing a good environment for your ghost crabs is getting a nice and large tank for them to live in. Aim for a tank around 20 gallons (75.7 L). If you are going to get more than four ghost crabs, you should get a bigger tank. A glass aquarium is the best option for your container, but you can use a cheaper plastic container if necessary. Make sure that the container you use is strong enough to hold wet sand, which can get heavy. It should also have a lid that fits tightly to stop the crabs from getting out. It should let in air while keeping in the moisture. Add some sand. Once you have your container you need to get it ready for your ghost crabs. Ghost crabs live on beaches and you need to try to replicate this environment in your home “crabitat.” Start by pouring in some safe sand to use as substrate. The sand should be at least a few inches deep, and ideally you should half-fill the tank. Ghost crabs like to dig into the sand so you need to give the space to do this. You can buy “crab sand” at your local pet store, but it will generally be quite expensive. A cheaper option is to buy clean play sand from a hardware store. As long as the sand has not been contaminated it should be fine for your crab. Check for any tears in the bag, discolouration, smells or leaks before you buy. You can also use coconut fibre substrate, or use a combination of this with some clean play sand. Provide a varied environment. After you have added the sand substrate, you need to add some extra elements to create a more stimulating and varied environment for your crabs. Place a few clean seashells around the tank, and add in some plastic plants and bits of driftwood. Make places where they can hide, and clamber around. Provide a sloped area of sand to help with burrowing. Avoid putting in any resinous (evergreen) wood into the tank. Cedar and pine can irritate crabs. Keep it humid. Crabs need a humid environment to live in. Buy a humidity gauge for your tank so you always know what the level of humidity is. For crabs like ghost crabs, you should generally aim for around 70% humidity. If you regularly check the gauge you can just spray in some clean untreated water to raise the humidity level. A humid environment will help them keep their gills moist and help them breathe. Dehydration can have a serious effect on the health and vitality of your crabs. Provide your crabs with water. Although ghosts crabs live on land, and cannot actually swim, they do need a constant supply of water. Ghost crabs have to return to water periodically to moisten their gills in order to breathe. In the wild, a ghost crab would walk up to the shoreline and wait till a wave ran over him, before scuttling back up the beach. You must ensure your crabs have access to water in their container at all times. You should ensure you have a dish of saltwater in the tank that you change at least every two weeks. Create saltwater by mixing two and a half teaspoons of sea or aquarium salt with a gallon of water to reach a gravity reading of around 1.01-1.08. Be sure you leave the water to sit overnight so that the chlorine and chloramines dissipate before you place it in the tank. Make sure the dish is easy for your crabs to get in and out of. You crab can also get moisture from wet sand. Feed your crabs. Ghost crabs can be considered both scavengers and predators. They have a broad and varied diet, which includes decomposing plant and animal matter as well as mole crabs, clams and turtle hatchlings they catch on the beach. Provide a variety of vegetables, fruit, fish and meat to your crabs and see which foods they like. Crabs really enjoy a variety of food, so try different natural foods and have not been treated with any pesticides or chemicals. Avoid too much repetition in your crab's diet and pay attention to what food he likes the most. You can also buy prepared crab food from your pet store as a reliable and easy option. Clean the tank. Ghost crabs aren't especially messy or high-maintenance, but you will have to spend some time helping them maintain their environment. You should regularly spot clean the tank, to remove dirty sand and bits of food detritus. Use a sand sifter, fishnet or kitchen strainer to scoop up some sand and sift out the dirty bits. Add in some new sand every few weeks to keep the tank clean and refreshed. Sift the sand more often the more crabs you have. With one crab, every three weeks is fine. With four, every week. With six or more, it's good to sift every other day. Reshape the environment. It's a good idea to spend a little bit of time reshaping the environment every few weeks to help keep your crabs stimulated. Move the toys and other objects around, alter the lay of the sand, or add a new slop or sand-hill. | Get a large tank. Add some sand. Provide a varied environment. Keep it humid. Provide your crabs with water. Feed your crabs. Clean the tank. Reshape the environment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Hamster-Bin-Cage | How to Make a Hamster Bin Cage | Buying a hamster cage from the pet store can be expensive, but luckily you can easily make your own cage out of a plastic bin, some supplies, and a few tools. Use a 15 to 20-gallon plastic bin with a lid. Cut a large rectangle out of the lid and replace it with wire mesh, which will keep the cage well ventilated. Wipe down the inside of the bin with a diluted bleach solution to prevent your hamster from getting sick from any harmful chemicals. Once the bin is dry, put 2 inches of paper bedding, cellulose fiber, or aspen shavings on the bottom of the cage. Add a hamster wheel, wood chews, a water bottle, and a food bowl to keep your hamster happy and healthy. | Purchase a clear 15–20 US gal (57,000–76,000 ml) plastic bin. Get a plastic bin with a lid online or from a department store. According to the RSPCA, you should get a cage that's at least 30 × 15 × 15 in (76 × 38 × 38 cm) large for each hamster. This will give it enough space to move around and play. You can keep dwarf hamsters together but you should increase the size of the cage accordingly. You should house Chinese and Syrian hamsters in separate cages. Draw an outline of a rectangle on the bin's lid. Leave a 2 in (5.1 cm) gap between the lines of the rectangle and the edge of the lid. This space will be used to attach wire mesh so that your cage is ventilated. Cut out the center of the bin’s lid. Once you've drawn the outline, puncture the line with a knife or razor blade so you can start cutting it out. Then, use a pair of scissors to cut out the line and pop out the rectangular piece of plastic. Drill holes every 3 in (7.6 cm) around the outside edge of the lid. Mark small circles around the outside edge of the lid every 3 in (7.6 cm) with a marker. Then, place the lid on the bin and use an electric drill with a ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) or larger drill bit to make the holes in each of the markings. These holes will allow you to attach the wire mesh on the lid of the cage. Cut out a piece of hardware mesh that’s the same size as the lid. Purchase hardware mesh online or at a hardware store. The mesh should be made of metal so that your hamster can't chew its way out of the cage. Measure the length and width of the lid on your container with a tape measure or ruler. Then, cut out a piece of the mesh that's the same size as the bin lid. Mesh will keep the cage ventilated without allowing space for your hamsters to escape. Use wire cutters or a strong pair of scissors to cut the wire mesh. Attach the mesh to the lid with zip ties. Thread the zip tie through the mesh and then through the holes that you drilled in the lid. Secure the zip tie and pull on the end of it to tighten it to the cage. Repeat this process until you've attached the mesh to the lid at every hole. Snip the excess ends off the zip ties. Cut the ends of the zip ties so that they don't stick out. Your hamster cage is now ventilated. Before you put the hamster in its new cage, make sure you set it up properly. Wipe down the inside of the bin with a diluted bleach solution. Fill a bowl with cool water and a drop of liquid bleach. Wear a pair of gloves and dip a rag into the solution and wipe down the inside of the bin, the mesh, and the lid to disinfect it. Then, dry the inside of the cage with a rag or paper towel. Wiping down the cage with the bleach solution will prevent your hamster from getting sick from any harmful chemicals that may get on the bin when it's being manufactured. Place a 2 in (5.1 cm) layer of bedding in the cage. Bedding will absorb the hamster's urine and will make a comfortable home for it. Purchase paper bedding, cellulose fiber, or aspen shavings online or from a pet store and pour it into the bottom of the cage. Even out the bedding until there is a 2–4 in (5.1–10.2 cm) layer. Don't pack down the bedding so the hamster can burrow through it, use around 6-7 inches Avoid using pine and cedar shavings because it can give the hamster splinters and injure it. Use dye-free bedding to prevent your hamster from getting sick. Get a hamster wheel to give your hamster exercise. A hamster wheel will allow your hamster to run around and exercise even if there isn't a lot of room in its cage. Young hamsters need to exercise more than older hamsters, so make sure you have one so that your hamster can grow up to be healthy and strong. Get a 6.5 inches (17 cm) wheel for dwarf hamsters and get an 8 inches (20 cm) wheel for Chinese, Syrian, and other large hamsters. Install a water bottle to give your hamster a water source. Buy a hamster water bottle online or at a pet store. Attach command strips or velcro to the back of the bottle. Then, attach the other side of the velcro inside of the cage in an area that your hamster can reach. Hamsters like fresh water, so empty the bottle and replace it every day. Do not fill a bowl with water because you hamster could drown. Put a bowl with food at the bottom of the cage. Get a small-pet bowl online or from a pet store and place it on top of the bedding in your cage. You can feed your hamster 10 g (0.35 oz) of hamster feed each day. You can also occasionally supplement its diet with some fruits and vegetables. Hamsters will store food in their cheeks and hide it around the cage. Replace fresh food, like fruit, every day to prevent it from getting moldy. Give the hamster toys and accessories to keep it occupied. You can get small houses, wood chews, wooden balls, and other accessories for your hamster. This will give it something to do and give it a place to hide food and hide in. A hamster that has places to hide in their cage will be more relaxed than a hamster without toys or accessories. Spot clean the cage daily and replace the bedding once a week. Hamsters will usually go to the bathroom in the same spot in their cage. Clean this area daily to make your weekly deep cleaning easier. Replace the bedding and wipe down the inside of the cage with a diluted bleach solution once a week to keep it clean. Keeping your hamster cage clean will prevent your hamster from getting sick and will stop bad odors from forming. | Purchase a clear 15–20 US gal (57,000–76,000 ml) plastic bin. Draw an outline of a rectangle on the bin's lid. Cut out the center of the bin’s lid. Drill holes every 3 in (7.6 cm) around the outside edge of the lid. Cut out a piece of hardware mesh that’s the same size as the lid. Attach the mesh to the lid with zip ties. Snip the excess ends off the zip ties. Wipe down the inside of the bin with a diluted bleach solution. Place a 2 in (5.1 cm) layer of bedding in the cage. Get a hamster wheel to give your hamster exercise. Install a water bottle to give your hamster a water source. Put a bowl with food at the bottom of the cage. Give the hamster toys and accessories to keep it occupied. Spot clean the cage daily and replace the bedding once a week. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Give-an-Injection | How to Give an Injection | Before you give an injection, read through the instructions on the packaging so you know the dosage to give and how to perform the injection. You should also make sure that the needle and syringe are in unopened sterile packaging, which will reduce the risk of infection. Next, fill the syringe and identify the injection site according to your doctor's instructions. For example, if you're giving a subcutaneous injection, aim for a location on the abdomen at least 2 inches away from the belly button. To prepare the injection site, clean the skin with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. Once it has dried, pinch the skin with your non-dominant hand and insert the needle quickly at a 45-degree angle with your other hand. Then, push down on the plunger to administer the medication before withdrawing the needle. | Determine what type of injection you are giving. Your doctor or should give you detailed directions on the type of injection you will administer as well as the technique. When you are ready, review the detailed instructions that come with the medication as well as the directions given to you by your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. If you have any questions or doubts about how and when to administer the injection, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Ask questions if you are not sure about the correct syringe, needle length, and needle gauge before proceeding. Some medications come ready-to-use, while others require you to fill the needle with medication from a vial. Be very clear on the supplies you need for the injection. Some people receive more than one type of injection at home. It is easy to confuse the syringes and needles needed for one injection with those intended for use with another medication injection. Be familiar with the product packaging. Not all injectable medication packaging is the same. Some medications may need reconstitution before administration. Many come packaged with everything you need including syringes and needles. Again, it is imperative that your healthcare provider teaches you about your medication and any preparatory steps specific to that medication. Simply reading the instructions or a "How To" is not sufficient — you must have access to a direct link to ask questions and become educated on your medication and the administration. Once you have talked to your doctor, you can also review the product literature, which will give clear step-by-step instructions on anything you need to do in order to prepare the medication for administration. Again, this is should not be considered a replacement for talking to your healthcare provider about how to prepare and administer the medication. The literature will also tell you the recommended syringe size, needle size, and needle gauge, if those are not included in the packaging. Give a medication packaged in a single dose vial. Common manufacturer packaging for many injectable medications is done by putting the medication into a vial called a single dose vial. The label on the medication vial will say either “single dose vial” or will contain the abbreviation, SDV. This means each vial contains only one dose. There may be fluid left in the vial after you have prepared the dose you need to give. The remainder of the medication in the vial is to be discarded and not saved for another dose. Prepare a dose from a multi dose vial. Other medications are packaged in a multi-dose-vial, which does allow for more than one dose to be withdrawn from the vial. The label on the medication will say “multi-dose vial” or contain the abbreviation, MDV. If the medication you are using is packaged in a multi-dose vial, use a permanent marker to write the date it was first opened on the container. Store the medication in the refrigerator between doses. Do not freeze the medication. Small amounts of preservatives may be used in the manufacturing process for medications contained in multi-dose-vial. This helps to minimize the growth of any contaminants, but only protects the purity of the medication for up to 30 days after the vial is opened. The vial should be discarded 30 days after the first date of opening has passed, unless your doctor advises you otherwise. Gather your supplies. You will need the medication package or vial, the syringe that comes with the product if available, a purchased syringe-needle unit, or separate syringes and needles that are put together at the time of administration. Other items you need include alcohol pads, a small gauze pad or cotton ball, a band-aid, and a sharps container. Remove the outer seal from the medication vial then wipe the rubber top of the with an alcohol pad. Always let the area air dry after wiping with an alcohol pad. Don't blow on the top of the vial or the cleaned skin as this can cause contamination. Use the gauze pad or cotton ball to apply pressure on the injection site to reduce bleeding. Cover this with a band-aid. The sharps container is used as an important safety measure to protect the patient, caregiver, and community from biohazardous materials. The container is a thick, plastic, bin designed to hold used sharps. Sharps are lancets, syringes, and needles. When the sharps container is full, arrangements are made to transfer it to a place that destroys biohazard equipment. Examine the medication. Be sure you have the right medicine in the right strength, and the expiration date has not passed. Be sure the medication vial or package has been stored according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Some products are stable when kept at room temperature before use and others may need refrigeration. Check the packaging for visible damage such as cracks or dents in the vial that holds the medication. Look at the area around the top of the vial. Check for cracks and dents in the seal around the top of the medication container. Dents can mean that the sterility of the packaging may no longer be reliable. Look at the liquid inside the container. Check for particulate matter which is anything unusual or floating inside the container. Most injectable medications are clear. Some insulins appear cloudy. If you notice anything other than clear liquid inside the container, other than some insulins products, then discard it. Wash your hands. Thoroughly clean your hands using soap and water. Include washing your nail area, between your fingers, and your wrist area. This helps prevent contamination and reduce the risk of infection. It is recommended to wear FDA approved gloves such as Medint Latex Examination Gloves prior to an ejection as an extra barrier against bacteria and infection. Inspect the syringe and needle. Be sure the syringe and needle are in unopened, sterile packaging that shows no evidence of damage or deterioration. Upon opening, check the syringe for cracks in the barrel or discoloration of any part of the syringe. This includes the rubber top on the plunger. Any damage or deterioration indicates the syringe should not be used. Examine the needle for any evidence of damage. Be sure the needle has not been bent or broken. Do not use any product that appears damaged including damage to the packaging that might indicate the needle is no longer considered sterile. Some packaged syringes and needles have a visible expiration date, but not all manufacturers provide this on the packaging. If you are concerned that a product is too old to use, contact the manufacturer. Have any lot numbers available when you call. Discard damaged or deteriorated syringes, or those that have expired, by putting them in a sharps container. Verify that you have the correct size and type of syringe. Be sure to use a syringe designed for the injection you are giving. Avoid interchanging different types of syringes as this can result in serious errors in dosing. Use only the type of syringe recommended for the medication you are giving. Select a syringe that holds a little more than the amount you need to administer. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the needle length and gauge The needle gauge is the number that describes the diameter of the needle. Larger numbers mean skinnier needles. Some medications are thicker and need a smaller gauge, or larger diameter needle. Most syringes and needles are currently manufactured as a single unit for safety reasons. When you select your syringe size you are also selecting your needle length and gauge. Be sure you have the proper equipment to administer the injection. This information is detailed in the product literature, or is available by asking your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse. Separate syringes and needles are still available. If this is what you have, then assemble the syringe and needle. Make sure that the syringe is the proper size and the needle is sterile, unused, and the correct length and gauge for the type of injection you're performing. Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections use different needles. Fill the syringe. Follow the packaging instructions if available or proceed with filling the syringe from the medication vial. Sterilize the top of the vial with alcohol and allow it to air dry for several minutes. Prepare to fill your syringe. Know exactly how much liquid medication you need to withdraw and administer for your dose. Your syringe should contain exactly the amount of the prescribed dose. This information is available on the prescription label or the instructions provided by the doctor or pharmacy. To fill the syringe, pull the plunger back to fill it with air equal to the exact amount of fluid you will need. Holding the vial upside down, insert the needle into the rubber seal, and push the plunger to inject the air from the syringe into the vial. Pull the plunger out to withdraw the fluid to the exact amount needed for administration. Sometimes air bubbles are visible in the syringe. Tap the syringe gently while the needle is still in the medication vial. This moves the air to the top of the syringe. Push the air back into the vial then withdraw more medication if needed to be sure you have the exact amount you need to administer. Get the patient comfortable. Consider icing the area before administering the injection to reduce pain, particularly if the patient is a child. Let him or her sit in a comfortable position with the area exposed. Be sure you can comfortably reach the area of administration. Have the person remain as still and relaxed as possible. If you wipe the area with alcohol, wait several minutes for the area to air dry before inserting the needle into the skin. Determine the injection site based on your doctor's instructions. A subcutaneous injection (SQ) is one given into the fatty layer of the skin. SQ injections are necessary for specific medications and for doses that usually require small amounts. The fat layer where the injection is given is between the skin and the muscle. One place that is good to give a subcutaneous injection is the abdomen. Select an area below the waist and above the hip bone, and about two inches away from the belly button. Avoid the belly button area. SQ injections can be given in the thigh area, halfway between the knee and hip, and slightly to the side as long as you can pinch up one to two inches of skin. The lower back is a good place for SQ injections. Target the area above the buttocks, below the waist, and halfway between the spine and the side. The upper arm is a usable site as long as there is enough skin to pinch up one to two inches. Use the area of the upper arm that is halfway between the elbow and shoulder. Alternating between sites will help prevent bruising and skin damage. You can also alter within the same general site by using different patches of skin within that area. Proceed with the injection. Clean the skin on and around the site with rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to dry before administering the injection. This shouldn't take more than a minute or two. Do not touch the wiped area with your hands or any other material before giving the injection. Verify that you have the right drug, right site of injection, and that you have prepared the correct dose for administration. Hold the syringe with your dominant hand and pull the needle cover off with your other hand. Pinch the skin with your non-dominant hand. Determine your angle of entry. Depending on the amount of skin you can pinch, you can insert the needle at either a 45 degree or 90 degree angle. Use a 45 degree angle if you can only pinch about one inch of skin. If you can pinch two inches of skin, then insert the needle at a 90 degree angle. Grasp the syringe tightly and use a quick motion of your wrist to puncture the skin with the needle. Insert the needle quickly and carefully at the determined angle with your dominant hand while pinching the skin with your other hand. Quick needle insertion helps prevent the patient from becoming tense. Aspiration for a SQ injection is not necessary. There is no harm in doing so unless you are administering blood thinning agents, such as enoxaparin sodium. To aspirate, pull the plunger back slightly and check for the appearance of blood in the syringe. If there is blood, then remove the needle and find a different spot to administer the injection. If no blood is found, continue. Inject the medicine into the patient. Push the plunger down until all the fluid has been released. Remove the needle. Push down on the skin above the injection site and use a quick and careful motion to remove the needle in the same angle in which it was administered. The whole process doesn't need to take more than five or ten seconds. Discard all used sharps in a sharps container. Administer an insulin injection. Insulin injections are given SQ but require different syringes to be sure each dose is accurate Plus, insulin administration is ongoing. Keeping a record of injection sites is an important part of insulin administration that helps you to rotate your sites. Recognize the difference in syringes. Using a regular syringe can cause serious dosing errors. Insulin syringes are graduated in units instead of cc's or mls. It is critical that you use an insulin syringe when giving insulin. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to be sure you understand which type of insulin syringe to use with your prescribed insulin type and dosage. Determine the injection site. An intramuscular injection (IM) delivers medication directly into a muscle. Choose an injection site that has easy access to muscle tissue. There are four primary sites recommended for administering IM injections. Those include the thigh, the hip, the buttocks, and the upper arm. Alternate between injection sites to prevent bruising, soreness, scarring, and skin changes. Give the injection into the thigh. The vastus lateralis is the name of the muscle that you will be targeting for your medication delivery site. Visually divide the thigh into three sections. The middle section is the target for the IM injection. This is a good site if you are giving yourself an IM injection since you can easily see and reach the target area. Use the ventrogluteal muscle. This muscle is located in the hip. Use landmarks on the body to find the location where you want to inject the medication. Find the proper location by having the person lie on his or her side. Place the heel of your hand on the upper and outer part of the thigh where it joins the buttocks. Point your fingers toward the person's head and point your thumb towards the groin. You should feel a bone along the tips of your ring finger and little finger. Form a V shape by moving your pointer finger away from the other fingers. The injection is given in the middle part of the V shape. Give the injection into the buttocks. The dorsogluteal muscle is the area where you want to inject the medication. With practice the target area becomes easier to locate, but begin by using physical landmarks and divide the area into quadrants to be sure you have the correct area. Draw an imaginary line, or actual line using an alcohol wipe if available, from the top of the crack to the side of the body. Locate the midpoint of that line, and move up three inches. Draw another line that crossed the first one, forming a cross. Locate a curved bone in the upper outer square or quadrant. The injection should be given in the upper outer square below the curved bone. Administer the injection in the upper arm. The deltoid muscle is located in the upper arm and is a good site for IM injections if there is adequate muscle tissue. Use an alternate site if the person is thin or has little muscle in that area. Find the acromion process, or the bone that crosses the upper arm. Draw an imaginary upside down triangle with the bone as the base and the point of the triangle is the level of the armpit. Give the injection in the middle of the triangle, one to two inches below the acromion process. Clean the skin on and around the site with an alcohol wipe. Allow the alcohol to dry before administering the injection. Do not touch the cleaned area with your fingers or any other material before giving the injection. Hold the syringe firmly with your dominant hand and remove the needle cover with your other hand. Put pressure on the skin where you are giving the injection. Push down gently and pull the skin so it is tight. Insert the needle. Use your wrist to inject the needle through the skin at a 90 degree angle. You will need to force the needle deep enough to be sure you deliver the medication into muscle tissue. Selecting the correct needle length helps to guide you in the injection process. Aspirate by pulling the plunger back slightly. Look for blood that is pulled back into the syringe as you pull back on the plunger. If there is blood, then carefully remove the needle and find a different spot to administer the injection. If no blood is seen then continue with giving the injection. Carefully inject the medicine into the patient. Push the plunger down until all of the fluid has been released. Do not push too hard on the plunger as this forces the medication into the site too fast. Push the plunger in a steady but slow manner to reduce pain. Remove the needle in the same angle in which it was injected. Cover the injection site with a small gauze pad or a cotton ball and a band-aid, and check on it regularly. Make sure it looks clean and the injection site is not continuing to bleed. Watch for an allergic reaction. Any new medication should be first administered in a physician's office so the patient can be monitored for allergy signs and symptoms. However, if signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction develop during subsequent treatments, seek medical attention immediately. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, a rash or itching; shortness of breath; difficulty swallowing; feeling like your throat or airway is closing; and swelling of the mouth, lips, or face. Call 911 if symptoms of an allergic reaction develop. You have just injected a medication into the body which speeds up the reaction time if an allergy is present. Seek medical attention if you develop an infection. Even the best injection technique can sometimes allow entry of contaminants. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, sore throat, joint and muscle aches, and gastrointestinal problems. Other symptoms that warrant prompt medical attention include chest tightness, nasal congestion or stuffiness, a widespread rash, and mental changes like confusion or disorientation. Monitor the injection site. Watch for changes in skin tissue at the point of injection and the area immediately surrounding it. Injection site reactions are more common with some drugs than others. Read the product literature before drug administration to know what to look for. Common reactions that occur at the site of an injection include redness in the area, swelling, itching, bruising, and sometimes a raised lump or hardened area. Alternating injection sites can help to minimize damage to the skin and surrounding tissue when frequent injections are needed. Persistent problems with injection site reactions warrant medical evaluation. Dispose of used items safely. Sharps containers are a safe way to dispose of used lancets, syringes, and needles. Sharps containers can be purchased at your local pharmacy and are available online. Never put lancets, syringes, or needles in the regular trash. Review your state's guidelines. Your pharmacist can help you to find a program that meets your needs. Many states have clear guidelines and suggestions on developing a safe system for disposing of biohazardous waste created from giving injections at home. Sharps, including used needles, lancets, and syringes, are biohazardous waste since they are contaminated with skin and blood from direct contact with you or the person receiving the injections. Consider an arrangement with a company that provides mailback kits. Some companies provide a service that supplies you with sharps containers you need and make arrangements that allow you to safely mail the containers to them when they are full. The company takes responsibility for proper destruction of biohazardous waste. Ask your pharmacy about safe ways to discard any vials that contain unused medications. Often, any opened vials of medication can be placed into the sharps container. | Determine what type of injection you are giving. Be familiar with the product packaging. Prepare a dose from a multi dose vial. Gather your supplies. Examine the medication. Wash your hands. Inspect the syringe and needle. Verify that you have the correct size and type of syringe. Fill the syringe. Get the patient comfortable. Determine the injection site based on your doctor's instructions. Proceed with the injection. Determine your angle of entry. Inject the medicine into the patient. Administer an insulin injection. Determine the injection site. Give the injection into the thigh. Use the ventrogluteal muscle. Give the injection into the buttocks. Administer the injection in the upper arm. Clean the skin on and around the site with an alcohol wipe. Insert the needle. Carefully inject the medicine into the patient. Watch for an allergic reaction. Seek medical attention if you develop an infection. Monitor the injection site. Dispose of used items safely. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Darth-Vader-Costume | How to Make a Darth Vader Costume | To make a Darth Vader costume, start by putting on black pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Next, get into a pair of black boots and black gloves. Additionally, attach a cape around your neck with velcro and put on a Darth Vader helmet, which you can buy from a costume store. Then, tuck a light saber into your belt. For the finishing touch, make a control panel by painting a cardboard box black, and stick it to your chest with duct tape. Finally, glue or tape toothpaste caps or beads to the box to make the control panel's buttons. | Search the internet for pictures of Darth Vader to use as guides. Use a search engine such as Google or Bing for pictures of Darth Vader that show his entire body, as well as close-ups of different parts of his costume (e.g. mask, cape, suit). Use these as a guide when purchasing or finding supplies. Make a list of everything you will need. You want to make sure you are prepared and acquire any necessary materials or supplies you might not have at home. Divide the costume into 6 sections: helmet, dark clothes, dark boots, dark gloves, cape, and accessories. Decide what type of costume you want - something that is 100% accurate, something that is comfortable, or something that is quick and easy to make. Decide what parts of the costume you can make at home, and what you need to buy from a toy or costume store. Purchase inexpensive black clothing. Black is Darth Vader's signature color, and black clothing is a key element of the costume. You can save money by buying black clothing from a thrift store. You will need a long-sleeve shirt or sweatshirt, sweatpants or cargo pants, and socks. Think about where you will be wearing the costume when selecting clothing items. Purchase heavy, bulkier clothes if you plan on wearing it outside as a Halloween costume. For a costume party, look for cotton items that are thin and loose to help keep you comfortable indoors. If you are planning on adding armor or padding (e.g. football pads) underneath your clothes to give you a muscular look, consider buying things in a size or two larger than you normally wear. Make or buy boots and gloves. You will need thick black gloves and boots. As a result of his deformities, Darth Vader kept his body covered-up at all times, including his hands and feet. Motorcycle gloves and boots work very well because they are big, thick, and typically black. Large leather or pleather gloves, and/or cheap black snow boots work as well. You can also make your own "boot" covers to wear over your shoes. Here are the directions: You can sew your own boot covers using pleather material, 1/4 inch elastic, and a sewing machine. Make a pattern by tracing your shoe and pants from the bottom of the sole to your knee. Do this for your right and left leg. Trace the pattern onto your fabric, making sure to include the width of the shoe at the toes and heels, and adding fabric as needed. Leave a 1/2 inch of fabric along one side for a seam. Do this twice for each side and then cut-out your tracings. Sew the two halves together for each boot, only sewing along the sides and keeping the top and bottom open. Cut four pieces of elastic that are the same length as the bottom of your boot. Place one end of the elastic near the right seam and the opposite end next to the left seam. Secure with flat pins and machine stitch elastic to the bottom of your boot. Put the boots on by pulling them over your shoes and pants. Find or purchase supplies for a paper mache helmet. Paper mache is a great for making a helmet that is 3-dimensional, hollow, durable and light-weight. While you can always buy a Darth Vader helmet from a toy store or costume store, making one from paper mache is easy and fun. You will need: Newspaper Paper mache mix (1 part flour to 5 parts water) Saucepan Mixing bowl Balloon 3-4 empty cereal boxes Masking tape Recycled plastic container Hot glue and glue gun Black spray paint High gloss spray varnish Make the paper mache paste. Mix together 1 part flour to 5 cups water in a Saucepan. Boil for three minutes and let cool. This method produces an even, smooth paste. You can also add equal parts water and flour, and then stir together in a mixing bowl. Do not add salt to the mixture as it makes the paper mache difficult to mold. Create a foundation for your paper mache helmet. You will use the balloon to create the base of your paper mache sculpture/helmet. Inflate the balloon and place it in a plastic bucket to prevent it from moving around. Add a single layer of paper mache to the balloon by dipping strips of newspaper into the paste and sticking them directly onto the balloon. Let everything dry before starting the next step. Paper mache can get messy. Use a flat working surface, such as a table or kitchen floor, and spread newspaper over the entire area before you begin. Cut out cardboard shapes from the cereal boxes to make Darth Vader's face. Build-up the face by cutting-out geometric shapes (squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles) and attaching them to the paper mache base using masking tape or hot glue. Once you are finished modeling Darth Vader's features with cardboard, add another layer of paper mache and let dry. Don't forget to create a visor that sticks-out over the eyes and juts out from the side of the face. Darth Vader breathes through a triangle-shaped respirator that projects out from his face and covers his nose and mouth. Deflate the balloon and cut out holes for the eyes and mouth. Carefully remove the bottom and back of the mask and use a pin to pop the balloon. Add additional paper mache to smooth out any rough edges or fill any gaps. Let dry before cutting-out two wide pie-shaped holes for the eyes, and a triangular hole in the respirator for the mouth. Cut-out plastic strips from a recycled container and glue over the mouth to create the vented slats of the mouthpiece. Spray paint the helmet and add the final details. Spray the entire helmet with black pray paint followed by a high gloss varnish. Poke a hole on either side of the helmet in the back string a piece of elastic through them to hold the mask in place. After you are finished painting, use hot glue to attach lenses from old sunglasses over the eyes. Take a few basic measurements. Measure yourself in three places: while wearing shoes or boots, measure the distance from the nape or your neck to the floor; stretch your arms to the side and measure the distance between your finger tips; and measure the circumference of your neck at its base. Bring them with you when you go to the fabric store, and ask someone to help you determine how much fabric you need to purchase. Allow yourself extra fabric, about 2.5-3 inches on two sides, for hemming. Fabric is usually sold by the yard. Select a pattern and purchase supplies. You can find patterns for a basic super hero cape online or at a fabric store. If you don't know how to use a sewing machine, there are a variety of cape designs available for different skill levels. Additionally, Darth Vader's cape is different from a standard super hero cape in that it doesn't "swoosh". You want to use heavy fabric to weigh the cape down. For a basic cape design, you will need: At least 1 yard heavy black fabric (this is to make a child's costume, adults will need more based on height and weight) At least 1 yard additional fabric if you decide to include a lining. Pattern paper All-purpose black thread 2-3 inches of velcro Erasable fabric marking pen or chalk Sewing machine Draw the pattern onto the cape and then cut it out. Using chalk or an erasable fabric marking pen, transfer the pattern from the paper onto the fabric. Adjust the pattern to accommodate your measurements (height from nape of neck to floor, and width of outstretched arms). Measure the width at the base of your neck to determine the collar size, adding several extra inches for comfort. When finished, cut-out the fabric. Repeat this step if you want to add a lining to your cape. Alternatively, you can draw, cut-out, and then sew two semi-circles together. Fold the fabric in half and pin together. Double your neck-to-floor measurement and mark it on the fabric, leaving about 2 inches from the base of the semi-circle to the edge of the material. Use a piece of chalk attached to a string to draw a perfect arch. Cut the material out. In the center, draw and cut-out a smaller semi-circle for your neck. Use a sewing machine to stitch the two halves together. Hem the collar and bottom of the cape and add velcro. Use a sewing machine to hem the collar and bottom of the cape using a simple double-fold hem. Fold the fabric over about 1/2 inches, and then fold it again another 1/2 inches. Secure with straight pins. Sew the hem about 1/8 inch from the second folded edge. When done, flatten the hem with an iron. When taking initial measurements for your cape, you want to add several extra inches for a hem. Hemming your cape will make it more durable and prevent the edges from fraying. Secure the collar together by sewing or gluing a 2-3 inch piece of velcro on each side. If your cape is heavy, you might need a slightly larger piece of velcro. Give yourself 10 to 15 minutes to get into the costume. Try everything on separately first to make sure it fits. Make any necessary adjustments before putting your costume on. Make sure you have everything you need to become Darth Vader. This includes: padding (optional), helmet, black long-sleeve shirt and pants, black cape, black gloves, and black boots. Put padding on first (optional). While padding is not necessary, it adds bulk and gives the impression of muscles. You can use old football or hockey gear, such as shoulder and chest pads, shin guards, and/or an athletic girdle. To avoid chafing, you should wear a t-shirt and briefs under the pads. If wearing one, put the athletic girdle or shapewear on first. Next, position the shoulder pads so they are comfortable and have someone help you secure them in the front and back. Finally, tie or strap-on knee of shin guards. Pads can be bulky and make it difficult or uncomfortable to move around in. If you are not used to them, practice wearing them around the house for a few hours over several days. Use duct tape (attached to clothing - not skin) to help secure pads that feel loose or shift too much. Sports equipment is expensive. If you do not have pads of your own, ask to borrow them from a friend or check a second-hand store or consignment shop for clean used items. Put on the black pants and long-sleeve shirt. You pants and long-sleeve shirt or sweatshirt should fit snugly but not be too tight. If you decide not to wear pads, but still want to create a bulky look, consider wearing a thick sweatshirt or layer several shirts. You can do the same for pants - wear two pairs of sweatpants, or pull black sweatpants over a regular pair of jeans. Layering clothing is also a good idea if you will be wearing the costume outside in cold weather. Tuck your pants into the boots and put on your gloves. Pull your boots up over your pants or tuck your pants into your boots. If necessary, lace-up and tie your boots before putting on your gloves. If you made boot covers, you can simply pull them over your sneakers. Try walking around. Stamp your feet when you walk so you look more intimidating. Add the cape and helmet. Tie or Velcro your cape around your neck. Adjust it so it is comfortable and not too tight. For the final touch, put on your helmet. Make sure your helmet fits properly and you can comfortably see and breathe. Try walking around your house to get a feel for the costume before going out. Add a lightsaber or make your own. If you have a lightsaber, carry it around by tucking it into a belt. You can also make your own lightsaber using a foam pool noodle. Use a knife to cut the pool noodle in half. Wrap silver duct tape about a quarter of the way around one of the ends. Finally, use black electrical tape to wrap three horizontal rings around the top of the silver tape, and two vertical strips between the horizontal rings and bottom of the silver tape. Make your own control panel. Darth Vader wore a control panel on his chest that monitored his vital signs and bodily functions. You can complete your costume by painting or spray-painting a cardboard box black. Next, create buttons and switches by either drawing them on with different colored metallic paint pens, or gluing buttons, beads, game pieces, or toothpaste caps to the front of the box. Use black duct tape to attach the control panel to your shirt, or tie black yarn or rope to each side and wear around your neck. Breathe deeply and make rasping noises. Darth Vader was equipped with mechanical lungs and a ventilator following his near-fatal battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi. As a result, his breathes are very loud and raspy. In Episodes IV, V, and VI, Darth Vader was voiced by the actor James Earl Jones. Despite his heavy breathing, his voice is deep and commanding. Prepare yourself by watching the movies in which Darth Vader appears. These include: Star Wars Episodes III, IV, V, and VI. Record yourself talking like Darth Vader. When in full costume, practice walking, talking and moving like him in front of a mirror. | Search the internet for pictures of Darth Vader to use as guides. Make a list of everything you will need. Purchase inexpensive black clothing. Make or buy boots and gloves. Find or purchase supplies for a paper mache helmet. Make the paper mache paste. Create a foundation for your paper mache helmet. Cut out cardboard shapes from the cereal boxes to make Darth Vader's face. Deflate the balloon and cut out holes for the eyes and mouth. Spray paint the helmet and add the final details. Take a few basic measurements. Select a pattern and purchase supplies. Draw the pattern onto the cape and then cut it out. Hem the collar and bottom of the cape and add velcro. Give yourself 10 to 15 minutes to get into the costume. Put padding on first (optional). Put on the black pants and long-sleeve shirt. Tuck your pants into the boots and put on your gloves. Add the cape and helmet. Add a lightsaber or make your own. Make your own control panel. Breathe deeply and make rasping noises. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Advertise-a-Beauty-Salon | How to Advertise a Beauty Salon | To advertise a beauty salon, you should first create your brand by choosing a logo and design that engages your target market. For example, your logo might include an image of hair or scissors to signify the nature of your business. You should also make a website that reflects your brand and the atmosphere of your salon, such as calm and serene, or vibrant and lively. Similarly, create social media pages, like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and upload content regularly to engage with your customers. For example, you could post pictures of clients and any discounts or offers available. Additionally, consider designing ads for a range of mediums, such as newspapers, radio, and the web, to reach a wider audience. | Establish your budget. Advertising in a broad range of media during key times of the year may help you to reach thousands of potential new clients. Establishing a media budget before you buy any advertising can help you determine your potential return on investment and keep you from wasting capital. Consider advertising beyond the Internet with print, radio, or television ads, which will reach a much wider audience than just the Internet. Radio or television ads can be expensive so they may be more appropriate for larger salons. One advantage of spending a little extra money on radio or television ads is that you'll reach a much wider potential client base. Spend your advertising budget where your potential clients read, listen, or watch, and within a circulation range of no more than 20 miles (32 km) from your business. Create a budget that allows for more advertising campaigns during your busiest times of the year, such as Christmas and Mother's Day. Figure out your customer profile. You'll want to target the specific market to which you plan to advertise. Figuring out your customer profile will help you advertise your salon most effectively and successfully. To create your customer profile, consider geographic location of your salon, gender, average income level, marital status, education level, and hobbies and interests. Create your brand. Choose a salon name, logo and design that engages your target market(s). This will help establish your identity and may create a connection between you and your customers or potential clients. Consider elements such as color schemes, names, and design features. Think about your location so that your brand matches it. Is your salon is in a quaint tourist region or a major urban area? Take note of successful businesses in your area and draw upon their ideas while keeping your brand distinctive and memorable compared to competitors. You and your staff are a part of the brand, so make sure to market your skills and talents. Coining a catchy slogan that can be printed on business cards, uniforms, and staff e-mail signatures can help establish your brand. For example, if your salon promotes holistic and energy based treatments, your slogan could be "beauty, bliss and beyond" or "good energy, great beauty. Hire an advertising agency or design your own ads. Once you've established the basic parameters of your advertising campaign, you can create the contents of your ads. You can design your own ads or hire an advertising agency, which may help optimize your campaign. If you decide to use professional help, meet with a several different ad agencies to find the one that best meets your needs and wishes. An ad agency can either design your web site or may help you find the right web designer. If you decide to design your own ads and website, research local businesses advertising to guide your design. You want your brand to be simple, distinctive, and attractive to your clients and potential customers. Design your print and audio ads. Ads are often the first impression potential clients have of you and you'll want to write your print and radio ads to attract them. Hooking your potential customers and keeping the message simple and concise can help attract a wide array clients. Design your ads to complement your brand. Use similar color and design schemes so that clients and potential customers associate these elements with you. Include items in your ad such as the salon name, your specialties, and any specials or offers you may have. Keep the information brief and simple so that people can easily remember your salon. Design your beauty salon's web site. Your web site should present a snapshot of the experience a client will enjoy at your salon. It is important that your salon have a professional looking website because it can draw in potential clients and help keep your current customer. The design should match your brand and mirror the feeling your clients will have when they enter your salon: maybe it's calm and serene; maybe it's vibrant and lively. Include sections on different services, stylists and their experience and talents, prices, products you sell, and any specials you offer. Structure the web site so that search engines can easily locate and bring potential clients to it. Include details like location, phone number, working hours, and email address on your website. Portray other aspects of your business such as the environment and facilities you provide like free coffee, Wi-Fi. Take help of online templates and customize them according to your needs. Guarantee your products and services. Guarantee the quality of your products and services. If you believe in them enough to guarantee satisfaction, potential clients may be more likely try out your salon and current clients may be more likely to stay. Buy advertising space in different media. You want to attract the broadest potential client base to your salon. Buying advertising space on different media such as newspapers, television, radio, or the web can help you increase your business. Make sure that the advertising you buy fits your needs and remains within the budget you established. Tailor your media coverage based on your location. For example, it's better to advertise in a larger local newspaper with broader circulation than in a news journal specifically written for your town. Promote through social media. People are increasingly getting information from social media accounts. Setting up Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts can help advertise your salon and its services. Write posts about specials or events happening in your salon. Post pictures of clients and use hashtags to increase your visibility. Offer discounts to those happy customers who stop by to give reviews. In case of bad reviews, listen to the complaints of unsatisfied customers and try to work upon them. Interact with your customers on a regular basis. Write monthly or quarterly informational newsletters. Staying in regular contact with your target markets by email or regular mail will keep your salon name readily available. It can also direct clients and potential customers to your media accounts or actual salon. For example, you can write a bi-monthly newsletter, but make sure to keep your information concise and the sales pitch at a minimum. Offer specials to potential and current customers. Develop different specials or offers for clients that do not decrease your profits. Giving people an incentive can attract them to try out or return to your salon. Think of something inexpensive, but effective at enticing possible clients. For example, offer a free travel size hair product or a manicure on for birthdays. You can also offer a discount to first time clients or on slower business days. Christmas is the time when everyone looks for offers and discounts. You can take advantage of the Christmas holiday by giving your customers special Christmas offers and discounts. This will help in attracting new as well as existing customers. Encourage client referrals. Beauty salons rely heavily on word-of-mouth advertising. Train employees how to build clientele through referrals and client relationships. Give a discount or upgrade on later visit to clients who refer a friend. Be sure your business cards, media sites, and ads mention how clients can "friend" you on social media sites. Mention the benefits of being a friend of your beauty salon and consider coupling this with sweepstakes and daily deals offered only through your social media sites. Develop incentive programs for referrals. For example, you can run a contest for clients who refer the most new customers by rewarding them a free service of their choice. Partner with other businesses. Use other businesses to advertise your salon. You can work out a system where other local businesses display your business cards in their office in exchange for putting theirs in your salon. You can also consider running promotions with other businesses. For example, you and a local restaurant could offer discounts for visiting both locations. Host special events with other businesses to help defray costs. You could hold a sidewalk sale or a sponsor charity event with a partner business to help draw clients to both companies. Partner with national brands. Partnering with large, national or international brands can also attract customers. This can help increase your exposure through various types of media. For example, if you sell specific products, make sure the company places your salon name on their site telling under “available at these salons”. Sell branded merchandise. Selling a small selection of branded merchandise such as clothing or practical items like combs or brushes can increase exposure in your area. Make sure to keep inventory of these products at a minimum until you know they can sell. | Establish your budget. Figure out your customer profile. Create your brand. Hire an advertising agency or design your own ads. Design your print and audio ads. Design your beauty salon's web site. Guarantee your products and services. Buy advertising space in different media. Promote through social media. Write monthly or quarterly informational newsletters. Offer specials to potential and current customers. Encourage client referrals. Partner with other businesses. Partner with national brands. Sell branded merchandise. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Collie-Eye-in-Shelties | How to Diagnose Collie Eye in Shelties | If you're unsure whether your Sheltie has collie eye, watch the size of its pupils under bright light, which will remain dilated if it has collie eye. Another way to test your Sheltie's eyesight is by wagging your finger towards its face and seeing if it blinks properly. If it doesn't blink, it's possible that it has collie eye. You should also check if its eyes are sunken or have a cloudy film over them, which are signs of collie eye. If you think your dog might have problems with its eyesight, take it to a veterinary ophthalmologist for an eye test. | Test your dog’s eyesight. If you want to know if your Sheltie has CEA, then test his eyesight. In mild cases, your dog may be able to see well enough to cope. In severe cases, your dog may be blind. Place objects in your dog's path and see if he avoids them or bumps into the obstruction. Take your dog on a walk along an unfamiliar route. See if he runs ahead to explore or walks hesitantly by your side as if unsure of his footing. Wag your finger toward your dog's eyeball and see if he blinks reflexively. Be careful that you don't create an air current when doing this or the dog may sense the air movement on his whiskers and blink because of that. Check your dog’s pupils. Watch the size of your dog's pupils and see if they become small in bright light. If the pupils remain large in bright sunshine, then there is likely a problem with the eye. Compare eye size. Carefully compare the size of one of the eye globes with the other. It's not common, but sometimes CEA can affect the size of the globe and result in a smaller than usual eye. Look for other eye abnormalities. In rare cases, some other symptoms may present. Other symptoms that may arise are eyes that are sunken in the sockets or a cloudy film over the eyes. Take your sheltie to a veterinary ophthalmologist. CEA is present at birth. The ideal time for a veterinary ophthalmologist to examine the eye is around five to eight weeks of age. This catches the pup in a sweet spot where the eye is big enough to examine, but before retinal pigments develop which can obscure the signs the specialist is looking for. Most adoptions occur after eight weeks of age. Talk to the breeder to see if the sheltie has been checked for CEA. If he hasn't, take him to the vet. Get an eye exam. When you take your dog to the veterinary ophthalmologist, the specialist examines the pup in a dark room. She will use a tool called an ophthalmoscope, which is part lens and part light source. She will shine the ophthalmoscope on the back of the eye and look for patches that are unusually transparent and through which the blood vessels are easily seen. This indicates the presence of CEA. Examine the optic nerve. The specialist will also examine the area around the optic nerve to see if the blood vessels suddenly disappear over the edge of a coloboma. She will also check to see if the retina is attached properly, or floating detached from the choroid. Know that the CEA gene cannot be detected by diagnosis. Unfortunately, an optical exam does not help detect dogs that carry the CEA gene who are not affected themselves. However, a genetic test is now available to detect the gene. A blood sample is sent to a specialist lab where it is screened for the mutation. Ideally all Shelties should be genetically screened prior to breeding, and only dogs that are completely healthy used as breeding stock. Know there is no treatment. If your dog is diagnosed CEA, the condition shouldn't worsen. Most dogs live long, healthy lives with little eyesight problems. Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure for CEA. Awareness of the condition is crucial. Affected dogs should not be bred since the genetic mutation can be passed down to the offspring. Know where most cases occur. In Shelties, the numbers affected by CEA are considerably higher in Europe than in the United States. The incidence in the US is thought to be around 0.39%, which means around four dogs in every 1000 are affected. Be aware of related problems. CEA can be associated with other problems, like a coloboma, which is like a crater that forms around the optic nerve. Sometimes, the retina separates completely from the choroid and the dead space can fill with blood. If your dog has a coloboma, your dog can get surgery to help with that. Surgery may also be suggested if there is a threat of retinal detachment. | Test your dog’s eyesight. Check your dog’s pupils. Compare eye size. Look for other eye abnormalities. Take your sheltie to a veterinary ophthalmologist. Get an eye exam. Examine the optic nerve. Know that the CEA gene cannot be detected by diagnosis. Know there is no treatment. Know where most cases occur. Be aware of related problems. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Concussion | How to Treat a Concussion | To treat a mild concussion, apply an ice pack to the affected area for 20-30 minute increments every 2-4 hours to reduce swelling. You can take acetaminophen for the pain, but avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, since they can make bruising and bleeding worse. Also, it's important to monitor the concussed person for the first 24 hours for any physical or cognitive changes. If they want to sleep, wake them every quarter hour for the first 2 hours, every half hour for the following 2 hours, and then hourly after that. | Assess the victim. Examine the wound and look carefully at the victim. Check to see if the victim has a bleeding head wound. Concussions might not bleed on the surface, but under the scalp, creating a "goose egg" or a hematoma (a large bruise). Visible external injuries are not always a good way to tell if someone has a concussion since some very minor scalp wounds bleed profusely, while some less visible impact injuries can cause major brain impairment. Physical symptoms to look for include signs of basilar skull fracture, Battle's sign (a swollen bruised area that appears several days after a skull fracture because blood has leaked into the area behind the ear), raccoon eyes, and rhinorrhea (leakage of cerebrospinal fluid). Check for physical symptoms. Mild and severe concussions can result in many physical symptoms. Look for any of the following symptoms: Loss of consciousness. Severe headache. Light sensitivity. Double or blurred vision. Seeing "stars", spots or other visual anomalies. Loss of coordination and balance. Vertigo. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in legs and arms. Nausea and vomiting. Amnesia. Obvious confusion. Check for cognitive symptoms. Since a concussion is an ailment of the brain, concussions often disrupt brain function. These disruptions include: Unusual irritability or excitability. Disinterest or difficulties with concentration, logic, and memory. Mood swings or outbursts of inappropriate emotions and tearfulness. Drowsiness or lethargy. Assess consciousness. When checking for a concussion, it is important to know whether or not the victim is conscious and know his or her level of cognitive function. To check the consciousness of the victim, try the AVPU code: A - Is the victim alert ? - Does the victim watch you with their eyes? Does he answer your questions? Does he respond to normal environmental stimuli? V - Does the victim respond to voice ? - Does the victim respond when spoken to, even if the response is small and not completely alert? Does he need to be yelled at to respond? A victim can respond to verbal commands and not be alert. A response of "Huh?" when you speak to them means they are verbally responsive, yet not alert. P - Does the victim respond to pain or touch? - Pinch skin to see if there is movement or if the victim opens his eyes. Another technique is to pinch or poke the nail bed. Be careful when doing this; you do not want to cause unnecessary harm to the victim. You are simply trying to get a physical response from him. U - Is the victim unresponsive to anything attempted? Watch the victim afterwards. Most concussion symptoms appear within minutes of the injury. Others appear hours later. Some symptoms can change days later. Keep a watch on the victim and call a doctor if symptoms worsen or change. Apply ice. To reduce swelling with a minor injury, apply an ice pack to the affected area. Apply ice every two to four hours, for 20-30 minute increments. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap it in a cloth or plastic. If ice is not available, use a bag of frozen vegetables. Do not apply pressure to any head trauma wound as this could push bone splinters into the brain. Take over the counter pain medicine. To treat head pain at home, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin because that could make bruising or bleeding worse. Keep focused. If the victim is conscious, ask questions continually. This serves two purposes: to assess the degree of the victim's impairment, and to keep the victim awake. Continuing to ask questions can alert you to changes in the victim's cognitive state if the victim fails to answer a question they could answer before. If the cognitive state changes and worsens, seek medical attention. Good questions include: What is today's date? Where are you? What happened to you? What is your name? Are you feeling alright? Can you repeat the following words after me...? Stay with the victim. For the first twenty-four hours, stay with the victim. Do not leave them alone. Monitor their physical and cognitive function for any changes. If the victim wishes to sleep, wake the victim every quarter hour for the first 2 hours, then every half hour for the following 2 hours, then hourly. Every time you wake them, do the AVPU consciousness test as outlined above. You want to continuously monitor their cognitive and physical state in case symptoms appear later or worsen. If the victim does not respond to being woken up, treat as an unconscious patient. Avoid strenuous activity. For days after your concussion, avoid sports and strenuous activity. During this time, avoid stressful situations. Your brain needs to rest and heal. Before taking part in sports, you may want to contact your doctor. Returning to activity too early predisposes you to increased risk for a repeat concussion and long term problems of dementia. Don't drive. Do not operate a vehicle or ride a bicycle until you feel fully healed. Get someone to drive you to and from the doctor's office or hospital. Rest. Do not read, watch TV, text, listen to music, play video games, or perform any other mental task. You should rest both physically and mentally. Eat brain-healthy foods. Food can positively and negatively affect the healing of your brain. Avoid alcohol after a concussion. Also avoid fried foods, sugars, caffeine, artificial colors and flavors. Instead, eat the following foods: Avocados. Blueberries. Coconut oil. Nuts and seeds. Salmon. Butter, cheese, and eggs. Honey. Any of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Contact a doctor. Any suspected head injury or concussion needs to be evaluated by a medical professional. What may seem like a minor head injury could be a fatal one. If the patient is experiencing some minor symptoms but does't seem to be in a great deal of danger, drive them to the nearest doctor's office. If the patient is unconscious or if you are unsure the extent of the damage, call an ambulance. Driving a head trauma patient requires moving them, which should never be done until the head is stabilized. Moving a head trauma patient could lead to death. Go to the hospital. If the patient is having severe signs of a concussion after experiencing a blow the head, go the the ER immediately. They will do a CT scan and assess the brain for contusions and swelling. If the victim shows any of these symptoms, take them immediately to the ER: Loss of consciousness, even if briefly. Periods of amnesia. Feeling dazed or confused. Severe headache. Repeated vomiting. Seizure. Stay still and avoid movement. If you think a neck or spine injury may accompany the concussion, avoid moving the victim while waiting on the paramedics. Moving the person may cause further injury. If you must move the person, do so very carefully. Make sure to move the head and the back as little as possible. Follow up. If your symptoms do not improve within 7-10 days, contact your physician. If at any time your symptoms change or worsen, contact your physician. Continue treatment. There is very little known about the effects of concussion on the brain and on cognitive function. However, some treatments prescribed by your doctor may improve lingering symptoms. A doctor may perform any number of scans, including an MRI, CT, or EEG. A doctor may also perform a neurological test that evaluates your vision, hearing, reflexes, and coordination. Another test they may perform is a cognitive test, which checks memory, concentration, and recall. | Assess the victim. Check for physical symptoms. Check for cognitive symptoms. Assess consciousness. Watch the victim afterwards. Apply ice. Take over the counter pain medicine. Keep focused. Stay with the victim. Avoid strenuous activity. Don't drive. Rest. Eat brain-healthy foods. Contact a doctor. Go to the hospital. Stay still and avoid movement. Follow up. Continue treatment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fried-Oreos | How to Make Fried Oreos | To make fried Oreos, start by heating some cooking oil in a large pot until it reaches 375 °F. While the oil is heating, combine pancake mix, milk, eggs, and vegetable oil in a bowl. Then, dip Oreos in the batter and place them in the hot cooking oil. Let the Oreos cook for 2 minutes, or until they turn brown and crispy. As the Oreos are cooking, turn them continuously with a pair of tongs so they don't stick to the bottom of the pot. Once the Oreos done cooking, take them out of the oil and let them cool before serving! | Pour 2-3 inches (5-7.5cm) cooking oil in a heavy cooking pot. The pot should be deep enough so the sides are at least 4 inches (10cm) higher than the oil. When deep frying, there should be enough oil to completely cover the food you are frying, but the pot should not be more than half way full of oil. To fry, use a vegetable oil with a high smoking point and little to no flavor, like refined peanut oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, or safflower oil. If you don't have a heavy cooking pot, or one with a very thick, heavy bottom, you can use a wok or a deep sauté pan instead. Heat the oil to 375ºF (191ºC). Use a frying, candy, or thermocouple thermometer. These thermometers show temperatures up to 500ºF (260°C). To check temperature of the oil, hold it in the center of the pan. If your thermometer clips to the side of the pan it will be easy to keep track of the temperature as you work. If you don't have a thermometer, stick a wooden spoon, skewer, or chopstick into the oil. If the oil bubbles around the wood, it's hot enough for frying. You can also use a kernel of popcorn to check the temperature. It will pop in oil that is 350ºF (178ºC), so you will know when it is close to optimum frying temperature. If the oil begins to smoke, it's too hot. Carefully removed your pan from the stove to cool. Combine pancake mix, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil in a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Your batter should not be runny--it should be thick and gooey so it will stick to the cookies. If your batter is too thin, add 1/4 cup of pancake mix. You can substitute funnel cake mix or waffle mix for pancake mix. Make sure it's thick enough to coat the Oreos. Dip an Oreo in the pancake batter using tongs or your hands, coating it entirely with batter. The cookie shouldn't sit in batter too long or it will get soggy, so only dip one at a time and then put it straight in the oil. The batter should be thick and sticky enough so you can't see through it to the chocolate cookie underneath. If you hand-dip the cookies, just use one of your hands--then you can use your "dry hand" to start frying the cookies and you won't need to stop to wash. If the cookies are coming apart or crumbling, put them in the freezer for 30-60 minutes. This also prevents the cream center from getting too melted when you fry it. Put the coated Oreo in the hot oil. Frying works best in small batches, so fry only 4 or 5 at a time, depending on the size of your pot. The cookies should have enough room to float around without touching each other and sticking together. When adding cookies to the oil, the temperature will drop (especially if you froze the Oreos before hand). Keep the oil between 250ºF-325ºF (121ºC-163ºC) while frying. Attempting to fry large batches will not only cause your batter to stick together, it will also lower the temperature of the oil too low and the dough won't get crispy. Be careful when cooking with hot oil. Don't throw battered cookies into the pot--this would cause spattering, splashing, and a dangerous situation. If you're afraid to use your hand to place the cookies in the oil, use tongs instead. Cook Oreos until they are crispy golden brown, remembering to turn them over with tongs. The cookies will float on top of the oil and fry quickly--less than 2 minutes. Don't walk away from the pot or they may burn or over cook. Keep the cookies moving as they fry so they don't stick together. Allow the oil to heat up between batches, back to 375ºF (191ºC). Use tongs or a strainer to remove bits of batter that may be floating in the oil. Remove the fried cookies with tongs and place them on a paper towel to drain. Oil remains on the outer fried dough and won't reach the inside batter or cookie. Blotting excess grease will make this decadent treat slightly more healthy. The oil provides the flavor and crunch of the cookie, so don't go overboard and soak up every last drop. You can also drain the cookies on a wire rack, but using absorbent paper towel will remove more grease than letting it drip off on a wire rack. Wait for the oil to cool, then use a funnel to pour it into an empty bottle. You can reuse the oil for deep frying (make sure to strain and remove any bits of batter floating around) or bring the oil to a donation point (often a waste management facility). Never pour oil down the drain. It will block your plumbing. If you can't find anywhere to recycle your cooking oil, make sure the lid is on tight and throw it in the trash or pour it over weeds. If you plan to reuse your oil within the next few weeks, store it in a cold, dark place or the refrigerator so it will last longer. If you don't have a funnel, pour the cooled oil into a paper cup, then pinch the top of the cup so you can easily pour it into the mouth of the sealable bottle or container. Serve warm. You can add a dusting of powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, whipped cream, or any other garnish you'd like. Allow the cookies a minute or two to cool so your don't burn yourself, but do eat them while they're still warm! Keep finished cookies in an oven on low heat (about 200ºF or 93ºC) if you're doing a large batch so they will stay warm until they are served. | Pour 2-3 inches (5-7.5cm) cooking oil in a heavy cooking pot. Heat the oil to 375ºF (191ºC). Combine pancake mix, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil in a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Dip an Oreo in the pancake batter using tongs or your hands, coating it entirely with batter. Put the coated Oreo in the hot oil. Cook Oreos until they are crispy golden brown, remembering to turn them over with tongs. Remove the fried cookies with tongs and place them on a paper towel to drain. Wait for the oil to cool, then use a funnel to pour it into an empty bottle. Serve warm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-a-Dog-Whole-Foods | How to Feed a Dog Whole Foods | Before you feed your dog whole foods, talk to your vet to make sure it will be a healthy choice for your pup. Once your vet has approved the new diet, start introducing the whole foods slowly so you don't upset your dog's stomach. To do this, add small portions of the whole foods to your dog's kibble and gradually increase the amount over time. You can try feeding it eggs, canned fish, leafy greens, and healthy leftovers like meat offcuts, which will give your dog plenty of nutrients. While you can feed your dog non meat items, keep in mind that meat is necessary for your dog to stay healthy, so don't try forcing a vegan or vegetarian-only diet. | Talk to a veterinarian. Before feeding your dog whole foods, get more information about your dog's nutritional needs. Consult your veterinarian for advice on what your dog should be consuming on a day-to-day basis, and in what portions. In addition, ask for advice on how to monitor your dog's health after changing its diet (e.g. keeping an eye out for gastrointestinal upsets or skin irritations). Ask your vet if your dog should be given vitamins or supplements with their whole food diet; do not purchase such products without a specific recommendation. Plan your budget for a whole food diet. Before embarking on a whole food diet for your pet, make sure that you can afford to feed your dog quality ingredients. Make a week-long sample menu for your dog (including treats and snacks) and calculate the approximate costs. Compare this amount to what you are currently spending on commercial dog food and treats, and ensure that you will have the extra money (if it works out to more) to keep up with a whole food diet. Feeding your dog whole foods doesn't not have to mean a complete overhaul of its diet - if a whole food diet seems too costly for you or your family to afford, consider adding small amounts of whole food to your dog's diet to supplement its regular dog food. Make a list of "NEVER" foods. While feeding your dog whole foods can be very beneficial for its health, there are a number of foods that could be toxic to your pet if consumed. Inform yourself by speaking to your veterinarian or researching these foods on reliable websites like petMD. Write a clear list and post it on the fridge or wall for other members of your family to keep in mind. Some notable foods to keep away from your dog are: Chocolate (especially dark chocolate), which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. Onions and garlic, which can cause the destruction of red blood cells and lead to anemia when consumed in large quantities, or over a long period of time Alcohol, which can be life-threatening even in small amounts. Yeast dough (notably the store bought kind that is used in making bread, rolls, and pizza), which can create alcohol in a dog's stomach and be potentially deadly. Grapes and raisins, which can cause kidney failure. Artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which can be incredibly toxic. Introduce whole foods slowly. Start introducing whole foods to your dog's diet by adding portions to its regular kibble. Be sure to reduce the amount of dog food your portion out to accommodate the whole foods that you're adding. To start, or as a regular addition to a regular kibble diet, new ingredients should make up about 25% of your dog's meals, and can include: Eggs (raw or cooked), which provide high quality protein and fat Canned fish (e.g. sardines or pink salmon), supplying omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your dog's skin and coat, and which help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation Leafy greens, which can allow you to increase the amount you feed your dog without increasing their calorie intake significantly Healthy leftovers (e.g. meat offcuts), preferably in small quantities to prevent weight gain Maintain an omnivorous diet. While dogs' teeth and digestive tracts show carnivorous traits, dogs also have the proven ability to digest carbohydrate-based foods. There is, however, a carnivorous bias that makes meat an integral part of the canine diet; whatever your personal choices may be, never force a vegan or vegetarian diet onto a pet that's body is optimized to consume meat. Give your dog a balanced diet of meat, grain, and fruits and vegetables to provide optimal health without turning away from its ancestral diet. Be cautious about “raw food diets”. Raw food diets, or B.A.R.F. diets (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food diets), have grown in popularity and aim to mimic what dogs would eat in the wild (i.e. raw meats, grains, vegetables, and bones.) There is no definite evidence that this sort of diet is more beneficial for dogs than other diets, but there are a number of health risks associated with it, including exposure to dangerous bacteria and injury from bones. While dogs' digestive tracts can process raw meat, the presence of bacteria can still pose the threat of gastrointestinal distress and illness for both a dog and its owners. If you pursue a raw food diet for your dog, play it safe by: Following the U.S. Department of Health guidelines for food preparation and safety (visit https://www.foodsafety.gov/ ) Removing small or splintered bones from your dog's food Making sure that you and your family are all diligent about maintaining a clean food preparation space Give your dog fruits and vegetables as snacks. Outside of your dog's regular meals, snacks can be a great way to add whole foods to its diet. Feed fruits and vegetables (raw or cooked) to your dog as snacks, keeping in mind those that fall onto the “never” foods list (e.g. grapes). Feel free to let your dog snack on: Green beans, as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, copper, fiber, folic acid, iron, niacin, manganese, potassium, riboflavin, thiamin, and beta carotene Spinach, which is high in iron and helps fend off inflammatory and cardiovascular issues Apples, which are high in vitamin C and antioxidants Watermelon, a good source of vitamin A, B-6 and C, and thiamin Pumpkin, a food high in fiber, vitamin A and anti-oxidants, which can also alleviate diarrhea and constipation Make homemade dog treats. Making your own dog treats is not only a healthy choice for your dog (free of preservatives and byproducts), it can also save you money. You also have the option of sneaking beneficial ingredients into your treats, such as fish oil to improve your dog's coat; other healthy ingredients to include in treats may include peanut butter, oatmeal, honey, bananas, and berries. While most homemade dog treats will generally last about a week, you can also freeze them to keep on hand for your pet. For example, try making your own jerky treats as an alternative to store-bought raw hides – cut chicken or sweet potatoes into 1/8 inch strips and bake at 200 degrees F for 2 hours. Monitor changes in your dog. During the initial period when you introduce whole foods into your dog's diet, take note of the changes in its health and mood. For a detailed account of changes, keep a journal where you write down exactly what you are feeding your dog, and the notable differences in its health (for example, an increase in energy, or a shinier coat.) Tracking your dog's diet on paper is a reliable way to identify possible food allergies; symptoms of food allergies may include: Recurrent ear problems Itchy skin that doesn't respond to steroid treatments Skin problems that occur all year round, regardless of season or climate Hair loss | Talk to a veterinarian. Plan your budget for a whole food diet. Make a list of "NEVER" foods. Introduce whole foods slowly. Maintain an omnivorous diet. Be cautious about “raw food diets”. Give your dog fruits and vegetables as snacks. Make homemade dog treats. Monitor changes in your dog. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Date-a-Cancer-Woman | How to Date a Cancer Woman | Carefully plan dates for a Cancer woman in quiet, intimate settings. Try choosing a small, quiet coffee shop, or take her to a romantic restaurant. Once you're out with your Cancer woman, connect with her emotionally by being direct and sincere when you talk. When it's her turn to talk, listen attentively! She'll know you're fully present when you look directly into her eyes and respond to her with follow-up questions. | Opt for intimate settings. Some believe Cancer women do not love big, rowdy establishments. They tend to be drawn to intimacy, so they may dislike a rowdy bar as a date setting. Opt for a smaller, intimate location where it is easy to converse. For example, book a corner table in a tiny, romantic restaurant. You can also try a first date at a quiet coffee shop. If you go out to a bar, make sure it's quiet. Bars with loud music and huge crowds are unlikely to win a cancer woman's favor. Take trips together. Some think Cancer women love traveling. A good way to plan a date is planning short trips. Take her away for the weekend on occasion to somewhere she has never been before. A Cancer woman will appreciate this gesture. You do not need to spend a fortune on a trip. A day trip to a nearby city can be a great way to spend a Saturday with a Cancer woman. Remember that Cancer women prefer intimate settings. When planning activities for a day trip, look for locations that are quiet and low-key over loud bars and crowded restaurants. Make the first move during dates. Some think Cancer women prefer it if their partner makes the first move. They are unlikely to initiate physical contact or the first kiss. If a cancer woman seems engaged with you, try brushing her hand, touching her arm, or leaning in for a kiss. Plan events with a few close friends. If you're planning something like a birthday party for a Cancer woman, smaller is generally better. Cancer women have a few close relationships and prefer to spend time with small groups of people. Gather a Cancer woman's close friends for events rather than inviting, say, everyone from her office or casual acquaintances from school. You can, for example, have a birthday party for your Cancer woman in your home. Invite a few of her closest friends and plan low-key activities like board games. If you take a Cancer woman out for her birthday, invite only a handful of friends and choose a quiet location. Opt for genuine romantic gestures. Those who believe in astrology find Cancer women appreciate sincerity in a partner more than their career, material possessions, or education. Romantic gestures should come from a place of sincerity. Rather than trying to impress her with an expensive date night, go for something personal for her. For example, you don't have to spend a lot of money on a fancy restaurant. Instead, plan an intimate picnic lunch in area that's personally meaningful for you, like the park where you first met. Be direct and sincere with her. Some find Cancer women are sincere and loving by nature. They tend to be drawn to partners who can match them in this respect. When dating a cancer woman, work on opening up to her. Be sincere about what you're feeling and thinking if you want to win her favor. Be honest about expectations regarding the relationship. Let her know if you're looking for something casual or something more longterm. Cancer women appreciate honesty. Share your feelings with her. If a Cancer woman asks, "How are you?", they are not looking for a generic answer. Tell her honestly. Instead of saying, "I'm all right," say something like, "I'm feeling a little stressed at work. Can we talk for a bit?" Accept occasional mood swings. According to astrology, Cancer women tend to have more volatile emotions. It's not uncommon for a Cancer woman to be in a good mood in the morning and a sour mood by nightfall. Make sure you deal with her emotions accordingly. Cancer women need partners who are able support and understand their feelings. Do not try to talk a Cancer woman out of her feelings. This will not go over well. Instead, ask questions and let her express herself. Provide support rather than advice. Say things like, "I'm sorry you're feeling that way? How can I help?" Allow her to care for you. Some think Cancer women are naturally nurturing. Do not be surprised if your Cancer girlfriend wants to baby you a little. This is how Cancer women show affection, so try to accept it rather than push away from it. A Cancer woman may want to nurture you when you're feeling down. It's not uncommon for her to do things like do your dishes or clean your house if you're having a bad day. Allow her to do this on occasion. Do not try to talk her out of it. Instead, show gratitude. Thank her for what she does. Listen. According to Astrology, Cancer women need to express themselves openly. As a Cancer woman's partner, you need to learn to listen. When she talks, give her your full attention. Do things like nod and maintain eye contact to show her you are paying attention. Repeat what she said to make sure you understand and ask clarifying questions if necessary. For example, "I'm hearing you feel a little stressed out at work. Why is that?" Make sure to ask what she wants. Those who believe in astrology find Cancer women tend to want a partner who is emotionally in sync with her. She finds intimacy by having someone understand her wants and needs. In order to foster an intimate connection, make sure to ask what she wants. Cancer women may assume their partners are on the same page as them. She may assume that, if you're dating her, you understand her. As you're unable to always see what's going on in her mind, this can be frustrating. Make sure to take the initiative to ask. For example, say something like, "I was just wondering if we could talk about what you want and need? Just let me know where you're at with this relationship and what you're feeling." Invite her into your home life. Some think Cancer women are homemakers by nature. If the relationship is serious, invite her into your home life. Give her keys to your place when you feel comfortable. Allow her to meet your family members and friends. In a longterm relationship, a Cancer woman will want to feel like she is really part of your life. Talk about having children. According to astrology, Cancer women are motherly by nature and tend to want families. While not every Cancer woman wants kids, be open to the conversation. It is not unusual for a Cancer woman to bring up children in a longterm relationship, so be prepared to share your feelings regarding having kids. If you do not want children, there is a chance a relationship with a Cancer woman will not last for you. Not all Cancer women want children, however. Some may want to expend their nurturing nature on a family pet. Be open to getting something like a dog or a cat with a Cancer woman eventually. Treasure her emotional side. Some believe Cancer women are very emotional and loving and need a partner who appreciates this. Learn to see her moods as a positive. She is expressive and in touch with her emotions. While this can sometimes result in mood swings, it also helps her be more emotionally expressive with kindness, love, and support. Keep up with regular communication. Some think Cancer women prefer partners who are open and sensitive. Be prepared to readily share your emotions with a Cancer woman. Regular communication is key to a longterm romance. Make time to talk. Try to, say, have dinner together every night. You can also learn to make conversation during day to day tasks, like doing dishes. | Opt for intimate settings. Take trips together. Make the first move during dates. Plan events with a few close friends. Opt for genuine romantic gestures. Be direct and sincere with her. Accept occasional mood swings. Allow her to care for you. Listen. Make sure to ask what she wants. Invite her into your home life. Talk about having children. Treasure her emotional side. Keep up with regular communication. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Heal-a-Broken-Heart | How to Heal a Broken Heart | To heal a broken heart, start by doing healthy things to improve your mood and feel better about yourself, like exercising regularly, engaging in activities that make you laugh, and exploring new interests and hobbies. To maintain your emotional connections, spend quality time with your friends and strive to meet new people more often. Volunteering in your community can help you forge connections with others, and getting a pet can provide companionship if you feel lonely. It's also important to avoid communicating with your ex and to get rid of any of their belongings around your home so you don't have to deal with constant reminders of them. | Get moving with a little exercise. Go to the gym, go for a jog in the park, or just get outside for a brisk walk. Physical activity increases the amount of serotonin in the brain, which acts like a natural antidepressant and improves your mood. You'll also have more energy and feel better about yourself in general. Take some group fitness classes or hit the gym with a buddy. It doesn't matter what exercise you choose, just get your heart pumping. Within just 5 minutes of moderate exercise, you may start feeling your mood lift. Find things to laugh about. Laughter really is one of life's best medicines! Take some time to engage in activities that make you laugh. Watch films that you find hilarious, revisit some funny memes you've seen on social media, call up one of your humorous friends for a chat, or go see a stand-up comedian perform at a local club. Try to avoid funny things that will remind you of your ex at first. Skip the film if it was one of your faves as a couple, for example. Do things you’ve never done before. Whether you choose to go hiking, surfing, or dancing, take some time for yourself to do new and exciting things. Enjoy your new freedom and independence! Take this time to do all of the fun things that your partner never wanted or enjoyed doing with you. For instance, perhaps your partner never wanted to try Indian food. This is a perfect time for you to do so. Consider linking up with other people who also want to try new things. For example, you could join a special interest group on Meetup.com. Change your look. Reinvigorate your look by getting a haircut, color, or style change. Clean out your wardrobe and give away anything you no longer wear. Buy yourself a few new and fun outfits. A new look can give your self-esteem a much deserved boost! Consider getting a facial, massage, pedicure, or manicure. Treat yourself! Plus, massages can help to release the tension in your body. Call up a few friends and hold a spa day at one of your homes. Start a journal to record how you feel. Writing things down can be a powerful release. Write about whatever you want to write about, whether that's the breakup or any other issue you're going through. Give yourself space to vent. You'll feel a lot better after you do. Make a list of your strengths. Breakups can leave you feeling really down about yourself. It's common to blame yourself after a breakup, and this may damage your self-esteem. Take some time to think about all of the good qualities that you possess. Write them down and remind yourself of them daily. Strengths can include humor, intellect, beauty, persistence, diligence, or compassion. You might consider writing them on sticky notes and putting them in certain places in your room or house. Seeing them throughout the day can boost your self-esteem. Try to manage your other responsibilities the best you can. It's okay to take some time to grieve during this sad time, but don't forget about your other responsibilities. Continue to work hard at your career or in school. Stay connected and in touch with family and friends so that you don't lose those crucial support systems. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet and avoid negative coping mechanisms like excessive drinking. For example, keep up with your bills and stay on top of cleaning tasks. Make yourself a healthy dinner each night. Even completing a small task can help you feel like you are making progress and moving on with your life. Spend quality time with your friends. Your friends can help you, comfort you, and get you out there having a good time. You don't have to do anything particularly special. Try planning a movie night, going to the zoo, hitting the beach, or trying a new restaurant. Remember the fun you used to have with them and try to recapture that part of your life. Lean on your friends as you deal with a broken heart. Give yourself a chance to vent to someone who completely has your back. Channel your energy into new activities. Use this time to reinvent yourself by exploring potential areas of interest for you. It's never too late to be the person that you have always wanted to be! Explore new hobbies, try new foods and live a life of excitement and novelty every day. Pick up a new skill. For example, you could try glass-blowing, ceramics, a new instrument, or cave diving. Invite friends to try these new things with you if you prefer, or do them alone. Volunteer in your community. Volunteering will help you see the real impact you have on people's lives, and can show you how fortunate you are to have everything you do. Find a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, nursing home or school to volunteer at and focus on helping others. Research local organizations with missions that align with your passions and volunteer with them. Adopt a pet for comfort and companionship. If you have the time and resources, caring for a pet can be a rewarding and healing experience. Consider adopting a cat or dog from your local shelter. That way, you'll gain a new friend and also save the life of an animal that deserves a forever home. If you rent rather than own your living space, make sure you're allowed to have a pet by checking with your landlord first. Having a pet can also help you connect with other pet owners. For example, if you walk your dog at the park, you can chat with other dog owners. If you already have a pet, spend more time with them. Bring home a new toy or a special treat and just enjoy their company. Start dating again when you feel ready. After whatever time you deem necessary, you might feel ready to date again. You'll meet interesting new people and it may help you to move on. However, don't feel pressured to date if you aren't emotionally ready! Take your time. Once you do start dating, you don't have to get serious with someone else right away. Move at a comfortable pace and try to avoid rebound relationships. If you've spent very little time in your past being single, or if you seem to have relationships one after the other without a break in between, you may need to watch out for rebounding. Cut off all contact with them. One of the most important steps to moving past your breakup is cutting off all communication with your ex. Do not call, text or email them. If they reach out to you, don't reply. You can even consider blocking them if you feel tempted to respond. Give yourself a minimum of 90 days while you detach emotionally from them. If you have children or assets together, this won't be possible. Try to limit your interactions to only those that are absolutely necessary. If you don't have any reason (like children) to speak after 90 days, consider a full break from that person with no communication. Otherwise, you may prolong your pain and have a hard time moving on. If you feel like reaching out to them, write them an email but don't send it. Putting your feelings into words can be cathartic. Disconnect from the person on all social networks. Unfollow or delete the person on Facebook and unfollow them on Twitter and Instagram. You may want to make the social media disconnection permanent, since there's no reason to remind yourself of them in the future. Consider cleansing their pictures from your own social media profiles, too. You don't have to delete the images forever! Just remove them from your accounts so you don't have to see them constantly. You may also want to unfollow their friends for now, so you don't run the risk of seeing a picture or post about your ex. Avoid places where your ex hangs out. Seeing your ex frequently may keep wounds open longer than necessary. Try to avoid places they frequent. Take a different route to work or class. These small inconveniences will help you heal much faster. Schedule time to grieve. True healing can only come if you allow yourself to feel your emotions rather than constantly stifling them. Set aside private time every day to think about the breakup. Don't hold in your tears; let them flow, freeing you of some of the sadness you're carrying. Every day, devote less and less time to grieving. You'll eventually find yourself thinking about the breakup less often. Cleanse your space of reminders of your ex. Remove all the memories of the person from your everyday life. The goal isn't to pretend like the person never existed, but simply to remove reminders which are currently painful for you. Collect all pictures, letters, and references to your ex and pack them away. Removing is different from destroying. Don't burn or destroy any objects associated with the person, unless you're sure you'll never want to look at them again. | Get moving with a little exercise. Find things to laugh about. Do things you’ve never done before. Change your look. Start a journal to record how you feel. Make a list of your strengths. Try to manage your other responsibilities the best you can. Spend quality time with your friends. Channel your energy into new activities. Volunteer in your community. Adopt a pet for comfort and companionship. Start dating again when you feel ready. Cut off all contact with them. Disconnect from the person on all social networks. Avoid places where your ex hangs out. Schedule time to grieve. Cleanse your space of reminders of your ex. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-You-Have-Nail-Fungus | How to Know if You Have Nail Fungus | To know if you have nail fungus, look for thick, brittle, or misshapen nails. They might be discolored or have white and yellow streaks under and around them. Nails looking dull and dark can also be from a fungal infection. The tissue around your nails might be inflamed and painful. Try pressing gently on your nails to see if they hurt. If they're infected with a fungus, they may also give off an unusual odor. If you think you have nail fungus, take an over-the-counter antifungal medication or visit your doctor. | Learn the causes. Nail fungus is most often caused by a dermatophyte fungus, but the infection can also stem from yeasts and molds on your nail. The fungi, yeasts, or molds that cause nail fungus can infect you and thrive under the following conditions: Invisible cuts on your skin or a small separation of your nail bed Warm, moist environments that can include swimming pools, showers, and even your shoes. Be aware of your risk factors. Although any person can get nail fungus, certain factors can make you more prone to developing it. Your risk may be at a higher risk because of: Age, which can reduce blood flow and slow nail growth Gender, especially men with a family history of nail fungus infections Location, in particular if you work in a humid or moist environment or if your hands or feet are often wet Heavy perspiration Clothing choices, such as wearing socks and shoes that don't allow proper ventilation and/ or absorb perspiration Proximity to someone who has nail fungus, especially if you live with an infected person Having athlete's foot Having a minor skin or nail injury or skin condition like psoriasis Having diabetes, circulation problems, or a weakened immune system Recognize the symptoms. Nail infections exhibit some typical symptoms that can help you quickly know if you have the condition. Nails infected with fungi, yeast, or molds may be: Thickened White or discolored, with or without speckles of white in the nail bed Brittle, crumbly, or ragged Distorted in shape Dull and lacking any shine Dark in color, which is a result of debris build-up under the nail Nail fungus can also cause the nail to separate from the nail bed Observe changes to your nail. Pay close attention to your nails to notice if any changes occur to them over time. This can help you more easily know if you have nail fungus and get timely treatment. Notice white and yellow patches or streaks under and on the sides of the nail, which is one of the first signs you may notice. Look for changes to the texture of your nail such as brittleness, thickening, or loss of lustre. Remove nail polish at least once a week so that you can check your nails. Polish may make it difficult to effectively recognize nail fungus symptoms. Notice pain. More advanced cases of nail fungus may cause pain and possibly inflammation to your nails and surrounding tissues. Thickened nails may accompany pain, making it easier to know if you have a nail fungus as opposed to an ingrown toenail or another condition. You may experience pain while walking or wearing shoes if you have an infected toenail. Feel for pain directly on your nail or around it. You may want to gently press on your nail to see if you have any pain. Make sure the pain isn't a result of too tight shoes, which can cause pain in your toenails. Detect odor. Dead or dying tissues build up under your nail(s) or nail separation can cause your nails to give off an odor. Detecting any unusual odor may help you figure out if you have nail fungus and get proper treatment. Smell for a particularly foul odor that may resemble something dead or decaying. See your doctor. If you are exhibiting symptoms of nail fungus and aren't sure of the cause or self-help measures aren't working for suspected nail fungus, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can examine your toes and possibly run tests to confirm the type of infection you have, which can help her formulate the best treatment for you. Tell your doctor how long you've had symptoms and explain any pain and odor you may also have. Let your doctor examine your nails, which may be the only type of test she needs to confirm nail fungus. Your doctor may scrape some debris from under your nail and send it for further testing to determine what is causing your infection. Be aware that some conditions like psoriasis can present like fungal infections of the nail. Take oral antifungal medications. Often topical therapies can't fully eradicate fungus and you will need an oral antifungal medication to get rid of the infection. These drugs, including terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox) can help a new, infection-free nail grow, replacing the areas with nail fungus. Take this treatment for six to 12 weeks. Be aware that it may take four months or longer to kill the infection. Understand you may have side effects including skin rash and liver damage. Speak to your doctor about other medical conditions before taking oral antifungals. Trim and thin your nails. Cutting your nails and thinning them out can help relieve pain and pressure on your nails and nail beds. This can also help any treatment more easily penetrate and heal the infection. Soften nails before trimming or thinning them. You can do this by applying urea cream to the affected nails and covering it with a bandage and then washing off the product in the morning. Use this procedure until the nails soften. Protect the area around your nail with petroleum jelly. Apply Vicks VapoRub. Some studies have found that rubbing Vicks VapoRub on nail fungus may help treat it. Apply a thin layer of the product every day to help kill nail fungus. Use a cotton swab to apply the VapoRub to your nail. Put the product on at night and leave it on overnight. Wipe it off in the morning. Repeat the process until the infection subsides. Try herbal remedies. There is some evidence that alternative herbal remedies may help treat nail fungal infections. Two herbal remedies that may kill nail fungus and keep it at bay are: Snakeroot extract, which comes from the sunflower family. Apply every third day for one month, twice a week the following month, and once a week for a third month. Tea tree oil. Apply twice a day until the fungus disappears. Use creams and ointments. If you notice white or yellow markings or patches on your nails, apply an over-the-counter or prescription nail cream or ointment. For more severe cases, have your doctor prescribe a medicated cream. This may help nip the infection in the bud before it spreads or gets more serious. File off the surface of the nail, soak the affected area in water and dry it before applying the treatment. Follow packaging and doctor's instructions to most effectively kill the infection. Paint your nails with medicated polish. Your doctor may suggest applying a medicated polish to your affected nails. This can help kill the infection and prevent fungus from spreading. This must be done consistently for months to have any effect. Apply ciclopirox (Penlac) to your nails once a day for a week and then remove and repeat the polish. It make take a year of this type of treatment to control the fungus. Consider other procedures. Severe fungal infections may require more invasive treatments. Speak to your doctor about other procedures such as nail removal or laser therapies to help kill your nail fungus. Your doctor may want to remove your nail if the fungus is particularly severe. In this case, a new nail may grow back within a year. Some studies have shown that laser and light-based therapies can help treat nail fungus, either alone or in conjunction with other medication. Be aware that these therapies may not be covered by insurance and are expensive. Prevent nail fungus. You can help prevent the spread or re-infection by nail fungus if you take prophylactic steps to minimize risk of the condition. Adopting the following habits can help minimize your risk for nail fungus: Keep hands and feet clean and nails short and dry Wear absorbent socks Wear shoes that promote ventilation Get rid of old shoes Apply antifungal spray or powder inside of shoes Avoid picking skin around the nails Wear shoes in public spaces Remove nail polish and artificial nails Wash your hands and feet after touching an infected nail | Learn the causes. Be aware of your risk factors. Recognize the symptoms. Observe changes to your nail. Notice pain. Detect odor. See your doctor. Take oral antifungal medications. Trim and thin your nails. Apply Vicks VapoRub. Try herbal remedies. Use creams and ointments. Paint your nails with medicated polish. Consider other procedures. Prevent nail fungus. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Protect-Pets-from-Mosquitoes | How to Protect Pets from Mosquitoes | To protect pets from mosquitoes, keep your pets indoors once the sun sets so the mosquitoes cannot get to them. If this is not possible, try changing the environment around your house to discourage mosquitoes, which will benefit you and your family as well. For example, you could turn down lights or use motion-sensor lights to stop attracting mosquitoes, add a bird or bat house to your garden to encourage mosquito predators and use a mosquito trap to zap mosquitoes that come near your house. Another way to help protect your pets is to try to reschedule walking times to avoid the times when mosquitoes are most active, such as before sunset or once the night air is cold. | Apply a pet bug spray. Pet stores do sell bug sprays formulated just for animals. If you are planning to be out for extended periods of time with your dog or other pet, find a spray that is appropriate for them, and apply it to their coat according to the directions on the bottle. You may notice more flea and tick formulas than ones for mosquitoes. Look more closely at the bottle, as those sprays will sometimes guard against mosquitoes. Pick one that contains one of the following ingredients for dogs: permethrins or pyrethrins. However, if you are spraying a cat, avoid permethrins, as it's not safe for cats; pick one with pyrethrins. Try a monthly repellent. Like the repellent you apply for fleas once a month, you can also apply mosquito repellent this way. In fact, many repellents combine protection against both. When applying these repellents, you generally put them where your pet can't get to them, such as near the skin on the back of the neck. For dogs, one to try is K9 Advantix. However, this repellent should be kept away from cats, as it's toxic to them. If your cat does eat some of it (such as licking it off the dog), take your cat to the vet immediately. You may not be able to find this type of product for a cat that also covers mosquitoes, so stick to sprays or wipes. Consider lemon eucalyptus spray. This spray is a natural remedy made from lemon eucalyptus oil, which can help prevent bites. It's at least as effective as DEET sprays, and it can be used for humans, dogs, and cats. However, be sure to get one specially formulated for your pet to make sure it's safe for them. Many commercial sprays contain the chemical DEET, which is a chemical that makes it harder for bugs to catch your scent. DEET is one of the main ingredients recommended by the government for use in bug sprays (for humans, not animals). For instance, it's sometimes placed in a holder on the pet's collar. That way, they can't eat it, and it doesn't touch their skin. Consider a combination of soybean and geranium oils. Similar to lemon eucalyptus spray, a combination of soybean and geranium oils can be an effective repellent. It comes in a close second to lemon eucalyptus in effectiveness and is safe for most pets. Look for a brand such as PetFresh Bite Blocker. Try citrus. Citrus is a natural mosquito repellent. You can boil citrus, such as lemons, in a ratio of three lemons to 2 cups of water. You only need to boil it for a minute or so, then take it off and let it sit for an hour. Strain the mixture, and spray it on your animal. You can also just cut open citrus and rub it on your animal's fur. Avoid spraying the animal in the face. You can just rub it in instead. Don't spray or rub citrus into an open sore or cut. This treatment is safe for both dogs and cats. Skip bug spray made for humans. Bug spray for humans isn't safe to use on pets, particularly since most pets lick their own coats. You don't want them ingesting bug spray, as most contain DEET. Even if they don't ingest it, it can cause problems for your animal, including seizures and skin irritation. Also, try to keep your pets away when you spray it on yourself. It can also cause harm if they lick it off of you. Do a barrier check of your house. Mosquitoes can easily get into your house if there are cracks in your window frames or holes in your screens (if you open the windows). Therefore, check around your house to make sure you're not letting them inside through these areas. You can get a professional to put in new ones, or you can even just repair small holes with tape. Walk your dog when the mosquitoes aren't out. When walking your pet, pick times when mosquitoes are less active. Generally, you want to avoid the times around sunrise and sunset, as that's when the mosquitoes are out and biting. Add bird and bat houses to your yard. Both birds and bats enjoy munching on mosquitoes. Therefore, inviting them into your yard can help hold down the mosquito population. Both bird and bat houses will encourage the animals to come around. Turn down the light. As your probably know, light attracts bugs. It's no different with mosquitoes, so the more light you have around, the more mosquitoes you'll attract. Try to cut down on light around your house at night if you can, particularly outside light. One option is to use motion-detecting outdoor lights in some areas, so they're only on when you need them. Try a mosquito trap. Mosquito traps are designed to attract mosquitoes to them, usually using things like scent, vibration, and other lures. Once the mosquitoes are near, the machine sucks them in with a vacuum, removing them from the yard. Use citronella. Citronella candles and torches, as well as sandalwood products, can help reduce the mosquitoes around your house. However, they won't work in when it's windy: this method relies on repelling mosquitoes with the scent in the air, and the wind blows the scent away. You can also use citronella coils, which create smoke once you light them. Drain any standing water. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, so it's best to remove water from your yard if possible. Birdbaths, empty pots, and tin cans that fill with water can lead to more mosquitoes, so be vigilant about draining these areas. If you want to keep your birdbath, trying changing out the water once a week. Also, look for anything that collects water, such as empty pots or small dishes. Try to remove these from around your house. In addition, fill in any potholes in your driveway or sidewalks, as well as holes in your yard. Kiddie swimming pools and pet bowls can also breed mosquitoes. If you have a water dish for your dog outside, make sure to change it daily. Be sure to check around air conditioning units and faucets for standing water. Also, check flat roof spaces. Be sure to treat swimming pools. If you keep swimming pools clean and flowing with the proper chemical balance, they shouldn't breed mosquitoes. Therefore, make sure to keep your pool maintained even when you're not using it. Also, make sure to check the cover doesn't collect water. Use a product with methoprene for low-lying areas. If an area of your yard naturally collects water, you may not be able to drain the water. Instead, use a product that contains methoprene, as these products inhibit the growth of mosquitoes. Spray the product in the area to help keep mosquitoes from breeding. If it's your grass or garden that's not draining, try aerating it so it drains better. Treat ponds to prevent breeding. If you enjoy having a small pond on your property, you need to treat it properly to stop mosquito growth. One option is adding a waterfall or fountain to help keep the water moving, making it more difficult for mosquitoes to breed. You can also add fish that enjoy eating mosquitoes, such as koi, goldfish, and mosquito fish. Another option is adding a biorational larvicide. While these products will kill off the mosquitoes, they won't harm the plants or fish in the area. Look for products such as Mosquito Dunks or Microbe-Lift Liquid Mosquito Control. Clean out your gutters. You may not think about your rain gutters much. However, if you have leaves or other items clogging up your gutters, you could have standing water up there. It's best to get up there and clean them or have someone come and do it for you to help keep mosquitoes from breeding. Check tarps. If you have tarps or other clothes covering anything near your home, check to make sure they aren't collecting water. If they are, try to move them around so the water won't collect, as they'll breed mosquitoes, too. | Apply a pet bug spray. Try a monthly repellent. Consider lemon eucalyptus spray. Consider a combination of soybean and geranium oils. Try citrus. Skip bug spray made for humans. Do a barrier check of your house. Walk your dog when the mosquitoes aren't out. Add bird and bat houses to your yard. Turn down the light. Try a mosquito trap. Use citronella. Drain any standing water. Be sure to treat swimming pools. Use a product with methoprene for low-lying areas. Treat ponds to prevent breeding. Clean out your gutters. Check tarps. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Shubunkin-Goldfish | How to Care for Shubunkin Goldfish | To care for a shubunkin goldfish in an aquarium, keep it in a tank that holds at least 20-30 gallons of water, and add an extra 10 gallons for each additional fish. Cover the bottom of the tank with medium-sized gravel substrate, and use a thermometer to maintain a water temperature between 65-72°F. Since goldfish produce a lot of waste, keep the water clean with a good filter that's rated for the size of your tank. | Get a tank that’s at least 20 gallons (76 L). A single shubunkin goldfish can live in a tank that is 15 gallons (57 L) at minimum, but will be happier in a 20–30 gallons (76–114 L) tank. If you want to keep more than one shubunkin, add 10 gallons (38 L) of space per additional fish. An adult shubunkin can grow as large as 18 inches (46 cm) in length in a spacious enough environment. Provide a good filtration and aeration system. Purchase a filter that is appropriate for the size of your tank. The filter should be capable of removing debris and unwanted chemicals from the water. Most filters also provide aeration, but you may wish to get an additional air pump if you have a large tank. Ask a fish specialist at your pet store to recommend the best filter and air pump for your needs. Like most goldfish, shubunkins are active fish that need a lot of oxygen and produce a large amount of waste. A good filter and aeration system are vital to the health of your fish. Add a gravel substrate to your tank. Get medium-sized aquarium gravel that is too large for your fish to easily swallow. A gravel floor creates an attractive, natural-looking environment in the tank. Waste and debris will quickly build up in the substrate, so clean it at least twice a week with a siphon-powered gravel vacuum. Decorate your tank with artificial plants and smooth rocks. If you choose to add décor to your tank, pick decorations without sharp edges or points, since these could hurt your fish. Some smooth rocks or pieces of driftwood are good options. Artificial plants also work well. You can add fish-safe live plants to the tank if you wish, but be prepared for your fish to nibble and dig up the plants. Maintain the water temperature between 65–72 °F (18–22 °C). Shubunkins can survive in a wide range of temperatures (between 40–80 °F (4–27 °C)), but do best in cool water. Keep a thermometer in their aquarium and add a heater if necessary to keep the water in a healthy temperature range. Sudden, major fluctuations in water temperature can be dangerous to shubunkin goldfish, so make sure to maintain a consistent temperature in the tank. If you have multiple shubunkin goldfish in a tank and don't want them to reproduce, keep their water under 75 °F (24 °C). Cooler temperatures will discourage breeding. Change out 25% of the water once a week. Every week, use a siphon to remove 1/4 to 1/3 of the water in the tank. Replace the missing water with clean, dechlorinated water. Keeping the water clean is essential to the health of your fish. If you like, you can add some snails to the aquarium to reduce algae buildup in the tank. Build a pond if you don’t already have one. You can either build a pond from scratch or buy a premade form for your pond. Choose a spot in your yard or garden that gets a good balance of sunlight and shade throughout the day and has soil that is not excessively rocky. You'll also need to choose a spot that is easily accessible for maintenance and convenient for setting up electrical equipment (such as pumps and filters). If you're not confident enough to build a pond yourself, consider hiring a landscaping professional to build one for you. Your pond should be at least 4 feet (1.2 m) deep. It should also have a surface area of at least 150 square feet (14 m ) per goldfish. Purchase a filtration system designed for a fish pond. Good filtration is as important in a pond as it is in an aquarium. Buy a filter that is suitable for the size of the pond where you will be keeping your shubunkin goldfish. You can buy fish pond filtration systems online or at many home and garden supply stores. Check the packaging to find out if the system you're interested in is suitable for the volume of your pond. If you prefer, you can also build your own filter for the pond. Get at least 1 aeration pump for your pond. Your pond will need an aeration pump to oxygenate the water and prevent stagnation. Look for a pump that is suited to the volume of your pond. For larger ponds, you may need multiple pumps. You can purchase pond air pumps online or from home and garden supply stores. Adding an airstone or aeration ornament to the tubing from your air pump can soften the current from the pump and help diffuse the air more effectively. Buy aquarium rocks to decorate the pond. Rocks can add a decorative touch to the pond and give your fish places to hide. Be sure to get rocks and other ornaments that are designed for use in fish tanks or ponds, since other rocks or decorative objects might have contaminants on them that could harm your fish. Purchase ornaments and rocks that are free of points or rough edges so that your fish don't scrape themselves. Put large rocks and ornaments in place before adding any substrate to the pond. This way, they will have a more stable surface to rest on. Cover the bottom of the pond with fish-safe sand. Purchase sand that is marketed for use in fish tanks or ponds, since other sands or gravels could be contaminated with chemicals that might harm your fish. A sand substrate provides natural filtration and gives water plants a place to take root. You can buy fish-safe sand online or from a pet supply store. Rinse your sand with clean water before adding it to the pond. Fill your pond with dechlorinated water. Before adding water to the pond, check the water from your hose and make sure it's not contaminated with chlorine or other chemical additives. You may need to dechlorinate or condition your water before filling the pond. You can purchase a water quality testing kit online or from your local pet store. Put fish-safe plants in your pond. Water plants provide decoration, discourage algae growth in the pond, and can even provide an extra source of nutrition for your fish. Let your pond settle for a few days after adding pumps, filters, and other equipment before you add your plants. Some goldfish-friendly options include: Water lettuce Duckweed Anacharis Anubias barteri Hornwort Add a heater if you live in an area where the weather gets cold. While shubunkin goldfish can live in water as cold as 40 °F (4 °C), they will not survive in freezing temperatures or in an environment where the water temperature fluctuates wildly. If you expect cold temperatures in your area, purchase a heater to maintain a healthy temperature range in your pond. You can purchase a fishpond heater online or from a pet supply store. Look for a heater designed to work in the size of pond you have. Change 25% of the pond water once or twice a week. Just like in a tank, it's important to do partial water changes every 1 or 2 weeks to keep your pond clean and healthy. Use a siphon to remove no more than 25% of the water, then replace the missing water with fresh, dechlorinated water. When you change the water, you can also take the opportunity to check your aeration and filtration equipment to make sure it is working properly. Introduce your fish to the pond gradually. Dumping a whole bunch of shubunkins in your pond can stress or even kill the fish. Add only 1 or 2 fish at a time, and help them transition into their new environment just as you would when adding them to a new tank. While there's no set-in-stone rule for how many goldfish you can keep in a pond, in general it is best to have at least 1 gallon (3.8 L) of space for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) of adult fish. Give your fish several small meals a day. Shubunkin goldfish have hearty appetites, especially when they live in warmer water. Offer your fish 2-3 small meals throughout the day, but take care not to give them more food than they can handle in a single meal. Give your fish only as much food as they can eat within about 2 minutes, or a pinch of food roughly the size of a goldfish's eye for each fish. Offer a high-quality flake food daily. Flake foods formulated for goldfish offer a balanced, nutritious diet for your fish. Ask a fish specialist at your pet store to recommend a good flake food for your shubunkins. You can also give your shubunkins pellet foods. Supplement their diet with vegetables. Goldfish are omnivores, but plants make up a major part of their diet. Treat your fish to some veggies once or twice a week along with their regular flake or pellet diet. Good vegetable options include skinned peas (cooked), blanched broccoli, zucchini (cut into small cubes), lettuce, or fresh seaweed. Since vegetable treats can create a mess in the tank or pond, plan to offer these treats shortly before you do a partial water change or cleaning. Feed your goldfish these treats sparingly. For example, you might offer 2 to 3 skinned and halved peas per adult goldfish once or twice a week. You can also add live plants—such as duckweed—to your tank or pond as a ready source of vegetable nutrients for your goldfish. Provide freeze-dried animal foods as treats. In addition to flakes or pellets, you can give your shubunkin goldfish additional protein by offering them foods such as brine shrimp, Daphnia (water fleas), tubifex worms, or blood worms. Try giving your goldfish a pinch of one of these foods a couple times a week as a special treat. While your goldfish can eat live foods, these come with a risk of parasites or bacterial contamination. | Get a tank that’s at least 20 gallons (76 L). Provide a good filtration and aeration system. Add a gravel substrate to your tank. Decorate your tank with artificial plants and smooth rocks. Maintain the water temperature between 65–72 °F (18–22 °C). Change out 25% of the water once a week. Build a pond if you don’t already have one. Purchase a filtration system designed for a fish pond. Get at least 1 aeration pump for your pond. Buy aquarium rocks to decorate the pond. Cover the bottom of the pond with fish-safe sand. Fill your pond with dechlorinated water. Put fish-safe plants in your pond. Add a heater if you live in an area where the weather gets cold. Change 25% of the pond water once or twice a week. Introduce your fish to the pond gradually. Give your fish several small meals a day. Offer a high-quality flake food daily. Supplement their diet with vegetables. Provide freeze-dried animal foods as treats. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Terms-and-Conditions-and-Privacy-Policies-for-a-Business | How to Make Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies for a Business | Before you draft terms and conditions for your business, make sure to familiarize yourself with governing law in your area and find sample terms and conditions online. Use these samples to plan out specific terms about refunds, liability, guarantees, and warranties. To make your terms and conditions fair, give your customer options, such as what remedies are available to resolve complaints. If you plan to include a privacy section, outline what data you will use and for what purposes. Consult an attorney to finalize your contract. | Understand terms and conditions. Terms and conditions (T & C) set the foundation for customer interactions with your business, and define how your business will interact with its customers. They spell out your procedures and processes, limit your liability, and set forth the agreements that you and the customer have agreed to be bound by. You can think of them as a contract between your business and your customer. They will govern what your rights and responsibilities are as a business, and what your customer's rights and responsibilities are. You can often find a “boilerplate” Terms and Conditions that you can use as a guideline to create your own. Learn the basic areas that T & C address. The exact information provided in your T&C will depend on the type of business that you have. However, there are several basic areas that almost all T&C should address: Products and services. Prices and payment. Guarantees and warranties. Copyright and trademarks. Termination of service. Governing law, You should include a provision stating the law governing your terms and conditions (i.e., your own state law). Changes in agreement. You will want to include a clause stating that you may modify the terms and conditions at any time. Make a list of the terms and conditions your business needs. After reviewing the types of terms and conditions, it will become clear which ones apply to your specific situation and which ones do not. Write down the ones you should include in your own document. Most every company will want to include the copyright, changes in agreement and governing law provisions. All companies selling products will need to include a return, refund and loss provision. Any company offering services should include a termination of service provision. If you link to other sites, you definitely want to include a link to sites provision. If you allow comments on your site, you should include a provision limiting your liability for things like slander. Identify and review generic terms and conditions. You can start by finding generic terms and condition templates on the internet. You can even find them tailored to specific countries, like the United Kingdom. Referring to your original list, find the clauses you need from the templates. You may wish to print out the templates so you can circle what is relevant to your situation and mark out what is not. Pasting them into a computer document can also work well. Be mindful that every business is different. It is for this reason that when use a generic template, you always read it through carefully to examine what aspects apply and do not apply to your business. Never use a generic template without thoroughly reading it. Find and review sample terms and conditions from similar companies. After looking at a generic template, look at the terms and conditions of a company that is similar to your own. For instance, if you sell products online, you might take a look at an online retailer's terms and conditions. If your business provides a service (e.g., installing heaters and air conditioners), go to the website of a reputable heating and air conditioner company to view its terms and conditions. You may wish to print out the terms and conditions so you can circle what is relevant to your situation and mark out what is not. Refer to your samples. Once you have considered your company's needs and performed all your research, you are ready to draft your own terms and conditions. Referring to the terms and conditions you gathered, pick and choose certain sentences or whole paragraphs that apply to your company. If you found a sample that works exactly, feel free to use it in its entirety. In that situation, you can track your sample and prepare your terms and conditions from that document alone. Samples from companies similar to your own will work the best. Using your samples, you will be able to go through all the main T & C areas previously listed (like products & services), and use the relevant information you identified in the sample to create your own T & C. Define what products and/or services your business will provide to the customer. Starting with products and services, make sure to define any terms that might cause confusion, such as the use of “goods” to refer to physical products or services performed. In addition, you should include information about how your policies regarding those products and services will be communicated to the customer. For example, “Our return policy for Product X is available on our website and is also printed on all invoices and statements.” Tailor any information from samples to your own business's products and services. State the terms and conditions related to pricing and payment. You should have a section stating what types of payment you accept, when payment is due, and what will happen if payment is not received on time or in the correct amount. You should also include information about what the price does and does not include (for example, whether the price includes taxes and fees). Any information about possible price increases should be included here. This section also includes information on returns, refunds and losses. If you accept returns, you will want to notify your customers of your return policy (e.g., 30 days after purchase). If you give refunds, you should let customers know the terms. You might also want to include a loss disclaimer. A disclaimer is a statement that informs customers you are not liable for certain types of losses. For instance, you could include a disclaimer stating you are not responsible for products that break on return shipping. Clarify guarantees and warranties. Establish the terms of any guarantees or warranties, including for how long they are valid and what conditions would void them. Provide copyright notices. To protect your original work you should provide copyright notices. A copyright notice simply tells the world that your work is original and is protected under copyright law. A copyright notice should contain: the word “copyright" and a “c” in a circle (©) as well as the date of publication and the name of the author and/or owner of the copyright.< If you have any trademarks, you will want to make sure to note those on your website as well. If your business involves a website or social media where customers may post, you should also differentiate between what is your intellectual property and what, if anything, remains the customer's intellectual property. Offer information on how to terminate the relationship. You should include information on how customers can terminate their relationship with your business. This could include how to close or cancel an account, as well as how to terminate any services you are providing the customer. Limit your liability. Businesses can be held liable for a variety of things unless their T&C has specific languages that limits liability. For example, if you own a gym, you would want to limit your liability by saying that you are not responsible for people who injure themselves on your property. Include a disclaimer that specifies what you will not be held liable for. As another example, if your business includes a website or social media, you would want a disclaimer to explain that you are not responsible for the accuracy of comments made by third parties. It can also state that you do not endorse those comments. Another common type of liability is for theft of personal information. If you do not keep customers' information safe, you may be liable for the losses they incur due to that theft. However, you could possibly include a disclaimer refusing responsibility for information theft if the customer does not use a secure password. While your disclaimer will not wholly shield you from a claim by an injured party, it might minimize your damages. Enlist the services of an attorney to review your work. An attorney specializing in contracts can ensure your terms and conditions include everything you need to protect yourself and your business. He or she can also make sure your document complies with existing contract laws. You can read more about contract laws online. Determine whether you need a privacy policy. If you gather personal information from customers, whether through transactions or through them visiting a website or social media page, you should have a privacy policy in place. A policy is your promise to users on how you will collect, use, share and protect their data. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates privacy concerns in the U.S. The agency discusses the importance of privacy and policies on the FTC website. The Small Business Administration (SBA) also recognizes the importance of privacy and privacy policies on the SBA website. Understand the types of clauses in privacy policies. Privacy policies contain a number of different clauses. These include but are not limited to these types of provisions: What information you collect. You might collect email addresses or more sensitive information like phone numbers, addresses, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. How you use the information you collect. You might use the information to better communicate with customers or to bring them new products. If you disclose the information to others, and to whom. For example, if you use a shipping company to whom you provide customer information, you will need to include this information in your privacy policy. That you may change the policy at your discretion. Reserving the right to modify your own policy is important. Log data provision. Such a provision tells users certain information is logged on the browser they are using and server you are using. Cookie clause. Websites generally store cookies on computers and this type of clause notifies users as such. Contact information for users who have privacy questions or concerns. You should provide users a way to contact you if they have any questions about your policy. Clauses if you serve persons under 13 years of age. If your website serves those under 13 years of age, you need to learn the privacy rules specifically for children. You can visit the Federal Trade Commission's website to read these rules. Provisions for healthcare companies. If your company provides healthcare services to the public, you may be required to have a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy policy. You can learn about the rules regarding a HIPAA privacy policy by reviewing the Department of Health and Human Services' website. Make sure you don’t promise more than you can perform. A common error in privacy policies is to say something such as “We do not share your personal information with any third party.” Unfortunately, because of the nature of sales transactions and online operations, there's basically no way to avoid some sharing of this information. For example, the bank processing a credit card payment from a customer must have at least some of the customer's information. Making statements such as this could land you in trouble, which is why it's important to get your privacy policy reviewed by an attorney. Find and review sample privacy policies from reputable sources. Type “privacy policy” into any search engine to pull up privacy policies from different companies. Yahoo's privacy policy is just one good example. You can also refer to other sites, such as the Better Business Bureau or Small Business Association, for templates.. Draft your own privacy policy using the samples as guidance. It may be easiest to print out the policies or cut and paste them into a computer document. As you review other privacy policies, make notes as to what does and does not apply to your situation. Discard anything that is clearly not applicable. Keep in anything that applies to your situation. Revise things that apply but need tweaking to better fit your situation. After you've reviewed and marked up the samples, use your notes and the sample to draft your own privacy policy. Provisions discussing the information you collect and how you use and disclose it should be in your agreement. A clause stating you may change the policy should be in your agreement. A provision that certain information is logged on browsers and servers should be in your agreement (i.e. a log data provision). A clause stating you may store cookies on their computer, should also be included. State the policy. You must clearly explain how you collect, manage, and use customers' personal information. This is especially important if you use the internet to process payments (most businesses do), or if you use surveys and other marketing tools to collect customer information. If you are writing a privacy policy that includes your website and/or social media, you should also explain things such as your cookie policy (how your website stores your customers' browsing data) and how you share customer information with others. If your business would ever collect information from children under 13, you will also need to make sure that you comply with the COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act). The FTC's website offers some helpful suggestions about complying with this rule. Offer the customer a choice. A good privacy policy will allow customers to exercise some choice about what your business does with their data. For example, you could offer an option for customers to opt-out of future communications; in the US, the CAN-SPAM ACT requires online communications to have an opt-out or unsubscribe feature. Provide access to this data. Your customers should be able to review the data you have collected, change or correct any mistakes, and request that you delete data for any reason. Provide a way to file a concern or complaint. You should make it clear and easy for customers to contact you with any concerns or complaints they have about their data. Secure the data. Provide a clear, accurate statement about how you collect and secure your customers' data. In some cases, you may not even know how all of your customers' data is collected, particularly if your business uses tools such as mobile apps and cloud storage. The FTC recommends that you speak with an attorney who specializes in online law, or an information technologies expert, to help you understand exactly how and what you are collecting and storing. Provide updates. Your privacy policy should note that it may change, and should make changes to that policy clear and accessible. For example, you might send an email announcing changes, or you might post an updated link to your social media accounts. Retain an attorney to review your work. An attorney specializing in privacy laws can ensure your policy includes everything you need to protect yourself and your business. He or she can also make sure your document complies with existing privacy laws. You can learn more about privacy laws at the Small Business Administration website. | Understand terms and conditions. Learn the basic areas that T & C address. Make a list of the terms and conditions your business needs. Identify and review generic terms and conditions. Find and review sample terms and conditions from similar companies. Refer to your samples. Define what products and/or services your business will provide to the customer. State the terms and conditions related to pricing and payment. Clarify guarantees and warranties. Provide copyright notices. Offer information on how to terminate the relationship. Limit your liability. Enlist the services of an attorney to review your work. Determine whether you need a privacy policy. Understand the types of clauses in privacy policies. Make sure you don’t promise more than you can perform. Find and review sample privacy policies from reputable sources. Draft your own privacy policy using the samples as guidance. State the policy. Offer the customer a choice. Secure the data. Provide updates. Retain an attorney to review your work. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-a-Turkey-in-a-Bag | How to Cook a Turkey in a Bag | To cook a turkey in a bag, start by removing the neck and giblets from the inside of the turkey. Then, rinse it under cold water and pat it dry. Next, use cooking twine to tie the legs and wings against the body and brush the skin with melted butter and seasonings. Once the turkey's prepared, shake some flour in a roasting bag, place the turkey inside, and tie the bag shut. After poking 6 holes in the bag, place it in a pan and roast the turkey for 2 1/2 hours in a 350° Fahrenheit oven. | Thaw the turkey. The turkey must be fully thawed before you cook it. Pull it out of your freezer three days in advance and place it, unopened and breast-side up, on a tray in your refrigerator. When refrigerator thawing a turkey, give the bird at least one day thawing time for every 4 lbs (1.8 kg). Alternatively, you can thaw the turkey in cold water. Remove the turkey from the freezer six hours ahead of time and place it, unopened and breast-side down, in a clean sink. Cover it with cold water and change the water every 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Position one rack on the second-to-bottom rack ledge in your oven and remove any of the racks above it. You must change the position of the racks to ensure that the bag will have room to expand as it cooks. The bag must not touch the top or sides of the oven; if it does, the plastic will melt. Pull out your roasting pan, too. The pan must be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep and large enough to prevent the bag from hanging over the sides. Remove the neck and giblets. Remove the turkey from its plastic or paper wrappings, then reach into the cavity and pull out the neck and giblets (liver, heart, and gizzard). To prevent possible contamination, keep the turkey in a clean sink as you remove the giblets. The giblets will usually be held together in a small bag, and both the neck and giblets should be fairly easy to remove from a thawed turkey. Discard the neck and giblets or save them to make turkey gravy, stock, or other similar recipes. Rinse the turkey. Rinse the entire turkey with cool, running water. Clean both the outer skin and the interior cavity. Pat the newly cleaned turkey dry using clean paper towels. Immediately discard these paper towels; do not reuse for any other purpose. Stuff the turkey, if desired. You can cook both stuffed and unstuffed turkey using this method. If you want to stuff the turkey, loosely pack the prepared stuffing into the cavity now. After packing in the stuffing, secure it by inserting a skewer through the ends of the open turkey cavity. Note that stuffing the turkey will increase the overall cooking time. If you want to have both stuffing and a shorter cooking time, your best option is to cook the stuffing and turkey separately. Tie down the legs and wings. Place the turkey on a large baking sheet and use cotton cooking twine to tie the legs and wings down against the body of the turkey. Tie the twine firmly, but do not make it tight enough to dig into the flesh of the bird. If you tie it too tight, the twine will leave marks in the skin even after the turkey is finished cooking. Check the skin near the legs before tying them down. If there's a band of loose skin there, you can tuck the legs into that skin instead of tying them down with twine. Tying or tucking these elements will prevent them from drying out as the rest of the turkey cooks. Brush the turkey with butter. Use a basting brush to evenly cover the skin with melted butter, margarine, or vegetable oil. Melted butter will usually create better browning than margarine or oil. If desired, you could use a baster to squeeze additional melted butter into the space between the skin and the meat. Rub in the seasonings. Combine the salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning in a small dish, then evenly rub the blend over the entire surface of the turkey. This combination is a very basic one, but you could use a different spice blend in the same way if you have a different poultry blend you would prefer. Other seasonings commonly used with turkey include garlic powder, paprika, and basil, among others. Flour the bag. Place the flour in the roasting bag and carefully shake the bag until the flour coats its entire interior. Once you finish coating it, place the bag inside your roasting pan. Coating the bag with flour helps prevent the meat from sticking to the plastic. Additionally, the flour also makes the bag less likely to burst. Note that you could also coat the bag with nonstick cooking spray, if desired, but doing so is not necessary. Place the onion in the bag. Evenly spread the onion wedges over the interior bottom of the bag. The onion will add flavor to the turkey as it cooks in its own juices. You could skip the onion altogether, though, and the turkey will still cook just fine. Slide the turkey into the bag. Carefully slide the seasoned turkey into the oven roasting bag. When finished, the opening of the bag should face the end of the roasting pan and should not face straight up. No part of the bag should hang over the edges of the pan. If necessary, tuck the loose ends of the bag beneath the turkey to prevent them from sticking out. Close the bag. Draw the opening closed and tie it in place using the included nylon twist tie. Most oven roasting bags are sold with appropriate ties. If there is no tie included with your roasting bag, however, you can tied the opening closed using cotton kitchen twine. Tuck the newly closed end under the turkey to prevent it from hanging out over the side of the pan. Puncture the bag. Use a sharp knife to create six 1/2-inch to 1-inch (1.25-cm to 2.5-cm) slits over the surface of the closed roasting bag. Position these slits evenly over the top of the bag. Puncturing the bag is necessary so that steam can escape while the turkey cooks. If you do not puncture the bag, that steam can build up, and the pressure could cause the bag to burst inside the oven. Insert a cooking thermometer. Poke a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey thigh, inserting it directly through the bag in the process. Do not place the thermometer inside of the bag since it will be too difficult to read there. Make sure that the tip of the thermometer only touches the meat of the turkey and does not come into contact with the bone. Even though most turkeys include a disposable pop-up thermometer, you should still insert an actual meat thermometer into the meat. Pop-up thermometers are not always an accurate gauge of doneness. Roast the turkey. Place the turkey in your preheated oven and roast it for 2-1/4 to 2-3/4 hours, or until the meat thermometer reads 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius). The cooking time will vary depending on the weight of the turkey. As a general rule: Roast for 1-1/2 to 2 hours for an 8 to 12 lb (3.6 to 5.4 kg) turkey. Roast for 2 to 2-1/2 hours for a 12 to 16 lb (5.4 to 7.2 kg) turkey. Roast for 2-1/2 to 3 hours for a 16 to 20 lb (7.2 to 9 kg) turkey. Roast for 3 to 3-1/2 hours for a 20 to 24 lb (9 to 10.8 kg) turkey. Note that these time ranges are for an unstuffed turkey. If you stuffed the turkey, you will need to add another 30 to 45 minutes to the cooking time. You should also test the temperature of the turkey breast before removing the bird from the oven. The breast meat must reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Celsius). Let it rest. Remove the finished turkey from the oven but let it stand in the roasting bag for another 10 to 15 minutes. During this resting time, the meat will continue to cook, and the juices will distribute themselves and settle more consistently. Remove the turkey from the bag. Carefully slice the top of the bag open with a knife. Remove the turkey and place it onto a cutting board or serving platter. Be careful when opening the bag. The steam will be hot and may cause mild burns if it comes into direct contact with sensitive skin. To lift the turkey out of the bag and roasting pan, insert one carving fork into each end of the turkey, then lift it straight up and out. Serve hot. Carve the turkey as desired and serve it while the meat is still hot. If desired, you can pour the leftover cooking juices out of the bag and into a bowl or saucepan. Skim the oil and use the rest of the liquid for turkey gravy or broth. | Thaw the turkey. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Remove the neck and giblets. Rinse the turkey. Stuff the turkey, if desired. Tie down the legs and wings. Brush the turkey with butter. Rub in the seasonings. Flour the bag. Place the onion in the bag. Slide the turkey into the bag. Close the bag. Puncture the bag. Insert a cooking thermometer. Roast the turkey. Let it rest. Remove the turkey from the bag. Serve hot. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Baseball-Hats-with-a-Dishwasher | How to Clean Baseball Hats with a Dishwasher | Before you clean a baseball hat in the dishwasher, check the care tag inside of the hat to make sure it's made from a durable material like cotton or synthetics. If the tag says “hand wash only,” do not wash it in the dishwasher. Otherwise, place the hat on the top rack of your empty dishwasher, propping it on the prongs to protect its shape. Fill the detergent compartment with 1 tbsp of Borax of non-bleach cleaner, but don't put laundry detergent into your dishwasher. Run the shortest, coldest cycle possible on your dishwasher, and turn off the heating cycle if you can. | Check the material on your hat’s tag before washing it. Look for the manufacturer's tag inside the ballcap. Materials like cotton or synthetics are safe to put inside your dishwasher, but cardboard or wool could get damaged. If the tag says “ hand wash only ,” don't put the hat in the dishwasher. If your hat has frayed edges or tears, consider washing the hat by hand instead. If the hat has sentimental value, don't put it in the dishwasher since there's always a small risk of damage. Use a hat frame if you’re worried about your hat losing its shape. Hat frames or shapers are used to protect the shape and prevent bending. Open the frame and set your hat over the convex dome so the brim is inside. Snap the frame closed to secure the hat. Hat frames can be purchased online or at a specialty hat store. Put the hat on the top rack of your dishwasher. Keep the hat on the top rack only so it's the furthest away from the dishwasher's heating element. If you aren't using a hat frame, prop the middle of the hat on one of the prongs if your dishwasher has them. Any plastic in your hat might melt if it's placed on the bottom rack. Don’t wash hats with your regular dishes. Make sure there are no dirty dishes in your dishwasher when you clean your hat. Food residue could lift off of your dining ware and get caught in the hat's seams. Gather hats from your family or those you live with to make one large load of hats. Fill the detergent compartment with 1 tbsp (27 g) of Borax or non-bleach cleaner. Avoid any dish detergents with lemon or bleach since this could change your hat's color. Pour the detergent directly into the compartment before sealing it. Close your dishwasher once you've added the detergent. Don't use laundry detergent in your dishwasher. To see how your detergent will affect the hat, rub a small amount on a discreet spot of your hat to see if the color changes. Run the shortest and coldest wash cycle without heat drying. Change the settings on your dishwasher to the coldest and shortest setting possible. Turn off the heating cycle if you can to prevent any creases or wrinkles in your hat. Use the delicate or china setting on your dishwasher if your machine has those options. Take the hat out of the dishwasher before the drying cycle. If you can't turn off the drying cycle in your dishwasher, make sure to take out your hat before it starts. The heat could cause your hat to shrink or melt any plastic pieces your hat may have. Most dishwashers will have a light or display to show when the drying cycle starts. Set the hat on top of a jar or tall object to shape it while it dries. Open up the cap like you're about to put it on. Set the middle of the hat on top of the jar or can to preserve its dome shape. Don't touch the hat after you hang it until it dries. If you used a hat frame, you can leave the hat inside it to let it dry. Let the hat air dry completely. Don't use any heat to dry your hat or else it may shrink. Instead, leave the hat at room temperature on your kitchen counter or table until it completely dries, which may take a few hours. Set up a fan near your hat to dry it faster. | Check the material on your hat’s tag before washing it. Use a hat frame if you’re worried about your hat losing its shape. Put the hat on the top rack of your dishwasher. Don’t wash hats with your regular dishes. Fill the detergent compartment with 1 tbsp (27 g) of Borax or non-bleach cleaner. Run the shortest and coldest wash cycle without heat drying. Take the hat out of the dishwasher before the drying cycle. Set the hat on top of a jar or tall object to shape it while it dries. Let the hat air dry completely. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Locate-a-Check-Routing-Number | How to Locate a Check Routing Number | To locate a routing number on a check, look at the bottom, left hand corner of your check. The routing number will start with a 0, 1, 2 or 3. If you're still unsure that you have the right numbers, Google your bank's name plus the words "routing number" or call your bank's customer service. | Look in the lower left hand corner of the check. That's where routing numbers are located. Look for an icon on the check. The icon is a character is from the BankerScriber MICR font. It's unintelligible and is not part of the routing number. Identify the first nine numbers. All routing numbers are nine numbers. The first nine numbers in the lower, left-hand part of your check after the MICR character is your routing number. Be sure to exclude any preceding MICR characters when determining your routing number. Following your routing number, the next set of numbers, up until the next MICR character, is your account number. The number following the MICR character at the end of the account number should match your check number. Confirm your routing number by using symbols. The MICR symbols designating your routing number looks like a vertical line on the left, with two squares, one on top of the other, on the right. The numbers between those characters is your routing number. Examine the first digit of your routing number. All routing numbers begin with the number 0, 1, 2 or 3. Check online for your bank's routing number. Remember, the routing number isn't secure, so it's publicly available. You can often find it online. Visit your bank's website and look for a link that will provide information about routing numbers. Often, banks have routing number information published online. Google your bank's name plus the words "routing number." If you can't find it by looking directly at your bank's website, try Google. You might be surprised at how often you can find something with Google that you can't find easily at a company site. Call your bank and ask for the routing number. One of the most reliable ways to get an accurate routing number is to talk to someone who's actually experienced in providing that information. Visit your bank and ask a customer service representative for the routing number. If you'd like to work with someone locally, instead of at a call center, you should visit your bank and talk to someone who can provide you with your routing number. | Look in the lower left hand corner of the check. Look for an icon on the check. Identify the first nine numbers. Confirm your routing number by using symbols. Examine the first digit of your routing number. Check online for your bank's routing number. Call your bank and ask for the routing number. Visit your bank and ask a customer service representative for the routing number. |
https://www.wikihow.mom/Help-Babies-with-Colic | How to Help Babies with Colic | If your baby is suffering from colic, try to soothe them with rhythmic sounds like a fan, vacuum cleaner, or even cars driving by. Since your baby spent 9 months in the womb listening to your breathing and heartbeat, they will find rhythmic sounds comforting. Another way to help your baby feel better is to change their posture, which may help them get rid of gas. Try laying your baby across your lap stomach-side down, or along your forearm with their head in your palm and their feet in the crook of your elbow. You can also do different exercises to keep your baby distracted and help them pass gas. For example, lay your baby on their back and move their legs as if they were riding a bike. | Make calming sounds to soothe your baby. Often rhythmic sounds can calm a colicky baby. This is due to the fact that your baby spent 9 months in the womb listening to the rhythmic sounds of you or your partner's breathing and heartbeat. It can be any type of white noise so long as it's constant, rhythmic, and in the background. Try using the sound of a vacuum cleaner, a fan, or the noise of cars driving by to soothe your baby's crying. Alternatively, play a CD with calming noises or music. Carry your baby around in a sling. Carrying your baby in a sling right next to your body will help to calm her down for several reasons: She will enjoy the warmth of your body She'll recognize your familiar smell She'll be soothed by the sound of your heartbeat Calm your baby with rhythmic movements. Other rhythmic movements such as rocking your baby in your arms, walking around with her or bringing her for a drive in the car will also help to calm her down. As long as she's close to you, she'll be happy. This is one of the reasons a sling is so useful – when she's right next to you, the natural, rhythmic up and down of your walking will soothe her. It's great for any colicky baby and entirely effortless on your part. Change your baby’s posture. Changing your baby's posture is helpful for two reasons: firstly, the change of position may help to move the contents of her intestines and allow her to expel gas, thus relieving the colic. Secondly, the change of position may be interesting for her, distracting her from the colic. Here are some ideas: Try laying your baby across your lap, stomach down. Try laying your baby along your forearm, with her head in your palm and her feet in the crook of your elbow. Hold your baby upright in your arms, facing either towards you or away from you. Distract your baby with a change of environment. When your baby is suffering from colic, try bringing her outside or even carrying her into a different room. The new environment, colors, smells and sounds will draw the baby's attention, distracting and soothing her. When we're in pain, babies and adults are no different. It's easy to get consumed by how we're feeling, but it's also sometimes easy to forget about if our environment is stimulating enough. Providing her with adequate distraction and stimulation may be what she needs to forget for a moment how she feels. Help your baby to do different exercises. There are several exercises you can do to stimulate your baby's intestines and help her to pass wind, thus relieving colic. These include: Making your baby ride a bike. Lay your baby on her back, grab her legs and move them in a cycling motion, as if she were riding a bike. Using a ball. Blow up a beach ball and lie your baby on top of it, on her stomach. Roll the ball backwards, forwards and around. This massages her stomach, relieving her pain. Swaddle your baby. Swaddling your baby will help her to feel warm and secure while sleeping. Swaddling will also restrict her movements, which will help to prevent her from waking herself up due to sudden body movement that she cannot yet control. To learn how to do this correctly, see wikiHow's How to Swaddle a Baby for more information. Cuddle with your baby. Your baby needs lots of attention and love when suffering from colic, so make sure that you keep her close at all times and give her lots of cuddles. Cuddling will help to keep her calm and soothe her colic. There's nothing your baby wants more than to know you're right there. Even if she's sleeping, she'll know you're right there and take solace from it – hopefully staying asleep longer. Massage your baby’s tummy. Massaging your baby's stomach can help to stimulate the bowels and relieve tension, thereby alleviating the colic. To massage your baby's stomach: Lie her on her back and spread some baby oil on her bare stomach. Use your fingers to gently massage her stomach, using a clockwise circular motion. Try to keep your baby from swallowing air while she eats. If your baby is swallowing air while she eats, this increases the amount of air in the stomach, leading to greater gas production. You can reduce the amount of air your baby swallows by: Using a bottle with a smaller aperture (hole), if your baby is bottle-fed. Making sure your baby latches on to the breast properly, if she is breast-fed. You can do this by holding your breast in your hand until she picks up the nipple. Lift your baby so that she can burp after every meal. It is essential that you burp your baby after every meal to ensure that she gets rid of any excess gas that can make colic worse. Lift your baby from her chair, hold her over your shoulder and pat her back gently until she burps. wikiHow has a whole bunch of knowledge on the topic from How to Burp Babies to How to Burp a Sick Baby to How to Burp a Baby on a Knee. Feed your baby small amounts several times a day. Feeding your baby large amounts in one go can increase gas and abdominal pain. Therefore, if your baby is suffering from colic, it's much better to feed her in small amounts, approximately every two hours. Do not increase the overall amount that she eats. She should be eating what she would normally eat, just spread out throughout the day. If you're concerned she'll eat more or less, portion out the food beforehand so you know what's normal for her to be eating. Avoid foods that can upset your baby’s stomach. Certain foods can upset your baby's stomach and make colic worse. These foods are to be avoided: Avoid dairy products for several weeks to see if your baby's condition improves. Sometimes babies are allergic to cow's milk, and this makes their colic worse. Breast-feeding mothers should avoid eating wheat, eggs, caffeine and chocolate as these foods are a potential cause of colic in babies. Gradually eliminate foods from your diet one by one, and watch your baby's condition closely to see if it improves. This will help you to identify specific foods that are causing your baby's colic. Try changing your baby’s formula. If your baby is formula-fed, the particular formula could be causing the colic. Speak to your doctor to see if they can recommend another type of formula that could improve your baby's symptoms. Many triumphs against colic come down to trial and error. Put a warm compress on your baby’s stomach. Heat can have a calming effect on your baby, as it relaxes the muscles, eases pain and relieves stomach cramps. To make a warm compress: Fill a baby bottle with warm (not hot) water and wrap it in a clean towel. Make sure the water isn't hot by testing it on your wrist. Hold the compress against the baby's stomach for several minutes. After that time is up, remove it. Your baby's skin is sensitive and shouldn't be overheated. Let your baby soak in a warm bath. A warm bath works in a similar way to a hot compress, as the heat soothes the stomach. In addition, a bath can be a fun distraction for your baby and can be bonding time for the two of you. Try to make bath time as fun as possible, especially since your baby has colic and needs the respite from the pain. Make bath time play time to make this moment doubly soothing. Give your baby tea if he or she is more than six months old. Babies under 6 months should be fed exclusively with breast milk or formula and do not require any additional liquid. However, babies older than 6 months can benefit from drinking tea. Here are some ideas: Basil tea. Basil has sedative properties thanks to its high eugenol content. Add a tablespoon of dried basil to a pot of water and boil it for 10 minutes. Strain the basil and allow the tea to cool before giving it to your baby. Chamomile tea. Chamomile helps to calm a nervous stomach, making it a good choice for colicky babies. Add a tablespoon of chamomile flowers to a cup of boiled water and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Strain the flowers and allow the tea to cool before giving it to your baby. Mint tea. Mint helps to soothe muscle spasms and cramps. Add some mint leaves to a cup of boiled water and allow them to steep for ten minutes before straining the leaves and giving the tea to your baby. Use gripe water. Gripe water comes in the form of droplets that can be added to the baby's milk or dropped directly into the mouth. The drops contain caraway, dill and fennel combined with other ingredients like chamomile or ginger, which help to soothe the stomach and ease colic. The drops can be given to your baby every four hours in order to keep colic at bay. Give your baby probiotics. Colic may be caused by a disruption in the level of microflora in your baby's stomach. Probiotics can help to restore the balance of bacteria in your baby's stomach and relieve colic. They're good for the rest of the body, too. If your baby is old enough, introduce yogurt to her diet to reap these benefits. Probiotics are not normally given to babies before the age of six months, so talk to your doctor to see what he/she recommends. Talk to your doctor before giving your child natural remedies. It's important that you consult with your doctor before you give your baby any natural remedies, and that you follow your doctor's recommended dosages very carefully. Otherwise you risk making your baby sick or making the colic worse. Step aside and allow yourself to regroup in order to keep your strength up. If your baby won't stop crying and you are feeling overwhelmed, then you need to step aside and regroup. Enlist the assistance of a family member or a babysitter to tend to your baby so that you can have some time for yourself. This isn't being selfish or putting your needs before those of your baby. It is a safe way to release the strain and tension of caring for a colicky baby. Remember, you can't be any help to your baby if you are tired and irritable. She needs you to be at your best as much as you want to be at your best. Place your baby in her crib and step out of the room. If there isn't anyone that can watch your baby, and you still need to take a break, do not leave your baby home alone. Instead, place your baby in her crib where she is secure and close the door so that her cries are muffled. Go to a different part of the house and turn the baby monitor on very low. Try to relax yourself before returning to comfort your baby. Breathe deeply, find your focus, and return when you're ready. Do something that you enjoy when you get some time to yourself. You don't have to be away from your baby for long and it doesn't matter what you do to relax yourself and regroup. You can go to a movie, go for a walk, go out for a quick lunch, or even take a nap in another room. Anything that allows you to have some time to yourself to relax is a good idea. Keep in mind that this will pass sooner than you know it. Before long she'll be talking and running around. In the future, these might be moments you cherished. | Make calming sounds to soothe your baby. Carry your baby around in a sling. Calm your baby with rhythmic movements. Change your baby’s posture. Distract your baby with a change of environment. Help your baby to do different exercises. Swaddle your baby. Cuddle with your baby. Massage your baby’s tummy. Try to keep your baby from swallowing air while she eats. Lift your baby so that she can burp after every meal. Feed your baby small amounts several times a day. Avoid foods that can upset your baby’s stomach. Try changing your baby’s formula. Put a warm compress on your baby’s stomach. Let your baby soak in a warm bath. Give your baby tea if he or she is more than six months old. Use gripe water. Give your baby probiotics. Talk to your doctor before giving your child natural remedies. Step aside and allow yourself to regroup in order to keep your strength up. Place your baby in her crib and step out of the room. Do something that you enjoy when you get some time to yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Return-an-Item-on-eBay | How to Return an Item on eBay | To return an item on eBay, start by signing into your account and pulling up your order under “Purchase History” on the “My eBay” menu. When you locate the item, click on “More Actions” on the right side of the description and select “Return This Item” from the drop-down menu. Then, fill in the form and click “Request a Return.” Next, print out the return labels, repack the item, and put it in the mail to send it back to the seller. Finally, expect to wait up to 6 days after the seller receives the item to get your refund. | Find the return policy. Look for the receipt you received by email from eBay for the purchase. It should have the return policy on it. If it doesn't, you can also find the order on eBay by logging in and looking under your account. eBay recommends that the seller use a drop-down menu to add a return policy, meaning the policy is usually listed on the item page. To find the item you bought, look under "My eBay" and "Purchase History." You should be able to find the order, which will have a link to the original item. See if the shop takes returns. Check to make sure the shop takes returns at all. Sellers on eBay have the option of not offering returns, so it's possible you may be out of luck. Many shops will offer returns, though, just because it's good business. However, if what you got didn't match the description offered by the seller, you should be able to get a return no matter what, according to eBay's policy. Check what the policy states. Shop owners have several options when they set up their return policy. They can set how long you have to return an item, as well as what kind of refund you'll receive. They can also set a restocking fee or make you pay for return shipping. Before trying to return the item, make sure you're still in the time range the seller has set. Sign into your eBay account. If you're not already, you need to be signed into your account. eBay needs to know who you are and your purchase history to offer you a return. You'll just need your username and password to sign in. Find your order. If you haven't already, you need to find your order. Look for it under "My eBay" and "Purchase History." Your order should be listed under your recent purchases. If it's not, make sure you're signed into the right account, and not someone else's in the household. Choose "Return This Item. " Once you've found the item, look for the link that says "More Actions" over to the right. In the drop-down menu, you'll find "Return This Item." Click on it. Once you click on it, you'll be redirected to a return page. You can also click on the order to bring up a new page. On that page, you can find "Return Item" in the middle of the page. It should be under "Contact Seller." Fill in the form. On the form page, you'll need to fill in some details about the item. First, you'll need to select a reason for the return from the drop-down list, such as "Changed my mind," "Doesn't fit," or "Wrong item." Then, you'll need to add details about why you want to return it. Finally you can add photos of the item to the form if you need to prove a point. Click "Request a Return" when you are done. Print out the return labels. Once you click on return, eBay should give you return labels. You'll have a return shipping label, which will go on the outside of the package, as well as a return packing slip, which will go on the inside of the package. Wait on the seller. In some cases, you may need to wait on eBay to contact the seller. Usually, you'll only need to wait if the package is large or hard to ship. You may also need to wait if you need to send the package internationally. Package up the item. Repack the item to get it ready to ship, placing the packing slip inside. You can put it back in the same package if it is still suitable for shipping. You just need to make sure the old shipping label is fully covered up by the new shipping label. Don't forget to seal up the item with packing tape. You don't want the box to come undone in transit. Put it in the mail. Once you've repackaged it, all that's left to do is to mail it back. If your using the eBay mailing slip, you should be able to just hand it off to the carrier. Make sure to mail it back within 5 business days of printing the label. If you don't use eBay's shipping labels, such as if the seller sends you a return label, try to include tracking if possible. That way, if there's a dispute, you have some evidence of when the package was returned. Wait for it to reach the seller. When using an eBay shipping label, you'll get tracking information, so that you know when it reaches the seller. Once the seller has gotten the item, you should receive a refund within 6 business days. For a replacement item, the seller should mail it within 5 days of receiving the request, not the item. | Find the return policy. See if the shop takes returns. Check what the policy states. Sign into your eBay account. Find your order. Choose "Return This Item. Fill in the form. Print out the return labels. Wait on the seller. Package up the item. Put it in the mail. Wait for it to reach the seller. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Sore-Gums | How to Treat Sore Gums | To treat sore gums, try mixing 1/2 teaspoon of salt with a glass of lukewarm water and rinsing your mouth with it to alleviate the pain. You can also wrap an ice pack or frozen bag of vegetables in a towel and hold it against your face for 1-2 minutes to reduce discomfort. Or, you can snack on some cold foods, like ice cream, pudding, or frozen grapes. If the pain still won't go away, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. | Apply a cold or warm compress. Take a clean cloth and soak it in warm water. Wring it out and hold it against your face over the sore area for five minutes. The heat will help to soothe the area. Use a cold compress by using an ice pack or a small bag of frozen peas. Wrap the ice pack in a towel and hold it against your face over the sore area for 1-2 minutes. The cold compress will help to reduce swelling and inflammation. Apply the cold or warm compress several times to help reduce discomfort in your gum area. Brush your teeth with a soft bristle brush, avoiding the gum area. Sore gums can be a symptom of gingivitis, which is caused by poor oral hygiene. Try brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste to treat the gingivitis. Use a soft bristle brush and be sure to brush your teeth well. Brush gently around your gumline, so as not to irritate your gums further. Floss to treat the gingivitis. Be careful when you floss at the gum line so you do not irritate your gums more. With gingivitis, you may have additional bleeding when flossing and brushing. Eat cold foods. Have a freezer pop, a scoop of ice cream, or some frozen grapes. Cold foods can help to soothe your sore gums. Jello, pudding, and cold soup are also good options. Avoid sharp, crunchy foods. Sharp, crunchy foods can irritate your sore gums more and make them more swollen. Avoid foods like chips, nuts, and toast. Take over-the-counter pain medication. If your sore gums are painful, take pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Follow the dosage instructions on the label and do not take more than recommended. If your sore gums still feel painful despite the pain medication, or the pain does not go away after a few days, go see your dentist for treatment. Do a salt water rinse. Salt can help to heal your sore gums and prevent bacteria from building up in your mouth, which can make your sore gums worse. Mix ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt in a glass of lukewarm water. Then, rinse your mouth with the salt water 2-3 times a day until your gums start to feel better. Do not swallow the salt water, as this can upset your stomach. Put turmeric paste on your gums. Turmeric contains curcumin, which can act as an antioxidant and reduce swelling. Combine ⁄ 4 teaspoon (1.2 ml) turmeric with 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) water to make a paste. Put the paste to your gums with clean fingers. Let the paste sit for 5 minutes. Use your fingers to massage it in for the last 1 minute. Then, rinse the paste off with warm water. Note that turmeric can temporarily stain your teeth; these stains will fade on their own. Apply a cold tea bag. A cooled tea bag can help to relieve swelling and discomfort. Use herbal tea like peppermint, chamomile, turmeric, or eucalyptus. Allow the tea bag to steep in boiled water for 2-3 minutes. Take out the bag and let it cool on a plate for 3-5 minutes. Once it has cooled, place it directly on your swollen gums. Make sure the tea is not too hot when you put it on your gums, as you do not want to scald them. Allow the dentist to examine your teeth and gums. If your sore gums are very painful or do not go away after a few days, see your dentist for an oral exam. They will look at your teeth and gums for any signs of gingivitis or gum disease. They may also ask you about your diet, as having a diet low in vitamin C can cause gum inflammation. If you have braces or a dental appliance like a retainer, the dentist may ask you if they are bothering your mouth or gums. Certain medications can cause your gums to swell. Be sure to tell your dentist if you are on any medications. Get your teeth cleaned. If you have gingivitis, your dentist may recommend that you get your teeth cleaned. They can do a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums to remove plaque and bacteria. This should make the swelling go down and reduce the pain. In some cases, you may have more serious gum disease that requires surgery. Your dentist will give you more information about this treatment. Ask your dentist about pain ointment for your gums. Apply the ointment to your gums as a temporary way to ease the pain. The ointment will contain benzocaine, which will numb the area. Your dentist can give you a prescription for this medication. Keep in mind this is a temporary solution to sore gums. You will need to treat the real cause of your sore gums so they can heal properly. Discuss lifestyle and oral hygiene changes you can make. If your sore gums are due to low vitamin C, your dentist may suggest adding vitamin C supplements or vitamin C rich foods to your diet. If you are bad at brushing and flossing, your dentist may suggest you set aside time to brush and floss your teeth at least 2 times a day. Your dentist can show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth so you remove plaque and bacteria that can cause sore gums. Your dentist may recommend a mouthwash or xylitol chewing gum after meals to help treat your inflamed gums. | Apply a cold or warm compress. Brush your teeth with a soft bristle brush, avoiding the gum area. Eat cold foods. Avoid sharp, crunchy foods. Take over-the-counter pain medication. Do a salt water rinse. Put turmeric paste on your gums. Apply a cold tea bag. Allow the dentist to examine your teeth and gums. Get your teeth cleaned. Ask your dentist about pain ointment for your gums. Discuss lifestyle and oral hygiene changes you can make. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Professional-Cyclist | How to Become a Professional Cyclist | If you dream of becoming a professional cyclist, start by cycling for at least 2 hours a day for 6 days a week. Additionally, do 60 minute strength-training sessions, including exercises like squat, lunges, and curls, twice a week to build your leg and core muscles. You should also eat a diet rich in protein, carbs, fruits, and vegetables to stay energized during your training sessions. As you build strength and endurance, challenge yourself by riding with advanced cyclists, and work on improving your times and technique with a cycling coach. | Cycle every day. Training and experience are the foundations of any sport, and for a professional cyclist, this means making lots of miles on the road. On average, you should train at least 2 hours a day for 6 days a week if you want to become a professional cyclist. If the weather is too cold to cycle outside, train on a stationary bike in a gym or at home. Training for pro cycling usually takes up about 4 to 6 hours a day, though sometimes that might include time spent at the gym doing weights and building strength. Build your strength. Do a 60-minute strength-training workout a couple of times a week to build your muscles, specifically your leg and core muscles. You will generally need to be in great shape, with lots of lean muscle. Good example exercises include squats, leg curls, and lunges. Eat right to fuel your workouts. You'll need to eat right to maintain your body through the grueling challenges of the sport. Get all of the nutrients your body needs, both at home and during a race, to help your body keep up. Your diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as carbs and lean protein. Increase your power by using tools and adding resistance. Pro cyclists need to be able to chug up a hill even when the end of a race is near and their body is already tired. Work on increasing your power so that you can cope with situations like these. Add resistance to your cycling sessions and use a heart rate monitor or cycling compute to ensure that you are staying within your target heart rate zone. Some good ways to add resistance include: Riding up a hill Riding into the wind Changing to a larger gear Familiarize yourself with UCI rules. The Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) is the organization that runs most competitive bike races. Learn the rules for the type of event you want to complete before you start getting involved in races. This will give you a better understanding of what is and is not acceptable in the competitive cycling world. Start as young as you can. If possible, join a high school or college team to get a leg up on the industry. Not only will this help you develop the skills and strength that you need to succeed, but it will help you help get your name out there in the community. You'll have the head start you need and friends in all the right places. You'll have to start young in general though, as the US has rules stipulating age for cyclists in some races. Cycle with others. Join a local cycling club and participate in weekly trainings. This will help motivate you and also give you the opportunity to learn from others. You can find local groups by searching internet forums, checking with your local gym, or looking through your local parks and recreation department. Have friends that cycle too. The pro cycling life can get very lonely. You'll have intense schedules and very little free time. If you want to maintain a social life, you'll want friends who are right there with you. Ride with people who are better than you. You will feel the need to rise to the challenge, the sense of competition helping to push you harder down the road. Find a coach to help you improve your times and technique. Sometimes you can find a good coach through your cycling club, but you can also look through the classifieds in cycling magazines. A good coach can help you break your own time records, build your endurance and speed, and improve your technique when racing against others. An experienced coach can also give you advice about the best nutrition for endurance sports and advise you on the best equipment. Get the lay of the land. Analyze each race to see what you can improve on in terms of technique, equipment or physical stamina. Look at the track and see what challenges you're going to have to face, and what you need in order to deal with them! You can also look at videos of racers that you know you'll be competing against, if you can find them, to see how they handle similar challenges. Take a page from the pro's book. Study professional cyclists to learn how they train and eat, and what their techniques and racing strategies are. You'll notice patterns in terms of how they approach a race and work with other cyclists in their teams. Adopt the techniques that work for you. Practice key skills. Key biking skills, like descending and cornering, can mean the difference between success and failure. Practice these key skills by taking routes that include these features when you practice. Select an event that you want to specialize in. There are several different types of cycling events, and finding your niche can help you to set yourself apart. Find a coach who can help you to develop your skills in your chosen event. For example, you could focus on time trials, criteriums, or stage races if you are a road racer. You could specialize in downhill, enduro, or cross country if you are a mountain bike racer. Or, if prefer to race on a track (aka a velodrome), then you might participate in sprint, pursuit, or scratch races. Ensure that you have a flexible job to support your cycling. It is difficult to make money as a pro cyclist, but some people manage to do so for a while. Pro teams usually only pay for equipment and travel. Even the payout for major races is actually pretty low. Choose a flexible job that will work with your training and race schedule. Teaching is a profession that may lend itself to cycling, since you'll have summers off, which is when most of the season takes place. You might also consider working in a bike shop so that you can interact with other people who love the sport. Enter local races. Performing well at local events will help build your technique, confidence, and reputation. If you're entering with other members of your local club, be sure to work with them to dominate the racecourse. Look for local races by searching websites like Active.com or the official cycling website for your country. Find a sponsor. Though professional cyclists train extremely hard (like all other professional sports) the financial rewards associated with winning are much lower than those in professional baseball, football, basketball or ice hockey. As such, sponsorship is an important part of becoming a professional cyclist as the amount of cash available will determine the quality of equipment, coaching, and medical care you will have. Though sponsors usually don't donate as much cash in the amateur leagues as they do for professional cyclists, having a sponsor can make a difference in covering the costs of equipment, training, and travel. It's difficult to do, but worth trying all the same. Enter in bigger contests as you become better and faster. The more attention you get in amateur contests, the more chance you stand of catching the eye of a scout for a professional team. At the USA Cycling website, you can research events per state and find which you are qualified to enter. Hope to meet a scout. If you're very lucky, you may end up cycling in an event where a scout will be searching for new talent. If you catch their eye, take the opportunity. Try out when a scout for a professional team asks you to compete for a professional team. Accept offers. Accept an offer to ride for a professional team, should you be lucky enough to get one. Good luck! | Cycle every day. Build your strength. Eat right to fuel your workouts. Increase your power by using tools and adding resistance. Familiarize yourself with UCI rules. Start as young as you can. Cycle with others. Have friends that cycle too. Ride with people who are better than you. Find a coach to help you improve your times and technique. Get the lay of the land. Take a page from the pro's book. Practice key skills. Select an event that you want to specialize in. Ensure that you have a flexible job to support your cycling. Enter local races. Find a sponsor. Enter in bigger contests as you become better and faster. Hope to meet a scout. Accept offers. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-Matting-in-Your-Cat%27s-Coat | How to Handle Matting in Your Cat's Coat | To handle matting in your cat's coat, start by working some talcum powder or detangler into the mat with your fingers to loosen it. Continue using your fingers to gently pull any loose hair away from the mat until only the core remains. You can then gently comb the mat while holding the base of your cat's hair with your fingers to avoid hurting it. For larger or more difficult mats, use a comb to lift the matted hair away from the skin. While the hair is lifted, use scissors to cut the edges of the mat, which will loosen it. Once you've cut away part of the mat, use your fingers to detangle the rest of it. | Sprinkle talcum powder onto the mat. Work the talcum powder into the mat with your fingers. The talcum powder will help loosen the mat. You can purchase talcum powder from your local pharmacy or grocery store. Alternatively, you can spray a detangler or an anti-static spray onto the mat to loosen it, though do not use both at once or the products can cake together and make the problem worse. You can find these at your local pet store or online. Use your fingers to loosen the mat. Gently pull any loose hair away from the mat with your fingers. Break the mat apart as much as you can without using a comb. Do this until only the core of the mat remains. Hold the base of your cat’s hair with your fingers. Starting at the end of the mat, i.e., the tip of your cat's hair, begin to gently comb the mat. Use a wide-toothed metal comb or a specially-made mat comb (also called a razor comb or mat rake) to work through it. As it breaks apart, slowly work your way deeper into your cat's fur until the whole mat is removed. Use short, fast strokes to remove the mat. Do not yank or pull too hard. If you are using a wide-toothed comb, use the tip of the comb as a pick to work your way through the mat. If your cat has a double coat or a thick undercoat, then use an undercoat comb to work through the mat. Finish this in multiple sessions if your cat does not tolerate it well. Lift the hair from the skin. Use a comb to do this. By lifting the hair away from the skin, it will be easier to see where the fur stops and the skin begins. This way, you may reduce the risk of accidentally cutting or nipping your cat's skin. Cut the edges of the mat. While the hair is lifted with the comb, take a pair of scissors and cut the edges of the mat. To be safe, only cut the edges of the mat on the outside of the comb, i.e., the part of the mat that is farthest from your cat's skin. Cutting the edges of the mat will loosen the mat, making it easier to detangle with your fingers or a comb. Never lie the scissors flat onto your cat's fur and skin. By doing this, you may risk cutting your cat's skin. Always use a comb to lift the mat away from your cat's skin before cutting the edges of the mat. Use your fingers to detangle the rest of the mat. You can also use a wide-toothed comb or a mat comb to untangle the rest of the mat. If the mat will not come loose, then use the comb and scissors again to cut the edges of the mat. Resume untangling the mat with your fingers or a comb. Take your cat to a professional groomer. In general, mats that are smaller than the tip of your thumb can be easily removed at home without professional help. However, if the mat is very large, tight, or close to your cat's skin, then you may want to take your cat to a professional groomer to have it removed. Additionally, if your cat's coat is covered in mats, then you should take it to a professional groomer or your veterinarian to have them removed. In severe cases, the professional may need to shave your cat. Sedation may be necessary for the shaving process since removing the mats can be very painful. Brush shorthaired cats once a week. Use a metal or rubber fine-toothed comb to remove dead hair, dirt, and oil from a shorthaired cat's coat. When brushing your cat, remember to brush in the direction of its hair growth. Also make sure to brush your cat's whole body, from head to tail, including its abdomen and chest. Brush longhaired cats every two days. Use long-toothed slicker brushes and combs to brush longhaired cats. Starting with your cat's abdomen and legs, gently comb its fur upward toward its head. Also comb your cat's neck fur upward toward its chin. However, comb the hair on the top side of the coat in the direction of the hair growth. In order to brush the tail, part the hair down the middle and carefully brush out the fur on both sides. Check for mats in common areas. When combing your cat, make sure to check areas where mats commonly occur. These areas are around the groin and abdomen, behind the ears, between the back legs, behind the front legs (its armpits), around the collar area, and along the back of the haunches. | Sprinkle talcum powder onto the mat. Use your fingers to loosen the mat. Hold the base of your cat’s hair with your fingers. Lift the hair from the skin. Cut the edges of the mat. Use your fingers to detangle the rest of the mat. Take your cat to a professional groomer. Brush shorthaired cats once a week. Brush longhaired cats every two days. Check for mats in common areas. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Paint-Color-for-a-Bedroom | How to Choose Paint Color for a Bedroom | To choose paint color for a bedroom, consider the color of your current furniture as a starting point. Creating a cohesive look is usually much easier if you match paint colors to items you already have in the room rather than buying new items to match the paint color you choose. If you aren't sure or think you might buy new furniture and decor in the future, you can always opt for a neutral paint color like beige, white, or gray. For example, light gray paint will probably go well with your current furnishings and anything new that you buy. You can always incorporate pops of color by adding or changing furnishings, bedding, and other decor. | Look online or in magazines for pictures to help you define your style. If an endless array of color choices is starting to overwhelm you, create an inspiration board. Either collect pictures from design magazines and attach them all to a whiteboard or corkboard or use an online site like Pinterest to save pictures you find while you're browsing. Once you collect about 10-15 pictures you love, pick out the colors you see most often to help make your decision easier. Often, you'll find that you're drawn to similar images again and again. If your inspiration board is really eclectic, you might opt for a neutral paint color, then scour flea markets, thrift stores, and home decor shops for unique, funky art and decor you can hang on the walls. Base your color scheme on your furniture for a cohesive look. Unless you're furnishing your bedroom from scratch, it's a good idea to consider the furniture, bedding, and decor you already have when you're choosing a paint color. For instance, if you have a painting in your bedroom that you absolutely love, you might pick out a subtle tone from the picture as the inspiration for your walls. You can also use colors from other dominant pieces like your floor rug, a chair, or your bedspread, and choose paint colors that match these hues. You'll often find that it's easier to match your paint color to the items you already have, rather than trying to buy new items that will complement your paint. If you introduce an entirely new color that doesn't match your furniture, you may make your bedroom look too busy or chaotic. Your wall color doesn't need to match your furniture perfectly, but it should all flow together. For instance, if you have white furniture, you might pick serene tones like light blue or lavender to complete the calm feel. For brown furniture, you might consider a beige wall color. Opt for neutrals if you want the focus to be on your furniture and decor. Neutrals are colors like white, grey, and tan, although they can also include very light shades of other colors, including green, yellow, pink, and blue. Neutrals tend to fade into the background, so they're great for creating a subtle ambiance. You can then use your furnishings, bedding, and decor to add pops of color to your room. For instance, if you have furniture made of dark wood, you might paint your walls warm beige and find bedding in a warm floral pattern you really love. Then, you could add a bold rug, curtains, and artwork in colors that reflect the tones in your bedding for a cozy, cheerful feel. If you prefer a more modern bedroom, you could paint your room in a sophisticated grey tone, then decorate with industrial-inspired furniture and sparse—but striking—decor. However, you could also use colors like teal, lavender, and yellow to brighten up the room and make it feel cozier. You can use soft white bedding and nature-inspired shades to turn white walls into an inviting and romantic atmosphere, or you can use the white backdrop as a stark backdrop for bold art and patterned bedding. Avoid using colors that are too bold in your bedroom. Primary colors and other over-saturated hues can be overwhelming in a bedroom. It's best to use colors that are softened slightly, such as a red tinted with grey or blue that's been mixed with a little white. Then, you can introduce brighter splashes of that color in your other design details like your bedding or wall hangings. For instance, instead of using crayon red in your room, you might opt for a slightly darker ruby shade for a more sophisticated feel. Paint your room blue to make it feel like a peaceful escape from the world. Blue is a soothing color, so it's perfect for helping you relax at the end of a long day. Choose light blues and aquas if you want to create a carefree, calming atmosphere, or go with medium to deep blues for a more tranquil feel. For instance, you could paint your walls a soft blue-green color, then add warm wood furniture and graphic black-and-white prints for a room that's timeless and fresh. If your style is bold, sophisticated, and modern, paint 3 of your walls a sand color, then add a navy blue accent wall. Contrast that with copper wall hangings and an industrial light fixture. Choose green paint to create a nurturing atmosphere. Spending time in nature can be very relaxing, which is why painting your bedroom green will make it feel so peaceful. Light green is perfect for creating an earthy backdrop that will remind you of spring and renewal, medium-toned green can make your room feel like a cozy escape, and deep, saturated green tones will call to mind the moody drama of the forest. For instance, you might paint your walls dark green, then brighten the room with light wood furniture, white bedding, and decorations made of wood and brass. Pale green is a perfect choice for a peaceful nature-themed nursery. Play with soft shades of yellow for a cozy, happy bedroom. Golden hues create warmth, while pale hues open a space and create the illusion of additional light. However, you may want to avoid bright green-based yellows, which may be too dramatic to use as bedroom wall paint. Using yellow on your walls is a great way to put yourself in a good mood at the end of the day, and it will also make you feel energized when you wake up in the morning. Paint your walls a sunny shade of pale yellow, then decorate with whites, tans, and even fun pops of nature-inspired colors like teal or lilac. Add passion with rich shades of red or orange. While painting your walls in such bright colors is certainly a bold choice, hues like burgundy red and burnt orange can inspire warmth and passion in your bedroom. However, choose the shades carefully, as over-saturated red and orange tones might be too energizing, making it hard to sleep at night. If you're worried that using bold shades will be too overwhelming in your room, consider painting a red accent wall behind your bed. Then, you can use a calming grey or tan on the other walls to soften the effect. Pair dark furnishings, bedding, and curtains with a rich burnt orange for a moody, sophisticated feel. These invigorating colors are a great choice if you have a hard time waking up in the morning, as they'll give you an instant pick-me-up. Use violet to create an air of serenity and romance. Painting your walls violet can make your bedroom feel vintage and romantic. Cooler shades of purple, like lilac and periwinkle, are perfect if you want a peaceful, harmonic vibe, and warmer shades of purple, such as magenta, lavender, and eggplant, are more cheerful and bold. Deep purples look fantastic paired with other jewel tones, like sapphire blue, emerald green, and ruby red. Accent soft lilac walls with natural wood furniture and pops of a cool, bold color like maroon to make your room feel fresh and comforting. Paint an accent wall to add depth and variety to your walls. If there's a color you love but it's a little too intense to paint throughout your whole bedroom, try painting just one wall that shade instead. You might paint the wall behind your bed, or you may pick another wall, like the side of your room with a closet or a window. Then, pick a coordinating color for the rest of the walls. For instance, a magenta accent wall would be perfectly complemented by sand-colored paint. If your style is really bold, you might even paint an all-black accent wall! Use metallic accents and bold colors to add contrast and movement. You can even paint your accent wall a different value of the color on your other walls. For instance, if your walls are a light grey, you might pick a slate grey accent wall for a monochrome look. Paint the ceiling to add extra color to the room. Many people only think about the wall color, but you can also paint the ceiling of your bedroom to create an entirely different mood. Choose a color that will pair with your wall colors, and avoid using dark colors on your ceiling, as this could make your bedroom feel claustrophobic. If you have a low ceiling, open it up by painting it vibrant white or pale blue. If you have a high ceiling, you can create a warmer, more enclosed space by painting it a shade or two darker than the color you have on your walls. Paint samples before you commit to a color. The lighting in your bedroom can make a color look dramatically different than it does in the store. Once you've come up with 3 or 4 paint colors you're considering, buy a small sample container of each color, and paint each one in a 1 ft × 1 ft (0.30 m × 0.30 m) square on your wall. Then, spend a few days observing how the colors look at different times of the day as the light changes and choose the color you like the most. The lamps and light fixtures you use in the room will also affect how the walls look throughout the day. | Look online or in magazines for pictures to help you define your style. Base your color scheme on your furniture for a cohesive look. Opt for neutrals if you want the focus to be on your furniture and decor. Avoid using colors that are too bold in your bedroom. Paint your room blue to make it feel like a peaceful escape from the world. Choose green paint to create a nurturing atmosphere. Play with soft shades of yellow for a cozy, happy bedroom. Add passion with rich shades of red or orange. Use violet to create an air of serenity and romance. Paint an accent wall to add depth and variety to your walls. Paint the ceiling to add extra color to the room. Paint samples before you commit to a color. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Conversation-with-a-Girl-You-Like | How to Start a Conversation with a Girl You Like | Starting a conversation with a girl you like can be nerve-racking, but by introducing yourself properly and showing off your confidence, you can do it! If you've never met the girl before, choose a time to start a conversation when she's relaxed, like lunchtime or after school. Start by introducing yourself to her and asking for her name. Maintain eye contact and face her as you do this, which will show her you're confident. Keep your arms by your sides and sit or stand up straight, since crossed arms or slouching can suggest that you're not interested. Once introductions are over, keep the conversation going by asking her about light-hearted, fun topics, such as her hobbies, likes, and dislikes. Try to ask open-ended questions, which means she can't just give a yes or no answer. For example, if you're at school, say, “What class are you going to next?” | Prepare some conversation topics. Have some ideas in mind to build your conversation upon. You may want to stay up on local news, music, radio, or movies. You can talk about television shows, sports, or favorite foods. Have a few things ready to talk about or questions you'd like to ask to keep the conversation going. That way, you can be ready to pick up any lulls in the conversation or move onto a new topic when you need to. Build upon what you know about her. For example, if you know she has a cat, ask her about it. If you attend a club together, ask her why she joined it. Choose a good time. Decide when you will talk to her. You may want to go up to her after class or after school. Maybe you want to approach her during lunchtime. If you see each other outside of school, talk to her then. Make sure that she looks relaxed and not in a hurry. Also, make sure you feel confident and have time for a conversation. If you know she's rushing off to something, choose a different time to talk to her. Make sure she has some time for a brief conversation. Relax. If you're feeling nervous or anxious, spend a little time relaxing. Notice how you feel: do you have a knot in your stomach? Is your throat tense? Are you shaky? Focus on relaxing any tension in your body. Go for a walk or do some exercise. Find healthy things that help you feel relaxed and not stressed. Use calm breathing to help ease your tension or anxiety. Breathe in through your nose for about four seconds, then hold your breath for one to two seconds. Exhale slowly out of your mouth for four seconds. Do about six to eight cycles of calm breathing and you'll likely feel less nervous. Introduce yourself. If you've never talked to her, be sure to introduce yourself. When introducing yourself, say your name, then ask for her name. Make eye contact and if possible, face her. If you want to be polite, shake her hand. Say something simple like, “Hi, I'm Devin. We have math together. What's your name?” One she tells you her name, say her name back to her by saying, “It's nice to meet you, Genevieve.” Have an opening line. You don't need to overly plan what you'll first say to her, but you do want to be somewhat prepared. This can be as simple as asking, “How are you?” or, “How is your day going?” Keep the conversation going after this. If you have something in common, say it now. This might include going to the same synagogue, volunteering at the same organization, or both liking roller blading. If you have a class together, say, “Can I walk with you to class?” Perhaps you like the same sports teams, so you can ask, “Did you see the game last night?” Make your first line friendly and approachable so that she can respond back to you. No need for a cheesy “pickup line” or icebreaker. Be confident and show it. Starting any new relationship or wanting to start a new relationship can be a very intimidating experience for many people. Realize that the girl you wish to have a conversation with may be just as nervous as you. Your best bet is to approach any new conversation with the girl with confidence. Avoid seeking her approval, as it sends her the signal that you are not confident with your own decisions or opinions in life. Approach a conversational topic with a lighthearted playfulness. Keep her guessing just enough to want to know more. Be respectful and kind in any approach to conversations you have with her. If she says something that made you feel self-conscious of yourself, don't overreact. Move on to a different topic with added wit and humor. Express lightheartedness and be fun. Especially when you are starting or initiating any conversation with a girl, avoid heavy loaded and negative statements or comments. Avoid tense topics such as politics or religion. Once you've been able to further establish a relationship with this girl, and after many more future conversations, should one approach such heavy handed topics. Even then, it should be approached with caution and with much respect for another person's opinions. Keep all conversations light, easy flowing and fun. Take this opportunity to ask the girl questions about herself expressing your interest in her likes, dislikes, and hobbies. If the girl starts to speak about negative topics, just gently redirect the conversation in another direction. Smile. Smiling is a simple way to be pleasant and approachable. It shows that you are friendly and open. People tend to feel safe or let their guard down around others who smile. This can be especially useful at the beginning of a conversation. Just don't smile too much, as she might think it's creepy. Smile when it's appropriate, like when you walk up to her, when she says something funny, or when you're enthusiastic about something. Be polite. Brush up on your conversation manners. For example, don't interrupt or dominate the conversation. Don't use crude or naughty language. Stay focused on the conversation, even if you receive a phone call or text message. Keep the conversation pleasant by not telling off-color jokes or stories or saying something that may be offensive. Generally, you want to stay away from controversial topics like political opinions, details about a health problem, pet peeves, anybody's weight, and financial problems. Ask open-ended questions. Find ways to keep her engaged in conversation by asking open-ended questions. Avoid asking yes or no questions, as the conversation can drop quickly. Instead, ask her opinions on things, or ask her to tell you more about something. If she answers a question abruptly, ask a follow-up question. For example, instead of asking, “Are you going to class?” ask, “What class are you going to?” Then, follow up with, “How do you like that teacher?” Listen intently. You might want to show her what a great catch you are or tell her all the great things about yourself. Save it. Show your interest in her by actually being interested in her! Give her your attention and listen to what she says. Show that you're listening by asking questions built on what she has said. Don't get distracted by other things happening around you and instead, put your full attention onto her. Listen not only to the words she is saying, but how she is saying them. Listen to her tone of voice, how engaged she is, and how much she is interacting with you. Engage her. Ask her questions, laugh when she's funny, and engage with what she says. She'll get bored if all you do is talk about yourself. Your main part of the conversation is to focus on listening and understanding her. This doesn't mean ignoring her when she asks you a question or glossing over any interaction she has with you. Do interact with her, but put most of your attention in being interested in what she says. Let her ask about you instead of telling her. For example, if you want to tell her about the sports you play, let her ask. If she asks, “What do you do for fun?” you can respond with, “I love playing water polo. I'm actually the captain of the team.” Avoid bragging or showing off. Girls are often quick to lose interest in a conversation if they clearly see that you're flaunting and bragging about all of the things you have or can do. Bragging can also give off the impression that you are insecure with who you are and that you are seeking approval. Bragging is another way of covering your true self up by all the things you have, or all the talents you can do. Think of the way a salesman might approach you in selling a brand new car. It may look beautiful on the surface and have all of the new technology, but does that mean that it is a smooth running vehicle that you will want to keep around? Probably not. It is what is under the hood that matters, what makes it run even when it gets messy. So, instead of bragging, try approaching a conversation with a sense of humbleness and groundedness. Balance the conversation. While it's important for you to act interested in her and ask her questions, make sure that you're giving quality responses to any questions she may ask you. Try to split the conversation 50/50 so that each of you are both listening and talking about equally. If you realize that you're talking too much, ask her a question. For example, say, “Where did you grow up? “ or, “Tell me about what you like to do for fun.” Show open body language. Show that you're interested and engaged not only with your words but also with your body. For example, don't cross your arms or legs. Keep an open posture to communicate openness and approachability. Stand or sit an appropriate distance away from her: don't be too close where it invades her personal space yet don't be too far away that you can't hear each other. Lean in while she's talking. This will bring you closer and show that you're interested. Make great eye contact. Making eye contact is one of the best ways to show that you're engaged in the conversation and interested in what she's saying. It also helps you appear confident and open. If you're not making eye contact with her, she might think you're disinterested or nervous. You don't have to make constant eye contact. Just make sure to look her in the eyes throughout the conversation. Most people make eye contact two-thirds of the time, so aim for about that time or perhaps just slightly more. Look at her cues. Notice how she's acting while you talk. Is she smiling or laughing? Is she asking you questions back? Is she making eye contact? These are ways to gauge her interest in you and the conversation. If she's enjoying the interactions, keep it up! If she seems annoyed, is looking away, or giving short responses, you may want to try again later or conclude that she's disinterested. Remember that she might be nervous, too. If she's acting shy or anxious, try to make her feel comfortable by asking more about her or by telling a joke to lighten the mood. | Prepare some conversation topics. Choose a good time. Relax. Introduce yourself. Have an opening line. Be confident and show it. Express lightheartedness and be fun. Smile. Be polite. Ask open-ended questions. Listen intently. Engage her. Avoid bragging or showing off. Balance the conversation. Show open body language. Make great eye contact. Look at her cues. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Bruising-After-Plastic-Surgery | How to Prevent Bruising After Plastic Surgery | To prevent bruising after plastic surgery, start by talking to your doctor about any medications or supplements that you take, since some of them can increase bruising, and adjust your doses if your doctor recommends it. Alcohol can worsen bruising, so be sure to avoid it the night before your surgery. During the first 48 hours after your surgery, you can apply an ice pack to the affected area in 10-20 minute intervals to slow down bleeding that causes bruising. Then, after the first 2 days, switch to hot compresses. It's also important to keep the affected area elevated with extra pillows to prevent blood from pooling. | Note what medications put you at increased risk. Some medications can increase your risk of bruising after surgery, such as heart medications and blood thinners. For instance, aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin can all increase your chance of bruising. As most of these medications are necessary to keep you healthy, it's not recommended that you stop them, although, you may be able to stop aspirin for a week before your surgery under a doctor's orders and supervision. Other medications that can lead to this problem include dabigatran, enoxaparin, ticlopidine, and dipyridamole. Have your doctor review your medications to help you determine which ones may lead to more bruising, and when they should be stopped before the surgery and restarted after the operation. Depending on the indication, some of these medications cannot be stopped and will need to be continued throughout the surgical period. Check your herbal supplements. Herbal supplements can also lead to an increased risk for bruising. For instance, if you take garlic or ginkgo biloba in pill form, it can increase your chances of bruising. Vitamin E can also have this effect. As these pills are not medically necessary, you may be able to stop them before your surgery; usually, you can take a break from them starting 2 weeks before your surgery. Ask your doctor about surgery conditions. How you are positioned during surgery can affect how much you bruise. Having an open discussion about your concerns before surgery may encourage your doctor to make changes if necessary. For instance, if you are having surgery on your face, your surgery should be conducted with you in a chair with your head on a headrest. In addition, the angle of the chair should be angled back about 30 degrees from straight upright. The room should be bright enough to look for blood vessels, and a side light is especially helpful. Make sure to not wear any makeup to your surgery. One way you can help your doctor is by removing all traces of makeup before entering the clinic; it's best not to put any on the morning of your surgery. Makeup can hide your blood vessels. If your doctor nicks a blood vessel, it can lead to more extensive bruising. You can also ask what your doctor uses to look for blood vessels to help reassure you. Some use magnifying glasses, while others use more advanced technology, such as devices that use infrared technology to help your doctor look for blood vessels. Skip the alcohol. The night before your surgery and the night of your surgery, it's best to skip the alcohol. Alcohol can make bruising worse. In fact, many doctors recommend refraining from alcohol at least 3 days prior tot he surgery, and resuming this restriction for 2 weeks after the surgery. Try bromelain. While studies aren't conclusive about this natural remedy, some people have had luck with it reducing bruising. Make sure your doctor knows you plan to take it around your surgery time, though, because like any medication, it can react with other medications. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. You can find it in natural health stores in capsule form. Try 500 milligrams four times a day for a day or two before your surgery and a few days after. Be sure to ask your doctor if this dosage is safe for you. Use quercetin along with the bromelain. This is a plant flavonoid that can be found in capers, apples, red onion, citrus fruit, and leafy green vegetables, or in the form of a supplement. Take this with the bromelain to help reduce swelling and bruising. Apply light pressure to the site of operation. Your doctor should wrap the area when she is done with the surgery. Most likely, she will use a compression garment, hypoallergenic tape, or an elastic bandage around the area. You will need to continue this pressure for a day or two. Doing so will help to stop any bleeding and reduce your chances of bruising. Most doctors will provide you with something to use as compression on yourself post-surgery. Ask your doctor if she will be providing a compression garment or tape or if you will need to buy something appropriate. However, if the bleeding has already stopped under the skin, you do not need to apply pressure to the area, as it will not help. Apply a cold compress to the area during the first 48 hours. Press an ice pack against the site of operation during the first 48 hours after your surgery. Doing this can help to constrict blood vessels in the area, which will slow down the bleeding process and reduce your chances of bruising. Hold the ice pack against the site for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not apply the ice pack directly against your skin. Wrap it in something, like a washcloth, so that it doesn't make the area too cold. Don't leave it on for more than 15 to 20 minutes. Elevate the affected area. Elevating the spot where you had your surgery done can help to relieve any strain being placed on the site, which can reduce your chances of bruising. It also helps blood not pool in that area. To elevate it, rest the part of your body on a pillow above your heart if possible. If you had surgery on your face, try extra pillows at night to lift up the top half of your body. Use heat after two days have passed. Once you're two days past your surgery, you should switch to using heat. Heat will increase blood flow to the area, helping to remove blood that has pooled under the skin. Try a washcloth bathed in warm water or a heating pad. However, make sure to put a towel between yourself and the heating pad so that you don't make the site too warm, as you may burn yourself. Don't leave it on for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Get some rest to help speed up your recovery. After your plastic surgery you should try to rest in order to make the healing process go more quickly. Exercise can cause complications that can lead to bruising. Avoid activities that elevate your heart rate and blood pressure for one to two weeks after your surgery, such as cardio workouts. Eat foods rich in vitamin K. Vitamin K is a natural coagulant; having a deficiency can lead to thin blood, which can lead to bleeding. Eating foods rich in Vitamin K before and after your surgery can help decrease your chances of bruising. Green leafy vegetables, such as kale, collard greens, turnip greens, and spinach, are high in Vitamin K. You'll also find vitamin k in soybeans, carrot juice, and pumpkin. | Note what medications put you at increased risk. Check your herbal supplements. Ask your doctor about surgery conditions. Make sure to not wear any makeup to your surgery. Skip the alcohol. Try bromelain. Apply light pressure to the site of operation. Apply a cold compress to the area during the first 48 hours. Elevate the affected area. Use heat after two days have passed. Get some rest to help speed up your recovery. Eat foods rich in vitamin K. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Sexual-Stamina | How to Improve Sexual Stamina | To improve your sexual stamina, keep your movements slow and steady so stimulation builds slowly, which will help sex last longer. Additionally, consider using thicker protection, which helps some people reduce sensitivity. If you feel yourself approaching orgasm too quickly, try changing position or switching to oral pleasure to prevent premature ejaculation. You could also take a short break, which you could use to talk dirty or perform foreplay. Alternatively, try to think about a mundane topic to control your excitement, like geometric shapes. | Take it slow. Sex doesn't have to be fast and furious. Keep your movements slow and steady and let stimulation build gradually. Instead of being forceful, tease and titillate your partner by holding back and varying the angle, speed and deepness of penetration. When both partners are ready you can speed up together for an explosive finish. One variation of this is called the "7 and 9" technique: keep yourself (and potentially your partner) stimulated without going over the edge of climax by alternating between seven fast strokes and nine slow strokes. Change it up. One of the best ways to keep your energy up, prevent cramps and avoid premature ejaculation is to change positions, speeds and acts more frequently. When you feel yourself approaching orgasm, switch to a new position or stop to give your partner some manual or oral pleasure. Along with helping you last longer, this will give you a more interesting and varied sexual experience. Take breaks. If you feel yourself getting too close to climax, or just running out of steam, just stop for a few minutes. You can use this time to enjoy foreplay, talk dirty, or switch to stimulating your partner manually or orally. When you've had a chance to cool down, dive back in for another round of intercourse. Focus on foreplay. Penetrative intercourse isn't the be-all and end-all of sex. You can give your partner a longer experience by taking the time to have great foreplay. Kissing, touching, pillow talk, and the use of toys or restraints can all make for awesome, memorable sex. Give your partner a lot oral and manual stimulation to get them ahead of you—or even get them to climax one or more times before penetration. If you make the most of several or all of the activities in your sexual toolbox, a few minutes of intercourse may be all either partner needs—or wants—to be satisfied. Use thicker protection. While some argue that there is little noticeable difference between different condoms, many men and women swear using thicker condoms can reduce sensitivity and let them hold off orgasm longer. Using lube in conjunction with a condom has also been shown to help men last longer. Try a desensitizing cream. Many sex stores and sexual health retailers sell creams that can be applied to the penis to numb sensations during sex, thus allowing men to hold off their climax longer. Of course stopping to put on a chemical cream isn't the sexiest thing you can do in bed, so this method may be best saved for comfortable and committed sexual relationships. Look for a cream that absorbs into your skin to prevent numbing your partner as well. Eat right. Lack of sexual stamina, for both men and women, can be a symptom of larger problems with your health and diet. To have a great sex life, eat healthy foods and maintain a healthy weight. Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol, as these can clog your arteries and reduce blood flow. Good blood flow is vital to having the best sexual experience. Exercise. Good sex can be hard, tiring work! Like any physical activity, your stamina in bed can be improved by staying fit. Shoot for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least five days a week, plus strength training twice a week. Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, will keep you healthy, promote good blood flow and give you the energy to have great sex. Plus exercise can improve your body image and make you a more confident lover. Stay stress free. Stress can make it hard to stay focused, aroused and happy during sex—and it can constrict the blood flow necessary for healthy sex. To improve stamina and enjoyment, both men and women should reduce stress in their life—or at least learn to leave it outside the bedroom. Practice. As with any activity, practice makes perfect. Have more sex with your partner using the techniques above and soon enough your stamina and control over your orgasm will improve and come more naturally. Masturbation is also a good way to train yourself to control your climax. Practice getting close to orgasm but stopping right before. Repeat several times before you finish. This will help you learn to notice when you are at the edge of climax, and control yourself when you get there. You don't have to do this every time you masturbate, but occasionally challenging yourself to see how long you can last can be fun and helpful. Masturbating too often in the same way, however, can train your body to only respond to certain kinds of stimulation—which can be troublesome when you want to reach your climax during intercourse. Be sure to vary your routine: switching hands, using lube, trying sex toys, and exploring different kinds of mental and visual stimulation. Don't worry. One of the most common causes of premature ejaculation in men is nervousness and anxiety over the quality of one's performance. The best thing to do is relax and focus on enjoying the closeness with your partner. Remember that sex is about intimacy as much as pleasure, and great sex comes from chemistry much more than stamina or skill. If you find yourself getting stressed or "in your head," take a deep breath and spend a moment reconnecting with your partner. Think about something else. The classic way that men, and some women, use to control the timing of their orgasm is to concentrate on some mundane topic while having sex. Put the pleasure you are receiving to the back of your mind, and try doing a few basic math problems in your head until you are finally ready to climax. Avoid thinking about topics or images that stress you out or turn you off. These can cause you to lose your arousal during sex, instead of simply letting you extend it. Instead try to think about something more abstract, such as visualizing geometric shapes or recalling the lyrics to a favorite song. Don't extend your stamina at the expense of being present with your partner. Long sex can be dull for both of you if you spend the whole time with your head in the clouds. Use this technique sparingly and instead focus on engaging and being active with your partner. | Take it slow. Change it up. Take breaks. Focus on foreplay. Use thicker protection. Try a desensitizing cream. Eat right. Exercise. Stay stress free. Practice. Don't worry. Think about something else. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Troubleshoot-a-Windshield-Washer-Pump | How to Troubleshoot a Windshield Washer Pump | To troubleshoot your windshield washer pump, check to make sure it's clean, free of cracks, and filled with fluid. To start, look at the washer fluid reservoir to see if you spot any dirt or debris, which could be clogging the system. If there is any dirt, simply remove the reservoir from your car and clean it thoroughly. Once you replace it, check the rubber hose that connects the reservoir for cracks and leaks, since this could be affecting your windshield washer. If there aren't any leaks, look to see if the pump reservoir is full and add more washer fluid if needed. | Listen for the pump while turning it on to rule out an electrical issue. Turn on just your vehicle's battery and locate the button that activates the pump, which is usually on the steering column. Press the button and listen for a humming sound from the pump under your vehicle's hood. If you don't hear a sound, there's either a problem with the fuse, your vehicle's wiring, or the pump's internal electronics. Try popping your vehicle's hood if you have trouble hearing the pump. If you hear your pump humming but you don't see any fluid coming out from the nozzles, the fluid tank may be empty or there may be a clog. If the pump doesn't work at all, you'll have to check the pump's electrical system to see if the pump is faulty. Inspect the washer tank to see if it’s empty. Open your vehicle's hood and look for the circular tank cap that has a picture of windshield wipers on it. Unscrew the cap and look inside the tank to check the fluid levels. Typically, you'll see a blue or purple fluid inside of the tank. If you don't see anything or the levels are close to the bottom, then it's time to refill the tank. Shine a flashlight into the tank if you have trouble seeing into it. If you see dit or other contaminants inside of the tank, they may also cause a clog and should be flushed out. Look for cracks and leaks in the hoses or tank. Open your vehicle's hood and prop it up so it doesn't fall down. Locate where the hoses connect to the plastic nozzles on your hood and run your fingers along its length. Visually inspect the hose for any damage or cracks to ensure it's not leaking. Trace the hoses back from the other nozzles as well. If you see any damage, you'll need to have the parts replaced. If you have trouble locating the hoses, check the manual or take your vehicle in to a mechanic for your repairs. Replacing hoses and washer tanks usually require you to remove parts, so it may be difficult to do at home if you don't have experience working on vehicles. Unscrew the tank’s cap. Pop the hood on your vehicle so you can access the tank. Locate the tank's spout, which has a cap with a picture of windshield wipers on it. Turn the cap counterclockwise to loosen and remove it. Set the cap aside somewhere it won't get lost. The tank location varies between vehicles, so check the manual if you have trouble locating it. Check for a compartment in or around your trunk if you're refilling a tank for a rear windshield. Pour windshield washer fluid up to the tank’s fill line. Windshield washer fluid is usually a mixture of water and alcohol that cleans off dirt and dries off quickly. Open the bottle and pour it directly into the tank's spout. If you're worried about spilling the fluid, put a funnel in the spout. Keep pouring the fluid into the tank until it reaches the horizontal fill line on the side. You can buy windshield wiper fluid from convenience or auto supply stores. Typically, washer tanks are clear so you can easily see the fluid level from the outside. It's okay if you don't fill the wiper fluid up to the fill line since the pump attaches to the bottom of the tank. Seal the tank and close the hood. Put the cap back on the spout and turn it clockwise until it feels tight. Avoid forcing the cap on any further, or else you could damage or crack the tank. Lower your vehicle's hood so the nozzles spray your windshield when you test them out. Never leave the tank uncapped since the liquid could easily spill or evaporate. Test the washer to see if fluid sprays out. Turn on your vehicle's battery without starting the engine. Press the button that activates the windshield wiper fluid and hold it down for 2–3 seconds. It's normal for the fluid to sputter out at first, but it should form a steady stream or fan pointed toward the center of your windshield when the pump works properly. If you still don't see fluid coming out from the nozzles, there may be a clog or an issue with the electronics. Scrape dirt out from the exterior nozzles with a safety pin. Locate the 2–3 nozzles along the front of your windshield where the fluid normally sprays from. Stick the point of a safety pin around the nozzle opening to break apart any dirt or stuck-on material. Wipe the safety pin off with a shop cloth frequently to clean it off. Try to break off as much debris as you can. The nozzles may be attached to the windshield wipers on your vehicle. Dirt can rinse back into the nozzle after you spray it and clog it. Try the washer pump after clearing the nozzles to see if it fixed your problems. Raise your vehicle up onto jack stands. Find a sturdy jacking point on the side of your vehicle's frame to place the jack. Pull the handle down on your lift your car off of the ground so you have enough room to get underneath it. Brace the frame with jack stands to keep the vehicle from falling down. Jack up the other side of your vehicle and place 2 more jack stands under the frame. Never work underneath your vehicle while it's on the jack since it could easily slip. Disconnect the hose on the pump to drain the tank. Look for the washer pump, which looks like a black cylinder connected to the bottom of the washer's clear tank. Locate the hose leading from the pump back up into your vehicle. Place a bucket underneath the hose and pull out the hose to drain the tank. Try removing one of your vehicle's wheels if it's in the way of your work. You can try saving the wiper fluid if it doesn't have any dirt or debris. Try funneling the fluid into a spare bottle with a funnel instead of a bucket. Pour clean water through the tank to rinse out dirt and debris. Place an empty bucket underneath the pump to catch any runoff. Open your vehicle's hood and unscrew the cap for the tank. Fill a second bucket with warm water and slowly pour it into the wiper fluid tank so it drains through the system. Keep pouring water through the tank until it comes out clean. Avoid reusing the same water when you flush out the tank since you may reintroduce the dirt or debris. Unplug the hoses from the nozzles. Locate the L-shaped ends for the nozzles connected to the hoses on the underside of your vehicle's hood. Pinch the end of the hose and pull it straight off of the nozzle to disconnect it. Leave the nozzle on the hood and let the hose hang freely during your repairs. Disconnect the hoses on the rest of the nozzles. You usually won't need tools to detach the hoses, but you may need a wrench if clamps secure the hoses to the nozzles. Blow compressed air through the hoses and nozzles. Put the compressed air's nozzle into the end of the hose and slide it in as far as you can. Press down on the button to force the air through the hose. If there's any dirt or buildup inside, it will push out from the other side. Spray from each end of the hose to ensure you remove all of the material. Then put the compressed air in the back of the washer's nozzles and blow air through them as well. You can buy a bottle of compressed air from your local hardware store. Reconnect the hoses to the pump and nozzles. Pinch the end of the hose on the underside of your hood and push it back onto the nozzle connection. Slide the hose as far onto the nozzle as you can so it's less likely to leak. Attach the other hoses to the rest of the nozzles. Then plug the bottom end of the hose back into the side of the pump so the tank doesn't leak anymore. Refill the tank to test your wipers. Open the washer tank and fill it with wiper fluid up to the fill line. Close your vehicle's hood before you turn on the battery. Hold the windshield button down for about 3–4 seconds so the fluid starts coming out from the pump. It's normal for the wiper fluid to sputter when you first start spraying it, but it should form a consistent stream within a few seconds. If your windshield washer still doesn't work, there may be an issue with the electrical system. Locate the fuse that controls the washer pump. Find your vehicle's fuse box underneath the hood near the front fender. Read the fuse diagram on the cover to locate the fuse that controls the washer pump. Take the cover off of the fuse box and find the corresponding fuse. Check your vehicle's manual if you have trouble locating the fuse box. Test the fuse with a multimeter for a continuity below 1 ohm. Set your multimeter to the lowest ohms setting (Ω) to measure the continuity across the fuse. Pull the fuse out from your fuse box and set it on a flat surface. Place one probe against fuse's left prong and the second probe against the other prong. Look for a reading that's less than 1 on the multimeter to ensure that it has continuity. If you get an “OL” or “OPEN” reading on the multimeter, the fuse has blown. Take the old fuse to an auto supply store so you can buy a replacement. Unplug the wire connector from the wiper pump. Keep your vehicle's engine and battery turned off. Locate the pump on the bottom of the washer tank, which is usually near the back of the engine well or near the front fender. Look for a wire connector, which looks like a black box attached to the side of the pump with wires leading back to the fuse box. Grab the base of the box and pull it straight out from the pump to disconnect it. It may be easier to access the pump if you jack up your vehicle or remove one of the front tires. Plug a test light into the connector leading back to the fuse box. Test lights only turn on if they have the correct voltage running through them. Plug the prongs of a 12-volt test light into the connector and push it in as far as you can. Let the light dangle near your pump so you can easily see it while you test the wiring. You can buy test lights from your local hardware store. Turn on your vehicle’s battery and operate the windshield pump. Turn the key in the ignition so the battery starts and the engine stays off. Press down on the windshield washer button and keep it held down. The wipers and washer won't operate, but it will activate the washer's fuse. If you have trouble seeing the light while pressing the button, ask a helper to press the button for you while you watch the light. Replace the pump if the test light turns on. As you hold down the button, look at your test light to see if it turns on. If it does, your vehicle's wiring works properly and there's a problem with your pump. Take it to a mechanic to have it replaced. If the light doesn't turn on, then there may be a problem with the switch or your vehicle's wiring. See a mechanic since it can be very difficult to repair your car's electrical system on your own. Stick a safety pin into the nozzle’s hole. Choose a safety pin or a tool that's narrow enough to fit into the nozzle's exterior hole. Push the pin into the hole by about ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) so you can control the nozzle easier. You may be able to find a special tool made for positioning windshield nozzles. You can buy them for about $5 USD from an automotive supply store. Move the pin to aim the nozzle at the middle of your windshield. Move the pin up, down, left, or right to adjust the direction the nozzle sprays. Try to move the nozzle so the spray lands in the center of your windshield so your wipers spread the fluid evenly. Only make small adjustments to the nozzle direction since it may spray further than you expect. Don't try to force the nozzle to move if you feel resistance, or else you may break the nozzle. Test your washer to ensure the fluid spreads evenly. Turn on your vehicle's battery and press the windshield wiper button. Keep holding the button down until the wiper fluid sprays on your windshield. If it doesn't land in the middle of your windshield, make a mental note of where you need to move it so you can make your adjustment from there. If your nozzle sprays too high or low, the fluid may miss your windshield completely. | Listen for the pump while turning it on to rule out an electrical issue. Inspect the washer tank to see if it’s empty. Look for cracks and leaks in the hoses or tank. Unscrew the tank’s cap. Pour windshield washer fluid up to the tank’s fill line. Seal the tank and close the hood. Test the washer to see if fluid sprays out. Scrape dirt out from the exterior nozzles with a safety pin. Raise your vehicle up onto jack stands. Disconnect the hose on the pump to drain the tank. Pour clean water through the tank to rinse out dirt and debris. Unplug the hoses from the nozzles. Blow compressed air through the hoses and nozzles. Reconnect the hoses to the pump and nozzles. Refill the tank to test your wipers. Locate the fuse that controls the washer pump. Test the fuse with a multimeter for a continuity below 1 ohm. Unplug the wire connector from the wiper pump. Plug a test light into the connector leading back to the fuse box. Turn on your vehicle’s battery and operate the windshield pump. Replace the pump if the test light turns on. Stick a safety pin into the nozzle’s hole. Move the pin to aim the nozzle at the middle of your windshield. Test your washer to ensure the fluid spreads evenly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hang-Garland-on-Stairs | How to Hang Garland on Stairs | Measure the length of the banister where the garland will hang, and add about 1 foot to your measurements for every 3 feet of banister. Then, secure the end of the garland to the banister with a zip tie, and begin stringing the garland along, placing a zip tie every 2 feet. Once you've used all of the garland, cut off the ends of the zip ties and conceal the ties by wrapping them in floral wire or tape. | Measure the banister to see how much garland you’ll need. Hold the measuring tape at one end of the banister, and measure each section of the banister. Since you'll either be draping or wrapping the garland, add about 1 foot (0.30 m) to your measurements for every 3 feet (0.91 m) of banister. For example, if you have a banister that is 15 feet (4.6 m) long, you would purchase 20 feet (6.1 m) of garland. Create a classic “swag” look by letting the garland sag between spindles. Interior designers use this look often because it's very classic and reminds many people of the holidays! Secure the garland at every third or fourth spindle and let it sag between those points. The dips in the garland are called swag! The amount of swag in between each point depends on your preference. You can make the drops as large and dramatic or as small and quaint as you'd like! Larger drops between the points will use more garland, so make sure you have enough on hand if you're planning on going for a dramatic look. Wrap the garland around the banister for a festive holiday look. Many people use this method because it helps to make a typically not-festive part of the house very festive! Wrap the garland tightly between every baluster, or keep it loose for a more laid-back look. This method does restrict the use of the handrail, so be careful when using the stairs! Lay the garland straight along the banister for an easy decorating trick. This method is easy, quick, and uses the least amount of garland. Simply lay the garland on top of the banister and secure it at either end. The garland will also cover the handrail, but you can still carefully grab onto it if needed. String the garland at the bottom of the spindles for for a modern look. Run the garland opposite of the handrail, on the lower part of the spindles. Be sure to weave the garland in and out of the spindles to secure it along the floor. Lowering the garland allows for more use of the hand rail, but still makes your stairs look festive! For a fuller look, weave two strands of garland in opposite directions to completely cover the bottom of the spindles. Be careful when walking on the stairs, especially if you have children. Decorations from the garland can easily fall off onto the stairs and cause you to trip. Secure one end of the garland to the end of the banister with a zip tie. Place one end of the garland at the top of your staircase. Wrap a zip tie around the end of the garland and the banister and pull it tight. Many stores sell special Velcro for hanging garland. It tends to be more expensive and zip ties can accomplish the same thing! Some stores sell green zip ties as a seasonal item. Keep an eye out in the holiday decor section! Be sure to leave a tail at the end of the garland so that it doesn't slip through the zip tie. Your tail can be long for a more dramatic look, or short for a cleaner look! Attach the garland to the banister with a zip tie every 2 ft (0.61 m). Place the zip ties every few feet to ensure that the garland won't fall down, and make sure they're secured tightly! If your garland is heavily decorated, you may need more than one zip tie to hold it in place and keep it from falling. Clip off the ends of the zip ties with a pair of sharp scissors. Once all of your garland has been secured to the banister, go back and snip off all of the ends of the zip ties so that they aren't sticking out from the banister. Try to cut them as close to the “lock” as possible, and then spin them around the banister so that the lock and part you just cut are hidden in the garland. Dull scissors probably won't work for cutting the thick plastic, so use a pair of sharp kitchen or floral scissors. Cover the zip ties with floral wire or tape. If the appearance of the clear or colored zip ties on the banister bothers you, use green floral wire wrapped around the zip ties to conceal them. Alternatively, you can use green floral tape wrapped around the zip ties, but be sure you don't tape onto the banister, as it can cause discoloration! You may need to cut off the ends of the floral wire with your scissors so they aren't sticking out from the garland. Wrap lights around the garland for a festive look. Before hanging the garland, string lights around the boughs to create a lighted focal point on the stairs. If you've already hung the garland, you can drape the lights over and around the boughs for a more casual look. If you don't want to bother with hiding the wires of the lights, use battery-operated fairy lights, which tend to come on a thin, metal wire that's easy to conceal in the branches. Tie bows around the zip ties to conceal them. This is a great and festive way to hide zip ties. Use ribbon to tie large bows on the places where the garland is secured to the banister. Your bows can be as small or as large as you'd like. Larger bows tend to look more dramatic and will complement garland that has large dips. Choose colors like silver, gold, red, blue, or white to complement the season and stick out from green garland. Spray flocking powder on the garland to give the appearance of snowfall. Most craft stores sell fake snow in spray cans during the holidays. Take the garland outside and spray the entire length with the “snow,” focusing mostly on the ends of the branches. Let the flocking powder dry for an hour before hanging the garland on the stairs. Never spray the garland in the house! The wet flocking will get everywhere and can stain the banister or your floors. You might have some shedding from the garland as people brush against them. If you're worried about shedding, spray any brand of extra-strength hairspray over the garland to seal the “snow” in place. Hang ornaments on the garland to coordinate with your tree. Use ornament hooks to secure the ornaments in clusters of 3 or 4 bulbs of varying sizes. Simply thread the hook through the top of the bulb and then hook the bulb onto a piece the garland. Wrap the hook around the garland a few times for added security. Pick bulbs of a similar color scheme to coordinate with the rest of your decorations! You could also decorate the garland with pine cones. Wrap wire or twine around the pine cone, then tie it to the garland or banister. Make sure the bulbs or pine cones are attached to the garland well, as they can fall when bumped. It might be helpful to wrap the hooks around the garland a few times to make sure they won't fall. | Measure the banister to see how much garland you’ll need. Create a classic “swag” look by letting the garland sag between spindles. Wrap the garland around the banister for a festive holiday look. Lay the garland straight along the banister for an easy decorating trick. String the garland at the bottom of the spindles for for a modern look. Secure one end of the garland to the end of the banister with a zip tie. Attach the garland to the banister with a zip tie every 2 ft (0.61 m). Clip off the ends of the zip ties with a pair of sharp scissors. Cover the zip ties with floral wire or tape. Wrap lights around the garland for a festive look. Tie bows around the zip ties to conceal them. Spray flocking powder on the garland to give the appearance of snowfall. Hang ornaments on the garland to coordinate with your tree. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Save-an-Animal-That%27s-Been-Hit-by-a-Car | How to Save an Animal That's Been Hit by a Car | To save an animal that's been hit by a car, call the nearest vet, the ASPCA, or a wildlife rehabilitator if you're dealing with a wild animal. Avoid approaching a wild animal on your own since it could be aggressive. However, if you're unable to call for help and the animal isn't acting aggressively, you may need to transport it to a vet or animal hospital. For small animals, look for a box or container to transport it in, and for large animals, try fitting it in your trunk. | Keep yourself safe. If you are in the middle of the road looking for the animal, you are in an area that is not safe. This is especially true if it's dark. Other vehicles may not see you and you can run the risk of getting hurt yourself. You should always be alert for other vehicles and assume they can't see you. Make sure you assess the condition of the road and listen out for oncoming cars. If it is a busy road, be extra careful. If you hit an animal on a busy highway, expressway, or interstate, you should not stop and try to help. The risk to your personal well being is too great. Use lights. If it's dark, you need to get a flashlight or other source of light. This will help you see where the animal is as well as help you be seen by others. You should also put on your vehicle's hazard warning lights to alert other drivers to your presence. Even if it happens during the day, put on your hazard warning lights to alert other drivers that you are stopped. It may be helpful to leave the headlights on if they illuminate the injured animal. If they don't, turn them off so as not to drain the battery in your car. Locate the animal. In most cases, where the animal is will be obvious. The animal is usually still in the road or by the roadside. However, some creatures, especially wild animals, will use the last of their strength to run and hide. If you cannot see the creature, look for a trail of blood or recently flattened plants to see if you can spot him. If the animal is a wolf, large deer, or other dangerous animal, you should not approach without assistance. Call for help if the animal is wild. It is possible that you hit a wild animal. Wild animals are likely to react with aggression at the best of times, but when injured they will be even more hostile. Before touching a wild animal, you need to prepare as fully as you can. If you have cell phone signal, call the nearest vet, the ASPCA, or a wildlife rehabilitator. You can find these numbers on the internet or by calling information. They may be able to send someone to help. If they agree to do this, stay with the animal so that you can guide the rescuer to his exact location. You should wait for their arrival if possible. The ASPCA or a wildlife rehabilitator will have special equipment for handling wild animals, such as leather gauntlets, special restraining devices, and cages. If you hit a wild animal that is considered dangerous or is too big, such as a wolf, fox, bear, or large deer, do not approach the animal. You should always wait for help with these animals because you do not want to get yourself hurt. Professionals know how to deal with these types of animals. Never deal with a hurt animal if emergency services are on the way. Just stay with the animal until they arrive. Never approach overly aggressive animals. If the animal you find is overly aggressive, you should no approach it, even if you cannot get help. If the animal looks like he is shaking uncontrollably, a dropped jaw, or excessive or frothy, white saliva, you should not approach the animal either. These are signs that the animal may have rabies. If you have no way to call for help when you hit this type of animal, you should take note of your location and then drive to a place where you can call for help. Help the wild animal if no help is available. If the animal is wild but there is no animal inspector or veterinarian available, you need to plan how you are going to safely pick the animal up and transport it. If the animal is small, you need to look for a box or suitable container in your car to transport him. If he is large, you may need to fit him in the trunk. You may also need a large board or blanket so you can transport him. You should look for gloves or other protective gear as well. Having all of these things together will help you when you get ready to transport the animal. Do not pick him up before you make sure you are ready to handle him. Rescue a domestic animal. Domestic animals are used to people and you may be able to approach and calm the animal much easier than a wild animal. However, you should be very careful in either case. Animals in pain will snap and react with aggression, so be prepared for this and act accordingly. You should follow the same size concerns as with a wild animal. Find a box or crate for a small animal. Look for a place to transport a large animal as well as a blanket or board. You should also find protective gear for domestic animals as well. They can be vicious, especially when injured. If the domestic animal allows you to approach it, fashion an improvised muzzle if possible. This will eliminate the risk of the animal biting. Assess the injuries. Before you touch the animal and try to move him, you should observe him from a distance. Look to see if the animal breathing normally. This means he is taking one breath every three to four seconds. Also notice if he is trying to get up and if so, watch to see if you can tell if his legs are damaged. If he doesn't try to get up, look for obvious injuries such as broken bones sticking through the skin, any excessive or noticeable bleeding, or the presence of gaping wounds. Approach the animal. If you have decided that the animal needs immediate help and there is no emergency services on the way, you can approach the animal. As you approach the animal, you should move slowly and speak reassuringly to the animal. The animal will be scared and in pain, so calming tones will work best. Depending on the kind of animal or his size, you need to approach him in different ways. For a small, cat-sized animal, use a blanket or a coat to throw over the animal. This should prevent the cat or other small animal from turning and biting or lashing out with claws while you help him. You have a couple of different options for a dog. You should assume the dog will bite. You can throw the blanket over the dog's head, so his teeth are covered. What might work best, however, is to wrap a tie or a bandage around the dog's muzzle as a makeshift muzzle. Once the mouth is out of action, it is safer to examine the animal's injuries. No matter what method you use, make sure the animal can breath and you don't jostle him around too much. If you have to make a muzzle, make sure he has enough room left to pant and breath. Look for signs of shock. The animal that you hit may go into shock. Animals can die from shock, even if they don't have physical injuries. Watch to see if he is panting, which is a sign of pain and shock. Other signs of shock include collapse, weakness, rapid breathing, pale gums, cold paws, slow capillary refill time, and lack of response to stimulus. If you see the animal in shock, you may need to help him on site before you take him to get help. Only do this is you feel it is necessary to save the animal's life. Cover him up. By the roadside, the amount of help you can give against shock is limited. In practical terms, the best you can do is keep the animal warm and get to professional help as soon as possible. Animals in shock have cold extremities because their circulation is struggling. If it is safe to touch the animal, you need to feel the temperature of the animal's paws. If they feel cool to the touch, he is suffering from chills and you need to wrap him up. For a domesticated animal with no obvious external injuries that need attention, cover the animal with a car rug, your coat, or a blanket. If the animal is small, wrap the coat right around the animal to insulate him from the ground. Never give pain relief medication to the dog. His body, especially in shock, will not absorb the medication and the drug will sit in his gut. This can cause serious gastric ulceration which could be life threatening further down the line. If the animal is bleeding or has an injury which need stabilizing, cover as much of the animal as you can. You should leave the bleeding area exposed for you to work on. Care for a wild animal. If the wild animal seems dazed but has obvious external injuries, try to keep him warm while you wait for emergency services. Don't try to fix his wounds. If he is not recovering and remains dazed, his best chance of survival is being treated by a wildlife rehabilitation officer. If there is no help on the way, you need to transport the animal to the nearest facility. If the animal is merely winded, he may try to get up after a few minutes and wander off. Do not try to stop him. His best bet for survival is to stay on his territory in the wild. He has a den out there and knows where the resources are. Removing him unnecessarily could make it difficult for him to slot back in when released. Stop the flow of heavy bleeding. Traumatic injuries cause two types of blood loss, heavy bleeding from severed arteries or veins and slow seepage from scrapes and wounds. The wound pumping blood should be given priority over the slowly seeping injury. If a wound is dripping blood, you need to try to stem the blood flow. First, apply pressure using a pad of cotton material applied directly over the area. Press down with sufficient pressure to prevent blood seeping through the cotton. If after 5 minutes you remove the pad and the blood starts pumping out again, repeat the pressure for another 5 minutes. Sometimes reapplying pressure is all it takes. Apply a pressure bandage. If reapplying pressure doesn't work, you need to make a pressure bandage. A pressure bandage is another way of applying pressure and can be enough to stop the bleeding while you transport the animal. For a pressure bandage, make a cotton pad and hold it over the wound. Next, take a bandage or a cotton garment cut into strips and wind it around the area and the pad to hold it firmly in place. Apply firm tension onto the bandage as you wind it round so that finished dressing feels firm when you squeeze it. You should not be able to worm a finger between the bandage and the skin. These bandages can run the risk of impairing circulation to a limb if left in place for hours, but are acceptable if the animal may suffer potentially fatal blood loss otherwise. You should go directly to professional help after applying this type of bandage. Make a tourniquet. If there is blood spurting out, the animal may have an arterial bleed. This is very serious and you may need to make a tourniquet. To apply a tourniquet, take a shoelace or tie and tie it around the limb so it lies between the bleed and the heart. Tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding stops. Be aware this has also cut off the blood supply to the rest of the limb so make haste to professional assistance. Only do this if it is essential and you suspect the animal may otherwise die from blood loss. Tourniquet use is controversial because there is a risk of the tourniquet cutting off the circulation, which potentially may cause the loss of the limb. You can reduce this risk by loosening the tourniquet every 10 minutes, which allows blood back into the rest of the limb. If you have someone with you, have her drive while you keep pressure applied to the tourniquet. Dealing with slow seepage. A slowly seeping wound is an injury that is moist with blood but not actually dripping. In this case, it may not be necessary to do anything because this rate of blood loss is usually not dangerous. If necessary, collect a clean cotton cloth, such as a sterile swab from a first aid kit or a clean item of clothing. Form it into a pad and press it firmly over the area. Maintain pressure for 3-5 minutes and then remove the pad. The bleeding should have stopped. If it hasn't, either leave the wound and transport the animal to help or apply a pressure bandage over the area. Do not clean wounds. When you working with the animal's wounds, do not try to clean them while you are still on the side of the road. Grit or contamination needs thorough irrigation with copious amount of sterile saline to be effective. This can only be done at a veterinary clinic or an equipped wildlife rescue area. You should not waste time after you access the bleeding and just get him to a clinic as soon as you can. Support broken bones. If you notice or suspect that the animal is suffering from a broken bone, do not try to straighten broken limbs or push exposed bones back under the skin. You will cause unimaginable pain to the animal, which will worsen his shock and could kill him. If the limb is very floppy, gently support it by placing your hand beneath the limb to take its weight as you lift the animal. If bones are exposed and you have a first aid kit, lay a sterile swab over the exposed bone to try to decrease contamination. Lift the animal as you support the limb's weight and put the animal into your vehicle. You should not dress or bandage a limb by the roadside unless it is severely bleeding. The bandage can press on the broken bones and cause more pain. Just get to help as soon as you can. Transport a small animal. If the small animal is already in a blanket, scoop him up while supporting the back and front end with your arms. If he isn't in a blanket or you need to move him to a cleaner or warmer material, you should lift the animal as gently as possible onto the blanket and then pick him up, supporting his back and head. You want to jostle him as little as possible because you don't want to cause any more pain. Never pick him up by the scruff and let the spine dangle perpendicular to the ground, especially if you think he has any bone injuries. Carry a large animal. A large animal is much harder to move than a small one, especially if you are by yourself. A board or large, study object works best for carrying large animals. If you don't have one, a blanket or a coat will work. Lay the board or blanket behind the animal and lift him onto the board. Cover him with a blanket or towel and have someone help you carry him to your car. Do not roll the animal unless you absolutely have to. This can be extremely painful and cause more injury to the already wounded animal. If the animal struggles and kicks, you may need to secure the blanket down so they cannot injure themselves further by struggling. If you are alone, a blanket may be all that you can carry. Do the best you can in the situation that you are in and try to get to help as quickly as possible. Be gentle. It will be necessary to transport the injured animal to veterinary care, and to do this he has to be moved. Your aim is to do this as gently as possible, so you do not worsen any injuries or cause unnecessary pain. If the animal has a broken bone, make sure the animal lies with the damaged leg on top so his body weight is not resting on the injured limb. If you suspect a spinal injury, handle the animal gently and try to support the back. You should also not move it too much or bend the back area. This can cause more injury and extreme pain. Take the animal to help. Once you have the animal safely in your car, you need to take it to the nearest veterinary hospital or wildlife rescue. If you do not have a way to find out this information, you need to drive somewhere that you can find out this information and then find the nearest place for emergency animal care possible. If you are going to a vet's office, you should call ahead of time so they can expect your arrival. You should also call the wildlife rescue ahead of time and let them know the type of animal you are bringing in. | Keep yourself safe. Use lights. Locate the animal. Call for help if the animal is wild. Never approach overly aggressive animals. Help the wild animal if no help is available. Rescue a domestic animal. Assess the injuries. Approach the animal. Look for signs of shock. Cover him up. Care for a wild animal. Stop the flow of heavy bleeding. Apply a pressure bandage. Make a tourniquet. Dealing with slow seepage. Do not clean wounds. Support broken bones. Transport a small animal. Carry a large animal. Be gentle. Take the animal to help. |
https://www.wikihow.fitness/Choose-the-Right-Workout-for-Your-Body-Type | How to Choose the Right Workout for Your Body Type | Everyone's bodies respond a bit differently to exercise, so you'll want to choose the right work out for you according to your body type. If you have an hourglass shape, try to focus on circuit training to help yourself shed fat and gain muscle. For instance, you might ride your bike, lift weights, then go for a run. If you have an athletic body shape, with shoulders that are slightly wider than your hips, you can do just about any type of exercise and you'll build muscle. Just be sure to do exercises that build muscles in your legs, since people with athletic bodies tend to have thinner legs. If you have a straight body shape, meaning your shoulders and hips are roughly the same width and you have a lower muscle mass, compound exercises will be best. These will help you gain muscle without burning too much fat. Tai Chi and yoga are both great options for this body type. | Determine if you have an hourglass body. If you have an hourglass body type, then your upper and lower body might be somewhat equally proportioned and divided by a small waistline. People with this type of body might have an easier time gaining both muscle and fat. Do circuit training. Circuit training consists of engaging in a wide variety of exercises each time you workout. Instead of only riding your bike, for instance, you might ride your bike, then lift weights, then go for a run. Do multi-joint workouts. Multi-joint workouts are those that engage multiple parts of the body at the same time. For instance, when swimming, you kick your legs, turn your head, and move your arms in sequence. Swim and/or engage in other multi-joint workouts – like squat with an overhead press, step-ups with side deltoid lifts, and lunges with rows– on a regular basis. Lift weights at a light to moderate intensity. When lifting weights, do 12-15 repetitions and two to four sets. Rest for 30 seconds between each set. Incorporate weight training into your workout at least 2-3 times weekly. 3-5 days each week. Do cardio Get 20-45 minutes of cardio each time you include it in your workout. On days when cardio comprises a larger portion of your daily workout, perform your cardio routine at about 50% to 70% of your maximum intensity. On days when your cardio comprises a smaller portion of your daily workout, perform your cardio routine at about 70% to 80% of your maximum intensity. Do lateral step-up squat presses. To perform a lateral step-up squat press, hold a pair of dumbbells and stand to the left of a step. Place your right foot on the center of the step. Lower yourself into a squat by pushing your chest out, keeping your head up, and bending at the knees until your left leg is at an angle of approximately 135 degrees. Next, push up with your right leg and place your left foot next to your right on the step. Push your arms straight up over your head. Step off the step to the right side and repeat, going in the opposite direction. Perform three sets of 10 reps. Do rear lunge row taps. Rear lunge row taps are exercises in which you hold a pair of dumbbells and stand before a step. Place your right foot in the center of the step. Lower yourself so that your right leg achieves an angle of about 80 degrees. Your left foot should remain behind you with only your toes on the ground. Reach down with the weights as if you're trying to place them beside your right foot. Pull your left foot forward and place it beside your right foot. At the same time, pull your hands up toward your chest. Holding the dumbbells in a vertical position, bring them parallel with your ribs. Step off the step and start again, leading with your left foot this time. Perform three sets of 10 repetitions. Determine if you have an athletic body. If you have a mesomorph, or athletic, body type, then you might notice that you have shoulders that are slightly wider than your hips. You might also notice that your legs are thin. People with this body type gain muscles readily and rarely gain fat, so they can do just about any type of exercise and will benefit from it. This body type is also known as the “carrot” type. Perform multi-joint workouts. Multi-joint workouts work your whole body rather than just one set of muscles or limbs. For instance, instead of simply lifting weights, try playing a sport like tennis in which you must move both arms and legs. Other popular multi-joint workouts include lunges, bench presses, squats, and deadlifts. Do weight training at a difficult intensity. When training with weights, do a set of eight to 12 repetitions, then rest for 45 seconds. Do one or two more sets. Incorporate weight training into your workout routine two or three times weekly. Make sure to do weight training for your legs as well as your upper body. Since people with this body type often have thinner legs, building muscle in your legs may help to balance out your upper and lower body. Do cardio three or four times weekly. Vary your intensity each time you do cardio. When you do low-intensity cardio, lengthen the time you spend on it to 45 minutes. When you do high-intensity cardio, reduce the time you spend on it to 30 minutes. Incorporate cardio into your workout three or four times each week. . Do curls To do a curl, hold a dumbbell in one hand with your palm facing up. Keep your wrist straight. Bend your elbow to bring your hand close to your body. Keep your elbow close to your ribs throughout. Slowly lower the dumbbell by extending your elbow. You can sit or stand when doing curls. Do three sets of eight to 10 reps. Determine if you have a straight body. If you have an ectomorph, or straight, body type, then your shoulders and hips will be roughly the same width. You will also likely have low muscle mass, so compound exercises can be really helpful. Ectomorphs have a hard time gaining muscle or fat. . Do tai chi Tai chi is an ancient Chinese practice that involves mimicking a sequence of motions. Practitioners of tai chi report better health and clearer minds. To engage in tai chi, you could rent a DVD from your local library or watch one online. However, it's best to see the motions in person and receive assistance in perfecting your form before striking out on your own. Visit your local Chinese martial arts studio or wellness center to enroll in a tai chi class. . Do yoga Yoga is an ancient practice that comes from India. It involves moving the body through a series of motions to stretch the back, arms, legs, and neck. Visit a yoga studio so you can see exactly how to perform yoga safely and get feedback from a trained instructor. Do weight training at a moderate or difficult intensity. Perform six to 10 repetitions at a slow pace. The slow pace will keep the muscle under stress for a longer period, thereby increasing muscle mass. After your first set of repetitions, pause for sixty seconds, then perform two or three more sets. Do cardio at a moderate intensity. Incorporate cardio into your workout thrice weekly. Perform cardio for no more than 30 minutes each time or, because of your body type, you risk burning your muscle. Perform a deadlift overhead press. A deadlift overhead press involves grabbing a pair of dumbbells and standing with your feet slightly wider than the width of your hips. Bend at the hips until your back is almost parallel to the floor. Bring your body back up using your glutes, then lift the dumbbells overhead so that your palms face each other. Repeat three sets of 12 repetitions. When lowering the dumbbells along with your body, they should not reach past your shin level. Try 1.5 lunges. Holding a pair of dumbbells, stand with your feet together and your arms by your sides. Place your right foot far behind you and lower yourself so that your front (left) leg is bent at about a 90-degree angle. Bring your rear foot forward a bit and stand halfway up so that your knees are bent at about 135 degrees. Then, lower yourself again to the position in which your left knee is bent at a 90-degree angle. Stand up and repeat on the opposite side. Repeat three sets of 10 repetitions. If desired, you can make this a compound exercise by raising the dumbbells above your head in an overhead press as you lunge. Do a V-raise. A V-raise involves standing with your knees slightly bent and one dumbbell in each hand. Extend both arms straight out so that they form a symmetrical “V” shape with an angle just under 90 degrees. Brace your abs for support. Hold the position for five seconds before slowly placing your arms at your sides. Repeat three sets of 12 repetitions. By standing in a sumo squat position, you can convert this exercise into a compound or multi-joint exercise if desired. A sum squat position is when your feet are wider than shoulder-width and your toes are pointing out slightly instead of pointing forward. Do the fencer’s lunge extension. The fencer's lunge extension is an exercise that mimics striking an opponent with a sword. Stand with one leg ahead of the other bent at 135 degrees. Your other (rear) leg should be extended straight behind you and the foot should be flat on the floor. Raise a dumbbell with both hands and place it behind your head. Then, move the dumbbell over your head so that your arms and back form a straight line. Repeat four sets of eight repetitions. Work your belly if you have an apple-shaped body. The apple body type is characterized by wide hips and a round middle. People with this body type tend to have more visceral fat around their midsection, so it is important to consume a healthy diet if you have this body type. If you have an apple-shaped body, you may also want to target your belly fat using high-intensity interval training and core-centric sculpting. For instance, you might try exercises like the rear lunge chop. To perform a rear lunge chop, stand with your feet together while holding the ends of a dumbbell in your hands. Slide your right leg behind you so that your right knee almost touches the ground. At the same time, lower the dumbbell to a position where it is pointing in a front-to-back position along the left side of your body. Bring your right foot back to the center alongside your left foot. At the same time, lift the dumbbell up over your head and turn at the hips. Repeat 20 times, then repeat on the other side. Perform three reps. Focus on your upper body if you have a pear-shaped body. The pear-shaped body has a defined waist and wide hips. Pear-shaped people should focus on upper-body exercises, endurance cardio, power moves, and total-body strength training. Include plenty of upper body strength training exercises to help strengthen your arms, such as pushups, overhead presses, and bicep curls. Repeat three sets of 20 repetitions. Focus on cardio. Carrot, apple, and pear-type bodies can benefit from running, biking, and swimming. These exercises tone your lower body and burn lots of calories. For best results, vary the type of cardio you do regularly. For instance, go swimming one day, then go biking during your next workout session. | Determine if you have an hourglass body. Do circuit training. Do multi-joint workouts. Lift weights at a light to moderate intensity. 3-5 days each week. Do lateral step-up squat presses. Do rear lunge row taps. Determine if you have an athletic body. Perform multi-joint workouts. Do weight training at a difficult intensity. Do cardio three or four times weekly. . Determine if you have a straight body. . . Do weight training at a moderate or difficult intensity. Do cardio at a moderate intensity. Perform a deadlift overhead press. Try 1.5 lunges. Do a V-raise. Do the fencer’s lunge extension. Work your belly if you have an apple-shaped body. Focus on your upper body if you have a pear-shaped body. Focus on cardio. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Budgie-from-Biting | How to Stop a Budgie from Biting | To stop a budgie from biting, ignore it whenever it bites you so it doesn't associate biting with getting attention. Avoid punishing your budgie, yelling at it, or distracting it with toys or treats, since these things can reinforce the bad behavior. Also, make sure you're gentle whenever you handle your budgie since improper handling can cause anxiety and biting. You should also provide your budgie with plenty of toys since boredom can lead to biting. | Keep a diary of when your budgie bites. The first step to addressing biting is to keep track of when biting occurs. Budgies may bite for a variety of reasons. How to address the behavior depends on its root cause. Write down each time your budgie bites you. Jot down the circumstances surrounding the bite. Was the budgie being handled at the time? Was in or out of his cage? Was the bite in response to being fed or given a treat? The more details you record regarding the incident the better. Look for common themes and patterns regarding when your budgie bites. If he tends to bite when he hears loud noises outside or when handled by unfamiliar people, he may be biting out of anxiety. If your budgie tends to bite around nighttime when he's been out of his cage for extended period, he may be biting because he's tired and wants to go back in his cage. Use negative reinforcement when biting occurs. Oftentimes, people unintentionally reinforce biting. Any attention, even in the form of scolding, can seem like a positive to a budgie who's seeking relief from boredom or frustration. When a budgie bites, instead of scolding your budgie simply ignore the behavior. Try not to react when a budgie bites. He will realize he's not getting the reaction he craves and cease the behavior. Keep a regular sleeping and feeding schedule. As budgies may bite due to dissatisfaction with their diet and sleep cycle, maintaining a schedule can help. Make sure your budgie gets variety in his diet and is fed regularly. Allow him to sleep at roughly the same times each day. Seed and pellets, the kind that you buy at pet stores, should be the staple of a budgie's diet. However, budgies will get bored eating the same meal day after day. Add variety to your budgie's diet by adding sprouts, veggies, and grains to his regular bird food. Keep track of what times your budgie seems to rest. Make a conscious effort to give him space during these times. A budgie might become frustrated and bite if he's being handled when he's tired. Respect the fact budgie's need lots of rest to feel healthy and happy. Handle your budgie with care. Anxiety is a major cause of biting in budgies. Oftentimes, anxiety is caused accidentally by owners improperly handling their budgies. Be careful when handling your budgie as not to cause him stress. Allow a budgie to come to you. Do not grab a budgie but give him the option of perching on your hand or finger. Do not follow your budgie from room to room. This can come off as chasing. In the wild, predators chase budgies in this manner. You do not want your budgie to mistake you as a threat, so allow him to fly from room to room on his own. Talk to your budgie softly and offer him treats and toys. This will keep him calm and relaxed and allow him to establish a bond with you. If you have just purchased a budgie, give him space for a few weeks before attempting contact. Provide enough toys. In the wild, budgies are constantly occupied with some task or another. Mental stimulation through appropriate toys is vital to a budgie's well being. If a budgie gets bored, he may resort to biting to get attention and stimulation. Shreddable toys, like old toilet paper rolls and scrap paper, are fun for budgies. As they forage in the wild to build nests, they'll enjoy tearing through paper in captivity. Stop by a local pet store and look at what's available in terms of bird toys. Many budgies enjoy puzzle toys, which are contraptions where you can hide a treat. The budgie will have fun trying to dismantle the puzzle in order to get a reward. These are great if you're away from home for long periods during the day. Play with your budgie. Budgies need one-on-one attention. Set aside time every day to spend with your budgie, especially if you only have one. Considering getting another budgie if your schedule does not allow you to spend time with your budgie each day. Ease your budgie into transitions. Have there been any changes to your household? Have you recently moved to a new home? Did a new person or pet recently move in? Is there construction going on outside causing excessive noise? Any changes to routine can cause anxiety for a budgie, leading to biting. If there are any major changes, give your budgie some space while he's getting used to the transition. Do not handle him too much and make sure he always has adequate food and water. If loud noises from outside seem to be bothering your budgie, consider a noise machine. Do not yell at a budgie. Yelling at a budgie can backfire in one of two ways. Yelling can excite a bird, causing him to repeat the behavior to elicit the reaction again. Yelling can also cause a budgie stress, which can lead to biting out of fear and anxiety. Do not yell at a budgie in response to biting. Avoid punishment. Punishment will only increase a budgie's sense of anxiety. It can also cause undo stress and diminish the bond you have with a budgie. Avoid punishing budgies if you want to eliminate biting. Never squirt a budgie with a spray bottle to address biting. This will cause the bird to perceive you as a threat. Do not place a budgie in his cage as punishment. Budgies see their cages as safe, happy spaces. If your response to biting is to put the budgie in his cage, he will think his behavior is being rewarded. Do not use distractions like treats or toys. Many people address biting by distracting a budgie with a treat or a toy. However, much like putting a budgie in a cage, your budgie will see this as a reward for his behavior. This will encourage biting in the future. | Keep a diary of when your budgie bites. Use negative reinforcement when biting occurs. Keep a regular sleeping and feeding schedule. Handle your budgie with care. Provide enough toys. Ease your budgie into transitions. Do not yell at a budgie. Avoid punishment. Do not use distractions like treats or toys. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Car-Without-a-Title | How to Buy a Car Without a Title | Before you buy a car without a title, look up the car's VIN number on the National Insurance Crime Bureau website to check if the car has been stolen or has serious structural problems. If you still want to purchase the car, do everything you can to track down the title before you buy it, including calling the DMV where it was last registered, or hiring a title company. Then, draft a bill of sale, sign it with the seller in front of a notary, and pay for the car with a check so you have proof of payment when you go to register the vehicle. | Inspect the car in person and meet the seller. Before purchasing a car without a title, you should inspect the car in person. This gives you an opportunity to not only examine the car but also the seller. You are looking for a reputable seller who will help you secure a title, if possible. If the seller is pressuring you into buying the car, you should consider walking away from the purchase. Ask the seller whether they ever had the title and how they came into possession of the car. Explain to them that you are trying to determine whether or not you can obtain the title for the car. If they seem unwilling to help you or uncomfortable answering questions about how they got the car, you should seriously consider not buying the car. Without the title, you have no way of knowing whether the seller has the legal right to sell you the car. If they don't have the legal right to sell the car, you could be purchasing stolen merchandise. Identify the VIN number and take a picture. While you are inspecting the car, be sure to photograph or copy down the car's vehicle identification number (VIN). Every car is assigned a 17-digit number that identifies the place the car was manufactured, the year, model and make of the car, as well as other identifying features. You can find the VIN number in the following places: Below the windshield on the driver's side of the car In a car's engine bay on the firewall, which is the wall located between the engine and the passenger compartment. On a sticker or metal plate located on the doorjamb on the driver's side of the car. Run a free VIN number check. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) allows people to run a free VIN check in order to determine whether a car has been reported as stolen but not recovered or if a NICB member insurance company listed it as salvage. You can conduct a VIN search here: https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck. This website allows you to run up to five free VIN searches in a 24-hour period. A car that is listed as salvage may have been in an accident, have serious structural problems or be expensive to repair. Many insurance companies will not insure a salvage-title car, which means that you would not be able to register the car in your state. Decide whether to walk away from the sale or attempt to secure a title. If the car has been listed as salvage, you should strongly consider not buying the car unless you are looking to purchase it for parts. If the car has not been listed as salvage or reported as stolen, and they seller seems like a reputable person, you should take steps to acquire the title. Ask the seller whether they ever had the title. If the seller seems willing to help you secure the title to the car, state by asking them whether they ever had the title. If they did, in most states you can easily request a duplicate title for a small fee. You can check the state-by-state requirements for replacing a lost title at: http://www.dmv.org/replacing-a-lost-title.php. Run a more extensive vehicle report. If the seller is not sure whether they ever had the title, you can use the VIN number to run a more extensive vehicle information report, which may help you locate the previous title holder. While you will have to pay a fee for this report from companies such as CARFAX, the report provides the following useful information: Number of owners and the states where the car was registered. Information regarding liens on the car. Accident reports. Maintenance on the vehicle. Accident history. Car title check. Other damage to the car. Whether the car was salvaged. Ask the seller for a bill of sale from previous owner. If the seller does not have a title but did get a bill of sale when he or she purchased the car then you may be able to use the bill of sale to track down the previous owner. You should check whether the information on the bill of sale matches the information on your vehicle report. Specifically, check if the car was sold in the same state where the car was registered and titled. Identify the previous owner and try to locate the person using an internet white pages search at whitepages.com. This allows you to search people by name and location in an attempt to locate their phone number. If you locate the previous owner, call them and ask whether they would be willing to assist you in getting title for the car. You can offer to pay for any fees that they may incur as a way of encouraging them to fill out the online paperwork and transfer title. Contact that last DMV where the car was registered. If you are unable to locate the previous owner, you should contact the DMV for that state and explain that you are looking to secure a proper title to the car and give them the name of the seller and the VIN number for the car and the bill of sale. The DMV may be able to help you or explain what, if any, additional steps you need to take. You can find contact information for motor vehicle departments in the United States at: http://www.dmvnv.com/50_state_dmv_list.html. Consider hiring a title company. If you are unable to get the title for the car, you should consider hiring a title company to try and get the proper title for you. You can do this before you purchase the car or if you already purchased the car without a title. You can find businesses that help you get titles by conducting an internet search for “title recovery services.” Before hiring a title recovery company, check with the Better Business Bureau at https://www.bbb.org , to see whether there have been any complaints filed against the company. Draft a bill of sale. If you decide to purchase the car with or without the title you should draft a bill of sale. A bill of sale is a sales agreement between two parties. Some states require that you have a bill of sale in order to transfer title. Even if it is not required, you should still get a bill of sale for your own records to document proof of purchase. You should have the bill of sale notarized and it should include the following information: The name and address of the seller(s). The name and address of the buyer(s). Information on the car being bought/sold, including the make, model, body type, year and VIN number. List any additional items that the sale includes, if applicable, such as snow tires. The current odometer reading. The full purchase price. A warranty from the seller stating that he or she is the legal owner and that the vehicle is free from all liens or encumbrances. Whether the vehicle has been inspected by a mechanic prior to purchase. Information identifying the condition of the vehicle and whether it is being sold “as is.” Identify whether the vehicle was a salvage vehicle, deemed a total loss by an insurance company, or whether the vehicle was repaired under “lemon law.” Identify any additional terms of sale. Signatures by all parties to the sale of the car in front of a notary. Get proof of payment. In addition to the bill of sale, you should purchase the car with a check or bank check where you can demonstrate that you paid the funds to the seller. Transfer title. If you were able to assist the seller in replacing a lost title or having a previous owner transfer title to the seller, you should make sure that the seller transfers the title to you when you are exchanging payment for the car. Register your vehicle. Some states, such as New York, will allow you to register your vehicle with the state without the title. After completing your state's required paperwork, the state may issue you a non-transferable registration, which means that the car is registered in the state, that you can use the car but that you cannot sell it to another person. You can find the required paperwork on your state DMV's website or by calling a local branch. You can also visit http://www.dmv.org/car-registration.php to find general guidelines. | Inspect the car in person and meet the seller. Identify the VIN number and take a picture. Run a free VIN number check. Decide whether to walk away from the sale or attempt to secure a title. Ask the seller whether they ever had the title. Run a more extensive vehicle report. Ask the seller for a bill of sale from previous owner. Contact that last DMV where the car was registered. Consider hiring a title company. Draft a bill of sale. Get proof of payment. Transfer title. Register your vehicle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sex-a-Corn-Snake | How to Sex a Corn Snake | To sex a corn snake, start by finding its cloacal opening near the end of its tail, and looking at the girth of its body. If it appears to taper immediately past the opening, it's probably a female. However, if it appears to be the same size for a few inches before tapering toward the tail, it's likely a male. Alternatively, count the scales on the underside of your snake's body from its cloacal opening to the tip of its tail. If you count more than 140 scales, your snake is likely male, but if your tally is less than 130, it's probably female. | Pick an appropriate probe. Ball-tipped probes are generally safest so they don't hurt the snake, though ones that are dull-tipped are also appropriate. You can find kits online that come in several sizes. You don't want to use one too small. The probe should just fit inside the opening when you perform the procedure. However, don't ever use one over 4 millimeters on a corn snake. Have someone hold the snake face up. It is difficult to do this procedure by yourself. It's much easier if you have someone available to hold the snake face up. You should be looking at the tail end. Make sure the person is supporting most of the snake's body with her hands, especially the middle part of the body. You can also have her control the head by placing gentle pressure on either side of the head at the base. The reason you don't grasp the snake underneath the head is that it can cut off breathing. Apply lubricant to the probe. It helps make the procedure go more smoothly if you apply some kind of lubrication to the probe. You can dip the probe in petroleum jelly or something like KY Jelly. Bend the tail backward. Gently tip the tail away from you. This slight bend will expose the cloacal opening, which is where you will be inserting the probe. Locate the opening. Insert the probe. Use the tip of the probe to gently find an opening, going towards the tail end. You don't want to push too hard, as you can hurt the snake. Once you find an opening, push the probe in, letting it go as far as it will without too much pressure. Examine how far the probe went in. Count how many scales the probe went in. If you can't tell, mark where it is at the opening with your finger and pull it out. Hold it up against the snake from the opening towards the tail. Count the number of scales. If it only went in a couple of scales, it's likely a female. If it went in 8 to 16 scales, it's likely a male. The reason you probe a snake is to see how far the probe goes. If it goes a longer way in, you have a male snake. If it goes a short way in, you have a female snake. Essentially, when you are inserting it along one of his hemipenes, one of two of his inverted genitalia. A female doesn't have these parts, so you won't be able to go as far. Have someone hold the other end of the snake. Some corn snakes will bite when you pop them. Therefore, try to have someone control the head so you don't get bitten. The person should hold the snake near the base of the head, placing light pressure on the sides of the head. Don't apply pressure underneath the head, as that can cut off breathing. Remember to only perform this technique on hatchlings. Find the cloaca again. With the snake's belly up, look at the tail of the snake. Find the opening that is a few inches from the tip of the tail. Have tip going away from you. Place your thumb under the cloaca. Using your dominant hand, apply gentle pressure just underneath the opening. Hold the tip of the tail with your other hand. Use your other thumb to apply pressure. Moving from the tip of the tail towards the cloaca, apply gentle pressure along the snake. You are gently squeezing it toward the cloaca, sort of like getting toothpaste out of a tube. Applying excessive force could cause tissue damage to the snake. Make sure you don't press too hard. Before you try this procedure for yourself it is best to be shown what to do by an expert, such as a specialist reptile vet or a trained herpetologist. Watch for the hemipenes. In a male snake, the hemipenes will pop out. You'll see two little tubes pop out of the opening if it is a male. A female won't have these tubes. All you'll see is two pink dots at the opening. Find the cloacal opening. The cloaca opening or vent is near the end of the tail. Find the opening to help identify where to look. Look at the girth. In a female snake, the body of the snake will immediately taper after the vent, going towards the tip of the tail. In a male snake, generally the tail will stay the same girth for an inch or two before tapering. Males will also be longer from the cloaca to the tip, but that is difficult to distinguish if you don't have another snake for a comparison. Count scales. Another method to visually determine the sex of the snake is to count the scales from the cloaca to the tip of the tale on the underside of the belly. It's easiest to do this process on a shed skin, as you will have a hard time keeping a snake still in the process. In an adult, males usually have more than 140 scales, while females usually have less than 130 scales. Between 130 and 140, it is difficult to tell the sex. If you can't see it very well, try taking a picture and zooming in. | Pick an appropriate probe. Have someone hold the snake face up. Apply lubricant to the probe. Bend the tail backward. Insert the probe. Examine how far the probe went in. Have someone hold the other end of the snake. Find the cloaca again. Place your thumb under the cloaca. Use your other thumb to apply pressure. Watch for the hemipenes. Find the cloacal opening. Look at the girth. Count scales. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Enjoy-Periods | How to Enjoy Periods | While many people dread their periods every month, you can learn to enjoy them by being prepared and taking good care of yourself. Mark the general time your period will likely arrive or use an app, like Period Tracker, so you can be prepared. While it's okay to give in to a few cravings, avoid too much sugar, salt, or coffee, which can aggravate your symptoms. You'll also want to get some exercise, which can reduce bloating and cramps as well as release mood-boosting hormones. Another way to enjoy your period is to pamper yourself. For example, have a ritual of watching a comedy on the first day of your period. Another way to make yourself happy and relaxed is to get a monthly manicure or take a hot bubble bath. While feeling bloated or unattractive during your period is normal, combat these feelings by getting dressed up or styling your hair in a cute way. | Know when it’s coming. Nothing puts a damper on brunch with your friends like unexpectedly getting your period, in white pants no less. While you can't always pinpoint the exact hour you'll get your period, you can usually plan for a general timeframe. If you know it's going to happen, you'll be more prepared and can avoid potentially embarrassing mishaps. Marking the general time your period will arrive each month with a discreet red dot in your planner or your phone's calendar is an easy way to remind yourself when it will happen. They even make apps, like Period Tracker, that help you keep track of your flow. Wearing a super thin pad or a pantyliner around the time you're expecting your period can prevent an embarrassing leak. Don’t feel self-conscious. Think about it. How often have you cringed seeing a woman buying tampons ? Have you ever actually looked at a woman and thought, ' she smells like she's on her period '. Probably not. While you don't necessarily need to advertise that you're on your period, you don't need to feel embarrassed or paranoid either. If you get caught off guard with your period, don't be afraid to ask another woman for a tampon or pad. Every woman has their period and many of them have been caught in the same situation. Nobody is going to laugh or make fun of you. Remind yourself periods are a good thing. While they may seem like a nuisance, periods mean you're in excellent health and your body is performing like it's meant to. Your brain is sending chemical messages to your ovaries so you're producing hormones like estrogen and androgens, both of which are extremely important. If you remind yourself of that, it allows you to appreciate what's happening with your body and then focus on other fun things in life. Use the best sanitary product for your body. There are numerous options today in the world of sanitary products including pads, tampons, menstrual cups, sponges, and more. If you're using one product but you find it uncomfortable, try another product! Don't feel like you have to use a certain product just because that's what your friends use. Find the most comfortable option for your body because when you're comfortable, you're less likely to even notice you're on your period. Work around irregularity. You may have irregular periods, which can make planning for and then enjoying your time of month difficult. Irregular periods are periods that do not come every month. They are also periods that are sometimes very heavy, while other times very light. If you have irregular periods, talk to your doctor about how to treat the issue. This way, you'll be more able to plan for your time of the month. If you have just started your period, it's not uncommon for your period to be irregular for the first few years. Irregular periods can be caused by a variety of health conditions, such as ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, and habits like exercise and weight loss. If your periods are irregular, finding the cause can cut back on worry. This can allow you to enjoy your periods more when they do occur. Your doctor may be able to treat your irregular periods. Women are often prescribed birth control, which can help control when your period will come. Talk to your doctor about getting on birth control if irregular menstruation prevents you from enjoying your period. Watch what you eat. It's okay to give in to cravings once in a while. If you are constantly eating milk chocolate while you're on your period, however, you might actually be doing yourself a disservice. Sugar, salt, and coffee can aggravate your symptoms and actually make them worse. Try to avoid these foods in the time leading up to and during your period. Why are sugar, salt, and coffee bad? Sugar spikes your blood sugar which can actually make you more irritable. Salt can cause you to feel even more bloated, and caffeine elevates estrogen production, which can cause more extreme PMS symptoms. Try to consume leafy greens, salmon, whole grains, bananas, and yogurt instead. Packed with all sorts of vitamins, these foods will reduce your symptoms so you can enjoy yourself and forget about your period. Move. You may be tempted to curl up on the sofa and watch television all day, but you'll actually feel happier if you get up and move around. Exercise reduces your symptoms, like cramping and bloating, and releases mood-boosting endorphins. Your body temperature is actually lower when you're on your period too, so you'll stay cooler. You don't necessarily need to run a marathon or hike a mountain to get some exercise. Grab a friend and try a spin class, take your dog for a walk around your neighborhood, or break out your yoga mat and do some sun salutations. Anything that gets your body moving and active will make you feel better. Leaks sometimes happen during exercise. Therefore, it's a good idea to use a tampon over a pad to prevent leaks. If you're having a particularly heavy month, using a tampon and a pad may help with leak protection. You could also try wearing darker workout clothes in case a leak occurs. Try essential oils. Essential oils are a natural way to perk yourself up when you're feeling sluggish. Add a few drops to a hot bath or massage it into your temples and wrists. The smell alone will make you feel more happy and relaxed. There are a lot of different oils out there, but a few, in particular, can be helpful during your period. Bergamot and clary sage keep your mood stable, geranium is wonderful if you're feeling crabby, and lavender helps you relax. White peppermint can relieve headaches and grapefruit and lemon are great for bloating. Address stress. If you're stressed out, your period symptoms may be even more extreme. Take some time to think about what is stressing you out. If it's something you can easily address, take care of it so it's off your mind. If it's something out of your control, remind yourself of that and try to relax with a bubble bath, yoga, or meditation. Take pain relievers. If you're experiencing substantial cramping, breast tenderness, backaches, or headaches, and nothing natural seems to be working, you may want to try taking a pain reliever. These pain relievers include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). You can also try remedies specially made for PMS symptoms like Pamprin and Midol. Always follow the dosage information on the bottle and talk to your doctor if you're unsure or have any questions before taking medication. Use heating pads. Another common way of dealing with periods is a heating pad. As a heating pad can be comforting, this also may help you enjoy your time of the month. See cramps as an excuse to indulge in this luxury. You can purchase a heating pad at most drug stores. Make sure you read instructions before use, as some heating pads should be wrapped in a blanket or towel. Never leave a heating pad plugged in overnight or unattended. Have a ritual of watching comedy. The first day of your period can be frustrating. You may have physical symptoms or feel emotionally vulnerable. Therefore, make it a monthly ritual to watch some comedy to lighten your mood on day one. Peruse YouTube, your DVD collection, or Netflix and find something that will make you laugh. Comedy will provide you with entertainment and take your mind off any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you want, you can make a point of watching a particular movie or TV series during the first day of your period. Pamper yourself. Periods can be tough on your body, so do something to pamper yourself to help alleviate symptoms. You may actually enjoy periods more if you use them as an excuse for pampering you may not do otherwise. If you ache all over, book a massage at your favorite salon and enjoy an hour of relaxation. Get a manicure and pick a bright color so you smile every time you glance at your nails. Take a really hot bubble bath while you read a book. Indulge in something that will make you feel happy, relaxed, and refreshed. Get dressed up. Many women feel bloated and unattractive during their periods. You can fight that feeling by using your period as an excuse to dress up. Resist the urge to lay around in sweatpants all day. Get yourself dolled up and go out with your friends. Make this a monthly ritual each time you have your period. Whether you're trying a new restaurant or doing some shopping, put on an outfit that you feel good in, style your hair, and see how much better you feel. Don't be afraid to wear cute underwear while you're on your period. You're probably going to reach for your most worn out pair of undies, but resist! Boring skivvies can put a damper on your mood, so put a pair on that make you feel great. If you're afraid of stains, a thin pantyliner can solve that problem. Relax. Being active can be fun and does wonders for your period symptoms, but don't be afraid to take it easy either. Your period may make you feel drained on some days, and physical symptoms may be worse during some parts of your cycle. Give yourself the excuse to relax on certain days of your menstrual cycle. Make some snacks (bonus points if they're ones that reduce symptoms), find a movie, and snuggle on the couch for a while. Sometimes the best thing for your body is rest. Don't feel guilty for vegging out for a couple of hours while you watch something good on TV. | Know when it’s coming. Don’t feel self-conscious. Remind yourself periods are a good thing. Use the best sanitary product for your body. Work around irregularity. Watch what you eat. Move. Try essential oils. Address stress. Take pain relievers. Use heating pads. Have a ritual of watching comedy. Pamper yourself. Get dressed up. Relax. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Strong-Catapult | How to Build a Strong Catapult | To build a strong catapult, build a base supported with plywood triangles, with a cross brace at the top. Attach a launching basket to the throwing arm, and attach the arm to the base at one end with a long piece of rope that is wrapped through the frame and around the arm in an over-under-over pattern. Secure the rope on either side with a piece of a broom handle and attach a catch to the other end of the arm. Engage the catch, then twist the handles to tighten the catapult. When you release the catch, the arm should fly forward, releasing the payload. | Gather the materials. To ensure you build the best and safest catapult, find durable and strong materials to withstand the extreme forces your catapult will use when shooting objects. There are a great many materials you could use in the construction of your catapult, but at minimum you will need: Broomstick or crank Padding Plywood (1/4" to 1/2" thick, 15" by 18 and 1/2") Rope (strong, stretchy preferred,like kernmantle rope) Screws or bolts Weights (optional) Wood (preferably non-flexible, like oak wood) If using 2x4 planks collect: two pieces at 36", one piece at 30", four pieces at 15", and one piece at 18" Contemplate base and weights. Since your catapult utilizes such powerful forces to eject its payload, you will need a strong and sturdy platform for launching as well as a strong and stable foundation. Poor foundation can throw off your aim or cause your catapult to fail. Torsion catapults, which is the technical name for a normal catapult, have historically been built with heavy, reinforced sides, as these would allow for heavier payload, greater tensile force, and greater stability. Cut your plywood supports. For the base of this catapult, you will use a 2x4 base supported with plywood triangles. To prepare your plywood supports, take one rectangular piece of plywood 1/4" to 1/2" thick, 15" by 18 and 1/2", and cut it diagonally into two equal triangles. Choose the right material for your throwing arm. Traditionally, spruce or fir wood were used for the throwing arm, as these woods were light and strong. Consult your local lumberyard to see if these are an affordable option and, if not, ask for some alternatives, two of which follow: Thick PVC pipe Metal pipe (lightweight, durable) Cut your torsion handles. You will need rope torsion to provide the launching force for your catapult. The more twists, the greater the torque, the more power your catapult will have. The amount of torsion (twisting) you can achieve is limited only by your strength and the strength of the materials you've used in making your catapult. To make your torsion handles, take a broomstick and cut into two 15 inch segments. Lay out the right side of your base. Position your 36" 2x4 flat, longways on your workbench or another suitable sturdy surface. Place your 18" 2x4 at a right angle to your 36" piece at 15" from the end of the 36" piece and screw them into place. Attach your plywood triangle. Place it atop your 2x4 planks. The 18" side of your plywood will be vertical to your 36" plank, its base parallel with the 36" plank, and its diagonal will approximately span the distance between the two ends each 2x4 plank. Screw down your triangle securely to your 2x4s. This forms one base leg of your catapult. Lay out the left side of your base and affix your other triangular plywood piece. In the same fashion you constructed the right side, put your 36" and 18" 2x4 planks at a right angle 15" from the end of the long piece, and screw your triangular plywood piece into place atop the two 2x4 planks, with the base parallel to the 36" 2x4. Connect the left and right sides of the base. Using your two 15" long 2x4 planks, screw your left and right side, with the base of your triangle and base of your 36" 2x4 forming the bottom, leaving the hypotenuse (the diagonal) facing up. Use long screws to ensure your frame is sturdy. Do not use nails for this part of your frame. Nails are sensitive to the stress your catapult will exert, and could come loose over time. Turn your base right-side up. Now that you have your frame constructed, you will begin working on constructing the throwing arm. The top side of your catapult will have the 18" vertical boards pointing straight up, and your 36" boards laying flat edgewise. Screw in a cross brace between the sides. At the topmost point of your 18" vertical boards, screw in another 18" piece between the two to form the cross brace of your catapult. The top of your cross brace should be level with the top of your vertical 18" 2x4 boards. Prepare the arm. Take your 30" 2x4 and measure 2.5" from one end. Drill a 1/2" centered hole clear on the narrow side of the board through the entire width of the 2x4. Attach a cup or launching basket. Screw a plastic cup to the center of the flat side of your 2x4. This should also be the opposite side from where you drilled a hole through the short side of your 2x4. Feel free to experiment with other materials and holding devices, like baskets, bowls, and cases. Drill a hole in the base. Drill a 1" hole in each side of the base into the end with your triangular support. This hole will need to be centered 6" from the end of the 36" piece where the end of your plywood triangle should also end. Then measure 2.5" up from the bottom edge of the device and drill. Pad the arm. The arm of your catapult operates by being pulled or winched back after applying tension to the rope that will be laced through the frame. Where the throwing arm of your catapult meets your cross brace, it's a good idea to add padding, like a blanket or several layers of wrapped rags. This will prevent your catapult from doing damage to itself when the arm is pulled back, released, and comes in contact with the cross brace. Lace the rope. You will need about 20' of rope to complete the lacing process. Tie the rope around your broomstick handle, then take it through the hole in the right side of the base, through the hole you drilled in the arm of the catapult, out the opposite side of the base and back out to your second broomstick handle. Loop it around your second handle, then take it back through the frame to your first handle, where you will loop the cord again. Do this several times. When choosing rope, look for strong material that has some stretch to it. Kernmantle rope, like parachute cord, is an excellent option. Take your cord back and forth through the frame and arm several times to ensure your rope is securely fastened to the frame. While lacing, don't worry about keeping the rope tight. When you turn your handles, you will tighten the rope and apply launching force. Use an over under motion to complete lacing. After you have run your cord through the base of your catapult and throwing arm several times to secure it to the frame and arm, starting with your second handle, bring the end of your cord around the second handle in a loop that passes through the hole in your frame and under the throwing arm, passing through to the hole on the other side to loop around your first handle. Continue this motion, following each over-lacing of the arm with an under-lacing with each pass of the cord through the frame. This should form a figure eight shape with your rope where you can clearly see the rope twisting together. The more twists you add through your over and under motion, the more tension and greater force your catapult will have. After securing your rope to arm and frame, you should not continue threading your line through the throwing arm. To achieve the tension necessary to throw a projectile, you must finish lacing by going through the frame holes, around the broom handles in loops, and over and under the throwing arm. Make sure your loops stay anchored around your broom handles. Knot the end of your cord to the side of the arm. When you are reaching the end of your rope, wrap it around the strings to one side of your catapult, then cross over and do the same on the other side. Now you can knot the end of your cord, ensuring it won't come lose with the added benefit of keeping your rope orderly. Add a catch for your throwing arm. As you twist your handles, the torsion of the rope will cause your throwing arm to ascend until its tension holds it against the cross brace. First allow your arm to rest fully back in the launching position and judge where to best install your catch, then drill a hole and insert your hook. By installing a catch to the rear of your frame, you won't have to pull the arm back to launch your payload. Simply release the catch after applying tension, and your arm will spring forward, stopping at the cross brace and launching your payload. Arm your catapult and apply torsion. Your handles should now be off to each side of your catapult base, parallel to your 36" pieces and attached to the frame and throwing arm by rope. Turn the handles to create torsion in the rope. This will give the catapult tension, simply add a payload to your cup, wind your broomstick cranks, release your catch and fire. | Gather the materials. Contemplate base and weights. Cut your plywood supports. Choose the right material for your throwing arm. Cut your torsion handles. Lay out the right side of your base. Attach your plywood triangle. Lay out the left side of your base and affix your other triangular plywood piece. Connect the left and right sides of the base. Turn your base right-side up. Screw in a cross brace between the sides. Prepare the arm. Attach a cup or launching basket. Drill a hole in the base. Pad the arm. Lace the rope. Use an over under motion to complete lacing. Knot the end of your cord to the side of the arm. Add a catch for your throwing arm. Arm your catapult and apply torsion. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Antidepressants | How to Get Antidepressants | To get antidepressants, start by making an appointment with your doctor. If you don't have a doctor yet, find one using a website like ZocDoc or thero.org. Next, describe your symptoms to your doctor and explain any causes of stress in your life. Also, make sure you tell the doctor about any other medications you're on, like vitamins or birth control, because these things can interact with antidepressants. Then, explain to your doctor why you think antidepressants would help you, and ask them to prescribe you some. | Make an appointment with your healthcare provider. A psychiatrist or family physician can perform an examination and speak with you about why you feel you might need antidepressants to treat your health condition. In most cases, meeting with a psychiatrist is considered ideal since psychiatrists specialize in mental health disorders, have more experience working with antidepressants, and can prescribe the antidepressants that will work best for you. Research local psychiatrists who are covered under your insurance plan and set up an appointment by phone or online. You can get a referral from your primary care physician to go to a psychiatrist or you can find one by using a site like ZocDoc or Thero.org. Be specific when describing your symptoms to your doctor. Providing as many details as possible can give your doctor the insight needed to correctly diagnose your disorder and prescribe the right type of antidepressant. For example, those diagnosed with bipolar disorder may need two different medications to manage manic and depressive phases, but someone with anxiety disorder may need one specific type. Mention physical symptoms of depression such as insomnia and lack of energy, as well as mental symptoms such as sadness or feelings of helplessness. Explain any causes of your stress and depression. Identifying the cause of your stress and depression can help your doctor properly diagnose and treat your condition and prescribe the right type of medication. Be honest with your doctor when asked if there are any stressors in your life. For instance, perhaps you are in a toxic relationship currently that has caused you to become depressed. Mention this to your doctor. Inform your doctor of the duration of the symptoms. It's important to let your doctor know how long you've been experiencing symptoms of depression. In most cases, individuals who've been experiencing long-term stress are the best candidates for antidepressants. Those experiencing short-term stress or depression due to being separated from a partner or laid off from work may not be considered ideal candidates. Explain any steps you’ve taken to treat your symptoms. Let them know of any medications that you're currently on, including vitamins and birth control. This can help your doctor better understand which treatments may or may not work to help improve your condition. For example, inform your doctor of any drugs or medications you've taken in an attempt to treat depression, and whether you've been exercising more frequently or eating healthier foods to improve your condition. Some of the drugs you are currently on might also be causing your depression or anxiety and your doctor might prescribe you a new kind to alleviate the symptoms. Come with suggestions and questions. After having done some research on different forms of antidepressants, come with some suggestions and questions for your doctor. Tell them what medication you're interested in and why and ask questions about the side effects of the drug. Find out what antidepressants they typically prescribe and which ones their patients have had the best experiences with. Obtain a prescription from your doctor. Most antidepressant medications are only available via prescription and can be obtained from a licensed pharmacist. Before you leave the doctor's office, make sure your doctor provides you with a prescription for the antidepressant or that someone from the office calls the prescription in for you. Find out more about the cost of your medication and whether it will be covered by your health insurance provider, if applicable. Certain antidepressants may be more costly than most other types of prescription drugs and many offer generic forms that are much cheaper. Have your prescription filled at a pharmacy. Many commercial drugstore and pharmacy chains are open 24 hours a day, seven days per week so you can fill your prescription and begin treatment immediately. Bring in your paper prescription note in order to get your prescription filled. You may have to wait a few hours or even a day before it is ready to be picked up, especially if the medication isn't in stock. Follow up with your doctor. After you get your prescription, you might have questions for your doctor. Or perhaps you have started taking the medication and something doesn't feel right. In any of these cases, contact your doctor to ask questions or set up a new appointment if necessary. If they are not in, you can ask to leave a message or email them. Get a second opinion when necessary. Some doctors are hesitant to write a prescription for an antidepressant, believing that the patient may be able to improve their symptoms through other lifestyle changes. However, if you feel that your depression, anxiety, or other disorder is debilitating, then you can seek a second opinion. Make an appointment with another doctor or psychiatrist in your area to get their medical opinion. Adhere to your doctor’s instructions when taking your medication. Taking less or more than the recommended dosage can increase your risk for side effects and other health problems. If at any point you feel the need to increase your dosage to better treat your depression, consult with your doctor first to receive approval or to discuss alternate treatments. Contact your doctor before taking any new medications or supplements while taking your antidepressant. Stay on your medication. Many antidepressants take several weeks to begin working, so keep taking them as your doctor has prescribed. Set an alarm on your phone to help you remember to take your meds. If after a few months of regular doses you still feel that the meds aren't working, consult your doctor. Know the side effects of your drug. The side effects will vary based upon the drug that you are prescribed. You should receive information about the drug and potential side effects from both your doctor and the pharmacist who fills your prescription. If you think it's necessary, also do your own research. Find out what you can do to prevent or lessen the occurrence of these side effects, such as making dietary changes. Get therapy, as well. Antidepressants may work well for you, but they tend to work better in conjunction with therapy. If you are able to afford it, seek professional counseling to help you work through your issues. Meditate. Meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety, stress and to improve the mood. Some report that it is as or more helpful than antidepressants in treating mental illness. Spend ten undisturbed minutes or more each day in a quiet space focusing on your body and your breathing. There are several apps that you can download to assist with meditation, including Headspace and Calm. Exercise. Exercise is also beneficial in improving your overall physical and mental health. It provides time each day to give your mind a break while you focus more on your body. Take a walk around the neighborhood, go for a run, or join a local gym. Change your diet. The diet has also been shown to be highly connected to mood. Foods high in sugar or fat tend to cause more symptoms of depression or anxiety than do foods high in protein or vitamins, like vegetables and lean meat. Cut out fast food and sweets for one month and assess if your mood improves. Cut stress. Assess any areas in your life that are causing you undue stress and determine how you can manage or cut them. For instance, if you are often rushed every morning getting your child to school, send them on the bus or have your partner take them some mornings. Small changes can drastically improve your overall mood. Spend time with friends. Try your best to avoid secluding yourself during this difficult time for you. Connect with your friends and make plans to hang out at least once per week. Go see a movie, have dinner, or just spend time chatting. Avoid hanging out with negative friends. Get enough sleep. Sleep is also critical in maintaining emotional stability. Be sure to get a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night. Start a relaxing nighttime regimen that will help soothe you to sleep like taking a warm bath or having some hot tea. Try to go to bed at the same time every night. | Make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Be specific when describing your symptoms to your doctor. Explain any causes of your stress and depression. Inform your doctor of the duration of the symptoms. Explain any steps you’ve taken to treat your symptoms. Come with suggestions and questions. Obtain a prescription from your doctor. Have your prescription filled at a pharmacy. Follow up with your doctor. Get a second opinion when necessary. Adhere to your doctor’s instructions when taking your medication. Stay on your medication. Know the side effects of your drug. Get therapy, as well. Meditate. Exercise. Change your diet. Cut stress. Spend time with friends. Get enough sleep. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Flower-Press | How to Make a Flower Press | To make a flower press, start by cutting out 2 equal-sized wooden squares that are big enough to cover the kinds of flowers you want to press. Then, drill a hole through each corner of the wooden squares. Next, cut 2 pieces of cardboard and paper so they're slightly smaller than the wooden squares and snip off the corners. Then, layer them on one of the squares and place a bolt through each of the holes you drilled. Finally, attach the other square to the bolts using washers and wingnuts. | Cut 2 wood squares in the size you want for your press. Cut the wood with a table saw or a circular saw. You can make your press any size you want it to be, depending on the size of the plants you'll be pressing. Between 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) should be big enough for most projects. For best results, choose wood that is ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm) or 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Visit your local hardware store and ask the employees to cut the wood for you if you don't want to use a saw. Most hardware stores will perform this service for free. Measure 1 inch (2.5 cm) diagonally from each corner on both boards. Mark the spot with an X using a pencil. This will be the location for your drill holes. Drill a hole through each of the marks. To ensure your boards will line up perfectly, drill through both of them at the same time. If you're using ⁄ 4 inch (6.4 mm) bolts, use a ⁄ 16 inch (7.9 mm) drill bit. If you're using a different bolt and you're not sure what size drill bit to use, pick a bit you think is about the same size, then drill a test hole through a piece of scrap wood and make sure your bolt slides through easily. Adjust the size as needed. Sand the surface of the wood. Use a medium-grit sandpaper or a sanding tool if you have one. Make sure the wood is smooth, especially around the holes you drilled. Stain or paint the wood if you want. You can personalize your flower press by staining or painting it any color you want. You can also leave the wood plain if you prefer. If you do use a paint or stain, allow the wood to dry completely before moving to the next step. Try decorating your press with stencils or cut-out illustrations of flowers. Cut 2 pieces of cardboard and 2 pieces of white paper to fit your press. The cardboard and paper should be slightly smaller than your press. Cut the edges of your cardboard and paper off. Once the cardboard and paper are cut to size, cut away the corners so the paper and cardboard will sit inside the bolt holes. You should cut off a triangle-sized piece from each corner. When you're finished, the paper and cardboard should look like a square with the edges cut off. The paper absorbs moisture from the flowers during pressing. You can use any kind of smooth paper, including newsprint, blotting paper, tissue paper, or smooth coffee filters. Avoid paper towels or other textured paper because it may leave an imprint on the petals. Place 1 piece of plywood on the bolts. Slide the bolts through the 4 holes on the first piece of board, then place the board on your work surface. The head of the bolts should be facing down. Layer the cardboard and paper on the press. You'll add 1 piece of cardboard first, followed by the 2 pieces of paper. Top that with the last piece of cardboard. Add another layer of cardboard and paper if you want. You can add as many layers as will fit on your press. Just cut 2 more pieces of cardboard and 2 more pieces of paper and add them on top of the first layer. Even if you only make 1 layer at first, you can still go back and add another layer any time after you make your press. Top the press with the second board. Once you have added all the layers of cardboard and paper, slide the last board onto the bolts. Place the washers and wingnuts on the bolts and tighten them. You'll put down the washers first, then the nuts. Tighten the nut just until it feels secure. You don't want to tighten them too much, as you'll need to raise and lower the nuts in order to add flowers to your press. Wingnuts are designed to be gripped and can be tightened and loosened more easily than traditional nuts, but if you only have regular nuts on hand, you can use those. Pick flowers when they are dry. The best time to pick your flowers is in the morning after the dew has evaporated. This is when they will be the most fresh. Harvest flowers when they are about to open or just before their peak. Pressed flower buds are lovely, as are flowers which are fully bloomed. Try to pick flowers in a variety of stages for a natural look. Select flowers with naturally flat blooms, like violets and daisies. Other flowers that press well include single-petal roses, Cosmos, California poppy, and Queen Anne's Lace. Flowers with bulky blooms, like roses or carnations, take much longer to dry and don't look as nice when they're pressed. You may want to hang them to dry them instead. Remove any obvious stamens from your flowers. Some flowers, like lilies, have stamens which protrude from the petals. Remove these before you press the flower or the stamen will leave a stain on the dried petals. Press leaves, ferns, and grasses if you want to accent your flowers. If you're going to display your flowers in a frame, you can add other natural touches by drying leaves, grasses, herbs, and ferns in your press. Unscrew the nuts to make room on your flower press. You don't have to take the nuts all the way off, just loosen them enough that you can slide the flower into the press. Place the flowers or leaves between the paper in your flower press. Make sure the flowers are not hanging off of the side of the press. Trim the stem or choose another flower if the one you chose doesn't fit on the press. Do not overlap the flowers. Arrange the flowers on the paper so they are not touching each other, or else they'll be stuck together when they're dry. Tighten the nuts to close the press. There's no need to force the nuts tighter than you can comfortably tighten them, but it should feel like it's secured. You may want to check the press every few days to tighten it more as the flower dries. Leave the press undisturbed for at least 3 weeks. You want to allow the moisture in the plants to completely dry in order to preserve them. Add more layers of cardboard and paper if you decide to add more flowers. If you find more flowers that you want to press while you're drying the first batch, add the new flowers to a different layer of cardboard and paper, and take care not to disturb the first set. Store the flowers in a box or display them in a frame after they're pressed. Pressed flowers are very fragile, so you'll want to keep them in a safe place once they're finished drying. Store them in a box until you need them. Use pressed petals to decorate homemade cards, as a pretty touch in a handmade candle, or as decorative touches in a shadow box. | Cut 2 wood squares in the size you want for your press. Measure 1 inch (2.5 cm) diagonally from each corner on both boards. Drill a hole through each of the marks. Sand the surface of the wood. Stain or paint the wood if you want. Cut 2 pieces of cardboard and 2 pieces of white paper to fit your press. Cut the edges of your cardboard and paper off. Place 1 piece of plywood on the bolts. Layer the cardboard and paper on the press. Add another layer of cardboard and paper if you want. Top the press with the second board. Place the washers and wingnuts on the bolts and tighten them. Pick flowers when they are dry. Harvest flowers when they are about to open or just before their peak. Select flowers with naturally flat blooms, like violets and daisies. Remove any obvious stamens from your flowers. Press leaves, ferns, and grasses if you want to accent your flowers. Unscrew the nuts to make room on your flower press. Place the flowers or leaves between the paper in your flower press. Do not overlap the flowers. Tighten the nuts to close the press. Leave the press undisturbed for at least 3 weeks. Add more layers of cardboard and paper if you decide to add more flowers. Store the flowers in a box or display them in a frame after they're pressed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-out-if-He%27s-Playing-With-You | How to Find out if He's Playing With You | To find out if your man's playing with you, pay attention to how he is with you in public. If he's reluctant to hold hands or be affectionate with you, it may be because he doesn't want people to know you're together. Notice how he introduces you to people, since calling you his friend or not introducing you at all may be a sign that he's playing you. You should also watch out for your man hiding his phone screen while he's texting or leaving the room to make private phone calls, which are common red flags. | See if he’ll only hang out with you in certain parts of town. One way to know if he's playing with you is to see if he's comfortable hanging out with you anywhere or if he gets nervous or reluctant if you want to hang out in a new part of town or go on a new adventure. If he acts this way, it may be because he's been hanging out with other girls in other parts of town and doesn't want to have any awkward run-ins. If you want to know if he's playing you, you should casually mention that you want to go to to a different restaurant, different movie theatre, or another public park in town to see if it makes a difference to him. If he's really playing you, then he probably has his balancing act down to an art. If you try to change his usual schedule, then you may be able to call his bluff. Ask yourself if he's always the one who decides where you should go. Of course, he may just want to take charge for other reasons, but this could be a giveaway that he wants to steer you away from places where you're likely to run in to some of his other ladies. See if he’s reluctant to meet your friends or to have you meet his. If your guy never wants to meet your friends, it may be because he doesn't want to make the relationship a serious commitment. If he doesn't want you to meet his friends, it may be for the same reason, with the additional worry that his friends may say something about the other girls he's seeing. Whether he's seeing someone else or not, if you've been together for a while and he's shown no interest in wanting to meet your friends or have you meet his, then it's a red flag. If he doesn't want to become a bigger part of your life, then it's because he doesn't want things to get too serious. That said, if you try to rush him into meeting your friends, or even your family, after just a few weeks of dating, then you may be moving too fast. He may have legitimate reasons for taking things slow, like wanting to make sure he knows where things stand, or giving his friends some time to get used to the idea of him having a new girlfriend because he recently got out of a serious relationship. See if he acts weird if he runs into you in public. If things are great when you and your guy are alone and he suddenly gives you the cold shoulder when you run into him at the mall or outside a restaurant, then something is definitely up. Either he's acting weird because he's seeing another girl and doesn't want to be seen with you, or because he doesn't want his friends or anyone else to think he's dating you. Either way, this should be a cause for concern. If he really cares for you, then he should be excited to see you and should even show you some affection. Of course, he doesn't have to be as affectionate in public as he would be in private, but he should act like he really wants to see you. Check out his body language. Does he make eye contact and move toward you? If so, then that's a good sign. But if he stands away from you, crosses his arms over his chest, and keeps looking around instead of looking at you, then this means that he's trying to keep his distance. See if he’s reluctant to be affectionate with you in public. If you two go out on a date but he acts like you're brother and sister, then you should be asking yourself why. If he's playing you, then he doesn't want the world to know that he's seeing you, either because he's also seeing someone else or he just wants to keep his options open. Though not all guys are into holding hands, for example, he should want to give you some sort of affection if he really cares for you. You don't want to put the pressure on him to be affectionate in public too early, but if you've gone on several dates and he still stands a foot away from you any time you're out together, then this may be a cause for concern. See if he’s sweet to you one minute and distant the next. If he's all loving, sweet, kind, and wanting to kiss you one minute and then the next, he acts like he barely knows who you are, then this may be because he's playing with you. Maybe he's in the mood to hang out with you on certain days, while he thinks he has better things to do on others. Whether this means he'd rather hang with another girl or spend time with his buddies, if he's always hot and cold, then he's definitely playing with you. Think about it: does he often leave you feeling confused about what he really feels about you or where you stand with him? If so, then this may be because he's playing with your emotions. See if he would never give up a night with his friends for you. If the guy is playing with you, then he'll never think that you come first with him. He would always spend a night out with his buddies, but when it comes to you, he'll only hang out with you on certain times, when you suspect that his friends might be busy or that he has nothing else on his social calendar. If he really likes you, then he'll think of you as a priority, not as social sloppy seconds. If you want to know if he's playing with you, see if he'll ever give up a night with his friends for a nice evening with you. If the guy is serious about you, then he should be excited about hanging out with you instead of his friends, at least some of the time. Though you don't want him to give up his other friends or his social life for you completely, if he makes no compromises for you at all, then it may be because he's playing with you. See if he’s shady with his phone. One dead giveaway that a guy is playing with you is that he's very secretive when it comes to his phone. If he's always checking his phone and then texting away from your direction, stepping out to take calls a lot without telling you who called, or goes hours without picking up his phone with no explanation, then it may be because he's playing you. Of course, some guys are protective about their privacy and that's perfectly normal, but if he's always on his phone and you never know what he's doing, then it may be a red flag that he's playing you. Think about it: does he ever leave his phone out, even for a second, or is it always stuck in his pocket? Though you don't want to snoop through it, if you can tell that he's freaked out even about the idea of you seeing who is calling or texting him, then you may have a problem. Another thing you can look out for is if he turns off his phone completely when he's hanging out with you. Though this may be a sweet gesture to give you his full attention, it may also be his way of warding off other girls who might be calling him when you're together. See if he’s always saying he’s too busy for you but he seems to have plenty of time for everyone else. If you've heard him tell you how busy he is again and again, saying that he doesn't have ten free minutes for anyone, and then you heard that he spent his night out with a bunch of friends, then this may be a sign that he's playing with you. The truth of the matter is that if a guy really wants to hang out with you, that he'll find the time to do it. Though there are exceptions if he really does get super busy, if you find out that he's spending that time with other people, then it should be a cause for concern. If he says he's busy studying or doing work and then you find out that he's been doing something else, even if he's just hanging out with his brother, then he's playing you. If he cared for you, then he'd be honest about what he was doing instead of lying. See if he’s reluctant to commit to anything more than two weeks in the future. If your guy tries to change the subject any time you try to talk about the future, even if you're only talking about your holiday plans, which are a month away, then this may be a sign that he's playing you. If he's serious about you, then he'll want to see you as a part of his future and he won't back off when you bring it up. Of course, if you've been dating for three weeks and start talking about your wedding, it's natural that he'll freak out, but if you just bring up what you'll both be doing a month from now, then he'll have no reason to worry if he cares for you. Listen to how he talks about you and the relationship. If he never, ever brings up the future or includes you in his future plans, then he may be playing you. See if he hasn’t told any of his friends about you. If you finally meet his friends or run into his friends and they say something like, “I didn't know he had a girlfriend…” or just look surprised by your presence, then this is because the guy didn't think your relationship was serious enough for him to bring it up to his friends. If he cares about you and you've been seeing each other a while, then he should be excited about the relationship and should want his friends to know who you are. If he's sweet to you when it's just the two of you, but is more buddy buddy or even distant around his friends, then he may just like to flirt with you without wanting anything serious. Of course, some guys like to act tough in front of their friends, and he may not shower you with kisses when you meet them. But if he's never even told them about you, then he may just be playing you. See if he’s reluctant to call you his girlfriend. If you consider him your boyfriend and have been seeing only him for months while you've never heard the word “girlfriend” come out of his mouth, then this may be because he doesn't think the relationship is as serious as you think it is. If he introduces you to people as his friend or even seems like he's not feeling it when you call him your boyfriend, then it may be because he's playing you. Sometimes, words do speak louder than actions, and if he refuses to call you his girlfriend though you've been dating for a while, then there must be a reason behind it. He may be afraid of commitment without playing you. If this is the case, you still need to have a talk about it. See how he talks to other girls. If you want to know if he's playing you, then you should see how he talks to the other girls he knows. Sure, he may be polite and not interested when he talks to other girls if you're standing right next to him, but if you see him talking to a girl out of the corner of your eye from the other side of the room and he's being incredibly flirtatious, then this may be because he's playing you. If he really likes you, then he'll find no need to talk to other girls in a flirtatious way. Sure, he can still talk to them and he doesn't have to ignore every girl but you, but if you can tell from the way he talks to other girls that he wants more from them than just friendship, then he may be playing you. Though you don't want to spy on him or get too obsessive, if one of your friends is at a party where he's talking to other girls, ask your friend what it was like. Though your friend shouldn't be too obvious about watching him, you may get a better read on the situation this way than you would if you were in the room yourself. See if he’s always full of excuses. A classic sign of a player is a man who is always full of excuses. He may be so smooth and so convincing that you don't even notice that he's completely lying to you. He may tell you about his grandmother getting sick, his dog needing to go to the vet, or about how he forgot your date because he “overslept” or had to comfort a friend. Sure, things happen, but if you find that he has a perfect excuse for every little reason why he's disappointed you, then he may be playing you. If you've heard the excuse “my phone died” more than twice, then chances are, this is not the real reason he didn't call you back. If he seems extra sweet and apologetic when he gives you these excuses, then it may be because he's covering up the fact that he's lying. See if he starts acting nervous when you ask him about his night. Another way to see if he's playing you is to simply ask him how his night went if he told you he was staying in or hanging out with his friends. While you don't need to ask about every little detail of the night, if you casually just ask a few questions about what happened, whether you ask what movie he watched when he was staying in alone or which bar he went to if he was supposedly out with his friends, you should check out his body language and words to see if he gets nervous, starts stuttering, or just acts uncomfortable. Though you don't want to interrogate him, if you just ask a few questions without making a big deal about it, you may even be able to catch him in a lie. Ask him while you're doing something else, like scrolling through your phone, so he doesn't see that you're really trying to figure him out. Ask him. If you want to know if a guy is playing you, the easiest way can be to ask him. Though you may not want to know if he's cheating on you, you can just ask him where you stand with him. If he's not feeling it as much as you are, then you're better off knowing sooner rather than later. Simply find some time to be alone and ask him what his thoughts are about you and your future together. Though this may not be easy, this is far better than wondering for months. You'll have a definitive answer, once and for all. And if he's obviously lying, then you'll be able to see that, too. If you're really feeling bold, you can just flat-out ask him if he's cheating. Point to some shady behavior that has led you to feel this way. Ask your friends what they think. Though it's best to just ask him yourself, you can also get some great feedback from your friends, too. They've been watching the situation unfold and may have a sense of what the relationship is like from the outside. They may even have a better sense of whether or not he's playing you because they might have seen him with girls without you and may have a different impression. Tell your friends to be honest with you. They shouldn't lie to you just to spare your feelings. They can investigate a bit if you really want them to. If it won't look too obvious, you can have one of your friends casually show up in a place where your guy is likely to be and to keep an eye on him to see how he is with other girls. Of course, if he thinks you've sent a spy in his direction, he'll be on his best behavior. Consider following him. Okay, so if you really don't care about being found out or breaking his trust, then one thing you can do is to follow your guy after you've been hanging out, or just when you know he'll be at a certain place, to see what he's been up to. Whether you're driving at a far distance away, walking, or taking the bus, try to be far enough away that he doesn't see you and to have a ready-made story in case he does catch you in the act. This can lead you to see if he's seeing any other girls—or if he's just going home to hang out with his cat. Just know that this is pretty risky behavior that can lead you to get caught. If you're caught and he hasn't been doing anything wrong, this can be a relationship ender for you, so make sure you really think following him is a good idea before you begin. Show up at his place when he doesn’t expect it. Another way to find out if he's playing you is to show up at his place unannounced. You can pop in an hour earlier than you said you'd be there to see if there's a different woman there or if he's suspiciously cleaning everything up. You can also just drop by because you're “in the area” at a time when he's supposed to be studying or home working to bring him some coffee or a treat. When you show up, see if he's happy to see you or if he seems nervous, like he's hiding something—or someone. Of course, if it's totally absurd that you would show up at his house out of the blue, then he'll be on to you. But if you've come over there before and it hasn't been a big deal, just try to make it seem natural. Snoop through his things—if you’re okay with breaking his trust. Though snooping through your guy's things won't win you any trust points, if you're desperate and feel pretty sure that you want to cheat on him, then you can try looking through his phone or his email, or even looking through his room for suspicious items like female clothing that is obviously not yours. Snooping is a last resort and you should only do it if you feel like you really need answers and nothing else is working. The problem with snooping is that, even if you've found evidence, you'll have to admit that you've been going through the guy's things if you want to call him out. This will make him angry at you, and will take the focus off the real situation. If you're looking through his phone, have an excuse ready in case he catches you. You can say that your phone died and that you were looking up the restaurant where you two were having dinner or that you needed to quickly check your email or something. Though this may not be too convincing, it may be better than nothing. Try to catch him in a lie. You can also try to catch the guy in a lie to find out if he's playing you. If he's mentioned that he hung out with his friends or brother the other night, when you see them, you can ask about how the boy's night out went; if they look confused, then you may know that he lied. If he tells a story about how he had to stay home because his sister was having drama, you can ask him how she's feeling a few days later; if he acts like he has no idea what you're talking about, then it may be because he already forgot his own lie. You can even try asking him simple questions like which movie he saw if he went to the movies with his friends. If he looks embarrassed or clearly doesn't know the answer, then you'll know that he's playing you. Even if there’s no proof, trust your gut. If you just get the feeling that the guy isn't sincere even though you can't find any proof of it through snooping, then it may be time to end the relationship. Maybe he's not seeing other girls, but he still can be playing with you just because he's not feeling it as much as you are. As long as you know you're not the one with jealousy issues and see that you have a real reason to be concerned, if you really think he might be playing you, then it's time to cut him loose. When you're with a guy who really cares for you and who is there for only you, you'll know. You won't spend hours calling him and wondering where he is and you won't have to stoop as low as snooping through his things or following him because you'll have no reason to do it. You'll know that he's there for you 100% and that will be an amazing feeling. | See if he’ll only hang out with you in certain parts of town. See if he’s reluctant to meet your friends or to have you meet his. See if he acts weird if he runs into you in public. See if he’s reluctant to be affectionate with you in public. See if he’s sweet to you one minute and distant the next. See if he would never give up a night with his friends for you. See if he’s shady with his phone. See if he’s always saying he’s too busy for you but he seems to have plenty of time for everyone else. See if he’s reluctant to commit to anything more than two weeks in the future. See if he hasn’t told any of his friends about you. See if he’s reluctant to call you his girlfriend. See how he talks to other girls. See if he’s always full of excuses. See if he starts acting nervous when you ask him about his night. Ask him. Ask your friends what they think. Consider following him. Show up at his place when he doesn’t expect it. Snoop through his things—if you’re okay with breaking his trust. Try to catch him in a lie. Even if there’s no proof, trust your gut. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Drywall | How to Remove Drywall | Before you remove drywall, turn off the power, water, and other utilities to the area where you'll be working. To remove drywall, place the short end of a pry bar at the bottom of the drywall sheet and pry the bottom of the panel away from the studs. Continue prying the side of the section loose, then knock a vertical hole into the panel so you'll have something to hold on to. Grab the holes and pull a large chunk of drywall off the nails on the nearby stud. Keep moving along the wall, pulling chunks loose as you go. Remove the drywall nails or screws left in the studs. | Shut off the power, water, gas, and other utilities to the area you are working on. If you want to remove drywall, it's very important that you shut off any utilities in the area of the house that you're working on. Water and electricity should be shut off at the source before you start working on the drywall. Use a stud-finder to locate obstacles. Any time you're going to start digging around in a wall, it's important to use a stud-finder and find out exactly what you're messing around with. Most modern stud-finders will come with pipe and electrical settings, meaning that you can use it to identify and locate any fixtures that might be built into the wall, to make sure you can avoid them successfully. Mark areas with studs or fixtures with tape and work carefully around them, working toward the sensitive spots. If you don't have a stud finder, go around the room carefully knocking on the wall. Hollow sounding spots should be unobstructed drywall, but harder knocking spots will have studs and possibly piping throughout. Use caution in those areas, slowing working in that direction. Remove the molding first. Usually baseboards and ceiling moldings must be removed first, before you can access the drywall and begin removing it. This is done with a flat bar or other prying tool. Both types of moldings are usually affixed with nails, and should be pried from the walls slowly, working from nail to nail. Do the same thing with any molding or trim around windows and doors before you access the drywall. Use a utility knife to score the seam between moldings and drywall. The seam is typically filled with paint, caulk, or some combination of adhesive. If you want to reuse the molding, score the drywall edge of the seams to help fracture the wall where the molding and drywall surface will split. Remove the trim from electrical devices. Make sure the power is off on these circuits, then carefully remove the trim from around any electrical devices in the area, including wall switches, receptacles, and thermostats. The drywall is usually fit around the device boxes underneath these covers so they won't be damaged when removing the drywall. Look for drywall screws. Depending on the age of the house you're working in, the drywall will either be nailed or screwed into the studs. To remove drywall that's nailed in, you'll simply start prying up the sections of drywall, piece by piece. If, on the other hand, the drywall is screwed in, you might need to take a bit more time to remove the screws before you start prying it loose. Screws that are bedded in joint compound can be very difficult to locate and remove. Drywall screws can sometimes be removed with a Philips-head screwdriver, but depending on the condition of the wall, this may be more hassle than it's worth. Look at the screws and the condition of the drywall itself. If they're easy to remove, go ahead and remove them. It'll mean less elbow grease down the road. If the drywall is wet, or if the screws are mangled, rusted, or otherwise difficult to remove, go ahead and start prying the drywall loose as if they were simply nailed in. Start at the bottom of undamaged drywall. Standard drywall installation is done using 4x8 ft panels. Those are usually mounted horizontally with staggered joints, with two sections used to cover a standard 8 feet (2.4 m). section of wall. These will be fastened into the vertical wooden studs, centered at 16 or 24 inch (40.6 or 61.0 cm) intervals. For unsoiled drywall, use a pry bar to begin prying the bottom of the panel away from these studs, allowing removal of the entire sheet. Pushing the short end of the flat bar up under the bottom of the panel allows for using the long end as a lever, making the initial prying easy. Continue prying the side of the section loose. Identify a section of wall roughly 2 feet (0.6 m) above the ground and 8 inches (20.3 cm) from the end of the wall, making note to avoid electrical outlets. Using a hammer claw, make a foot long vertical series of holes. Basically, what you want to do is open up some space to grab hold of the drywall and pull it loose. It's not rocket-science: knock some holes in at the side and give yourself something to hang onto. Pull a section loose. Grab at the upper and lower holes you've cut and pull a large chunk of drywall off the nails on the nearby stud. Keep moving along the wall, pulling chunks loose as you go. When the drywall breaks on a stud, make another vertical hole in adjacent gap and continue removing the drywall by hand. Start in the center of water-damaged drywall. For water-damaged drywall, a good strategy is to open a hole at the midpoint of the 14.5 inch (36.8 cm) space between studs. Using a sledge or a battering ram of some kind can usually be effective in this circumstance. If the water-damage extends to the upper panel, the same action will usually cleanly separate the wall from the ceiling. Remove the drywall nails left on the studs. Use the flatbar to pry loose any nails remaining on the studs, or take care to unscrew the screws remaining in the wood. A pry bar or a hammer claw should be fine for the job. | Shut off the power, water, gas, and other utilities to the area you are working on. Use a stud-finder to locate obstacles. Remove the molding first. Remove the trim from electrical devices. Look for drywall screws. Start at the bottom of undamaged drywall. Continue prying the side of the section loose. Pull a section loose. Start in the center of water-damaged drywall. Remove the drywall nails left on the studs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Help-for-a-Cat-Hit-by-a-Car | How to Get Help for a Cat Hit by a Car | To get help for a cat hit by a car, start by checking if it's breathing by holding a tissue in front of its nose. If the tissue moves, that means the cat is breathing, at which point you should call your local Animal Control Agency for advice. If you're directed by animal control to bring the cat to a vet, splint any visible injuries and wrap the cat in a towel, taking care not to cover its mouth. Otherwise, leave the cat where it is until the professionals arrive to avoid causing further injury. You should also check the cat's collar to get the owner's information so you can let them know what has happened. | Determine if the cat is dead. When a cat is hit by a car, it might be rendered unconscious and in need of medical attention. However, it might also be dead. To determine the status of the cat, look for signs that it is breathing. For instance, you could monitor the cat's flank. If the cat is lying on its side, its flank will slowly rise and fall as is breathes in and out. Alternately, place a tissue in front of the cat's nose. If the tissue moves forward and away from the cat's nose, the cat is breathing in and out. Finally, pinch 1 of the cat's rear toes lightly. If the cat pulls away, it is alive. If the cat's body is stiff when you touch it, it is dead. Do not attempt to move the cat unless directed by qualified personnel. The cat might harm you, especially in its injured and fearful state, so don't move or pick up the cat. Instead, wait for qualified personnel to arrive. If a vet asks you to bring the cat to them, splint or stabilize any visible injuries, if possible. Then, wrap the cat in a towel, making sure not to cover the cat's mouth or nose or wrap the towel too tight. Put the cat in a carrier or open container to reduce the risk of additional injuries. Call your local animal control agency. The animal control agency can best determine how to help a cat hit by a car. If you can't contact them (for instance, if you've encountered the injured cat outside of normal business hours), call the police. Explain the situation to the police calmly and clearly. For instance, you might say, “Hello. I've found a cat that has been hit by a car at [your location]. The animal is still alive and needs help. Please send an animal control officer to this location. I will remain here until help arrives.” Contact your vet. If you can't contact the animal control agency and the police will not help, contact your vet. Vets are specially trained to help cats that have been hit by cars or suffered similar traumatic injuries. Your vet will work hard to help your cat heal. Even if you are not a pet owner yourself (and therefore do not have a vet of your own), you might still know of veterinary clinics in your vicinity. Take the cat that was hit by a car to the nearest such clinic. Report the cat’s injuries to an animal shelter. If you don't know of any vets in your vicinity, or if the animal shelter or rescue organization is closer to the location of the injured cat than the vet, report the cat's injuries to the animal shelter first. Animal shelters or cat rescue organizations have the staff and facilities necessary to help a cat hit by a car. They might direct you to take the cat to them, or contact the cat's owner. Contact the owner. When a cat is his by a car, its owner will want to know. You might be able to contact the cat's owner by checking for a collar. Cat collars often have tags with information about the cat, including its name, the name of its owner, and the number and address where the owner can be reached. Use this information to get in touch with the owner. Even if the cat does not have a collar and tags, it might still be possible to contact the owner if the cat has been microchipped. Take the cat to a rescue organization or animal shelter so they can use a device which will be able to detect a microchip in the cat if one has been implanted. Ensure your home is escape-proof. Cats are escape artists, and can easily slip through cracked windows or doors. Therefore, don't leave windows and doors ajar and make sure all your windows have screens. When you enter the home, close the door quickly and tightly behind you. Discourage darting. If your cat tends to dart toward the door when you leave, get a friend or family member to hold the cat before you exit. Alternately, squirt your cat with water just before leaving. You might also choose to provide your cat with a puzzle feeder just before making an exit to keep it occupied while you leave. Use a leash when taking your cat out. Cats are fast and can easily end up far away when chasing other creatures they encounter outside. To prevent your cat from racing off, only take it out with a leash and harness. Make indoor life enjoyable. If your cat is comfortable indoors, it will have little motivation to go outside. Provide plenty of toys for your cat, and play with it regularly. Provide a cat house or perch for your cat to lounge in. Keep the litter boxes clean. With a healthy, happy cat, you'll discourage escape behavior. Neuter or spay your cat. If your cat is neutered or spayed, it will have much lower urge to roam and find a mate. Plus, neutering and spaying makes cats less quarrelsome and can reduce their likelihood for certain diseases. Cats can be safely neutered or spayed at about six month of age. | Determine if the cat is dead. Do not attempt to move the cat unless directed by qualified personnel. Call your local animal control agency. Contact your vet. Report the cat’s injuries to an animal shelter. Contact the owner. Ensure your home is escape-proof. Discourage darting. Use a leash when taking your cat out. Make indoor life enjoyable. Neuter or spay your cat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Meat-Is-Bad | How to Know if Meat Is Bad | If you're not sure how to tell if meat is bad, give it a good smell. If it smells rancid, strong, or unpleasant, the meat has probably gone bad and should be thrown away. If it smells okay but you're still not sure, touch the surface of the meat. If it feels sticky or slimy, it is probably bad. You should also avoid eating meat that has a grayish or greenish color, or which is past its expiration date. If you're checking fish or seafood, look for shiny skin, clear eyes, and reddish gills, and do not eat fish that has a milky color. | Examine the meat's package for an expiration date. The shelf life for red meat is approximately 1-3 days if it is raw and 7-10 days if it is cooked. Throw away any meat that has passed this expiration date to avoid food poisoning. Throw out red meat that has been in your fridge for over 5 days. How long your meat will last in the fridge depends on whether it is ground or cut. Ground meat can be left in the fridge for between 1-2 days past its sell-by date. Chopped meats, steaks, and roasts can last between 3-5 days. Meat can last longer if it is frozen. If your meat has been in the fridge for a few days and you have no plans of using it, freeze it to avoid spoilage. Check the meat for a foul smell. If your meat smells rancid, it most likely is. Spoiled red meat has a distinct, pungent scent. Throw your meat away if it has a bad odor, especially if the meat's expiration date has passed. Do not press your nose against or near the meat to smell it. Instead, cup your hand near the meat and move the hand towards your face to get a whiff of the meat. Avoid eating red meat with a greenish hue. Meat that turns green or greenish-brown is usually unsafe for eating, though browning without a greenish hue is not necessarily a sign of rotting. An iridescent sheen is a sign of exposure to heat, light, and/or processing and is not necessarily a sign of spoilage or decreased quality. When in doubt about a meat's color, throw it away. Check the meat's texture. Spoiled red meat is sticky to the touch. If you can feel a slimy coating over the meat, throw it away. This often means that bacteria have started to multiply on the meat. Watch for strong, rancid odors. Fresh poultry should not have any discernible odor. If your poultry has a distinct, unpleasant odor, throw it away and clean out your fridge or freezer. The smell of raw poultry often lingers if the area isn't cleaned thoroughly. Baking soda is an effective cleaner for getting rid of bad smells. Avoid eating poultry with a grayish color. Fresh raw poultry should be pinkish, and cooked poultry should be white. Poultry that is greyish has probably gone bad. Do not purchase or eat chicken with a dull, discolored appearance. Take the breading or glaze off of cooked poultry served at a restaurant to examine its color. Feel raw poultry to check its texture. Although raw poultry may have a thin liquid film, it should not have a mucus-like coating. If your poultry feels sticky or excessively slimy, throw it away. Wash your hands after handling raw poultry whether you believe it is spoiled or not. Look for mold on cooked poultry. In addition to all of the above signs, rotten cooked poultry may start to mold if it has gone bad. Do not attempt to remove the mold or eat the non-moldy parts if you notice this on your cooked poultry. Throw the entirety of the cooked poultry to avoid food poisoning. Avoid seafood that smells "fishy. " Contrary to common thought, fresh seafood should not smell fishy. It might smell like the sea, but it shouldn't have a strong or pungent smell. Trust your nose: if your seafood smells foul, throw it away. Smell fresh seafood while you are at the supermarket to compare its smell. Inspect your seafood to examine its freshness. Seafood should have shiny skin as if it has come out of the water. Dry seafood is usually spoiled. If it has eyes and/or gills, its eyes should be clear (not cloudy) and its gills should be reddish, not purple or brown. Avoid fish with scales that look like they're flaking off. Do not eat fish meat with a milky color. Fresh fish meat is usually white, red, or pinkish in color with a thin liquid film. If the meat is blueish or graying and a thick liquid seeps from it, your fish has likely gone bad. Check live seafood before you cook it. Seafood that must be eaten alive, like shellfish, often spoils rapidly after they've died. Tap live clams, oysters, and mussels to make sure their shell closes when touched. Watch crabs and lobsters for leg movement before cooking. Do not eat shellfish that has been dead for hours before you cooked it. Avoid thawing your meat on the kitchen counter. Meat that is left out of the fridge or freezer for long periods of time is at-risk for spoiling. Leaving your meat out at room temperature for long periods of time increases the risk of spoilage. Instead, thaw meat using the microwave, which is both a quicker and safer method. Thawing frozen meat in the fridge is a safe alternative to the counter. Store your meat at a safe temperature. Meat should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40 °F (4 °C). If your meat is stored at any warmer of a temperature, it is more likely to spoil. Throw out food that has been kept for many hours at room temperature. Freeze your meat if you do not plan to eat it soon. Although meats will only keep for several days in a fridge, it can last for months in the freezer. To extend the shelf life of your meat, place it in a sealed container and freeze it until you plan to eat it. Frozen meats can develop freezer burn which, while not dangerous, often tastes unpleasant. Avoid eating expired or unrefrigerated meat. Even if your meat appears unspoiled, it can still be infected with harmful bacteria. Do not eat meat that has been left out in the kitchen for too long or is well past its sell-by date. Check the meat's internal temperature while cooking. Because not all foodborne bacteria are detectable, cooking your meat to the right temperature is key for preventing food poisoning. Cooking red meat to between 120–165 °F (49–74 °C) (depending on rareness) is ideal. Poultry should be cooked to 165 °F (74 °C). Seafood is safest when cooked to 145 °F (63 °C). Some seafood, like sushi, is eaten raw. In this case, follow cooking instructions carefully and throw the meat out if you notice signs of spoilage. | Examine the meat's package for an expiration date. Throw out red meat that has been in your fridge for over 5 days. Check the meat for a foul smell. Avoid eating red meat with a greenish hue. Check the meat's texture. Watch for strong, rancid odors. Avoid eating poultry with a grayish color. Feel raw poultry to check its texture. Look for mold on cooked poultry. Avoid seafood that smells "fishy. Inspect your seafood to examine its freshness. Do not eat fish meat with a milky color. Check live seafood before you cook it. Avoid thawing your meat on the kitchen counter. Store your meat at a safe temperature. Freeze your meat if you do not plan to eat it soon. Avoid eating expired or unrefrigerated meat. Check the meat's internal temperature while cooking. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils | How to Make Natural Outdoor Fly Repellent with Essential Oils | To make natural outdoor fly repellent with essential oils, start by mixing lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, and peppermint essential oils in a bowl. Then, add some vegetable oil and witch hazel and pour the mixture into a metal tin. Submerge a cloth or sponge in the mixture and cover the tin for 24 hours. After 24 hours, open the tin and set it outside in the area you want to repel flies from. | Gather supplies. This outdoor fly repellent can be placed in the center of your patio table to repel flies throughout the day and evening. It's a simple mix of essential oils and a carrier oil that will help diffuse the scent into the air, naturally keeping flies away. Here's what you'll need: A small tin with a lid. A small coffee can, mint tin or cough drop tin would work. A clean piece of cloth or a dish sponge. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. 2 tablespoons witch hazel (or vodka, if you don't have witch hazel). 100 drops essential oils. Make an essential oil blend. Several essential oils have properties that keep flies away. They also work well on mosquitoes and other pests. Essential oils can be found at health food stores or ordered in bulk online. You can use 100 drops of the same oil, or a blend of any of the following: Lavender oil - lavender is considered to be particularly effective against flies. It has many other household uses as well. Citronella oil - this ingredient is commonly used in candles meant to keep flies and other bugs away. Eucalyptus oil - another great essential oil you can use around the house for all types of purposes. Peppermint oil - this is likely more effective against mosquitoes but also considered to work against horse flies. Mix the essential oils with the vegetable oil and witch hazel (or vodka). Pour all of the ingredients together into a bowl, and stir until combined. Diluting the essential oils will keep them from immediately evaporating and help them diffuse into the air. All essential oils should be diluted before use; especially if you want to apply them directly to your skin. Use an extra 1/2 teaspoon of vodka in the mixture will help preserve it for a second use. Saturate the cloth or sponge with the mixture. Place the cloth in the tin and pour the mixture inside so that it completely saturates the cloth or sponge. Place the cloth in the tin and shut the lid. Allow to sit for 24 hours. Open the lid to use the repellent. Whenever you need to use the tin, remove the lid and place on the entertaining table. Make as many as you wish to put around the entertaining area to deter flies. Replenish the oil every few uses. Once open to the air, the strength weakens and needs to be topped up. Sprinkle more essential oils inside, or make another blend. Gather supplies. This fly repellent spray has been used for centuries to ward away bugs, and it really works. It has a strong smell when you first spray it on your body, but the smell will fade as the mixture dries. Here's what you need: 1/2 cup witch hazel 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 30-50 drops of essential oils. Choose any combination of citronella, clove, lemongrass, rosemary, tea tree, cajeput, eucalyptus, cedar, catnip, lavender, or mint. Pour the ingredients into an empty spray bottle. You can use an old one that has been cleaned out with soap and water, or buy a new one from the drugstore to reserve for this use. Spray the formula onto your skin. Shake the bottle and spray it on your hands, arms, legs, and other uncovered areas. Allow it to fully dry, and reapply when necessary. Avoid getting repellent in your eyes or mouth. You can use this formula on most clothing as well. Test on a small section first to make sure it won't discolor the fabric. Do not spray this on children or pets without verifying the safety of the oil involved. For example, tea tree oil is very toxic to cats. Remember, never apply undiluted essential oil to your skin. Make sure you mix it with a carrier liquid to dilute it first. Try tea tree, lavender or eucalyptus oil. These three oils are most effective against flies. To make an oil rub from these powerful oils, it's important to dilute them with a carrier oil. Make a 2% solution by adding 12 drops of your chosen essential oil per 1 fl. oz (30ml) of carrier oil, such as olive oil. Apply it to your wrists, neck and other pulse points to keep flies away. Keep extra oil in a small vial so you can apply it again when necessary. Applying undiluted essential oils directly onto skin (even lavender or tea tree oil) can result in sensitization, which means that you may become so sensitive to the oil that any contact will cause skin irritation. Try mint oil. Mint is another natural fly repellent, and it has that classic, sweet mint fragrance. Peppermint, spearmint, catnip are fantastic at shooing away unwanted flies and keeping you smelling great. Make a 2% solution by adding 12 drops of peppermint essential oil per 1 fl. oz (30ml) of carrier oil, such as olive oil. Rub it directly on your skin. Use basil oil. Basil is another strong-smelling herb that flies generally dislike, and basil is especially helpful against moths. Make a 2% solution by adding 12 drops of basil essential oil per 1 fl. oz (30ml) of carrier oil, such as olive oil. Rub it directly on your skin. | Gather supplies. Make an essential oil blend. Mix the essential oils with the vegetable oil and witch hazel (or vodka). Saturate the cloth or sponge with the mixture. Open the lid to use the repellent. Replenish the oil every few uses. Gather supplies. Pour the ingredients into an empty spray bottle. Spray the formula onto your skin. Try tea tree, lavender or eucalyptus oil. Try mint oil. Use basil oil. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Multiply-Using-Vedic-Math | How to Multiply Using Vedic Math | To multiply single digit numbers using vedic math, start by writing out the problem you want to solve, with 1 number on top of the other with an equation line underneath. For example, put the 6 on top of the 7 if the problem you're working on is 6 times 7. Then, subtract each number from 10 and write your answers next to the relevant number. In the example, you'd write 4 next to the 6, since 10 minus 6 is 4, and 3 next to the 7, because 10 minus 7 is 3. For the next step, multiply the numbers in the right-hand column, which would be 3 times 4, equaling 12. Take the second digit from your answer, the 2, and write it below the equation line, and save the 1 for the next step. Then, subtract a right column number from the diagonal left column number. For example, do 6 minus 3 or 7 minus 4, which both equal 3. Next, add the 1 you saved from earlier to your answer, which gives you 4. Finish by writing the 4 to the left of the 2 under your equation line to get you the answer to your problem, 42. | Use Vedic Math to multiply numbers higher than 5. If either of the numbers that you are multiplying are over 5, using Vedic Math can help you solve the multiplication equation more quickly and easily. If either number is below 6, however, it's likely that it would be faster for you to simply recall the answer from memory. Vedic Math multiplication is designed for larger sums of numbers. Therefore, when multiplying by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, it's usually much quicker and simpler to solve the equation without using Vedic Math. Write down the numbers you wish to multiply. On a piece of paper, write the first number of the equation on top and the second number directly below it. Draw an equation line below the second number (you will write down the solution to the problem below this line later). For example, if you're using Vedic Math to multiply 6 x 7, write 6 on a piece of paper, then write 7 right below it. Draw the equation line just below the 7. While Vedic Math is characterized as a form of mental calculation to be used without a pen and paper, it can be useful for those starting out to write it out in order to better visualize the steps. If you are more adept at solving math problems in your mind, however, you can simply visualize this layout rather than writing it down. Subtract both the top and bottom numbers from the Vedic base of 10. Performing the calculations one at a time, first subtract the top number from 10 and write the result to the right of the original number. Then, subtract the bottom number from 10 and write it to the right of the original number and just below the new calculation for the top number. You should now have 2 columns of numbers, with your original numbers in a column on the left and your new numbers in a column to the right. For example, for multiplying 6 x 7, first perform 10 – 6, which equals 4. Write the 4 to the right of the 6. Then, perform 10 – 7, which equals 3. Write the 3 to the right of the 7, just below the 4. By subtracting from 10, you're taking the 'base' of the numbers. The term 'base' in Vedic Math refers to the base 10 number system used in Vedic Math, as well as the fact that the 'base' number will be used as the basis for calculation. The standard bases in Vedic Math are 10, 100, 1000, and 100,000. For single-digit numbers, you'll use the base of 10 because it's the base closest to single-digit numbers. Multiply the numbers in the column on the right. Using traditional multiplication, multiply the top number in the column on the right by the bottom number in the column on the right. If the answer to the multiplication is greater than 10, write the right-most digit below the equation line and carry the left-most digit to the next step. If the answer is a single-digit, simply write the single-digit answer below the equation line under the right column. For example, for the original equation 6 x 7, you now have 4 and 3 in the right column. Multiply 4 x 3, which equals 12. Write the 2, the right-most digit, below the equation line. Carry the 1, the left-most digit, to the next step. To help you remember the left-most number, you can write it off to the side. Be sure to write it away from the equation, though, so you don't get confused. Subtract a right column number from the diagonal left column number. Choose either the top or bottom number from the left column (it doesn't matter which one you choose – the solution will always turn out the same regardless). Then, subtract the number in the right column that is diagonal to it. For example, if the original equation is 6 x 7, 6 will be written on top of 7 in the left column, and 4 will be written on top of 3 in the right column. Therefore, you can either perform 6 – 3 or 7 – 4, both of which equal 3. Add the number carried over (if applicable) to the result. If the solution to the multiplication of the numbers in the right column was over 10, you wrote down the right-most digit below the right column equation line and carried over the left-most digit. At this point, add the carried over digit to the solution of the diagonal subtraction in the previous step, and write down the total below the left column equation line. For example, for the original equation 6 x 7, 6 was written on top of 7 in the left column, and 4 was written on top of 3 in the right column. You then multiplied 4 x 3, which equals 12, and wrote the 2, the right-most digit, below the right column equation line and carried the 1, the left-most digit. At this point, you will then add the carried over 1 to the 3 that resulted from either 6 – 3 or 7 – 4 in the previous step, which equals 4. Write the 4 in the left column below the equation line. Read below the equation line to answer the original equation. You now have 2 numbers written below the equation line. Taken together, these numbers represent a single number, which is the solution to your original equation. For the example of 6 x 7, you now have a 4 in the left column and a 2 in the right column below the equation line. The answer to your original problem, 6 x 7, then, is 42. Write down your multiplication equation. On a piece of paper, write the first double-digit number of the equation on top and the second number directly below it. Draw an equation line below the second number (you will write down the solution to the problem below this line later). For example, if you're using Vedic Math to multiply 20 x 21, write 20 on a piece of paper, then write 21 right below it. Draw the equation line just below the 21. If you're particularly adept at solving math problems in your mind, you can visualize this layout rather than writing it down. It can be helpful, though, to write out the equations when you are first starting out with Vedic multiplication. Use traditional multiplication to multiply the numbers in the left column. First, multiply the top left digit of the first number by the bottom left digit of the second number. Write your answer below the equation line, in the left-most column. This number is the first part of the solution. For example, when multiplying 20 x 21, first multiply the 2 (the first, left-side digit in 20) by 2 (the first, left-side digit in 21), which equals 4. Write the 4 below the equation line in the left column. Multiply the diagonal digits and add the solutions. First, multiply the top left column digit with the bottom right column digit. Then, multiply the bottom left column digit with the top right column digit. Add the solutions together and write the answer below the equation line to the right of the solution in the previous step. For example, when multiplying 20 x 21, first multiply the 2 (the top left column digit in the 20) by 1 (the bottom right column digit in 21), which equals 2. Then, multiply 2 (the bottom left column digit in the 21) with 0 (the top right column digit in the 20), which equals 0. Add the solutions, which are 2 and 0, together, which equals 2. Write the 2 below the equation line to the right of the 4 that you've already written below the equation line. Find the final answer by multiplying the digits in the right column. Multiply the top digit in the right column by the digit at the bottom of the right column. Write the solution below the equation line in the right-most column. Then, read the number below the equation line left to right to get your final answer to the original equation. For example, when multiplying 20 x 21, multiply 0 (the top digit in the right column) by 1 (the bottom digit in the right column), which equals 0. Write 0 below the equation line to the right of the 4 and the 2 that you already have written down. Then, you can see that the answer to your original equation, 20 x 21, is 420. Write the numbers you’re multiplying on a piece of paper. First, write down the first three-digit number of the equation on top. Then, write the second number directly below it. Draw an equation line below the second number (you will write down the solution to the problem below this line later). You should have 3 columns of numbers. If you're using Vedic Math to multiply 121 x 151, for example, write 121 on a piece of paper, then write 151 right below it. Draw the equation line just below the 151. While you'll likely be able to perform Vedic multiplication in your head after some practice, it can be helpful to write out the equations when you're first starting out. Multiply the numbers in the left column. First, multiply the top left digit of the first number by the bottom left digit of the second number. Write your answer below the equation line, in the left-most column. This number is the first part of the solution. For example, when multiplying 121 x 151, first multiply the 1 (the first, left-side digit in 121) by 1 (the first, left-side digit in 151), which equals 1. Write the 1 below the equation line in the left column. Multiply the left column digits with the diagonal middle digits. First, multiply the top number of the left column by the bottom number of the middle column. Then, multiply the bottom number of the left column by the top number of the middle column. Add the result of these two calculations together. The resulting number is the second part of the solution. For example, when multiplying 121 x 151, first multiply the 1 (the top left column digit in the 121) by 5 (the bottom middle column digit in 151), which equals 5. Then, multiply 1 (the bottom left column digit in the 151) with 2 (the top middle digit in the 121), which equals 2. Add the solutions, which are 5 and 2, together, which equals 7. Write the 7 below the equation line to the right of the 1 that you've already written below the equation line. Multiply the left-most and right-most digits. First, multiply the top left-most digit with the bottom right-most digit. Then, multiply the bottom left-most digit by the top right-most digit. Add these two solutions together and write the answer off to the side to help you remember it. For example, when multiplying 121 x 151, multiply 1 (the top left-most digit) with 1 (the bottom right-most digit), which equals 1. Then, multiply 1 (the bottom left-most digit) with 1 (the top right-most digit), which equals 1. Add these solutions together, which equals 2. Add the multiplication of the middle digits to the previous solution. Multiply the top number of the middle column by the bottom number of the middle column. Then, add the solution to the number you found in the previous step. If the answer is less than 10, simply write down the answer below the equation line to the right of numbers you've already written down. If the answer is greater than 9, write the right-most digit below the equation line and add the left-more digit to the number to its left. For example, when multiplying 121 x 151, multiply 2 (the middle digit of 121) with 5 (the middle digit of 151), which equals 10. Add this 10 to the 2 you found in the previous step, which equals 12. Since 12 is greater than 9, write the 2 (the right-most digit in 12) in the third spot below the equation line to the right of the 1 and 7 you've already written down. Then, add the 1 (the left-most digit in 12) to the 7 (the digit to the left below the equation line. Therefore, at this point, you have 1, 8, and 2 written below the equation line. Go to the middle column to multiply the diagonals in the right column. First, multiply the top number of the middle column by the bottom number of the right column. Then, multiply the top number of the right column by the bottom number of the middle column. Add these numbers together and write the solution to the right of the 3 numbers you've already written down. For example, when multiplying 121 x 151, multiply 2 (the middle digit of 121) with 1 (the bottom right digit of 151), which equals 2. Then, multiply 1 (the top right digit of 121) with 5 (the middle digit of 151), which equals 5. Add these together, which equals 7. Write the 7 next to the 1, 8, and 2 you've already written down. Multiply the numbers in the right column to find the solution. Multiply the top number in the right column by the bottom number in the right column. Write down the solution below the equation line to the right of the 4 numbers you've already written down. When you read from left to right then, you have the solution to the original equation. For example, when multiplying 121 x 151, multiply 1 (the right-most digit of 121) with 1 (the right-most digit of 151), which equals 1. Write the 1 to the right of the 1, 8, 2, and 7 you've already written down. Therefore, the answer to your original equation of 121 x 151 is 18,271. | Use Vedic Math to multiply numbers higher than 5. Write down the numbers you wish to multiply. Subtract both the top and bottom numbers from the Vedic base of 10. Multiply the numbers in the column on the right. Subtract a right column number from the diagonal left column number. Add the number carried over (if applicable) to the result. Read below the equation line to answer the original equation. Write down your multiplication equation. Use traditional multiplication to multiply the numbers in the left column. Multiply the diagonal digits and add the solutions. Find the final answer by multiplying the digits in the right column. Write the numbers you’re multiplying on a piece of paper. Multiply the numbers in the left column. Multiply the left column digits with the diagonal middle digits. Multiply the left-most and right-most digits. Add the multiplication of the middle digits to the previous solution. Go to the middle column to multiply the diagonals in the right column. Multiply the numbers in the right column to find the solution. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Tiger-Barbs | How to Keep Tiger Barbs | If you want to keep tiger barbs, buy at least 6 tiger barbs, since they like to live in groups. Then, fill a large aquarium with a sand substrate and pieces of driftwood for the fish to hide under. Additionally, install a heater to keep the tank between 70 and 78 degrees F, since tiger barbs are tropical fish. To feed your tiger barbs, give them a mixed diet including tropical flakes, dried shrimps, and bloodworms twice a day. To keep your fish healthy, replace 25 to 50 percent of the water in the tank once a month. | Get six or more tiger barbs. You need to house at least six tiger barbs together, as they are a schooling fish. They will become more aggressive to tankmates if you have a group of less than six. Choose a large aquarium. A 20 gallon aquarium (75 liters) is the minimum size for six tiger barbs. The larger the aquarium, the better, as tiger barbs enjoy open space to swim around in. Put substrate on the bottom of the tank. A fine gravel or sandy substrate is ideal for tiger barbs. You can also add larger rocks to the tank to mimic their native habitat. Add a heater. Since tiger barbs are tropical fish they should be kept in an aquarium with a temperature between 70-78°F (21-26°C). Install a tank heater to keep the temperature and a constant and comfortable level for your fish. Install a filter. All aquariums require a filter, as decomposing organic matter, nitrates, and phosphates build up over time. Install a filter to ensure you have enough oxygen as well as clean water for your fish. Provide hiding places for your fish. Driftwood makes excellent hiding places for tiger barbs, as do plants. Anubias and Javan fern are good plant choices for tiger barbs, but should be kept to the side of the tank to provide open space for swimming. To keep the driftwood from discoloring the water in your aquarium, completely submerge it a separate container of water for one to two weeks before placing it in the tank. Acclimate the tiger barbs to the aquarium. Acclimation is a process which all fish need to go through. Acclimation helps the fish adapt to the aquarium water parameters without shocking their systems. Float the bag of tiger barbs in the tank for at least 15 minutes to allow the fish to adjust to the temperature. Cut open the bag just under the metal clip or knot and roll the top edge of the bag down 1 inch (2.54 cm). This will create an air pocket within the lip of the bag and enable the bag to float on the surface of the water Add 1/2 cup (118 ml) of aquarium water to the bag. Repeat this step every four minutes until the shipping bag is full. Use a net to remove the fish from the bag and release them into the aquarium. Remove the filled shipping bag from the aquarium and discard the water. Choose tank mates wisely. Tiger barbs are aggressive fish and are very notorious fin nippers! Bottom dwellers or larger fish without longer fins, such as Mollies, Platies, Bala sharks and Parrot cichlids, are likely to be successful in the same aquarium as tiger barbs. Avoid pairing tiger barbs with fish that have large fins or tails and those that are slow swimmers, such as long-fin Danio, betta fish, Angelfish, and other veiled fish. Quarantine injured tank mates. Tiger barbs are likely to attack wounded fish, as they establish a pecking order and exert their dominance in an aquarium. It's best to remove injured fish from the tank and house them separately until they have healed. Feed your tiger barbs a mixed diet. Tiger barbs are omnivores, meaning they eat both animal and plant life. Tropical flakes, brine shrimp or other small crustaceans, daphnia, glass worms, and bloodworms are good options for your tiger barbs. Feed your tiger barbs twice a day if you can, or once a day if that's better for your schedule. Give your fish a high-quality flake food every day. Treat them to bloodworms, brine shrimp, boiled lettuce or zucchini once a day as well. See how much your fish will eat in 3 minutes, if feeding twice a day, or in 5 minutes, if feeding once a day, to give you an idea of the appropriate amount of food to feed them. Add fresh water to the tank once a month. To keep the tank clean and the water at a high quality, replace 25 to 50% of the tank water with fresh water at least once a month. This will provide oxygen as well as remove nitrates and phosphates from the water. Monitor the pH levels. For tiger barbs, the pH level of the water in the tank needs to stay between 6.0 and 7.0. To lower the pH, add driftwood to the aquarium or peat moss to the filter. To raise the pH, remove the fish from the tank and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda per 5 gallons of water. Always acclimate the fish to the new conditions before adding them back to the tank. Breed tiger barbs in a separate tank. If you have several tiger barbs, they will pair up naturally. However, they do eat their own eggs, as well as the eggs of other fish, so it's best to set up a separate tank for breeding. Introduce a pair of barbs to the breeding tank and allow them to spawn. Remove the adult fish after they have spawned to allow the eggs to hatch. | Get six or more tiger barbs. Choose a large aquarium. Put substrate on the bottom of the tank. Add a heater. Install a filter. Provide hiding places for your fish. Acclimate the tiger barbs to the aquarium. Choose tank mates wisely. Quarantine injured tank mates. Feed your tiger barbs a mixed diet. Add fresh water to the tank once a month. Monitor the pH levels. Breed tiger barbs in a separate tank. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Getting-Scammed-on-eBay | How to Avoid Getting Scammed on eBay | To avoid getting scammed on eBay, check out a user's reviews and avoid doing business with someone if their reviews are negative. If someone requests money orders or checks for payment, protect yourself by refusing to buy the item. Instead, only do business with someone through PayPal or eBay so that you have a written record of everything. Finally, retain all documentation for at least a year after the transaction and check your bank account regularly in case of any irregular activity. | Safeguard your account. Before you even bid on your first item, make sure your PayPal and eBay settings are as secure as possible. It's not a bad idea to have an entirely separate email and bank account dedicated solely to your eBay transactions. The same logic applies to your home address--especially if you're purchasing something from a long-distance seller, consider picking the package up at the post office. This method provides added security coupled with your retention of privacy. Familiarize yourself with common scams. If you don't know the playbook, you're liable to end up as a statistic in it. Most eBay scams that target buyers are centered around sending faulty products for an insane mark-up or simply not sending a product outright after payment is delivered. These kinds of scams happen most often with big-ticket items like cars or property, so if you must purchase a vehicle or something similar through eBay, be sure to insist on a mutual meeting place to do the transaction. You can avoid most basic scams by simply requesting more information about the item and the terms of the item's sale. If the seller is reluctant to give you information or they appear evasive, you should give the item a pass. Scope out the user's account. While this isn't the most accurate way to determine whether or not someone is a scammer, it eliminates the possibility of buying from someone with a ton of negative reviews or a lack of history. This precaution is mostly contextual, so be sure to ask questions. If you contact the seller and they tell you that they've been working on eBay for years when their account was registered last week, that should raise an immediate red flag. Pay attention to the terms of the transaction. If you don't read the fine print and somebody ships you a damaged or faulty item "as is", eBay won't side with you in a dispute. It's shady, but technically legal; therefore, you should spare yourself the trouble by reading through every single detail on the listing before you bid. If possible, request additional photos or information as well--again, if the seller is reluctant to accommodate your request, they're probably hiding something. Look for red flags. Before you even contact a seller, look for negative reviews, a lack of a refund policy, missing or vague information, or requests for money orders, checks, or other third-party payment methods. You should also generally be on the lookout for things that simply sound too good to be true. If you see someone selling a piece of expensive hardware described as "brand new" for well under market price, it's probably a scam. Always pay through eBay-approved methods. PayPal and eBay both keep records of transactions, and you have access to these records at any time; going through third-party sites or payment methods is a surefire way to lose the support of both companies in the event of a scam. Pay on collection of big-ticket merchandise such as cars, large furniture, or similar items. The easiest way to ensure the cooperation of both parties in an event like this is by meeting face-to-face in a neutral area with plenty of visibility--i.e., a shopping center. Document everything. eBay and PayPal deal exclusively in written records, so if a seller wants to discuss business over the phone, politely explain this to them. They will likely be dissuaded if they are attempting to scam you. You should keep any written records of transactions for at least a year after the transaction takes place, simply for insurance. Monitor your bank account and PayPal afterwards. In the days following your transaction, keep an eye out for any irregular activity in your bank accounts. If you spot any, contact PayPal, eBay, or your local branch and report the circumstances. Review your settings. Before you list an item for sale, make sure your refund policy, payment settings, and shipping information are all accurate. You don't want someone to accuse you of scamming them based on inaccurate information--in fact, some scammers will find ways to exploit errors like this to get eBay to side with them in a dispute, leading you to lose both money and your item. Set up dedicated bank and email accounts. While PayPal is relatively secure and eBay has a whole host of security benefits to keep your money safe, consider opening a separate account solely for transactions, complete with an accompanying email address. Several users have reported success in bypassing scams by having a PayPal-related email and an eBay-related email separate of one another; that way, if, for example, a buyer contacts the PayPal email with an inquiry, you automatically know it's a scam. Familiarize yourself with common scams. First and foremost, buyers are always looking for the best deal, so what you may interpret as a scam might be them simply trying to haggle the price. That said, most scams that are run on sellers tend to revolve around refusing to pay for an item or attempting to get their money back after purchasing said item. The most common scam is called the "bait and switch refund", in which a buyer complains about receiving a broken or faulty device after it ships. Since eBay is obligated to side with the buyer in the event that they provide proof--an easy enough process, since all they have to do is buy a broken version of whatever you sent them for practically nothing--you will be forced to pay them a refund. You can prevent this scam by either implementing a no-returns policy or by including buyer's insurance in the transaction. Another common scam consists of buyers attempting to settle transactions outside of eBay--over the phone, for example--which leads to eBay having no written record of the transaction if they choose to scam you. To counteract this, never settle for anything less than a written record of your transactions, preferably through email. Implement a strict return policy. Generally speaking, you'll want to have some kind of return policy in the event that an honest mistake with shipping and handling happens. That said, be sure to state the terms of your return policy in your posting. This is an easy way to close any loopholes that scammers may try to exploit. If you're selling an expensive item--especially if it is rare--consider changing the terms of your listing to "no refunds". This may dissuade some genuine buyers, but it will also keep scammers away. You can always say "more information upon request" in your posting to counteract the harshness of this policy--honesty is on your side. Look for red flags. If a buyer refuses to pay through eBay-approved methods such as PayPal, they're probably hiding something. Similarly, if they want to settle outside of eBay or they give you an unconfirmed address, consider renegotiating. Chances are fairly high that they'll reconsider if you tell them you're worried about being scammed, but this method should scare off any actual scammers. PayPal doesn't lie, and neither does eBay; email, however, might. To ensure that all of your emails regarding your account are correct, log into the pertaining service and check manually. As a general rule, you should not accept money orders or checks of any kind--the risks are simply too high, even if your buyer's intentions are good. Wait to ship until you receive payment. As soon as you and your buyer settle on a price, have them transfer the money to PayPal. Once you see the transaction in progress on PayPal, you can ship your item--not a second before. You'll have a written record of the time you send your package and the time that PayPal accepted the transfer, so as long as the two corroborate, you should be safe from any attempt at a scam. Use postage tracking. Services such as FedEx and UPS often give you the option of tracking your package along its route; take advantage of this system to ensure the package's arrival. If your buyer tells you it didn't arrive when UPS tells you it did, you'll know not to send them a refund. Once again, eBay and PayPal will usually back you up in this case, so long as you have retained all of your written records. Monitor your bank account and PayPal afterwards. In the days following your transaction, keep an eye out for any irregular activity in your bank accounts. If you spot any, contact PayPal, eBay, or your local branch and report the circumstances. | Safeguard your account. Familiarize yourself with common scams. Scope out the user's account. Pay attention to the terms of the transaction. Look for red flags. Always pay through eBay-approved methods. Document everything. Monitor your bank account and PayPal afterwards. Review your settings. Set up dedicated bank and email accounts. Familiarize yourself with common scams. Implement a strict return policy. Look for red flags. Wait to ship until you receive payment. Use postage tracking. Monitor your bank account and PayPal afterwards. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Evolve-Happiny | How to Evolve Happiny | To evolve Happiny, wait for daytime to arrive since Happiny can't evolve during the night. Next, give it an oval stone, and participate in battles to build Happiny's experience. Alternatively, use an "Exp. Share" item to gain experience points without doing battles. Once you've gained enough points, Happiny will start evolving automatically. | Get an Oval Stone. Oval Stones are evolution-inducing items that can be given to your Pokémon for them to hold. Once your Pokémon has an Oval Stone, leveling up at the right time will make the Pokémon evolve. To get an Oval Stone, simply walk around the areas where they are found. When your character walks on the correct square of floor (which is assigned at random), a message prompt with “Your character has found an Oval Stone" will appear. Below, find the locations in each game where you can find Oval Stones: Diamond/Pearl/Platinum: Lost Tower; the Underground; found on wild Happiny and Chansey Heart Gold/SoulSilver: Rock Tunnel; Bug Catching Contest (first prize); Amity Meadow; found on wild Chansey Black/White: Challenger's Cave; Black City shop B; during Dust Clouds; found on wild Happiny Black 2/White 2: Dust clouds inside the Relic Passage, Rebirth Mountain, and Clay Tunnel; White Forest X/Y: Unknown Dungeon (hidden on a rock to the left of Mewtwo); PokéMileage Club (balloon popping, level 2) Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire: Found on wild Happiny Sun/Moon: Paniola Ranch; "Path for Brilliant-Stone Hunting!" mission of Isle Aphun in Poké Pelago (available starting at Rank 2) If you don't already have a Happiny, get one. Happiny is available in all games from Generation IV onwards. It doesn't matter which level the Happiny you catch is — with the Oval Stone method, you can evolve one at any level. Below, find the locations in each game where you can find Happiny: Diamond/Pearl: Trophy Garden; hatch the egg from the trainer in Hearthome City Platinum: Trophy Garden HeartGold/SoulSilver: Breed Chansey or Blissey equipped with a Luck Incense Black: Trade only White: White Forest Black 2/White 2: Hatch the egg from the trainer in Nacrene Gate X/Y: Breed Chansey or Blissey equipped with a Luck Incense Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire: Mirage Forest, Mirage Mountain Sun/Moon: Route 1, Route 4, Route 5, Route 6, Hau'oli City, Lush Jungle (only available by being called as an ally Pokémon in all cases) Wait for daytime to arrive. Happiny will only evolve into Chansey in the daytime. From the fourth generation of Pokémon games onward (which also happen to be the games that Happiny is available in), the in-game time is the same as the time on your device's clock (and thus the real-world time if your clock is accurate.) Note that the Pokémon definition for "daytime" varies from game to game. See below for more information on each generation's "daytime": Generation IV (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum/HeartGold/SoulSilver): 10:00 AM-7:59 PM Generation V (Black/White/Black 2/White 2): Spring: 10:00 AM-4:59 PM Summer: 9:00 AM-6:59 PM Autumn: 10:00 AM-5:59 PM Winter: 11:00 AM-4:59 PM Generation VI (X/Y/Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire): 11:00 AM - 5:59 PM Generation VII (Sun/Moon): 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Sun), 6:00 PM - 6:00 AM (Moon, which takes place 12 hours ahead of your device's clock) Give the Oval Stone to Happiny. Once you have an Oval Stone in your bag and a Happiny with you, you're all set! Start by opening your Bag and selecting the Oval Stone. Select “Give” from the small menu that pops up, then choose Happiny from your list of Pokémon. If you've done this right, message should appear on the screen telling you that Happiny is now holding the Oval Stone. Happiny will keep the Oval Stone until you give it something different or it evolves. Level Happiny up once. Now, get into battles with enemy Pokémon and start winning. The precise Pokémon you fight don't matter — they can be Pokémon you find in the wild or Pokémon from an enemy trainer. As long as you win, Happiny participates in the battle, and Happiny survives until the end of the fight, it will gain experience. If you're in an area with many difficult Pokémon and you don't want to risk having your low-level Happiny faint, you may want to use an Exp. Share item, which allows even Pokémon that don't participate in the battle to gain experience points. Other things that can boost the rate of experience gain include having a high affection level in Pokémon Amie (Gen VI) or Pokémon Refresh (Gen VII) and having Pass Power (Gen V) or O-Power (Gen VI) active. Watch Happiny evolve. When you get Happiny enough experience points to level up, it should start to evolve immediately. Congratulations! You now have Chansey. Note that your Oval Stone will disappear after the evolution. Keep an eye on the clock as you get your Happiny experience points. If you battle long enough that your Happiny levels up during the night, it will not evolve into Chansey and you'll need to wait for daytime or adjust the clock and try again. | Get an Oval Stone. If you don't already have a Happiny, get one. Wait for daytime to arrive. Give the Oval Stone to Happiny. Level Happiny up once. Watch Happiny evolve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Magic-Wand | How to Make a Magic Wand | To carve a magic wand out of wood, start by using a knife to carefully scrape the bark off of your stick. Then, use the knife to carve the stick into a wand shape, with a thick base and a slightly pointy end. If you like, you can carve runes or symbols into it to bring different energies to your wand. Once your wand has been shaped and carved, sand the wand with sandpaper until the entire surface is smooth. Finally, personalize your wand with embellishments like feathers, crystals or copper wire. | Choose the type of wood to use. Many people believe that different types of trees carry different energies within them. When you make a wand from a tree branch, it can carry that energy within it. Oak wood is sacred because of the tree's longevity and great growth. Birch wood is said to hold the energy of love. Ash wood makes a great wand for healing and general magic. Take a walk in a natural place. Consider the type of wood you want to use, and go for a hike in an area where that specific tree will be. Look for a fallen branch or stick that is at least twelve inches long. Follow your intuition, and let it help guide you to a stick that speaks to you. Try to find a fallen branch rather than a living one. If you're going take a living one, make sure to ask the permission of the tree first. If you feel uneasy about it, you should not take this tree's branch. Leave an offering of thanks. Whether you take a fallen branch or a live one, you should leave something as a thank you offering for the tree. Many different things can be used for this offering as long as they contain natural ingredients. Water! This can be tap or spring water. Blessed and charged or either. Apple juice Home made cakes, cookies, or bread Charged crystals Gather the materials needed for the consecration. You need to consecrate your wood to cleanse it of any old energies before carving your wand. You will need a few items set up to perform this ritual. A white candle A sage or cedar smudge or sagewood incense A large feather A clear quartz crystal A lighter or matches A small altar to hold the wood Set up for the ritual. To perform the ritual, you will start facing North. Place the altar with the wood on it to your left, and the tools to perform the ritual on your right. Stand and light the incense or smudge. Standing facing north, begin the ritual by lighting the incense and saying a prayer for energy and assistance. Turn in a circle and fan the smoke. Use the feather to fan the smoke out into the room. Move clockwise in a circle as you fan. Turn to the right to face east and fan the smoke asking for guidance. Then, turn and face the south to fan the smoke and ask for help ridding the wood of bad energies. Next, turn again to the right to face west and thank your guides for helping you as you continue to fan the smoke. Finally, face north again and sit down in the circle. Put the incense in a holder on your right side after you sit down. Light the candle and hold the crystal. Place the candle in front of you and light it while saying a prayer to acknowledge the divine presence around you. Hold the crystal in both of your hands and imagine the white light of divine knowledge flowing through the top of your head and through your arms into the crystal. Place a thought in the crystal about cleansing the wood of any negative energies, and then place the crystal back down to the right. Bring the wood in front of you and smudge it. Bring the piece of wood to sit right in front of you and say a prayer welcoming it into your presence. Use the incense or smudge to wave smoke around the wood. Envision the smoke cleansing the wood of all past energies. Use the crystal to disperse the negative energies. Hold the crystal above the wood and envision it absorbing the negative energies being released from the wood. Envision the energy moving through the crystal an out into the universe to be dissipated. Then place the crystal on top of the wood and ask that its positive energy be placed into the wood. Say a prayer of thanks to end the ritual. Close your eyes and thank the divine for helping you clear the negative energy from your wood. Blow out the candle and then clean up the tools used for the ritual. Scrape the bark off. Use a knife to carefully scrape all of the bark off of the stick. You can also use your hands to pick off the outer layer and then use a knife to help get any bark that's left on. Carve the stick into a wand. Use the knife to whittle the stick into a wand shape. Carefully scrape off layers of the wood to make one end of the stick more pointy. Take your time and whittle slowly until you get the shape you want.. Add patterns, runes, or symbols to your wand. Use the knife to carve patterns or runes into your wand. The different symbols you carve will bring different energies to your wand, so be careful what you choose. You can also char your wand to give the carved patterns a different look. Sand the wand. Rub your entire wand with sandpaper to make it smooth. Continue to use the sandpaper to smooth the wood until the entire wand is finished. Personalize your wand. Your wand should be unique to you and represent your personal energies. Add embellishments to your wand to create a wand that will respond to you. Drill a hole through the end of the wand to attach a leather carrying string. Attach feathers to the end of the wand. Decorate the wand. You can add additional decorative touches to the wand with metal wire or crystals. Choose gemstones or crystals that have a special meaning to you to provide positive energy to the wand. Affix crystals and energy stones to the wand with glue. Wrap copper or silver wire around the wand to give it more strength. | Choose the type of wood to use. Take a walk in a natural place. Leave an offering of thanks. Gather the materials needed for the consecration. Set up for the ritual. Stand and light the incense or smudge. Turn in a circle and fan the smoke. Light the candle and hold the crystal. Bring the wood in front of you and smudge it. Use the crystal to disperse the negative energies. Say a prayer of thanks to end the ritual. Scrape the bark off. Carve the stick into a wand. Add patterns, runes, or symbols to your wand. Sand the wand. Personalize your wand. Decorate the wand. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Shorten-Shoe-Laces | How to Shorten Shoe Laces | To shorten shoelaces, first tie the shoes as you would normally, measure how much excess there is, and mark the spot to know where to cut. Then, cut the laces using a pair of sharp scissors to minimize fraying. Make sure to cut the extra material off both ends of the laces for matching unfinished ends. After you cut the laces, wrap adhesive tape tightly around the ends of the laces to create an aglet. Finally, apply glue to the tips of the laces to give them a smoother look and to increase the durability of the new aglets. | Put your shoes on. While you can eyeball how much of the laces you want to cut off, it's usually best to try on your shoes to see how much excess lace there is on each side. Tie your shoes as you normally would for the most comfortable fit, and take note of how long the laces are so you can decide how much you want to remove. When you're trying to decide how much of the laces that you want to cut, think about how you prefer to tie your shoes. If you don't want to double knot the laces, tie them normally and see how much of the length you'll need to take off on each side. Mark your laces. You'll need to know exactly where to cut the laces, so it helps to mark them at the right spot. Use a felt tip pen to draw lines on each end of the laces to indicate the excess that you want to remove. You can leave your shoes on when you mark the laces, but it's often easier to use a ruler to determine how many inches you want to remove from each end with the shoes on and then remove the laces to mark them. Shoelaces come in standard sizes, such as 30-, 40-, or 54-inches, so once you figure out how much excess there usually is on your shoes, you'll know where to mark laces of the same length in the future. Cut the laces. They're usually fairly easy to cut, so any household scissors should do the trick. However, you'll want to make sure that it's a sharp pair to minimize fraying when you cut the laces. Follow the marks that you made to ensure that you cut at the right spot. Don't cut all of the excess off one end of the lace. You'll wind up with one finished end and one unfinished end, so they won't match when you relace your shoes. Consider cutting length from middle of the lace. Instead of trimming the excess from each end of the lace and having to finish the ends, you can opt to take out the extra length from the center. You'll wind up with two pieces that each have an aglet at one end, so you only have to tie them together to create a single lace. Try on the shoes, use a ruler to see how much extra there is on each side, add the numbers together, and cut that amount for the middle of the lace. Tie the pieces of the lace together as tightly as possible, and secure it further by applying a small amount of instant glue to the knot and allowing it to dry. If there is any excess lace outside the knot, make sure to trim it away. You can also sew the two pieces together. Wrap adhesive tape around the ends. Lay a piece of adhesive tape sticky side on a flat surface, and place the lace towards the center. Take your time rolling the tape tightly around the lace to form a sturdy, finished tip, also known as the aglet. If there is any excess lace protruding past the tape, trim it with scissors. To make the tip extra sturdy, you can place a couple of dots of glue beneath the end of the table before you seal it over the lace. Finishing the ends with adhesive tape usually creates a tip that resembles plastic aglets on store bought laces well enough that you can get away with cutting the excess length off only one end of the lace if you prefer. Apply glue to the ends. Cover the tips of the laces with a small amount of glue, and as it starts to dry, press on the glue to help it absorb into the lace and reduce the thickness. Once the glue is completely dry, you can trim off any excess and apply another thin coat to increase the aglet's durability and give it a smoother look. Don't use “instant glue”, such as Krazy Glue, because it will bond with your skin, making it impossible to shape the end of the lace. The best type of glue to use is one with an acetone-based solvent, such as Elmer's Clear Household Cement or Tarzan's Grip. They dry clear, and are waterproof, so they form ideal aglets. If you don't have any glue on hand, you can use clear nail polish in its place. Use heat shrink tubing. Usually used to insulate electrical joints, the tubing is strong and flexible enough to work as effective aglets. You'll need to cut the tubing lengthwise to match the size of most aglets, which is typically about a ½ inch. Slip a section over each end of the lace, and then hold the tubing over a candle, lighter, or other flame so the material can contract. Choose a diameter of tubing that will slip over the end of your laces. In most cases, 4 to 5 millimeter is a good fit. When you're placing the tubing over the ends of the lace, it often helps to twist it into place so you don't wind up fraying the lace. It doesn't take much heat to shrink the tubing, so make sure to hold it a far enough distance from your flame. If it starts to smoke or bubble, it's too hot. If you have a small, travel-size hair straightening iron, you can use that to safely heat the tubing. Gently clamp it over the end for five to ten seconds to shrink the tubing and finish the laces. Clear heat shrink tubing will provide the most similar look to factory-made aglets. Melt the ends. If your laces are made of a synthetic material, you can actually melt the material itself to create a smooth, finished tip. Hold the end of the lace over a candle, match, lighter, or other flame to melt the material just enough to form a sealed edge. Make sure not to hold the lace too close to the flame, or you may light the entire lace on fire. It's best to melt the lace over a sink in case a fire does occur. Don't touch the synthetic material of the lace once it starts to melt because it may stick to your skin. Start at the bottom eyelets. When you're lacing your shoes, you should always begin with the eyelets closest to the toes. That allows you to pull the laces from one set of eyelets at a time to tighten them and provide the most comfortable fit. Push the tips of the laces through the pair of eyelets and adjust until the length is equal on both sides. Whatever method you use to finish the ends of your shortened laces, make sure you've give them proper time to dry or cool before lacing your shoes. Many shoes features two rows of parallel eyelets, with one set closer to the shoe's tongue and one further. For wide feet, use the eyelets closest to the tongue to provide more space for the foot. If you have narrow feet, lace the shoes through the eyelets furthest away from the tongue to bring up the shoe for a closer fit. Crisscross the laces. While you can lace your shoes in a variety of ways, crisscrossing the laces over one another works well for most people. Once you've threaded the lace through the bottom eyelets, pull the right side across to place it through the next highest eyelet on the left side and do the same to the left to the right. Continue alternating all the way until the final set of eyelets. Crisscrossing your laces usually provides the most comfort because the shoelace crossover happens in the space between the two sides of the shoe, so they aren't pressed against your foot. Tie your shoe. You should do it as normally would, but because you've shortened the lace, you shouldn't need to double knot or tie the lace. When it's knotted, you'll be able to tell if you've trimmed it sufficiently. If you haven't cut enough of the lace off, trim a little bit more and repeat the steps for finishing the tips. | Put your shoes on. Mark your laces. Cut the laces. Consider cutting length from middle of the lace. Wrap adhesive tape around the ends. Apply glue to the ends. Use heat shrink tubing. Melt the ends. Start at the bottom eyelets. Crisscross the laces. Tie your shoe. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kiss-at-a-Young-Age | How to Kiss at a Young Age | If you want to kiss someone, you should first flirt with them to relax them and show your interest. For example, you can say something like, “You have really pretty eyes.” When you're ready to make the move, look into their eyes and slowly lean in to about an inch from their lips. Let them move in the last little bit so they have time to back out if they want to. When they lean in, press your lips against theirs and apply light pressure for 2-5 seconds, before leaning back. | Get to know someone you think is really neat and interesting. Try to find someone who strikes your interest. Maybe they are very cute, smart, funny, or unique. Chat with this person to build a friendship, and start to flirt with them to show your interest. This could be a kid in your class or someone in your after-school club. This may take some time, but you'll be thankful your kiss was with someone you really like. To flirt, you can start by joking around, complimenting them, and making eye contact. Notice their body language to tell if they want to kiss you. If your crush likes you, it won't be too hard to notice. Some promising signs of this include frequent smiles, teasing, poking, tickling, or touching. These are good indicators that your crush may be thinking about kissing you too. If your crush flips their hair, this may be a sign that they are into you If you notice your crush joking with you a lot and trying to make you laugh, they may want to kiss you too. Kiss someone when you feel ready, regardless of how old you are. Around ages 12-15, people often start having their first kiss. Don't feel pressured by other people your age kissing people, and don't rush into kissing someone if you are apprehensive. You'll know intuitively when the time feels right. It's perfectly normal to have butterflies in your stomach or feel nervous at the thought of kissing someone. If someone wants to kiss you but you aren't ready, say something like, “Sorry, I don't want to yet,” or “Sorry, I'm not comfortable with this.” Play kissing games with your friends if you can't find a partner. Another way to find someone to kiss is to play games like Truth or Dare and Spin the Bottle. You can kiss someone at random or have a friend try to help you hook up with a hottie. Many people start kissing by playing games with their friends, so give this a shot if you want to kiss someone. For example, tell your friend that you want to kiss someone in particular, and then they can dare the person to kiss you during Truth or Dare. If you play these games, know that you may wind up kissing someone. Be comfortable with the kiss before you play. Brush your teeth prior to the kiss so your breath is fresh. If you have bad breath, it may make the kiss unpleasant. To prevent this, brush your teeth 2 times a day for 2 minutes. If you know you have a kiss planned, brush your teeth before you see the other person. You can also use mouthwash for extra-fresh breath. Swish the mouthwash around for 30 seconds or so. To freshen your breath throughout the day, use chewing gum or breath mints. Use chapstick regularly to get rid of dry skin. To get kissably smooth lips, you can put on chapstick 1-3 times throughout the day. Chapstick hydrates your lips and gets rid of dry skin, so your lips will be smooth and ready for a kiss. For example, put on chapstick after you brush your teeth in the morning and/or right before you go to bed. Avoid applying lip gloss right before the kiss so there's no mess. While lipgloss can make your lips look shiny and kissable, it also can make a big, sticky mess if you wear it while kissing. If you are planning a kiss, go without wearing lip gloss that day. You can also wipe it off before the kiss for another option. Choose a private or semi-private space where you won't be distracted. Ideally, try to find a place without many people around so you can focus solely on the kiss. This can be outside of your school, in a park, at the mall, or at a house, for instance. Avoid kissing during school. This is considered “public display of affection” and you can get in trouble. Don't kiss with you or the other person's parents around. Since you're still a teenager, they may not find this acceptable. Flirt with them so they are more comfortable. If the other person seems nervous, do your best to make them feel relaxed. You can look into the other person's eyes and smile, tell them a funny story or joke, or tease them about a silly comment. This breaks the ice and makes the kiss seem less intimidating. For example, say something like, "You have really pretty eyes," or "I really like that shirt," to compliment them. You can tell a silly knock-knock joke such as, "Knock Knock!" "Who's there?" "Al!" "Al who?" "Al give you a kiss if you open this door!" Move your face slowly, aiming to get 90% of the way to their lips. When it's time for the kiss, look your partner in the eyes, and tilt your head the opposite way of your partner. Slowly bring your mouth toward theirs, and close your eyes when you get close. Instead of going all the way in for the kiss, stop when you get about 1 in (2.5 cm) or so away so they can reciprocate. If you move your head in the same direction as your partner, you may bump heads. Let them come the other 10% of the way to ensure they want to kiss you. Wait a brief second for your partner to bring their lips to yours. This way, you know for sure that they want to kiss you too. This is also a fun, flirty way to make the kiss less awkward. If you notice the other person pulling away, stop and apologize. It's okay if they aren't comfortable with the kiss yet. Say something like, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Press your lips forward with light pressure when you touch lips. To enjoy the kiss, pucker your lips slightly when your partner kisses you back, and let the kiss continue for 2-5 seconds or so. Your partner may not like it if you kiss them too forcefully. This doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out kiss, as that may make it more awkward than it already may be. Avoid going for tongue during the first kiss. Aim to deliver a quick, sweet kiss rather than using tongue or a lot of pressure. Then, move your head away from theirs. Using tongue may seem sloppy or extra awkward since you are new to kissing. When you kiss at a young age, this is all you need to worry about. Over time, you can develop your make-out skills. Compliment the other person to boost their confidence. After you kiss the other person, you can also say something like “Wow, that was great,” “You're a good kisser,” or “I enjoyed that.” This reassures the other person that you like them and enjoyed the moment, and it also acts as a transition back into other conversation. You can also say, “Can I kiss you again?” before going in for another smooch. Keep the conversation going after the kiss so it's not awkward. To ease you and/or your partner's anxiety, aim to have a natural conversation. If you were discussing your weekend plans, ask your partner a question about it, for instance. You can also bring up a new topic to chat about, such as your upcoming sports game. If you or your partner are quiet after the kiss, you may feel more uncomfortable or start to doubt the kiss. The amount of time to chat for depends on your particular situation. For example, if you kissing someone while saying goodbye and now have to leave, chat for 1-5 minutes or so then politely excuse yourself. If you are playing a kissing game, simply return to the game and let the next player take their turn. | Get to know someone you think is really neat and interesting. Notice their body language to tell if they want to kiss you. Kiss someone when you feel ready, regardless of how old you are. Play kissing games with your friends if you can't find a partner. Brush your teeth prior to the kiss so your breath is fresh. Use chapstick regularly to get rid of dry skin. Avoid applying lip gloss right before the kiss so there's no mess. Choose a private or semi-private space where you won't be distracted. Flirt with them so they are more comfortable. Move your face slowly, aiming to get 90% of the way to their lips. Let them come the other 10% of the way to ensure they want to kiss you. Press your lips forward with light pressure when you touch lips. Avoid going for tongue during the first kiss. Compliment the other person to boost their confidence. Keep the conversation going after the kiss so it's not awkward. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Well-As-a-Tall-Girl | How to Dress Well As a Tall Girl | To dress well as a tall girl, wear high-waisted or waist-cinching styles, which can help give you an hourglass figure and make your body look proportional. Also, opt for patterns or different colored tops and bottoms, which can help break up your height. When you're clothes shopping, be careful not to buy pants or shirts that are too short or your clothes may have a shrunken appearance. | Embrace skinny jeans. Skinny jeans and cigarette pants were basically made for tall women. Not only are they often cut longer, they look fabulous on girls with long legs. Even if the skinnies are a little short, you can cuff them and make it look intentional. Plus, it's an opportunity to show off your shoes. Avoid capri pants. They'll hit your calf at an odd spot and it will look like your pants shrunk in the dryer. Tall women can pull off flares or wide-legged styles, too. Just make sure your pants are the right length. Remember that you can always buy pants that are too long and then take them to a tailor for adjustments. Don't shy away from heels. The truth is, wearing flats isn't going to hide the fact that you're tall. If you want to wear heels, do it! A heel can elongate your legs, lift your butt, and actually make your feet look smaller. Don't pay attention to anyone who says you should not wear heels because of your height. Start out with a shorter kitten heel if you don't feel comfortable with full-on high heels. A tall woman in heels appears confident, proud, and sexy. Try maxi-waisted styles or a waist-cinching belt. Create an hourglass figure and break up your length. This will help your body look proportional and shapely. Tucking in your shirt can also give the same effect. Go for large, statement accessories. Large purses and totes can look overwhelming on smaller women, making it look like they're playing dress up. A tall girl can really work bigger accessories, so go for that oversize tote or that big, statement necklace. Have fun with color and patterns. A tall frame is long enough to pull off patterns without being overwhelmed. Mix things up on your top and bottom half--so a patterned shirt with black pants, or different colored tops and bottoms--to break up your height. Be aware that dressing all in one color (monochromatic) can make you look longer. Pay attention to sleeve and hem length when shopping for shirts. Sleeves and hems that are too short can give your shirt that "shrunken" appearance. Unless it's a crop-top, look for shirts that at least hit you at the hip. Look for 3/4 length sleeves or create them by rolling up sleeves that are just a little too short. You might also try checking the men's department. You may find shirts that fit you better and you can also go for a “boyfriend” shirt look. Wear almost any length dress or skirt, just beware the too-short hemline. A tall girl can rock a maxi dress like no other, or she can show off her killer legs something shorter. You probably don't want to be flashing your booty or underwear, however, so pay attention to skirts and dresses that are so short they don't cover the essentials. Remember a dress that is a flirty length on a shorter girl may look straight-up indecent on a taller girl. A pencil skirt can make your legs look even longer, which is great if you have a long torso and shorter legs. Otherwise, pair a pencil skirt with a top in a contrasting color to keep your proportions balanced. The most flattering skirt length on many people is usually just above, even with, or just below the knee. Determine your proportions. Your legs and upper-half may be equal in length, or you may have short legs with a long torso, or a shorter upper body with super long legs. This may affect how you shop and dress. Try taking your measurements or ask a friend to help you do so. Measure your waist, hips, bust, and the inseam of your pants from crotch to ankle. Stand tall. Some tall women tend to slouch or hunch their shoulders in an attempt to appear smaller. However, slouching may make you look insecure. Throw your shoulders back and stand up straight--imagine there is a string attached to the top of your head and it is gently pulling you up toward the ceiling. Know where to shop. Certain brands are known for catering to taller women. And with online shopping, you have even more options. Search for companies that focus exclusively on tall girls, and you'll have a much easier time finding clothes in your size. Find a good tailor. Since some of the clothes you find may not fit well off the rack, finding a good tailor is a great way to ensure that all your clothes fit you perfectly. Ask friends and family if they know a good tailor, or look for recommendations online. Take any ill-fitting items you have to your tailor for alterations. For example, if you have dress that is a bit too loose around the waist, take it to your tailor for a fitting. If you have a pair of pants that bunch up around your ankles, see if your tailor can shorten them for you. | Embrace skinny jeans. Don't shy away from heels. Try maxi-waisted styles or a waist-cinching belt. Go for large, statement accessories. Have fun with color and patterns. Pay attention to sleeve and hem length when shopping for shirts. Wear almost any length dress or skirt, just beware the too-short hemline. Determine your proportions. Stand tall. Know where to shop. Find a good tailor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Back-at-a-Cheater | How to Get Back at a Cheater | The best way to get back at a cheater is to move on and show that you can be happy without them. If you really want to, you can get revenge by telling all of your mutual friends that they cheated, which will probably make things pretty awkward for your partner. You could also post any evidence you have on social media to embarrass them. However, remember that this may lead to more conflict, especially if the evidence isn't clear. A much better approach is to move on with your life. Post pictures online of you out with friends enjoying yourself or doing your favorite hobby. You should also find ways to process your feelings positively, like drawing or listening to music, since you won't really be able to put the cheater behind you if you bottle up your emotions. | Take pictures with a friend. If your partner's cheated on you, one way to make him or her jealous is to take pictures with a friend. The friend should be the same sex as your partner. Go around town, and take pictures together. Post the pictures where your ex can see them. This revenge works best if you do some romantic-looking activities together, such as having a candlelit dinner together or walking hand-in-hand through a park Post pictures of your happiness. Advertise your happiness on social media. Even if you're not feeling happy, try faking happiness for the photos. Post pictures of yourself out with friends having drinks or hiking through the woods. Include smiling selfies with local landmarks or in local museums. Anything that shows you are living a great life is game for posting on social media. This step shows the other person what they've given up. Plus, faking happiness is one step in moving towards happiness. In addition, try to hide your pain. While this one can be difficult, it can make cheaters upset, as many cheaters are ego-driven, so they want to be in the middle. If you blow up at the person, you're feeding that person's ego. Try calmly breaking up with the person and then getting on with your life. Let them live with what they've done. That is, once you've moved on from your partner, that person has to learn to live by themselves again, which they may not be equipped to do. They have to pick up the pieces, pay the bills, and be the one known as the cheating partner. Watching them try to pick up the pieces can be pretty good revenge. Ignore the person. Once you've decided to move on, don't take the person's calls. Unless you really, truly want to make up with the person, it's best to any communication from them. Once again, you don't want to feed their ego or be persuaded by their rhetoric. Of course, it may do some good to keep the person around on social media, so they can see how great your life is. That way, the person knows what he or she has lost. Deal with the emotions. Being cheated on comes with a whole range of emotions. You probably expect anger and sadness, but you may be surprised that you also feel shame and emptiness. You may find yourself annoyed or possessive. You may even feel relief because you have finally figured out what's going on with your relationship. All of these feelings are perfectly normal. The first step in dealing with your emotions is figuring out just what you're feeling. Try spending some time journaling to help you identify your emotions. Discussing it with a friend can also help you figure out what you're feeling. Don't be afraid to talk to a therapist. If you feel like your emotions are overwhelming you, it's perfectly normal to accept professional help. Learn to trust yourself again. You may be thinking that it's partially your fault that the person cheated. While you may be partially responsible for letting the relationship go, it was the other person's choice to cheat. However, you can learn from what happened. In the future, trust yourself when the relationship doesn't feel quite right, and take steps to make it better. For instance, stop to talk to your partner when you feel like something has gone wrong. Forgive the person. This step may feel counter-intuitive to getting revenge. However, holding on to your anger only makes you unhappy and keeps you from moving on. Forgiveness starts with identifying your anger and feelings toward the person, which you've already worked on in this section. The next step is to see if you can find why the person did what he or she did. That means trying to find compassion for the partner to figure out how he or she got to the point of cheating. Forgiving the person doesn't mean excusing what he or she did, nor does it mean you must stay with him or her. It does mean you have to think about the person as a person, not as this entity who hurt you. Take care of yourself. In the wake of breaking it off with a cheater, you may find yourself wanting to wallow in your grief. When you're down-and-out, you may also find that you're not eating properly, sleeping well, or getting proper exercise. Taking care of yourself is essential to helping you heal and move on. Try to stick to a regular eating schedule, and be sure to make some healthy choices. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish in your diet. Give yourself extra rest. Not only will you need extra rest, but you may find it harder to fall asleep. Therefore, you'll need extra time for sleeping. Try to get some exercise in, as well. Take a walk outside in the sunlight. Go for a swim. Play a game of basketball with your friends. Take steps to get up and get moving. Do the things you enjoy. Pick up old activities you may not have had time for in a relationship. For instance, hang out with your friends or pick up an old hobby. Find time to volunteer. Not only will these activities help you move on, but they will make you happier as a person. Happiness is the best revenge. Don't be afraid to snap a picture or two to post where your ex can see it. Start dating again. Once you've given yourself a little while to heal, pick up dating again. For one, trying to find romance again can make you happier. In addition, it can show your ex that you've truly moved on, and that what or he or she did lost you for good. If you're unsure how to get started again, consider using a dating site. You must pay for some sites, but others are free. Dating sites offer a way to connect with people with similar interests to you. Go on an adventure. Sometimes, when you're in a relationship, you put off doing the big things you've always longed to do. Now is the time to go do those things. You have your life wide open right now, and the possibilities are endless. For instance, take a vacation to a far-flung country that you've always dreamed of. Go back to school for the degree you've always wanted. Get that pet you've longed for but couldn't have because your partner was allergic. Move to a new city. Get a new job or start a new career. Whatever it is that makes your heart beat a little faster, that is what you should do. Once again, it doesn't hurt to post a few pictures of your fabulous adventures where your ex can see them. Spill the beans. One way to get back at the cheater is to tell the truth about what happened. That doesn't mean you should go into extreme detail. Rather, if one of your friends or even one of your ex-partner's family members ask, tell the truth, that your partner cheated on you with someone else. Eventually, the bad karma will get back to your partner in the form of a tongue lashing from a mutual friend. However, this revenge can backfire if the person you're talking to is fiercely loyal to the other person. They may just see it as you spreading lies around. Sue the woman on the side. In seven states, a married person can sue the person on the side for damages. You can try this (legal) revenge in Hawaii, Illinois, South Dakota, Utah, New Mexico, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Generally, you need to either prove criminal conversation or alienation of affection. With criminal conversation, you'll need to prove that your spouse is having an affair generally through the use of a private investigator. With alienation of affection, you just need to prove that the person on the outside moved your marriage from a loving one to one of alienation and that you were harmed by that situation somehow. Contact a divorce lawyer for more information. Post the news publicly. If you're sure your partner is cheating, you can post that information in a public forum. For instance, you can post it on a social media platform as a blog post or add pictures to drive home the story. Alternatively, you could go with a paper version and put up flyers in your neighborhood. That way, your spouse has to live with the consequences in a public way. Print out proof as a present. This one is good to try if there's a big holiday or anniversary coming up. Instead of outing the person right away, print out any proof you have of the affair. Wrap it up in boxes to hide the fact that it's not a present, then have the person open them on the big day. Tell the person on the side. If you can find a number for the person your partner is cheating with, try calling that person up. That person may have no idea that your partner is with someone else, and letting him or her know it may be pretty good revenge. | Take pictures with a friend. Post pictures of your happiness. Let them live with what they've done. Ignore the person. Deal with the emotions. Learn to trust yourself again. Forgive the person. Take care of yourself. Do the things you enjoy. Start dating again. Go on an adventure. Spill the beans. Sue the woman on the side. Post the news publicly. Print out proof as a present. Tell the person on the side. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Like-a-Metal-Head | How to Dress Like a Metal Head | To dress like a metalhead, stock up on band shirts from well-known groups like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica, or Slayer. You can also wear clothes with dark, gothic, or satanic images, like skulls and crosses For a classic look, add a denim or leather jacket. Make the look even more authentic by adding pins, stickers, or patches to your jacket. If you prefer a more modern look, wear a black hoodie or sweatshirt. Black pants will go best with your dark tops, but blue or gray jeans can work well too. Add heavy black boots to complete your dark look or opt for sneakers for a more comfortable and relaxed style. | Stock up on band shirts. The most indispensable part of metalhead clothing is the band shirt. Metalheads wear band shirts almost every day and this style fits in most situations. T-shirts, long sleeves, and baseball style shirts all look great with band logos on them. Band shirts also look good on men or women, so anyone can wear them. Make a list of some of your favorite metal bands. Then search online or in stores like Hot Topic for shirts displaying those bands. An even better option is wearing a band T shirt you got while seeing that band in concert. If possible, buy your band merchandise from the band's website itself instead of a retailer. That way you know your money is going towards supporting the band. Some famous metal bands that always appear on T-shirts are Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Slayer, Slipknot, and Hatebreed. Start here if you don't where to begin, or just search for a shirt from any metal band you like. The size of your T-shirt doesn't matter so much. A tighter shirt is a more classic look while an oversized shirt is a bit more modern. Both styles are fine with fellow metalheads, so go with what you're comfortable in. If you're wearing a band T-shirt, make sure you're actually a fan of that band. Metalheads love to talk about their favorite music and if someone sees your shirt, they may comment on it and ask about your favorite songs, albums, and concerts. If you're just wearing the band shirt for style and don't actually listen to their music, other metalheads will find out fast. Find clothes with dark, gothic, or satanic imagery. Metalheads don't only wear band clothing. Any kind of dark imagery will fit in as well. Skulls, crosses, and other horror-themed symbols will mix up your clothing so you aren't always wearing band shirts. Metalheads are usually fans of horror movies as well. Shirts displaying horror movie logos or art will be a nice addition. The Baphomet symbol is a horned goat that represents Satan. Many metal bands use it in their logos and it's a popular graphic on clothing and accessories. Add a denim or leather jacket for a classic look. It's a bit old-fashioned in some scenes, but for decades denim and leather jackets were the most popular looks in the metal community. If you're going for a more classic look, consider one of these jackets to complete your wardrobe. For extra authenticity, decorate your jackets with pins, stickers, and patches that have band logos printed on them. Wear a black hoodie or sweatshirt for a more modern look. Hoodies and sweatshirts are more common in metal fashion nowadays. Add them to your wardrobe for a more modern look. As an added bonus, these are much more comfortable than leather or denim jackets. Many bands print sweatshirts with their logos on them. Look for one of these to represent your favorite bands. Otherwise, any dark color will do. Avoid high-priced metal fashion lines. Since metal fashion has gotten more popular in recent years, some fashion lines have tried to cash in with designer lines of specialty metal clothing. These are mostly very expensive and out of reach for many people. The good news is that you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a designer T-shirt. Metal clothing is simple, and just a cheap band shirt and a pair of jeans is all you need to fit in. Other metalheads will probably be able to tell that you're wearing high-priced designer clothes anyway, so spending a lot of money on exclusive brands won't help you get accepted into the community. Remember that clothing is a personal choice. If you like these clothing lines, feel free to wear them. Just don't expect that wearing expensive clothes will impress other metalheads. Wear tight jeans or leather pants. The ideal metal pants style switches back and forth between baggy and tight depending on the time period. At this moment, tighter pants are more in style. Look for jeans or leather pants that are more form-fitting. Make sure the pants are still comfortable, though. Jeans that are too tight will make it hard to move around at concerts. Black pants are the most popular color, but normal blue or gray jeans are accepted too. A popular pants style for female metalheads is tight black jeans with rips. Don't opt for full-on skinny jeans, though. That was more of an early 2000s metal fashion trend and is outdated now. Get darkly-colored shorts for a more relaxed look. Metalheads don't always wear pants. If you find shorts more comfortable, feel free to wear them. The most popular shorts styles are black or other dark colors, or camouflage. Whether you wear baggy or tight shorts is a personal choice. Baggy shorts are a bit outdated but some people still prefer them. Tighter shorts that rest just above the knee are more popular now. Find a black or dark plaid skirt for a feminine metalhead look. Skirts are popular among female metalheads. Black is always the most popular color, but dark-colored plaids are common too. Look for red or dark blue mixed with black stripes. Also look for skirts with designs like skulls or crosses. A black leather skirt adds another layer of style to the outfit. Female metal fans often add black stockings when they wear a skirt. Buy comfortable footwear. Metalheads don't put a lot of emphasis on footwear. Heavy black boots will give you a more classic look from the 1970s and 1980s. Sneakers are more common for comfort, and both men and women can wear them. Some metalheads like classic sneaker styles like Converse or Adidas. Newer name brands are fine too. Since a lot of metalheads like athletic-wear nowadays, running or basketball sneakers are common too. If you're into gothic fashion, black platform boots are a popular choice. Metal and gothic fashion are different from each other, but there is some crossover. Look for black armbands and belts. A popular accessory for metalheads is a black leather armband and belt. Metalheads may wear a band on one or both arms. The length varies. Some metalheads prefer a wristband that only goes up 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm), while others might want one that almost reaches the elbow. Try some different varieties to see what you like. Some armbands are studded or spiked for extra style. If you opt for this option, be careful not to accidentally poke or rub anyone in public with them. Black studded belts are especially popular with women in the metal scene. They go well with tight black pants. Put on a fitted band hat. Since the 2000s, hats are much more common in the metal community. Band members wear them often to keep their hair out of their eyes while they're on stage. Fans have started wearing hats more often too. The most common type is a fitted baseball hat style, usually with a band logo. Other designs on your hat are fine. If you like a sports team, feel free to wear a hat with their logo as well. Different hats like fedoras aren't very popular among metalheads. Opt for a baseball hat or no hat. Shop for silver jewelry to complement your outfit. Metalhead women especially like wearing shiny, silver jewelry with their outfits. Necklaces, chains, bracelets, rings, and earrings all go well with a heavy metal look. Jewelry decorated with skulls or crosses works especially well. Jewelry isn't just for women. Many metalhead men like wearing skull necklaces or silver chains. Be careful if you wear jewelry to a concert. Make sure it isn't too loose-fitting or it could get caught on someone and pulled off. | Stock up on band shirts. Find clothes with dark, gothic, or satanic imagery. Add a denim or leather jacket for a classic look. Wear a black hoodie or sweatshirt for a more modern look. Avoid high-priced metal fashion lines. Wear tight jeans or leather pants. Get darkly-colored shorts for a more relaxed look. Find a black or dark plaid skirt for a feminine metalhead look. Buy comfortable footwear. Look for black armbands and belts. Put on a fitted band hat. Shop for silver jewelry to complement your outfit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Pansies | How to Grow Pansies | Before you grow pansies, make sure the last frost for the winter has passed before planting them. Then, plant the seeds in an indoor seed tray filled with watered soil. Next, transfer the plants to pots when they've sprouted, which usually takes 2 weeks. You should water your seedlings every morning, but make sure the soil isn't too damp before doing so. Once the pansies have developed 6-8 leaves, plant them 12 inches apart in a sunny spot in your garden. Additionally, when the pansies are outdoors, give them water once a week and fertilizer once a month. | Figure out when is the best time to plant your pansies. Pansies can flower all year round, depending on the climate of where you live or Hardiness Zone. Each country defines its own Hardiness Zones, which details each region's ability to grow certain plants. If you're planting seeds, the goal is to avoid blooming pansies in hot temperatures such as in July or August in most climates. So in most climates, the best time to plant pansy seeds is during the fall or after the frost in late winter. This way, you avoid the hot temperatures of the summer and the freezing temperatures of the winter and can catch a fall or early spring bloom. If you're planting matured pansies, transfer them to your outdoor garden in the spring or autumn. If you live in a mild climate with mild winters, you can expect to see your pansies blooming all throughout the winter. The most accurate way to find the best time to plant pansies is to look up your area's hardiness zone which can usually be found on your city or country's website and look to see if they provide any plant survival data or suggested planting dates. Pansies are able to survive in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8. Find a sunny spot. Whether you're planting your pansies in pots or in the ground in your garden, a spot with full sun or partial sun is best. Too much shade can reduce the number of flowers that bloom and the size of your pansies. It can also cause your pansies to look spindly or grow too tall from seeking out sunlight. Look for a location that allows for 6 to 12 hours of sunlight a day. Growing your pansies at least in partial sun can help prevent common diseases like blight and rot. Pansies grow best in a cool environment. If you live in a place where summers can get quite hot, keep your pansies in partial shade. This means a tree or bush is nearby to create shade at certain times during the day, especially around noon when the sun is the brightest. Don't plant pansies in the same location 3 years in a row. This space will have begun to build up fungus diseases in the soil that could feed on your plants. Leaving the space empty for a year will force the fungus to die out. Measure your soil's temperature. Pansies do best in soil temperatures between 45 and 65 °F (7 and 18 °C). However, planting or growing pansies in soil temperatures under 45 °F (7 °C) can stunt the growth of your pansies so if you plan to grow your pansy seeds in the fall, ensure you protect your pansies in the winter or consider growing your pansies after the frost. Measure soil temperature by placing a soil thermometer at the depth you plan to seed or plant your pansy. Take the soil's temperature twice throughout the day to get a better measurement. You should take one measurement in the morning and another in the early evening to get an overall temperature measurement. If you're planting in a field or garden, you should take temperatures at several locations in the soil where you plan to plant your pansies. Greenhouses and coldframes can help regulate soil temperatures. They're especially helpful if you're planting pansy seeds when temperatures are not ideal. Pansies can be grown indoors at room temperature as long as they receive direct sunlight from a window. They should be watered frequently and planted in a well-draining pot. Prepare your soil if you're planting pansies in a flower bed. Pansies thrive in soil that is well-drained and rich in nutrients. If you're preparing a new flower bed or renewing an old one, it's important to add organic materials like compost, peat moss, or animal manure to improve the soil which adds moisture to the soil and reduces the risk of diseases in your pansies. To prepare your flower bed: Dig up and discard old flowers or vegetation from the soil. This prevents diseases and insects from being carried over by the old plants. Add compost to your soil. Your compost or organic material should make up 25 percent of your total soil. This means if you have 12 inches (30 cm) of soil, you need at least 3 inches (8 cm) of compost material. Mix together your soil and compost. Use a spade to mix the two materials together. This helps loosen the soil especially if you're not adding any new soil and also helps to aerate the ground for better drainage. Make sure your soil is free of lumps, stones, and other coarse materials. Water your flower bed. Find a well-draining pot for your pansies. If you're planting your pansies indoors or in containers, be sure to use pots or containers that are 9 to 12 inches (24 to 30 cm) deep. They should have a hole or multiple holes at the bottom for water to drain out. Place a plate or pan underneath your pot to catch the drained water if you're planting your pansies indoors or on a surface that can't become wet. Prepare your soil the same way you would prepare a flower bed by adding soil and compost together. Or you can fill it with potting soil or rich, sandy loam soil. Always water your soil before you plant or seed pansies. These containers can be permanent or temporary homes for your pansies. Choose whether you want to plant your pansy seeds indoors or outdoors. The general practice for planting seeds is to grow them in seed trays. Planting seeds outdoors can be harsh but it is not impossible. However, the success rate of seeds sprouting in seed trays indoors is much higher. When you plant in seed trays, it's important you have enough pots to transfer each seedling into. The seedlings will outgrow the seed tray in a couple of weeks and you'll either have to transfer them to pots or to an outdoor location. Space out pansies when you plant them. If you're creating a bedding out of pansies, be sure to keep each plant about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) apart in all directions. Having wider spacings between each plant allows for more air circulation in the soil which prevents spider mites and diseases like blight and rot that can destroy your flower bed. Pansies can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and spread as far as 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 cm) across. If you're planting seeds on a bed, it's best to plant pansies in rows. This makes it easier for you to identify individual seedlings in case you would like to move them to another location. It can also help you weed between plants more efficiently. You can choose to plant your pansy seeds and grow your seedlings in a temporary location that is cooler than the permanent location. This improves the likelihood of your pansies sprouting and creates a good foundation of healthy pansy plants. Water your soil before planting. Whether you're planting a seed or a mature pansy plant indoors or outdoors, it's important to water your soil first. It is also important to water after planting to fuse the soil with your seed or pansy plant. Cover seeds with 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) of soil on top. Flatten the soil and water it to secure the seed within the soil. Extra steps are also recommended in order to ensure moisture is retained in your flower bed before your seedlings sprout: Cover your seedbed or flower pot with white plastic film (a cut open white garbage bag is a good alternative), aluminum foil, or moist burlap. This keeps the moisture in and sunlight out. Do this until you see your seeds sprouting which takes about 5 to 8 days. Shade your sprouted pansies with a canopy. Place it a foot or so above the bed. If you have potted pansies, place them away from sunlight until the sprouts develop their first leaves. A good location in your home to place your seeded pots is in a cool basement or closet. Once you see leaves sprouting, your pansies will be ready to handle direct sunlight. If you've been growing your seeds in a seed tray, it's time to transfer them to their own individual pots or outdoors once you see leaves sprouting. You can also choose to thin out seedlings before your replant them. Water your seedlings lightly in the early morning. If it's too dry, your seeds could die before they sprout. But if your seeds are too wet, rot can start to form. It's important to keep a balanced level of moisture in your seedbed. Your soil should not look dry and should feel wet to the touch. However, the soil should not be overflowing with water and you should not be able to squeeze water from the soil when you press into it with your fingers. If you've been covering your seedbed the first few days after seeding, you should not need to water your pansies. What you used to cover it should have trapped any moisture from your pansies. However, check the quality of your soil daily and water if needed. Move your seedlings to their permanent locations. Once your seedlings have developed 6 to 8 leaves, or the weather is just right, plant them in their permanent locations. Plant your seedlings 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) apart. Separate and spread the roots of your seedlings before replanting them. This is especially important if you've bought seedlings from a store or gardening centre, as their roots can become quite compacted in their pots. Water your seedlings after planting to regain lost moisture and fuse the soils together. Transplant seedlings or bloomed pansies in fall or early spring. If you're not growing pansies from seeds, plant your pansies in their permanent locations in the fall or spring. Separate and spread the roots of your seedlings before replanting them. This is especially important if you've bought seedlings from a store or gardening centre, as bought seedlings are quite compacted in their pots. Water your seedlings after planting to regain lost moisture and fuse the soils together. Water your pansies thoroughly once every week in the morning. During the summer and spring season, it's recommended you water your pansies with about 1 inch of water every week. This means, for every square foot of soil in your flower bed, you'll need to give it 0.6 gallons (2.3 L) of water. For some gardeners, it is more economical or reasonable to ration the weekly amount of water needed for your pansies. Some months may be extremely dry and water is needed daily to ensure your pansies are well hydrated. However, deep infrequent watering encourages a deeper rooting system which develops healthier and stronger pansies. Shallow and frequent watering causes water to evaporate quicker which causes pansies to develop a shallow rooting system. During the fall or rainy season, rain would do most of the watering for you. So only water after dry periods or when you're fertilizing your pansies. Don't water your pansies in the afternoon or evening. Morning temperatures are usually low and watering in the morning prepares your pansies for the heat of the day. The water will usually dry before nightfall, preventing fungal diseases from developing overnight. Do not overwater your pansies to the point that the soil is soggy. Fertilize your pansies regularly. Fertilizing gives nutrients to your pansies and ensures bigger and healthier plants. Some gardeners choose to fertilize their plants every month during the growing season or blooming season. It's most important to try to find a fertilizer without nitrates or one with low levels of nitrogen. Fertilizers with high levels of nitrates and nitrogen tend to cause plants to rot more easily. The most important time to fertilize your pansies is after you have transplanted them to their permanent location. Organic fertilizers have a slower release rate which releases nutrients over several months. Always follow the directions provided by your fertilizer when applying it to your pansies. Always water your pansies before applying any type of fertilizer. Protect your pansies from the winter frost. Apply pine boughs, straw mulch, a lattice frame, or white landscaping fabric over your pansies to counteract temperature variations during the winter. Repeated freezing and thawing of plants can be dangerous. When the ground reaches killing frost temperatures (32 °F or 0 °C), plants can start to die or become damaged. If you live in a climate with mild winters, you might be lucky enough to see your pansies live through the winter and even bloom throughout it. Mulch helps to retain heat and moisture in the soil for your pansies. Extra framework around your pansies can also protect it from snow or strong winds that could potentially uproot the plant. Groom your pansies. It's important you snip or remove any dying flowers or leaves regularly. This allows your pansies to grow back stronger and bigger. Removing dead flowers will also extend the plant's blooming period. In the winter, pansies will wilt and shrink to protect themselves from the cold. This is normal and you do not need to groom wilted-looking parts of the plant. | Figure out when is the best time to plant your pansies. Find a sunny spot. Measure your soil's temperature. Prepare your soil if you're planting pansies in a flower bed. Find a well-draining pot for your pansies. Choose whether you want to plant your pansy seeds indoors or outdoors. Space out pansies when you plant them. Water your soil before planting. Cover seeds with 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) of soil on top. Water your seedlings lightly in the early morning. Move your seedlings to their permanent locations. Transplant seedlings or bloomed pansies in fall or early spring. Water your pansies thoroughly once every week in the morning. Fertilize your pansies regularly. Protect your pansies from the winter frost. Groom your pansies. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Adhere-Concrete-to-Concrete | How to Adhere Concrete to Concrete | To adhere concrete to concrete, make sure you choose a cool, overcast day to do your repairs. Begin by carefully sweeping away all loose stones and dirt and rinsing the concrete to prepare the surface. Then, if you want to patch the concrete, apply a thin layer of cement paint, pour a well-mixed concrete patch into the holes, and wipe the surface with a wooden float. Cover the patch with plastic sheeting while it dries and finish by spraying water on the new concrete for 4 to 7 days. | Clear the area and sweep the concrete to remove large particles. Pick up any objects, move any furniture, and remove any people or pets from the area so you can clean the concrete. Use a broom to sweep away dirt and debris from the old concrete. If your concrete has cracks or grooves, use the bristles to sweep out and remove as much of the dirt or debris as possible. Mix 7 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid in a bucket. Muriatic acid is a strong chemical cleaner that will strip away dirt, oil, and debris. The acid will also soften the top layer of the concrete and make it ready to bond with the new concrete. Put on a face mask to avoid inhaling the fumes and pour the water into the bucket first, then add the muriatic acid and give the mixture a gentle stir. For example, if you add 7 cups (1,700 mL) of water, add 1 cup (240 mL) of muriatic acid to the water to create an effective cleaning solution. You can find muriatic acid at hardware stores and online Pour the acid mixture over the old concrete. Pour the mixture directly from the bucket or use a plastic sprinkler can to distribute it over the old concrete. Be sure to cover all of the concrete evenly. If you get some of the mixture on your skin, rinse the affected area under cool water. The acid can cause dryness and a slight burning sensation if you let it sit for too long. Wash out the bucket or plastic sprinkler can with clean water when you're finished applying the acid mixture. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes. The acid wash should start to foam and may make a hissing sound. This is a normal part of the cleaning process. Allow the mixture to remain on the concrete for about 10 minutes so it can work to lift and remove oil and dirt. Wash the old concrete with a pressure washer. Take a pressure washer and use a back and forth sweeping motion to spray and clean the concrete. Work in sections and be sure to clean every bit of the concrete and wash off the acid mixture. You can rent a pressure washer from home improvement stores if you don't own one. If you can't get a pressure washer, you can use a garden hose to rinse the concrete, but it won't be as effective at removing oil and grime. If you're rinsing concrete near grass or plants, throw a handful of baking soda on the plants that come into contact the the acid mixture to neutralize it. The acid could kill the grass or plants. Mix together equal parts water and white glue in a bucket. A bonding slurry will greatly increase the adhesion between pieces or layers of concrete. In a large bucket, add equal parts water and white glue and stir the mixture together. For example, if you add 2 cups (470 mL) of water, you need to add 2 cups (470 mL) of white glue into the bucket. You can use ordinary crafting glue that you can find at department or art supply stores. Put on a face mask before you add cement. Breathing in the cement dust can irritate your mucous membranes and cause respiratory problems if you inhale it. Before you add any dry cement mix, put on a face mask to prevent possible inhalation. Make sure the mask fits snugly over your nose and mouth. Add 2 parts of dry cement mix to 1 part of the water and glue mixture. Once you've mixed the glue and water together, add dry cement mix into the bucket at a ratio of 2 to 1. You want the mixture to have a consistency similar to a thick paint. For example, if you've mixed together ⁄ 2 gallon (1.9 L) of water and glue, you'll need to add 1 gallon (3.8 L) of cement mix. If you add too much concrete, add more water and glue to loosen the paste and make it softer. Use portland or mortar cement mix for the most effective bonding slurry. Stir the mixture in the bucket to create a slurry. Use a wooden spoon or a metal mixing tool to stir the mixture until it's the right consistency. Stir along the bottom and the edges of the buckets so there aren't any pockets of dry concrete powder. Add more concrete powder or water if necessary. Keep the bucket of slurry covered and cool so it lasts longer. The slurry mixture will harden faster than concrete and become unusable once it sets, so don't allow the slurry to sit for more than 1 hour. Use it soon after you mix it together. Avoid keeping the bucket in the sun or it will harden faster. Wet the old concrete thoroughly. In order for the concrete to adhere together effectively, it cannot be dry. The concrete must be damp so the water permeates into the older concrete to help achieve a strong bond. Don't soak the concrete or allow standing puddles of water to form or the concrete won't set. Mix a new batch of concrete. Use a large bucket and add your water to the concrete mix according to the instructions on the back of the bag. Pour the water slowly and stir the mixture well. Work out any lumps that form to create an even consistency. Keep the concrete mixture nearby so you can apply it when you're ready. Wash the tools you use to mix your concrete after you're done so the concrete doesn't harden on them. Brush a thin layer of the slurry mixture onto the old concrete. Before you add your new concrete, take a large brush and dip it into the bonding slurry. Brush the slurry over the damp concrete to form an even layer. Make sure all of the old concrete has a layer of slurry on top of it before you move on. Use a big paintbrush or any other type of large brush to apply a layer of the slurry. Make sure the concrete is damp before you brush the slurry mixture. Pour the new concrete on top of the old concrete. After you've brushed your slurry mixture onto the old concrete, you can apply the new concrete that you mixed. Dump out all of the concrete onto the old concrete and spread it out with a hand trowel or a paver to form an even layer. Make sure you form a layer with a consistent thickness so the concrete dries evenly and doesn't have any bumps or waves. Allow the concrete to dry for 12 hours. After you've poured the new concrete and formed an even layer, allow it to sit undisturbed so it can set. Drying times can vary depending on the concrete mixture, and the temperature and humidity of the area. To be safe, let the concrete dry overnight or for 12 hours. | Clear the area and sweep the concrete to remove large particles. Mix 7 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid in a bucket. Pour the acid mixture over the old concrete. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes. Wash the old concrete with a pressure washer. Mix together equal parts water and white glue in a bucket. Put on a face mask before you add cement. Add 2 parts of dry cement mix to 1 part of the water and glue mixture. Stir the mixture in the bucket to create a slurry. Keep the bucket of slurry covered and cool so it lasts longer. Wet the old concrete thoroughly. Mix a new batch of concrete. Brush a thin layer of the slurry mixture onto the old concrete. Pour the new concrete on top of the old concrete. Allow the concrete to dry for 12 hours. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Dance-Party | How to Have a Dance Party | A dance party can be a fun way to celebrate a birthday, graduation, or other special occasion! You'll just need to take some time to plan your event. For a bigger or more formal party, you may need to reserve a venue, like a banquet hall. For a smaller event, you can set up a space in your own home, like your living room or front yard. If you're hiring a DJ, make sure there's enough room for them to set up their gear. Write up a guest list in advance so you know how many people to plan for and send out your invitations at least 2 weeks in advance. Include information about the party's theme or dress code in the invitations so your guests know what to wear. You might also want to plan a couple other fun activities, like party games, in case your guests get tired of dancing. | Plan what type of party you are having. It could be a birthday or house party, depending on what you and your friends want. You should consider who is going to be coming, such as family and friends, and how many people you are inviting. If it is a birthday party, children will more than likely be present. If you are having a house party, more than likely you will mainly have friends. Make sure you know what type of party you are having well in advance, with probably 2 weeks notice. There are plenty of other parties. However, the main parties are birthday and house. Decide where you will have your party. If it is a house party, reserve a dance hall. If is a birthday party, you can have it at home. You can have a house party at home, but you will need to find a bunch of equipment and a DJ. Do not spend too much money on your party. If you are having a birthday party, it should not cost too much. Make a guest list. You will need this for any party, and especially for a birthday party. You will need to have a maximum number of guests. If you are having friends over for a birthday party, only invite the closest friends. You can easily have a party with a few people. There is no minimum. Decide what the theme of the party is, if there is one. If there is a certain theme, you will need to note the proper attire in your invitation. If you are having a house party, it is recommended that your guests have a more informal dress. If the party is for a birthday, more formal attire would probably work best. Not everyone might show up in the right theme, depending on the theme. Try to keep the theme relevant to the type of party. Plan the entire party’s activities. In the beginning of the party, you should have something entertaining, such as certain dancing. Then you should have certain games like pool (if you have a pool table). You can even invite them to your hot tub or pool (if you have a pool). Just make sure the party will not be boring. Clean the house or hire a maid. Make sure your house or dance floor is clean before you have the party. Guests will more than likely stay for the entire party if the place is clean. The cleaner your party atmosphere is, the more your guests will be attracted to the party. It is wise to have a maid just in case you need help for larger house parties. If you are having a birthday party, then cleaning should not be much trouble. Find some party gear. A disco ball adds particular fun to a dance party. If you put up decorations, people will be more attracted to your party. You can also build a light-up disco floor to make your place very party-friendly. You could even have a hanging chandelier of glow sticks! Get the food ready. Get all kinds of food, such as potato chips and dip, shrimp cocktails and desert. You should have a birthday cake for a birthday party. Remember to provide an adequate amount of food for the number of people you have invited. More people means more food. If you're worried about providing enough, ask everyone to bring something to share. Find a DJ or make your own CD playlist. Depending on where you throw your party and what type of party you are throwing, you might or might not need a DJ. If you can play your own music, this will save you the hassle of finding a DJ. You can play music videos from your smartphone with a projector, which is a really cool idea. You can even invest in wearing a sound system on your back, which will play the music! You do not necessarily have to play newer music. You can play older music, which is appealing to many people to this day. It would be wise to hire a DJ for a bigger party, especially if you have plenty of space for the party. Get other supplies for the party. You might need alcohol, bottled water, and some food. Most people are going to want alcohol, so have an ice chest full of beer ready. People get thirsty when they are dancing, so they will need to stay hydrated with water. Make sure you have plenty of snacks ready. You might even need someone to help you serve food and drinks. Put out fliers and other advertisements that would get people interested in your party. You can put out stuff outside of your place to let people know where your party is, such as glow sticks in balloons. Hang posters in public places, such as the library, that has an RSVP option. You can also RSVP via social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Get to know different DJs if you need to use a DJ. Build relationships with people, and you will meet a DJ. You can look up DJs online and meet them later on in person. You should try to ask musicians in person to get a better idea of the DJ that you might hire. Look up DJs online to find a DJ that is a great match for your party. Spread the word about the party. Tell people about the party in general public areas, such as at the store. You never know who will help you out with a party, especially if you need help setting one up. Word-of-mouth is the best way of networking to get a party started. Building relationships is important, because everyone is related in some way. You do not necessarily have to just use word-of-mouth to spread the news of your party. Use of other types of invitations, such mail and the Internet, works fine too. Introduce yourself to people. Make friends at your party, which is a great way to build relationships. Dancing encourages social interaction, and you should attract people. You do not necessarily have to keep friends, but networking is good for you in the long run. Enjoy the music. Listening to a variety of music is good, and you can even learn about new artists. Music will make you happier and is a good way to relieve stress. It is good to listen to a variety of genres, which will expand your general interest in music. Dancing is good exercise and can release endorphins, which really relieves stress. Ask for help cleaning the party up at the end. If you are throwing a house party, you can hire a janitor to stack chairs, mop the floors and throw away the left over food. If you are having a birthday party, then you should put up any food that is not eaten, clean up wrapping paper, boxes, etc. You should have your family give you a hand, since they would be a great help. | Plan what type of party you are having. Decide where you will have your party. Make a guest list. Decide what the theme of the party is, if there is one. Plan the entire party’s activities. Clean the house or hire a maid. Find some party gear. Get the food ready. Find a DJ or make your own CD playlist. Get other supplies for the party. Put out fliers and other advertisements that would get people interested in your party. Get to know different DJs if you need to use a DJ. Spread the word about the party. Introduce yourself to people. Enjoy the music. Ask for help cleaning the party up at the end. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tie-Down-a-Kayak | How to Tie Down a Kayak | To tie down a kayak, place it right side up on your roof rack and center it. Run 2 boat straps over the top of the kayak and them under the roof rack bars, then bring the straps to the other side of the kayak and loop them under the roof rack bars on that side. Tie the straps down with cam buckles to secure the kayak. Hook a bow line from the front of your kayak to the tow hook under your front bumper, then tie a stern line to the back of your kayak and attach it to the tow hook beneath your rear bumper. | Get padding for your roof rack. Padding will prevent your roof rack from damaging your kayak during your drive. You can use padding blocks that sit on top of the roof rack bars, or you can use padding that wraps around and Velcro over the bars. You can find roof rack padding online or at your local sporting goods store. Get kayak straps with cam buckles. Using straps designed specifically for tying down kayaks on cars will make tying down your kayak easier and safer. Straps with cam buckles will let you tighten your kayak to your roof rack without over tightening it and potentially damaging it. Look for kayak straps online or at your local sporting goods store. Buy bow and stern lines. Bow and stern lines are straps or ropes used to secure the bow and stern of your kayak to your car. Bow and stern lines will prevent your kayak from lifting up and detaching from your car while you're driving. Use bow and stern lines with a cam buckle or ratchet attached so you can easily tighten them into place. You can find bow and stern lines online or at your local sporting goods store. Lift your kayak onto the roof rack on your car so it's right side up. You may need someone to help you lift it. The bow (front) of your kayak should be at the front of your car, and the stern (back) of your kayak should be at the back. Center your kayak on the roof rack. Move the kayak forward or back on the roof rack as needed until the middle of the kayak is centered between the two roof rack bars. Then, make sure the kayak is centered between the two sides of your car. You don't want your kayak to be closer to one side of the car than the other. Run one of the straps over your kayak and loop it under a roof rack bar. You should be looping the bare end of the strap under the roof rack bar. Leave the end of the strap with the cam buckle attached hanging on the other side of the car. Once you've looped the end of the strap under the roof rack bar, pull the slack at the end of the strap up in your hand so it's in a bundle. Throw the bare end of the strap across the kayak to the other side. If you have someone helping you, they can stand on the other side and grab the strap when you throw it. Otherwise, walk around to the other side of your car and grab the end of the strap you just threw over. Loop the bare end you just threw over under the same roof rack bar. You should use the same roof rack bar, but on the opposite side of the kayak. Loop it under the same way you did on the other side of the car. Run the bare end of the strap through the cam buckle. This will close off the strap and secure your kayak to the roof rack bar you're working on. Insert the bare end of the strap through the slot in the cam buckle and pull it through with your hand. Keep pulling the strap through until all of the slack is through the cam buckle. Tighten the strap with the cam buckle so your kayak is secure. To tighten the strap, pull on the bare end of the strap so more slack comes through the cam buckle. You want the strap tight enough that your kayak won't shift around while you're driving, but not so tight that you damage your kayak. Do the same thing with the other strap on the second roof rack bar. Loop the bare end of the strap under the bar, throw it over the kayak to the other side, loop it under the bar again, and then run it through the cam buckle. Tighten the strap so your kayak is secure. Prevent damage by wrapping the strap ends around the roof rack bars. After you wrap the ends around the bars, tie several secure knots so they stay in place. If you drive with the ends loose, they could get stuck in your tires and cause your kayak and roof rack to rip off your car. Hook the end of a bow line to the front end of your kayak. Insert the hook at the end of the bow line through the loop on the carrying handle at the end of your kayak. Make sure the hook is secure. Hook the other end of the bow line to the tow hook under your bumper. The tow hook should look like a small metal ring underneath the bumper on your car. Don't hook the bow line to the plastic part of your bumper or you could damage your car. If your car doesn't have a tow hook, you may need to get a hood loop strap to use instead. Hood loop straps attach to the bolt heads under your hood. After you've bolted it on, close the hood so the fabric loop part of the strap is sticking out from the hood. Hook the bow line to that loop. Tighten the bow line. If your bow line has a cam buckle, pull the line through the cam buckle to tighten the line. If your bow line has a ratchet, crank the ratchet up and down until the line is tightened. Don't make the bow line too tight or you could damage your kayak. You should still be able to move your kayak up and down on the roof of your car with your hand. Repeat on the back of your kayak and car with a stern line. Hook the end of the stern line to the carrying handle on the back end of your kayak. Then, hook the other end of the line to the tow hook underneath your back bumper, or to the hitch on your car. If you don't have a tow hook or hitch, you may need to install a hitch so you have something to hook the stern line to. Secure the loose ends to the rest of the line. Take the loose ends of the bow and stern lines and wrap them around the rest of the line. Once all the slack is wrapped up, tie multiple knots so the loose ends don't come unraveled. Never drive with the loose ends of the bow and stern lines dangling. They could get caught in your tire and cause your kayak and roof rack to come off. | Get padding for your roof rack. Get kayak straps with cam buckles. Buy bow and stern lines. Lift your kayak onto the roof rack on your car so it's right side up. Center your kayak on the roof rack. Run one of the straps over your kayak and loop it under a roof rack bar. Throw the bare end of the strap across the kayak to the other side. Loop the bare end you just threw over under the same roof rack bar. Run the bare end of the strap through the cam buckle. Tighten the strap with the cam buckle so your kayak is secure. Do the same thing with the other strap on the second roof rack bar. Prevent damage by wrapping the strap ends around the roof rack bars. Hook the end of a bow line to the front end of your kayak. Hook the other end of the bow line to the tow hook under your bumper. Tighten the bow line. Repeat on the back of your kayak and car with a stern line. Secure the loose ends to the rest of the line. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Calvin-Klein-Model | How to Become a Calvin Klein Model | Becoming a Calvin Klein model involves having an attractive body, an impressive portfolio, and good timing. As a model, you'll need to take excellent care of your body through strict diet, exercise, and sleep. If you think you've got what fashion labels are looking for, get some high-quality photos taken for your modelling portfolio. Submit them to an agency, who will help you tailor your image and submit your portfolio to companies like Calvin Klein. However, keep an eye on Calvin Klein's website and social media pages for open auditions and new campaigns. Don't take it personally if you're rejected, since modelling is super competitive and subjective. | Do cardio 4-5 days per week to stay lean. A gym membership will be your best friend if you plan on having a future as a professional model. Begin performing cardiovascular exercise like running, swimming, cycling, or aerobics in order to stay trim and healthy. Your goal should be to get your heart rate up, break a sweat, and maintain a steady pace for 30 minutes to an hour at a time. To continue seeing progress and maintain your figure, you'll need to find time to fit regular exercise into your busy schedule. Consider hiring a personal trainer to help you reach your fitness goals. Perform some form of resistance training 3-4 times a week. Muscle-building exercises like weightlifting or calisthenics will also be necessary if you're interested specifically in underwear modeling. These activities increase your muscle mass and sculpt a more athletic looking build. Emphasize the parts of your physique that will stand out during photoshoots, like your biceps, triceps, abs, pectorals, and quadriceps. Focus on high repetition, moderate intensity workouts, completing roughly 4-5 sets of 10-15 reps per muscle group. Assuming you don't have access to a gym, you can still get your resistance training in at home by doing air squats, wall-sits, push ups, pull ups, crunches, and other bodyweight movements. Get your diet in check. Start making sound nutritional choices. All of the major food groups, including lean protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fiber, should be represented in each meal you eat. Stick to the portion sizes recommended on packaged food products will help you avoid overeating. When you get hungry between meals, snack on wholesome offerings like fruit, nuts, yogurt, and whole grains. That way, you won't be tempted to stuff yourself later on. Cut out overly fattening or sugary offerings, like fried foods, sweets, and alcohol. Not only are these types of items high in calories, they can also cause breakouts and other skincare issues. Take care of your skin. Get in the habit of applying moisturizer to your entire body daily. You'll be showing a lot of skin, so it's important to keep it smooth, supple, and properly hydrated. For your face, start using a nourishing face cream or mask designed to prevent wrinkles and blemishes. Be sure to wear sunblock with a high SPF anytime you're out in the sunshine for extended periods. A good medicated lotion can be useful for protecting your skin from dryness and damage in colder climates. Make sure you're getting plenty of sleep. Sleep is essential for your overall health. A good night's rest will have you looking and feeling ready to take on the world. It also relieves stress and keeps your hormone levels normal, which will lower your chances of an inconvenient breakout. Most people need between 6 and 8 hours of sleep every night to be at their best. If your busy schedule doesn't permit you to sleep straight through the night, try taking a couple short 15-20 minute naps throughout the day. Get comfortable showing off your body. Calvin Klein is famous for their sexy ad campaigns, where models are often shown posing in their underwear. This means that if you're lucky enough to land the job, you may be expected to wear revealing clothing. Try taking a little more off each time you pose for a photoshoot until it's no longer a big deal to rock your skivvies. Embrace the way you look. Every body is different and beautiful in its own unique way. You don't have get undressed to have a shot at becoming the face of Calvin Klein. The company uses models to showcase many different clothing styles. Practice posing in front of the mirror. If you've never done any kind of modeling before, one of the best ways to get your toes wet is to imitate the pros from the privacy of your own home. Flip through fashion magazines or watch runway shows for inspiration, then do your best to mimic the types of poses and facial expressions you see there as closely as you can. Try putting on a range of different emotions, like serious, excited, confident, playful, fierce. You may feel a little ridiculous at first, but that's okay. Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself, and, above all, have fun! Have some pictures made for your portfolio. Posing in front of the mirror will only get you so far. When you feel like you're ready, set your camera up on a timer or ask a friend to take some snaps for you. You'll then be able to look over the shots and see what parts of your presentation are working and what still needs work. If you're serious about improving your craft, schedule a photoshoot with a professional photographer. They'll be able to offer guidance about how to hold yourself and respond to taking directions. Choose your most impressive shots for your portfolio. Go through the pictures you've taken during your shoots and pick out a dozen or so that show off your best features. These should represent as broad an overview as possible, from sporty to formal. Be sure to include a few full body shots as well close-ups. You'll need a strong portfolio if you're going to have any hope of finding a modeling agency to represent you and being sought out for auditions. The more versatile you are as a model, the more roles you can fill, and the more hireable you'll be as a result. Work with a modeling agency. Submit your portfolio to an agency in your area and find out what other requirements there are for them to represent you. Once you're linked up with an agency, you'll have an opportunity to work with professional photographers and talent managers who are knowledgeable about the particulars of the industry. These people will look after the nitty-gritty business details so you can focus on getting your face out there. Modeling agencies typically take 15-30% cut of their models' earnings in exchange for tracking down jobs, handling promotion duties, and setting up shoots and auditions. While it's not strictly necessary to be represented by a modeling agency to make it as a professional model, it can be a huge advantage, especially when you're first starting out. Get exposure by securing professional jobs. Put as many paid gigs under your belt as you can. It doesn't matter if it's just a shoot for a community college brochure or an insert in a circular for your local grocery store chain. No job is too small if it means potentially being discovered by a talent scout for a notable company. In order to reach the level of visibility sought out by brands as prestigious as Calvin Klein, you should be prepared to devote yourself to your modeling career full time. Watch out for scams. Unfortunately, there are a lot of so-called professionals out there who are just looking to make a quick buck at an aspiring model's expense. Be suspicious of agents who demand payment before they've performed any services, or tell you that you're not allowed to choose your own photographers. Contracts with vague or unusual terms or requests to pay only in cash should also be considered major red flags. Before you agree to sign with a certain talent agency, do a little digging online and find out what you can about their history, staff, and reputation in the industry. Anyone who tries to manipulate you by telling you they hold the keys to your success or that you would be nothing without them doesn't have your best interest in mind. Submit your portfolio to directly to the brand. Mail a collection of your proudest shots to the Calvin Klein corporate office, or send a digital copy through email. Even if they're not holding auditions, it won't hurt for them to have your name and face on file. It may make you more likely to be considered for future projects. If you're working with an agent, see if they can get in touch with Calvin Klein's modeling directors on your behalf. Stay up to date about potential opportunities. Talk to reliable insiders, read industry news, and check Calvin Klein's social media accounts regularly to find out when they're on the lookout for new models. By keeping yourself informed, you can make sure that your schedule is clear and in you're in the right area when auditions open. It's likely that someone in your agency will have caught wind of an upcoming campaign before it begins casting. Calvin Klein auditions are highly exclusive events. Keep in mind that having an inside line won't guarantee that your chances will be better than anyone else's. Audition for Calvin Klein ad campaigns. With enough high-profile gigs under your belt, you may be fortunate enough to score an invite to try out for the brand's next big. Do everything in your power to be there and show them what you've got. If they like what they see, you'll get a call back for a second or third round of auditions, and may eventually be the one chosen for the job. Calvin Klein doesn't hold open modeling auditions. The company has grown so big that their casting directors bring in new models by invitation only. It may take years of hard work before you've gained enough exposure to end up on the brand's radar. Take rejection in stride. The world of professional modeling is a competitive one. Be prepared to accept the decisions of the casting directors and learn to develop an open mindset towards criticism. Rather than letting it discourage you, use it to sharpen your image and apply what you've learned when it comes time for your next shoot. Being turned down doesn't mean you're no good as a model. It just means you weren't what the higher-ups had in mind for a particular shoot or campaign. Nobody becomes a success overnight, but all it takes is one lucky break to become an overnight sensation. | Do cardio 4-5 days per week to stay lean. Perform some form of resistance training 3-4 times a week. Get your diet in check. Take care of your skin. Make sure you're getting plenty of sleep. Get comfortable showing off your body. Practice posing in front of the mirror. Have some pictures made for your portfolio. Choose your most impressive shots for your portfolio. Work with a modeling agency. Get exposure by securing professional jobs. Watch out for scams. Submit your portfolio to directly to the brand. Stay up to date about potential opportunities. Audition for Calvin Klein ad campaigns. Take rejection in stride. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Party-Hat | How to Make a Party Hat | To make a party hat, you'll need some colorful tagboard or construction paper. Cut a 10 inch diameter circle into your paper and fold the paper in half to find the center of the circle. Then, cut a small triangle from the center out to one side of your paper. Fold one side of the circle over the other, connecting the sides at the wedge you've cut. Glue, staple, or tape the two sides together to create a cone-shaped hat. Punch a hole in one side to add a chinstrap and decorate! | Get some colorful paper. This will be the main color of your party hat, so choose whatever you like. You can use construction paper you have at home, or buy some tagboard paper. Tagboard is a little thinner than poster board, and closer to the thickness of a traditional party hat. If you want to get really creative, buy some patterned or textured paper. Cut your paper into a circle. For an adult's hat, the circle should be about 10 inches in diameter, and for a child's hat, the circle should be about 9 inches in diameter. You can use a pencil and paper plate to trace a perfect circle onto your paper before cutting. Make your hat taller or shorter by cutting a larger or smaller circle into the paper. For example, to make a really large, tall hat by cutting a circle 12 inches or larger in diameter. To make a smaller hat (for a pet or doll), cut a circle about 6 inches in diameter. When cutting the circle, try to stay as close as possible to the line you've drawn so you won't have any jagged edges. Cut a small triangular strip out of one side of the circle. The cutout should be wider at the bottom and taper into the center of the circle. To find the center of the circle, fold your circle evenly in half top to bottom, lightly crease it, and unfold it. Then fold your circle evenly in half left to right, lightly crease it, and unfold again. There should now be a small point in the middle, which marks the center of your circle. Create a cone shape by folding one side of the cutout over the other. One side of the paper should overlap the other side, making a seam. You can make the cone as wide or as narrow as you want, but remember that it should be big enough to fit on your head. The tighter you pull the cone together, the taller and thinner your hat will appear. Glue, tape, or staple the paper together at the seam. This will create the base of your party hat. Use a glue stick or liquid glue if you want a clean seam. Hold the two pieces together for a minute or two so the glue sticks. Tape or staples will be more visible, but will take less time. You can also tape the seam using colorful washi tape for a little extra decoration. Punch two small circles into opposite sides of the hat with a hole punch. You will be tying string to these holes, so punch them into the bottom of the hat on either side. To figure out where to punch the holes, place the hat on your head like you'll wear it when you're finished. Use a pencil to make dots a little bit in front of where your ears are, and then punch a hole in each dot. Reinforce the holes using paper reinforcement rings. These can be found at any office supply store, and come in a wide range of colors. You can also reinforce the holes by placing a layer or two of clear tape on top of them, and then re-punching the holes through the clear tape. Tie on the chin strap. Cut one foot of string or elastic, and tie each end to the hole punches in a small knot. The strap will go under your chin to help keep the hat on your head. If you want to be more precise with the strap length, hold a longer piece of the elastic or string to each side of your head so you'll know the exact length to cut. Use ribbon instead of string or elastic if you want a fancier chin strap. Add a border to the bottom of your hat. Use lace, ribbon, colorful paper, or any other material to add a decorative border to the bottom of your hat. Adhere the border to your hat using tape, glue, or staples. The border will cover up the two chin strap holes, keeping the string in place and hiding the small knots. Make the border look however you want it to look! You can tape on waves of lace, glue on a straight piece of ribbon, or staple some fringed paper to the bottom of the hat. Brush some clear glue onto your hat with a small paintbrush. This will allow you to decorate your hat with glitter. Brush the glue all over your hat, or just paint little strips of glue here and there. You can also use a glue stick if you want a little less mess. Sprinkle glitter on top of the glue, tapping off the excess. Pour the glitter on while the glue is still tacky, then let the glitter dry for 2-3 minutes. You can use any color of glitter you want. Tap off the extra glitter so you don't shower glitter all over the place when you're wearing your hat. Add any last details or accessories. Finish off your party hat with any embellishments or details you like. Add a ball of yarn to the top if you want, or glue on some tassels. The fun of making your own party hat is decorating it however you like, so get creative! Create a party crown with the same materials as the party hat. The party crown is a fun alternative for the partygoer who prefers a more royal head topper. At a birthday party, you can even make a party crown for the birthday boy or girl, and stick with traditional cone-shaped party hats for the other partygoers. Fold a long sheet of paper in half, widthwise. The paper should be at least 14 inches long and 8 inches wide (legal size), or long enough to fit around the top of your head. Folding the paper will help you cut the crown points into the paper more quickly and evenly. Cut a row of small triangles from the top of your paper to make crown points. Start at the folded side of the paper, and cut the triangles along the top of the paper. The triangles should be about 2 inches wide and 2 inches long. When you unfold it, the top section of your paper should have a zigzag pattern, making the points of a crown. Overlap one end of the paper over the other to make a circular crown. Depending on the size of crown you want, you'll need to adjust the paper to make a larger or smaller circle. Place the crown your head and overlap the ends together until the crown feels comfortable on your head. Use a pencil to mark where the ends meet so you'll know where to adhere them together. Tape, staple, or glue the ends of paper together, creating a seam. Use the pencil marking you made as a guide for making the seam. If you are using glue to make your crown, let it dry before continuing. Decorate your party crown. Use glitter, paint, stick-on jewels, or any other decorations you see fit. Have fun and be creative with your decoration. Wait until any glue you've used is dry before wearing your crown. Add embellishments by cutting shapes out of paper and gluing or stapling them to the crown. | Get some colorful paper. Cut your paper into a circle. Cut a small triangular strip out of one side of the circle. Create a cone shape by folding one side of the cutout over the other. Glue, tape, or staple the paper together at the seam. Punch two small circles into opposite sides of the hat with a hole punch. Tie on the chin strap. Add a border to the bottom of your hat. Brush some clear glue onto your hat with a small paintbrush. Sprinkle glitter on top of the glue, tapping off the excess. Add any last details or accessories. Create a party crown with the same materials as the party hat. Fold a long sheet of paper in half, widthwise. Cut a row of small triangles from the top of your paper to make crown points. Overlap one end of the paper over the other to make a circular crown. Tape, staple, or glue the ends of paper together, creating a seam. Decorate your party crown. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Whiten-Teeth-Naturally | How to Whiten Your Teeth: Can Natural Remedies Help? | To whiten your teeth naturally, brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day with a toothpaste that has fluoride or whitening properties. Additionally, floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque from between your teeth. You can also brush your teeth with a baking soda paste a few times a week and rinse your mouth with apple cider vinegar. Alternatively, dip your toothbrush in a sea salt mixture for 3 to 5 minutes and brush your teeth with the solution instead of toothpaste. Since sea salt is abrasive, make sure to use this method only once a week to avoid damaging your enamel. | Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth is one of the most important ways to maintain your oral health and keep your teeth white. Brush twice a day for 2 minutes to remove plaque and stains. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from your gums and use gentle, back and forth strokes to clean your teeth properly. Remember to get all the surfaces of your teeth, including the backs and sides. These parts might not be visible, but plaque can hide here and cause cavities. A soft-bristled toothbrush is best. Use an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste. There are several whitening toothpastes on the market, but not all of them are approved by the American Dental Association. When you're shopping for a good whitening toothpaste, look for the ADA seal of approval. This means the product is evaluated and proven to be effective. Whitening toothpastes might take 2-6 weeks to noticeably whiten your teeth, so be patient and use it every time you brush. Whitening toothpastes still might not whiten your teeth dramatically, so talk to your dentist if you want better results. Clean in between your teeth once a day. Food and plaque also hide in between your teeth, so don't miss these spots. Clean between your teeth once a day to prevent cavities and infections. Use floss or a water pick to reach these spots after brushing. If you have trouble using floss, an approved dental pick could also work. Don't use any unusual items like straws or toothpicks to clean between your teeth. These aren't as effective as flossing, and you could injure your gums or teeth. Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months for the best performance. Older toothbrushes don't clean your mouth as well, so replace yours regularly. In general, get a new toothbrush every 3-4 months to keep your teeth as clean as possible. Also keep and eye on the toothbrush bristles. If they start fraying before 3 months go by, then replace the toothbrush sooner. Visit your dentist for regular checkups. Even if you do a great job cleaning your teeth, some plaque could still build up. This is why seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings is important. In general, see your dentist once or twice a year, and don't hesitate to schedule a visit if you think there are any problems with your teeth. Limit the dark-colored foods and drinks in your diet. Lots of colored food and drinks can stain your teeth and make them darker. Some of the major culprits are coffee, dark teas, red wine, and soda. Try to limit these items in your diet. While you can have these items occasionally, definitely avoid them for a few hours after any kind of whitening treatment. These foods and drinks could reverse the whitening treatment because your teeth's saliva layer hasn't built back up yet. Avoid acidic foods after a whitening treatment. Citrus fruits like oranges, strawberries, or lemons can reverse tooth-whitening procedures. If you're using any products to whiten your teeth, then definitely avoid these foods after a treatment. The amount of time you have to wait varies depending on the product, so always check the instructions. Quit smoking or don’t start at all. Cigarettes and other tobacco products can stain your teeth, so it's best to avoid them altogether. Either quit as soon as possible, or avoid starting in the first place. Besides staining your teeth, smoking increases your risk for gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer, among many other health issues. It's best for your overall health to avoid smoking altogether. Review your medications to check if tooth-darkening is a side effect. In some cases, tooth-darkening is a side effect from medications. Particularly, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and some high blood pressure medications could darken your teeth. Review the medications that you take with your doctor and ask if darkening is a side effect for any of them. Ask if you can switch to other medications if the ones you take could be darkening your teeth. Some procedures like chemotherapy and radiation treatments can also darken teeth. If you take certain antibiotics while you're pregnant, they could stain your child's teeth later in life. Don’t use any unverified home remedies for whitening. You'll probably come across tons of home whitening remedies online. Some of these include using peroxide, lemons, strawberries, turmeric, or oil pulling to remove stains. None of these remedies are proven to work, and some might even make stains on your teeth worse. It's best to stick with good oral hygiene practices, and visit your dentist for professional whitening if you want it. Visit your dentist before trying any tooth-whitening products. This is important to make sure you don't have any underlying tooth issues that could be staining your teeth, like cavities or tooth decay. After ruling any of this out, your dentist can recommend the right products or treatments to whiten your teeth. Use ADA-approved whitening strips. This is a common and easy at-home whitening treatment. These products use peroxide or similar chemicals to bleach stains off your teeth. Even better, you don't need a prescription to buy them, and you can get them from most pharmacies. Just look for the ADA seal of approval so you know you're buying a quality product. Always follow the instructions for any whitening strips you use. Usually, you stick the strips on your teeth and leave them there for 10-15 minutes before peeling them off. If you don't know which type of whitening strips are best, ask your dentist for a recommendation. Get prescription whitening gel from your dentist. If whitening strips don't work, your dentist might prescribe a stronger gel. Usually, you'll paint the gel onto your teeth and leave it on for a few hours. Follow all of your dentist's instructions to use the gel correctly. Remember to avoid any dark or acidic foods and drinks for a few hours after a whitening treatment. These could reverse the effects. Try in-office whitening treatments for stronger results. In-office whitening treatments may work best for bleaching your teeth. Usually, the dentist will paint a peroxide gel onto your teeth, then expose them to a bright light to speed the whitening process. If nothing else has worked for you, your dentist may recommend a procedure like this. Whitening treatments like this could increase your risk for tooth sensitivity, so be prepared for that. Always confirm the costs for an in-office procedure, because they can be expensive. | Brush your teeth twice a day. Use an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste. Clean in between your teeth once a day. Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months for the best performance. Visit your dentist for regular checkups. Limit the dark-colored foods and drinks in your diet. Avoid acidic foods after a whitening treatment. Quit smoking or don’t start at all. Review your medications to check if tooth-darkening is a side effect. Don’t use any unverified home remedies for whitening. Visit your dentist before trying any tooth-whitening products. Use ADA-approved whitening strips. Get prescription whitening gel from your dentist. Try in-office whitening treatments for stronger results. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Say-Food-in-Spanish | How to Say Food in Spanish | The most common way to say "food" in Spanish is with the word "comida," which typically refers to a meal. Another common term is "alimento," which means "food" or "nourishment" in a metaphorical sense rather than food that you eat. If you need to talk about food as a product or commodity, use the word "comestibles." | Say "comida" as a general term for "food" or "meal". This is probably the most important food-related word you'll want to know. It's used in virtually all Spanish-speaking countries as an all-purpose word for "food." It can also be used the same way as "meal" is used in English: "la comida" can be both the general idea of food and the specific food you eat when you sit down at your plate. "Comida" is pronounced " koh-MEE-thah. " When d is used before a vowel at the end of a word in Spanish, it gets a soft sound that's very similar to the "th" sound in English (as in "th"). Be sure to put stress on the "ee" part of the word. It's "koh-MEE-thah," not "koh-mee-THAH" or "KOH-mee-thah." In the rest of this article, the syllable written in capitals gets the stress. Say "alimento" for "food" or "nourishment. " This is another common word used to refer to food. Unlike "comida," it isn't usually used for "meal," but you can use it metaphorically to discuss fuel, feed, and so on (e.g., "alimento para el fuego" means "fuel for the fire"). Pronounce "alimento" " all-ee-MEN-toe." The first syllable sounds like the word "all" (not the name "Al"). Use "sustento" for "sustenance. " This word is a somewhat old-fashioned way to describe food. Here, the focus is on the fact that the food is sustaining the person eating it — it's implied that it's his or her source of survival in a way that isn't usually done for "normal" food. For example, a prisoner's meager rations might be "su sustento" ("his sustenance"). You can also use this word to refer to a person's means of living (i.e., a job). Pronounce this word " soos-TEHN-toe." Note that the first syllable uses a "oo" sound (as in "root") rather than an "oh" sound (as in "toe"). Use "comestibles" for "edibles. " This isn't a word that's usually used when people are talking about the food in their day-to-day meals. Instead, it's mainly used for referring to food as a product or commodity. For example, "la tienda de comestibles" is "the edibles store," or what we would call a grocery store. Pronounce this word " koh-meh-STEE-blays." The word ends with a hard s sound (as in "glass") rather than a soft s (like an English z). This is true in general for the Spanish s. Learn the names of the daily meals. If you want to talk specifically about the food you would typically eat at a given time of the day, you can use the name of the meal. These are: Breakfast: el desayuno (" deh-sah-JOO-no " or " deh-sah-YOO-no ") Lunch: el almuerzo (" all-MWEHR-so ") Dinner: la cena (" SAY-nah ") Learn the various terms for "snack. " Like English, Spanish has many different ways to refer to the small meals you eat between the "main" ones — in other words, snacks. A few of the most common ones are listed below. There are many others that vary from region to region. el tentempié (" ten-temp-ee-AY ") el bocadillo (" boh-cah-DEE-joe " or " boh-cah-DEE-yo ") el piscolabis (" pees-coh-LAW-bees ") Try "cebo. " This literally means "bait" or "lure" (like you would use for fishing). It's often used as a slang term for food the same way you might use "chow" or "chum" in English. "Cebo" is pronounced " SAY-bo." Like in English, the"c" is pronounced like an "s" if it's before an e. Say "pasto" for "feed" or "chow. " This noun is often used for "food" and "nourishment", but it also means "pasture", "grass", "feed", and "grazing". Though its dictionary definition contains mostly agricultural meanings, it's often used for people as well. Like with "cebo," the usage is similar to "chow." This word is pronounced " PAH-stow." It's almost exactly like the English word "pasta," only with an "oh" sound at the end (as in "toe"). Use "pitanza" for "daily rations" or "grub. " This word sounds a little like the English word "pittance," but its meaning is actually much closer to "daily rations." You can use this definition or use the word as a sling term for "food" in general. The proper pronunciation is " pee-TAN-sah." Use "pan" as a metaphor for food in general. The literal meaning of "pan" is "bread." However, the word is sometimes used to convey the idea of food or sustenance in general. This is done in English, too (e.g., "our daily bread"). "Pan" is easy to pronounce — it's just " PAHN " (rhymes with "John"). Spanish speakers use a somewhat short, "punchy" pronunciation for this word. The "ah" sound isn't drawn out like in the English word "pawn" — it's quick and staccato. An expression you may want to know is "Pan de cada día" (" PAHN dey kah-da DEE-uh "). This is literally "bread of every day," or, in English, "daily bread." | Say "comida" as a general term for "food" or "meal". Say "alimento" for "food" or "nourishment. Use "sustento" for "sustenance. Use "comestibles" for "edibles. Learn the names of the daily meals. Learn the various terms for "snack. Try "cebo. Say "pasto" for "feed" or "chow. Use "pitanza" for "daily rations" or "grub. Use "pan" as a metaphor for food in general. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-a-Superiority-Complex | How to Overcome a Superiority Complex | It can be hard to deal with a superiority complex, but once you understand the symptoms, it'll be easier to find the power to change. If you have a superiority complex, you might brag a lot, be prone to interrupting other people, think you're always right, and have mood swings or anxiety issues. The causes of having a superiority complex can vary, but sometimes someone with this condition also suffers from low-self esteem deep down. If you want to work on changing, start by understanding that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, even you. Although your instinct might be to judge, remember that everyone's entitled to their own opinions. Instead of taking charge, let other people voice their opinions and make decisions. If you're having trouble changing your habits, don't be afraid to talk to a therapist for help. | Understand the definition of a superiority complex. This is a condition where individuals project an exaggerated feeling of being better than others. In contrast to the inferiority complex, those with a superiority complex have an exaggerated opinion of themselves, to the point of being haughty and lording their importance over others. There are also published definitions of superiority complex stating the condition is an attitude concealing one's deep rooted feelings of inferiority and failure. When comparing the two definitions, it becomes clear how much self confidence has to do with both conditions. Consider the traits associated with a superiority complex. Those with a superiority complex put on an air of exuberance and arrogance, ordering people around with a tone of dominance. Profound vanity in their appearance, incessant bragging and snobbery are all signs of this complex. They do not take other's feelings or opinions into consideration, unaware of the negative impact this has on themselves or those around them. It has been suggested that the superiority complex evolved as a result of mankind's effort to resolve feelings of inferiority. Feeling superior to others is a coping mechanism for some, who are actually feeling depressed or inferior to others. Observe the signs. There does not seem to be a particular age when a superiority complex develops; however, there does seem to be a lot more literature on the internet about childhood and teenage afflictions. Not everyone that exhibits outlandish and domineering behavior will be suffering from a superiority complex. There are signs, however, that you can be aware of: Arrogance: A person will display signs of haughty superiority, feeling that he/she rates above those they deem beneath them. Being a braggart: The superior person enjoys telling outlandish tales that put them in the spot light. They also are very proud of material possessions and will happily brag to anyone who will listen. Interrupting: The superior person will have an opinion about every topic, whether they are knowledgeable on the subject or not. As they feel they have such important offerings, they feel interrupting is their right. Thinking they are always right/you are always wrong: It does not matter the situation, the argument, or the logic, they are always right. Anyone that does not agree with them, or heaven forbid, vocally disagrees with them, is an idiot. Lacking empathy: People with this complex do not have the ability to feel empathy; they tend to be cold hearted. They do not possess the ability to feel the pain of another. Mood swings: Feeling that they are all knowing and great at all they do, the superior person is subject to overthinking and problems resolving issues internally. This facade leads to poor judgement, and emotional outbursts. Anxiety issues: With the image he/she projects, and the truth of who they are, a person with a superiority complex suffers great anxiety keeping everything straight in their minds. Dealing with dual personalities make this condition even more difficult to manage. Consider whether an inferiority complex is involved as well. A deeply rooted inferiority complex could explain the outlandish behavior of superiority complex, in some cases: A person with an inferiority complex feels inadequate in comparison to their peers. A person with a superiority complex feels they are above or out-rank their peers. A person with an inferiority complex is constantly self-doubting. A person with superiority complex is overly confident. A person with an inferiority complex can hide his/her insecurities by using the mask of a superiority complex. Ultimately this means he/she likely has deep-rooted feelings of depression and sadness. Overcome the superior tendencies. Change is never easy. When a person has a high opinion of themselves, this can be detrimental to relationships. This attitude can turn people off and actually cause the loss of friendships. Ironically, a person with a superiority complex will never admit that they are the reason why friendships disappear. Below, some tips to help control the feelings of superiority: Do not take appreciation so seriously: It is wonderful and everyone enjoys feeling appreciated. What is most important is how one feels about themselves. Though it feels great to receive a compliment, it is integral to not let it inflate one's opinion of themselves. Acknowledge the remark with simple thank you , and carry on with the general conversation. Resist being the know-it-all: The superior person may find themselves in familiar situations, where they know the best way to complete a task. They must resist taking charge. Let others voice their opinions. Work collectively as a group, giving others the opportunity to learn. Stop being judgmental: A person with a superiority complex must realize that their opinion is just that; it is their opinion. Not everyone may agree, which is their right. Every person is entitled to their own opinion. To facilitate change, reign in the tendency to be the know-it-all. Be open to listening and accepting of the opinion of others and never take part in gossip ! Understand that everyone has strengths and weaknesses: Those having a superiority complex may have one of a kind qualities and be exceptional in certain areas of life. He/she may be very intelligent academically, and, rightfully so, be proud of their accomplishments. Remember, however, that there are smarter people, more exceptional people in the world. It is very important to possess humility. Acknowledge others and their accomplishments. Learning to show support of others is important in order for he/she to be accepted by their peers. Realize what is important. While feeling powerful and prosperous may be feelings he/she enjoys, these feelings are only superficial and may even be temporary. In order to control a person's feeling of superiority, and to be truly happy and successful, one needs to have a good friend(s), that can be there through good times and bad. Ask for help when needed. Typically, one suffering a superiority complex does not need psychiatric help, unless the complex completely takes over their personality. The complex can be passed down through heritage; however, it can also be the result of interactions at, for example, school, place of employment, social functions. This is why it is so important for one suffering from this complex, to maintain friendships, especially close friendships, with those they trust. When trying to battle superiority complex, it helps to have someone that can help them stay focused on their goal. | Understand the definition of a superiority complex. Consider the traits associated with a superiority complex. Observe the signs. Consider whether an inferiority complex is involved as well. Overcome the superior tendencies. Realize what is important. Ask for help when needed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Dentures-With-Vinegar | How to Clean Dentures With Vinegar | To clean dentures with vinegar, start by mixing equal parts water and distilled vinegar. Next, submerge your partial dentures into the solution for 15 minutes to soften any build up without damaging the metal clasps. After you remove your dentures from the vinegar mixture, brush them to remove any tartar. Repeat this process daily to keep your dentures clean. If you notice heavy deposits of tartar on your dentures, ask your dentist if you can soak them overnight in the vinegar solution. Otherwise, use a denture cleanser for longer, more extensive cleaning. | Find a container large enough to fit your dentures. Look for a glass, a cup, a bowl, or a washable food container to pour the vinegar solution into. Make sure it is big enough for your dentures to be submerged. Try to find a glass container to avoid any breakdown the vinegar might cause in plastic or other permeable materials. Purchase distilled white vinegar. Find white vinegar to use in this cleaning solution. Cooking or flavored vinegars might transfer flavors to your dentures, creating an unpleasant taste. You can find bottles of distilled white vinegar for relatively low prices at most grocery stores. Avoid apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and any other vinegar that is not distilled white. Mix one part water with one equal part vinegar. Into the container you have found to soak your dentures in, mix a solution that is 50% vinegar and 50% water. Make sure the mixture has enough volume to cover the submerged dentures. You can work this into your evening bedtime routine by pouring in the vinegar and water as you are washing your face or changing into night clothes so that all you have is drop in the dentures on your way to bed. Ask your dentist before using vinegar. Before starting a vinegar routine for your dentures, get the ok from your dentist. Partial dentures, for example, can be adversely affected by long-term use of vinegar as a cleaning solution. This is because the vinegar can act as a corrosive solution on the metal parts of the partial dentures. Soak the dentures for 15 minutes a day. A good rule of thumb for partial dentures is to soak them in the vinegar solution for only 15 minutes once a day. This short amount of time will still soften buildup on the dentures without damaging the metal clasps on the partial dentures. Place the dentures in the vinegar overnight. If you notice heavy deposits of tartar (called calculus) starting to congregate on your dentures, it is time to start soaking them overnight in the denture solution. The solution will weaken tartar compounds. Remember not to do overnight in vinegar with partial dentures unless you get the green light from your dentist. If you do not see tartar buildup on the dentures, stick to an overnight vinegar soak. Some dentists recommend that if you are going to do an overnight soak on a regular basis, only use a solution that is 10% vinegar mixed with water, and only for 8 hours. Check for softened tartar and deposits. In most cases, the vinegar won't actually dissolve the tartar, but it will soften it so that you can brush it away the next morning. The vinegar won't remove stains on its own either, but it will make it much easier for a denture brush to do the work. Soak your denture brush in a bleach/water solution. You should soak your denture brush in a half bleach/half water solution once a week to prevent the growth of bacteria. Rinse the brush thoroughly before using it on your dentures. Remove the dentures from the vinegar. The next morning, bring the container over to the bathroom sink and fill it with water. Remove the dentures from the vinegar solution with your hands, making sure to keep the dentures over the water. This water acts as a cushion in case you drop the dentures while handling them. Brush the dentures with your denture brush. Now use the clean brush to rub off stains and calculus buildup on the dentures. Brushing the dentures after an overnight vinegar soak will also work off plaque, food particles, and bacteria. If the stains don't come off after the first overnight soak, repeated soaking should eventually get all the stains off. If stains won't come off no matter how much you soak your dentures, talk to your dentist (this includes coffee stains, yellowing, any sort of stain). Scrub every surface of your false teeth, both inside and out, with either a denture brush or a toothbrush. Make sure the brush is wet when you do this, and that you use a light brushing stroke. Rinse the dentures thoroughly. After cleaning the surfaces of the dentures, it is time to rinse them off. Rinse the dentures repeatedly until both visible stains and tartar, as well as all traces of vinegar scent, are rinsed away. Rinsing helps wash away any debris and get the vinegar flavor off the dentures. Pour out the vinegar solution. After you are done soaking your dentures, pour out the solution. Do not re-use the vinegar solution as it now contains debris from stains, tartar, bacteria, and whatever else was on your dentures. | Find a container large enough to fit your dentures. Purchase distilled white vinegar. Mix one part water with one equal part vinegar. Ask your dentist before using vinegar. Soak the dentures for 15 minutes a day. Place the dentures in the vinegar overnight. Check for softened tartar and deposits. Soak your denture brush in a bleach/water solution. Remove the dentures from the vinegar. Brush the dentures with your denture brush. Rinse the dentures thoroughly. Pour out the vinegar solution. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Sharpening-Steel | How to Use a Sharpening Steel | To use a sharpening steel, start by holding it point-down on a flat surface so it's at arm's length in front of you. Then, take the knife you want to sharpen and place the blade against the sharpening steel. Tilt the knife so it's at a 15-20 degree angle to the steel. When you're ready, run the blade down the steel as you pull it toward yourself. Do this 5-10 times before turning the knife over and repeating on the other side of the blade. | Hold the sharpening steel point-down on your work surface. Hold the handle of the honing steel in your non-dominant hand, so that it's protected by the guard at the top of the handle. Point the tip of the steel down onto a sturdy work surface. The honing steel should be completely vertical. The honing steel should be firmly pressed against the work surface so it won't slide when you begin honing the knife. Position the steel at arm’s length in front of you. To prevent injury, keep the honing steel arm's length in front of you. Even if the honing steel slips, it will be far enough from you to prevent the knife blade from cutting you. Place the knife blade against the honing steel. Take the knife you want to hone and press the bottom (heel) of it against the top of the steel. The blade should be near the handle and positioned as if you were going to cut into the honing steel. Angle the knife at 15 to 20 degrees. Tilt the knife so it's at a 15 to 20-degree angle. You can adjust the degree to a lower angle for a sharper edge, or a higher angle for a more durable one. Run the blade down the steel as you pull it toward you. Smoothly bring the knife down and towards yourself on the honing steel. Keep the knife at the same angle as you move the knife. The tip of the knife should be at the base of the steel. You only need to apply light pressure as you move the blade. You should also move the blade slowly to reduce the risk of cutting yourself. Run the other side of the knife down the steel. Keep holding the honing steel vertically. To hone the other side of the knife, place the bottom (heel) of the blade on the other side of the steel near the top. Apply light pressure and bring the blade down the steel. Hone each side of the knife blade 5 to 10 times. Depending on how hard or dull your knife is, you'll need to run each side of the blade down the honing steel 5 to 10 times. You can either completely hone one side at a time or alternate them so long as you hone them the same number of times. Wipe the blade clean with a soft cloth. Rinse the blade of the knife under running water and then dry the blade with a soft cloth. While honing shouldn't remove metal from the blade, microscopic metal filings might have come off the blade. Test the sharpness of the knife. If your knives still won't cut through paper after you've used the honing steel, they may be too dull, pitted, or nicked. You can either use a sharpening stone, electric knife sharpener, or have the knives professionally sharpened. Check the sharpness of your knives frequently. Determine which of your knives needs honing by holding up a piece of newspaper. Slice down through the paper with a knife. If the knife is sharp, it will easily and cleanly cut right through. If the knife is dull, it won't pass through the paper or it might tear it. Hone or sharpen your knives often. Hone the knives as soon as they begin to feel a little dull or resist cutting. If you cook frequently, you might need to hone several times a day. You should also sharpen your knives once honing no longer improves your knives. You may need to sharpen the knives only once or twice a year. If you're cutting through something very hard, like a large cut of meat with bones, you might need to stop and hone the knife while you're cutting the meat. Hand wash your knives to prevent damage to the blades. While many knives are sold as being dishwasher safe, never use the machine to wash your knives. Moisture can get into the handle and damage the knife. Instead, wash your knives in the sink and take care to avoid bumping the blade against other dishes. Store the knives in a block or rack to protect the blades. Consider storing your knives in a knife block or on a magnetic knife rack. It's important to store the knives in a way that prevents the blades from knocking into other utensils. Protect the blades to keep the knives sharp. Use your knife on wood or plastic surfaces. Avoid using cutting boards or counters made of stone, glass, or tile. Cutting on these surfaces will dull your knife blades quickly. Instead, only cut on wood or plastic surfaces. | Hold the sharpening steel point-down on your work surface. Position the steel at arm’s length in front of you. Place the knife blade against the honing steel. Angle the knife at 15 to 20 degrees. Run the blade down the steel as you pull it toward you. Run the other side of the knife down the steel. Hone each side of the knife blade 5 to 10 times. Wipe the blade clean with a soft cloth. Test the sharpness of the knife. Check the sharpness of your knives frequently. Hone or sharpen your knives often. Hand wash your knives to prevent damage to the blades. Store the knives in a block or rack to protect the blades. Use your knife on wood or plastic surfaces. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calm-Your-Angry-Cat | How to Calm Your Angry Cat | To calm an angry cat, your best bet is to walk away and leave the cat for 10-20 minutes so it has time to calm down. If you're unable to leave, try getting down on the ground and making yourself appear smaller so the cat feels less threatened. You can also direct your attention away from the cat by avoiding eye contact and focusing on something else, which will give the cat time to realize that you're not a threat. | Consider the motivation for your cat’s anger. A cat's primary motivation for displaying angry or aggressive behavior is fear. Cats are not as domesticated as dogs and easily revert to their wild state. This means that cats are one step away from being a wild animal still and many wild animals live in a constant state of alertness for danger, including a fear of people. Top of the list for inducing fear is strangers, simply because a cat doesn't know what that person is all about until they've had time to observe and trust that the person is cat friendly. Keep in mind that the reason for your cat's fear may not always be immediately apparent to you. For example, your cat may begin to hiss at a toddler because the child pulled on the cat's tail at some point when you weren't in the room. The cat may then associate the toddler with pain in a way that causes the cat to become fearful. A poorly socialized cat can even have a strong fear of strangers and strange surroundings. Recognize behaviors associated with fear or anger in your cat. Reading your cat's body language can help avoid conflict. It is useful to recognize both fear and aggression. However, there is an overlap between both sets of behavior, so don't get too hooked up on differentiating the two. The important thing is to recognize the cat is stressed, and stressed leads to possible attack. Be aware that a cat can turn from being calm to afraid or angry in a matter of seconds. Signs of fear or aggression include: Piloerection (hairs standing up) Dilated pupils A direct stare at you (precedes attack) Averting its gaze (fear) Whiskers stiff and drawn back Ears flattened against the head A hunched body posture Growling Drawing backs the lips and hissing. Consider the purpose behind usual “angry” behavior. Though most of these behaviors are often thought of as signs that an angry cat is about to attack, the behaviors are more typical of a stressed and fearful cat that wants to escape the situation. Look for signs of "redirected aggression". This term applies when one cat takes out its anger on another cat or person even though the source of the anger was someone or some other cat completely different. If this happens to two cats living together, it can be quite difficult to get them to get along with each other again, depending on how serious the attack was. Look for biting during play. Be aware that some cats will get overexcited during play and may bite or scratch, which can be misinterpreted as aggressive behavior. If your cat is in a more-aggressive play mood, then you can always use dangling toys to keep your hands and fingers away from the play bites. Differentiate between fearful behavior and petting-induced aggression. Petting-induced aggression is common in some cats. The behavior doesn't necessarily have to be at first pet. The cat may seem to enjoy the petting before suddenly becoming aggressive at the act. However, this should not be confused with anger. Reasons behind the aggression may include: The cat using the behavior as a way of saying, "That's enough thanks.” The cat becoming so dozy with pleasure that it suddenly startles awake and bites in self-defense. This form of aggression often occurs in single kittens (only one in the litter) or hand-raised kittens. They lack socialization with other kittens, who would swipe them back if they lashed out too hard or bit too hard. However, do NOT swipe your cat back. Instead, learn to read the body language that the cat is about to flip. The cat may give a single, telltale twitch of the tail, or it may stop purring and the skin on its back may twitch. At this point, immediately stop petting the cat and stand up to tip it off your lap. Take care of your own safety before all else. If your cat is angry with you or has redirected its aggression toward you, then you are a possible target for an attack, which can result in scratches or bites. However, most cats will not actually attack unless you continue provoking it after the initial warning behaviors. If you actually need to handle the cat, wear protective clothing and throw a blanket over the cat to help subdue the animal. However, this is only a short-term solution if it is essential to catch the cat because of potential injury. It will do nothing to endear you to the cat and will make it even less cooperative next time. Have a water pistol readily accessible if you live with a cat. It can be an ideal method for squirting an angry cat without having to get your hands involved. It might be enough to separate brawling cats and it can certainly be a good source of defense if the cat decides to attack you through redirected aggression. Back off. The best step you can take once you've recognized a behavior associated with your cat being angry or fearful is to simply back off. Step away from the cat in a way that reduces the fearful response. If possible, leave the room the cat is in, or if the cat is reacting to another person or animal, then have them leave the room. If you cannot leave the room, then make sure you back away in a manner that doesn't block the exit since the cat may want to leave the room. You'll likely want to leave the cat alone for ten or twenty minutes to give it enough time to calm down. If the “threat” is another cat you've just brought home, then the desensitization process can take time, and you should keep the cats separated with only gradual introduction. You can find more information on the topic at: How to Bring a Second Cat Into the Family and Not Make Your Old Cat Upset Make yourself small. Don't stand over or stare at the cat while it's in an agitated state as this amplifies the threat. If you are in no immediate danger and eager to help a fearful cat feel more confident, either lie on the floor so you are less of a threat, or make yourself small by sitting down. Ignore the cat. Taking your focus off the cat completely gives the cat the opportunity to assess you at its own pace to realize that you aren't a threat. This includes relaxing your body language and your voice. Try talking to someone else in the room or even softly singing to yourself. Instead of creating tension, this reinforces the impression that the cat has nothing to be concerned about. Provide safe places for your cat. Often, your cat may simply deal with its own fearful reactions by finding a safe place to hide. For instance, if your cat fears strangers, it will likely hide at the first sign of a doorbell or knock at the door. Consider keeping the cat's kennel in a quiet, undisturbed room, giving the cat a place to hide until it decides it's ready to come back out. Cats can feel a similar sense of security from high-up places as well. Consider providing a cat tower with a high perch for the cat to hide away, especially if a new dog in the home is the source or your cat's fearful behavior. Approach your cat slowly and with caution. After you have given your cat time and space to calm down, approach cautiously without actually touching the cat. You need to be sure that all visible signs of anger are gone, including the raised fur, hissing, and arched back. However, even with these visible signs gone, your cat may still be harboring feelings of anger and be flighty and afraid, so taking it slowly is important. Let the cat come to you. Sit or lie on the floor with treats in your hand. Let the cat sniff and explore around you. Even if the cat keeps its distance and just watches you, this builds confidence in the long term that you are not threat. If your cat wasn't at all socialized to humans in the first twelve weeks of its life, then this step is crucial. Trying to make first contact will only make the cat more fearful of you. Always let the cat initiate physical contact by sniffing your and then rubbing its head against you. This transfers some of the cat's scent onto you and makes you a bit safer in its eyes. Even then, do not reach out to the cat. Think of this as a test. You can pass the test by sitting utterly still and letting the cat feel in control. Only after it comes to you regularly should you very slowly reach out and attempt to stroke the animal. Use food. Shake a bag of treats or open a can of your cat's favorite food and place it in the food bowl. Be sure that there is plenty of fresh water available since the cat may be very thirsty after such high emotions. However, don't force food or drink on your cat. The animal will know it's there when it's ready. Do not punish the cat. Never, under any circumstances punish your cat. Remember, aggression is born of fear, so punishing the cat only ramps up fear and makes another aggressive display more likely. Instead, fight anger with loving patience. Contact your veterinarian. Illness or pain can lead to your cat exhibiting angry or aggressive behavior. If your cat begins suddenly displaying angry or fearful behaviors despite previously being docile (or if you simply haven't made any progress with the above steps), then see your vet to rule out any medical conditions. Common causes include high fever , tooth pain, gingivitis, abscesses, wounds, arthritis, fractures, ear problems and sprains or strains. Fur balls can sometimes trigger an angry response in a cat where the fur ball is causing colic or gastric inflammation. If the vet determines that the problem isn't an illness, he or she may suggest anti-anxiety medication if nothing else seems to keep your cat calm. If your cat exhibits the behavior in relation to a very specific event—such as car rides or even visits to the vet—then your vet may also prescribe a mild sedative for your cat. This allows you to preemptively calm the cat before subjecting it to the stressful situation. After a few instances of experiencing the situation while sedated, you may even notice that your cat becomes desensitized to the stressor. Desensitize the cat to the environmental stressor. In situations where the person or thing inducing a fearful reaction from your cat cannot actually harm the cat, then you can try desensitizing the cat to the stressor in the same way people usually get over their own phobias. For instance, if the stressor is a person, begin by letting the cat hear the person speaking in another room until this no longer has any effect. Then step it up to having the person on the other side of the same room as the cat while completely ignoring the cat until this has no effect. Allow the person to get closer until the cat finally chooses to make contact. To add a counterconditioning element to desensitization training, you can include treats during the process. This not only desensitizes the cat to the stressor but begins making the cat associate the person with positive reinforcement instead. Have patience. Depending on the level of socialization your cat had as a kitten, the amount of time it takes for the cat to develop trust can range anywhere from days to years. | Consider the motivation for your cat’s anger. Recognize behaviors associated with fear or anger in your cat. Consider the purpose behind usual “angry” behavior. Look for signs of "redirected aggression". Look for biting during play. Differentiate between fearful behavior and petting-induced aggression. Take care of your own safety before all else. Back off. Make yourself small. Ignore the cat. Provide safe places for your cat. Approach your cat slowly and with caution. Let the cat come to you. Use food. Do not punish the cat. Contact your veterinarian. Desensitize the cat to the environmental stressor. Have patience. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Bank-Account | How to Open a Bank Account | To open a bank account, start by making sure you meet the eligibility requirements, such as being 18 years of age or older, possessing a valid identification, and having the minimum amount of money to start the account, which can vary based on the bank and the type of account you're opening. While a checking account is great for daily purchases and will get you a checkbook and debit card, a savings account will allow you to slowly amass interest. Once you're ready, go to the bank in person to fill out the paperwork to open your new account. | Make sure you're eligible to open an account. Before you head to the bank, it's wise to check whether you meet all the criteria for opening an account. As a general rule, most banks will require the following: If you're under 18, some banks might require your parents to sign some forms when you make your account. Not all banks do this, so if you don't want your parents to be involved with your banking, try emailing banks before you go into them asking whether they require your parents to sign. You'll need to have valid identification and be willing to share basic information about yourself. In the US, you'll usually need your Social Security number. You'll need to have at least the minimum amount of money for opening account. This can vary based on the bank and account you choose. For example, a basic Bank of America savings account requires a minimum deposit of $300. Choose the bank that's best for you. Not all banks are the same, even when it comes to basic personal accounts. It can be very wise to contact the banks in your local area to discuss what exactly you'd get if you opened a basic account. While all banks are different, they can generally be lumped into two general categories: large chain banks and smaller local ones. See below: Large chain banks: Large banks usually have branches in most towns and cities across the country, which means you'll be able to get basically the same service no matter where you go. This wide coverage can help you avoid fees you'll have to pay for using other banks' services (like ATM fees, etc.) Large banks also usually have the resources to offer services like 24-hour help lines for their customers. In addition, these banks tend to have a stable, trusted reputation — they are unlikely to fail or present you with "surprise" difficulties. Smaller local banks: Small banks offer a more personal, human experience. They tend to be friendlier than big banks in several ways — not only will they be willing to offer more personal, one-on-one attention, but they'll often be willing to "work with you" when something goes wrong (like you overdraft from your account). Smaller banks also usually charge smaller fees for using their services. Smaller banks often invest their money into the local community, rather than in national, or multinational large projects that chain banks might be investing in. On the other hand, smaller banks fail more frequently than large banks (this is still very rare, though). In addition, credit unions are another option for banking. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial institutions, often with a mission to be "community-oriented" and "serve people, not profit. Credit unions have successfully made their services more accessible by partnering with other credit unions to offer shared branch banking and ATMs. Pick the type of account you want. Most of the time, when someone opens his or her first bank account, it is a regular checking or savings account (or both). Both of these types of accounts allow you to safely store your money with the bank and withdraw it when you need it. However, each type of account is best for different tasks. See below: Checking: A checking account is what most people use for day-to-day purchases. With a checking account, you'll get a checkbook and a debit card that you can use to pay for things with the money in your account. Money in a checking account doesn't change over time — if you want more money, you have to put it in yourself. Savings : As its name suggests, a savings account is best for saving money long-term. Money in a savings account slowly gains interest — in other words, the bank will pay you a small amount for storing your money with it. The more money you have in the account and the longer you save it, the more interest you get. You can still withdraw money from a savings account at banks and ATM, but you can't generally use it for checks and debit card payments. If you have enough money to meet the minimum deposit for both, having both a checking and a savings account is usually best. You can use the checking account for your daily expenses and put extra money in your savings to make interest. Visit your bank and ask to open an account. Opening an account in person is usually the best option for first-time account holders. One big advantage of opening an account in person is that you can ask the teller all of your questions and get immediate answers (as opposed to the waiting you'll have to do online or on the phone). Also, because you can sign the forms and receive your confirmation documents on the spot, the process of opening an account is also usually speedier in person. The rest of this section will assume you're opening an account in person. However, depending on your bank, you may also be able open an account over the phone or even online. These options vary from bank to bank — not all banks will let you open your account these ways. Ask important questions before you finalize your account. Now is an excellent time to ask for clarification on any issues regarding your account that you don't understand. Below are a few suggestions for questions you may want to ask, but don't be afraid to ask any others that occur to you. Is there a monthly fee for maintaining this account? If so, what is it? Is there a minimum balance that I must keep within this account? If so, what is it? What sorts of fees apply if I go under that limit? What is the interest rate of my savings account? How often does interest generate? Is there a limit to the amount of transactions (deposits/withdrawals, check writing, ATM uses) I have per month? Where can I withdraw cash without paying any fees? What is the fee for using an ATM that doesn't belong to this bank? Is the account I'm applying for insured by a Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS)? Supply the necessary information to create your account. As noted above, opening a checking account requires a few basic pieces of personal information. You may or may not have to provide documentation to prove this personal information. This depends on the exact bank you're opening an account with. In general, it's a good idea to have: Proof that you are who you say you are: Have a government-issued ID with your photo on it with you (a driver's license or a passport are best). Proof of address: A phone bill, driver's license, or any other official document with your name and address will usually do. Proof you are a registered citizen: The bank will ask for your Social Security number, taxpayer identification number, or employer identification number to ensure that you are "on record" with the government. As long as you know this number, you don't generally need to have your Social Security card, etc. with you. Keep the account documents you receive secure. When you finish completing your account, you will receive documents that contain important information about your account. Keep these in a safe place, like a strongbox. Don't let people you don't trust access these documents — they may be able to use them for malicious purposes. If you can, it's a wise idea to commit the following information to memory so that you don't need to rely on the documents in the future: Your four-digit PIN number: You need this to use your debit card for purchases. Your bank account number: You need this for financial tasks like setting up direct deposits Your Social Security number: You need this for various tax and financial tasks in the future If you believe your account information has fallen into the wrong hands, you can always contact your bank and request a "freeze" on your account to prevent unauthorized use. Withdraw money from your account when needed. The biggest benefit of having a bank account is that it's a safe way to store your money. Money in the bank can't be lost or stolen — it's yours until you spend it. Even in the unlikely event that your bank is robbed, your money is insured by the government, so you won't lose it. When you want to get the money in your bank account, you need to make a withdrawal. There are several ways to do this: Visit the bank in person and fill out a withdrawal form. You'll usually need your account number and basic personal information for this. Somewhat time-consuming compared to the other options, but necessary for special tasks like large withdrawals. Use an ATM. See below for more information. Online. In this case, your withdrawals are usually limited to transfers between accounts and payments to other individuals — you can't "get cash" online. See below for more information. Get cash from an ATM. ATMs (automatic teller machines) are a convenient way to get cash when you're out and about. ATMs are located at almost all banks. In addition, you can usually find them in areas of commerce, like malls, grocery stores, and some restaurants. To use an ATM, you will need to know your checking account's four-digit PIN number. See our ATM article for detailed instructions. It's always best to use your own bank's ATMs when possible. Usually, you'll have to pay a small fee for using ATMs that don't belong to your bank. Note also that your bank may have a limit on the number of times you may use its own ATMs per month without receiving fees. Write checks to pay for purchases. Another way to use your bank account to pay for purchases is to write a check. This is a convenient option when you don't have cash handy. A check is basically an official slip of paper that shows that you promise to pay someone a certain amount of money. When the person you write the check to brings it to the bank, it will use money from your account to pay. See our article on writing checks for more information. Make sure you have enough money in your account to pay for your purchase before you write your check. If you don't , your check will "bounce." This means that the payment won't go through, you'll have to pay a fee, and you'll still be held responsible for the money. Some banks offer "overdraft protection" services for check-writing. In these cases, when you write a check that you don't have enough money to pay for, your bank may "spot" you the money to cover the purchase. You will still have to pay a fee but you won't have to deal with the check bouncing. Make a deposit to add more money to your account. When you want to put more money into your bank accounts, you need to make a deposit. As with withdrawals, there are several ways to do this: Bring your money or check to your bank. You will have to fill out a deposit form, which requires you to provide your account number. Use an ATM. Today, many ATMs (especially the ones at banks) allow you to make deposits. You will usually have to do this at one of your own bank's ATMs. Use mobile check deposit services. One relatively new way to deposit checks involves taking a picture of the check with your mobile phone and sending it to the bank. This usually requires you to download your bank's mobile app. For example, click here for instructions for Bank of America's mobile check deposit service. Note that not all banks offer this. Try your bank's online banking features. Today, nearly all banks will offer some sort of online options for viewing and managing your bank accounts online. Usually, you are prompted to set these up when you first open your account. These services will differ from bank to bank and account to account. In general, most banks will offer: Secure online login options on the bank's official site The ability to view your accounts' balances The ability to view a record of purchases, withdrawals, and deposits for each account The ability to transfer money between accounts The ability to send money to other individuals Set up a direct deposit to make maintaining a balance simpler. Don't want to make a trip to the bank every time you are paid? Most employers offer the option for you to be paid directly into your bank account — this is called "direct deposit." In this case, taxes are withdrawn before the money is added to your account. Talk to your employer's payroll department if you want to set up a direct deposit. This will usually require you to fill out some forms and provide information about your bank account (like your account number). Consider linking your checking and savings accounts. "Linking" two separate accounts to each other usually means that the funds from one account are made available to the other for special expenses. For instance, if you link your checking and savings accounts, some banks will let you use the money from the savings account to cover overdrafts on your checking account. Other benefits include: Avoiding some types of minimum-balance fees Receiving one combined account statement rather than two separate ones Allowing easier transfer of money between accounts. Consider making a joint account with someone else. When you open any account with another person, it is called a "joint account." Married couples often open one of these accounts, but any two people can do this. You and the co-account opener have equal ownership over all the money in the account, and can take advantage of all the services that come with the account. Either owner can deposit or withdraw money without having to answer to the other holder. For these reasons, it's important only to open a joint account with someone you absolutely trust. For instance, there's nothing the bank can do to stop one owner from taking all the money out of the account without the other's notice. To make a joint account, both account holders must agree to the terms of the account and fill out their own copy of the account creation forms. This means each person will need to provide an ID, Social Security number, etc. Generally, most joint accounts carry "rights of survivorship." This means if one of the joint account owners dies, the surviving owner gets all the money in the account. Consider opening a high-interest account. Looking to earn more interest on the money you're storing long-term in your bank account? Many banks offer special options for starting accounts with higher-than-normal interest rates. This increases your long-term earnings, but you'll usually have to meet certain conditions to keep these accounts. See below for more information: High-interest savings: This account comes with all the benefits of a regular savings account, but has a higher minimum balance (that is, you have to keep more cash sitting in the account). You may also be limited in terms of how often you can withdraw from it. In return, you will earn higher interest. Interest Checking: This account features everything that a regular checking account has (ATM privileges, check writing, etc.), but it includes an interest rate, so it acts a little like a regular savings account. However, the monthly maintenance fees for these accounts are usually higher. This means it's in your interest to keep enough money in your account so that the interest outweighs the monthly charge. Consider a certificate of deposit (CD) for long-term gains. When you put your money in a CD, you legally agree to put it away for a certain amount of time. This usually ranges from several months to about five years. During this time, you may not add or remove money from the CD. Because you are agreeing to let the bank have your money "no matter what" for the agreed-upon length of time, CDs usually have higher interest rates than basic savings accounts. | Make sure you're eligible to open an account. Choose the bank that's best for you. Pick the type of account you want. Visit your bank and ask to open an account. Ask important questions before you finalize your account. Supply the necessary information to create your account. Keep the account documents you receive secure. Withdraw money from your account when needed. Get cash from an ATM. Write checks to pay for purchases. Make a deposit to add more money to your account. Try your bank's online banking features. Set up a direct deposit to make maintaining a balance simpler. Consider linking your checking and savings accounts. Consider making a joint account with someone else. Consider opening a high-interest account. Consider a certificate of deposit (CD) for long-term gains. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Hair-Dye-from-Your-Scalp | How to Remove Hair Dye from Your Scalp | If you accidentally got hair dye on your scalp, you can remove it using leftover hair dye on a cotton swab. Gently rub the stained area with more hair dye, which will reactivate the dye on your scalp, making it easier to wipe off. After rubbing for 30 to 60 seconds, rinse all the dye off with an exfoliating soap and a wet washcloth. Alternatively, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste that has baking soda in it instead of leftover hair dye. To remove a hair dye stain with baby oil, rub the area with a cotton ball soaked in oil and let it sit overnight before rinsing with warm water and soap. | Rub baby oil around your hairline and ears before you dye your hair. Pour about 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of baby oil in the palm of your hand. Then, dip your fingers into the baby oil and rub it along your hairline and around your ears. The baby oil will create a slick surface for the hair dye and will deter it from fully soaking into your skin. Just make sure not to get any of the baby oil in your hair; otherwise, the hair dye might not be able to penetrate the baby oil to reach your hair. Instead of baby oil, you can use petroleum jelly or coconut oil as well. Avoid showering before dyeing your hair to build up natural oils. Keep your skin naturally moisturized by refraining from showering or washing your face prior to dyeing your hair. The buildup of oils around your hairline will act as a barrier to the hair dye and keep it from soaking into your skin. Wear a protective headband to keep the dye from dripping down your scalp. Put on a thin, elastic headband before you begin. Keep the headband just beyond your hairline so it does not interfere with dyeing your hair. Also, consider placing an old, thin towel around your neck to keep the dye from running down your neck behind your head. If you have a hairdresser's cape, then put this on over the towel to protect your clothing from the dye as well. Apply leftover hair dye to the stained areas using a cotton swab. Be careful not to coat clean areas of your skin, and to only apply the hair dye to the stain. This will cause the chemicals within the hair dye to reactive and will make it easier to remove the original stain. Just be careful not to get any of the hair dye in your eyes. Consider wearing goggles to protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around your eyes. Rub the hair dye into the stain with a cotton swab for 30-60 seconds. Use gentle, circular motions to rub the hair dye into the stained area. Only rub within the perimeter of the stain to avoid spreading the hair dye to other portions of your skin. If the hair dye begins to irritate your skin, stop rubbing the area immediately and rinse your face with water. Use an exfoliating soap and a wet washcloth to rinse the dye off your skin. Apply a pea-sized amount of your exfoliating soap to a wet washcloth. Gently wipe away the reactivated hair dye from your skin. If you do not have an exfoliating soap, use your normal face soap instead. Repeat the process as needed to further lighten and remove the hair dye stain. Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the stain using a cotton swab. Use a non-gel toothpaste that has baking soda in it. Distribute the toothpaste along the entirety of the stain. Discard any excess toothpaste using a tissue. If you have an old, soft-bristled toothbrush, you can use that to scrub the stained area instead. Just be careful when using a toothbrush, as the bulky head might make it harder to handle precisely. Instead of toothpaste, try using a cotton swab dipped in vinegar or hairspray. The process for all three alternatives is the same, and each will act as an exfoliant to lift the hair dye from your skin. Just be careful not to get any of these products in your eyes. Use the cotton swab to rub the toothpaste into the stain for 1 minute. Apply a gentle pressure with the cotton swab to avoid irritating your skin with the toothpaste. If the cotton swab does not seem to be exfoliating your skin properly, put on a pair of gloves and rub the toothpaste using your finger. The gritty texture of the toothpaste, along with the reactive power of the baking soda, will lift the hair dye from your pores. Wipe away the toothpaste and lifted hair dye with a wet washcloth. Use an old washcloth that you don't mind getting hair dye stains on, and wipe your skin clean. If the stains are completely removed, follow up by washing your face properly with soap and water. Repeat the process if needed, but make sure not to repeat the process too many times that you irritate your skin. Apply makeup remover to the stained area using a cotton swab. Use a dense or creamy makeup remover, like cold cream, that will be able to rest on your skin. Completely coat all of the stained areas around your scalp and hairline. You can use liquid makeup removers like micellar water, but they may not be as effective. Use the cotton swab to rub the stained areas on your skin for 1 minute. Use circular motions to work the makeup remover into your pores. Apply gentle pressure when doing this to avoid irritating your skin. Allow the makeup remover to soak into your skin for 5 minutes. The makeup remover will help break down the pigments in the hair dye and remove the stain from your skin. Avoid letting the makeup remover soak longer than 5 minutes as it may cause skin irritation when mixed with the hair dye. If the makeup remover starts to irritate your skin at any point during the soaking process, wipe it off immediately and wash your face. Wipe away the makeup remover with a damp washcloth and rinse your face. Gently wipe the makeup remover off, and be careful not to spread it across your face near your eyes. The makeup remover will have remnants of the hair dye in it that you do not want to come in contact with your eyes. Repeat the process to further remove the hair dye stain as needed. Use a cotton swab or a gloved finger to rub baby oil onto the stain. Pour 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of baby oil or a similar light oil, such as coconut oil, into the palm of your hand. Dip the cotton swab or your gloved finger into the baby oil and use circular motions to rub the oil onto the stain. Treat the stains before you go to bed to allow the baby oil to soak in your skin overnight. Allow the baby oil to soak the stain overnight so the color breaks down fully. Avoid washing or touching your face while the baby oil is soaking into your skin. Sleep on your back to keep it from rubbing off while you sleep. Cover your pillow with an old towel to keep the baby oil from staining the fabric. Make sure the towel is one you don't mind ruining since the oil will stain it. Wash your face in the morning with warm water and soap to remove the oil. Wash your face as you normally would with soap. Avoid using an exfoliating scrubber, as your skin might be irritated from the hair dye. Repeat the process the following night if needed. | Rub baby oil around your hairline and ears before you dye your hair. Avoid showering before dyeing your hair to build up natural oils. Wear a protective headband to keep the dye from dripping down your scalp. Apply leftover hair dye to the stained areas using a cotton swab. Rub the hair dye into the stain with a cotton swab for 30-60 seconds. Use an exfoliating soap and a wet washcloth to rinse the dye off your skin. Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the stain using a cotton swab. Use the cotton swab to rub the toothpaste into the stain for 1 minute. Wipe away the toothpaste and lifted hair dye with a wet washcloth. Apply makeup remover to the stained area using a cotton swab. Use the cotton swab to rub the stained areas on your skin for 1 minute. Allow the makeup remover to soak into your skin for 5 minutes. Wipe away the makeup remover with a damp washcloth and rinse your face. Use a cotton swab or a gloved finger to rub baby oil onto the stain. Allow the baby oil to soak the stain overnight so the color breaks down fully. Wash your face in the morning with warm water and soap to remove the oil. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Blue-or-Green-Hair-Dye-from-Hair-Without-Bleaching | How to Remove Blue or Green Hair Dye from Hair Without Bleaching | To remove blue or green dye from your hair without bleach, start by mixing 1,000 mg of Vitamin C powder into a small bowl of shampoo. Then, wet your hair with warm water and shampoo your hair with the mixture. Once you've lathered up your hair, clip it up and cover it with a shower cap. Let the shampoo sit for 45 minutes, then rinse it out. Afterward, condition your hair so that it doesn't become dried out and frizzy. | Decide if a clarifying shampoo will work for you. Clarifying shampoo is a great way to fade semi-permanent dyes. However, if you used a permanent dye, then using a clarifying shampoo may not be powerful enough to make a difference. This method may fade permanent dye a little, but it will take longer to do so. Buy a clarifying shampoo. You will need to buy a clarifying shampoo that is not recommended for use on dyed hair. This type of shampoo will help to strip your hair of the dyed color. You will also need conditioner. This can also be on the cheaper end of the conditioner spectrum. Suave Daily Clarifying is a good shampoo to use. If your hair tends to be dry or unmanageable, you should buy a deep conditioner that will give your hair the nutrients it needs. You can also try an anti-dandruff shampoo. Consider mixing some baking soda into your shampoo. Baking soda is a natural bleaching agent, so adding it to your shampoo can make the color-stripping process go faster. Use warm water to wet your hair. Make the water as warm as you can stand it. Warm water opens up hair follicles and cuticles making them more receptive to being stripped of the dye. Get your hair thoroughly wet with the water before shampooing. Lather with the clarifying shampoo. Pour a quarter sized amount of shampoo in your hand and apply it to your hair. Use your fingertips to give your head a good scrub. Squeeze off any excess foam (which should be the color of the dye you are removing). Make sure your hair is thoroughly coated in the shampoo, but do not rinse yet! Clip your hair up. If you have short hair, you can leave it down. Place a bath towel around your shoulders that you don't really care about (the shampoo and dye will run and could potentially get on your towel). Place a plastic shower cap on your head and apply heat. Make sure the shower cap covers all of your hair and is securely fitted on your head. Use a hairdryer to heat your hair, but take care not to hold the heat on one spot for two long or you could potentially melt the plastic. The heat will help the shampoo strip your hair of color. If you don't have a plastic shower cap, you can use a plastic bag. Wrap it around your head and secure the opening in the front with a clip. If one's available, you might also sit under a heated hair-dryer. This will distribute the heat evenly over your whole head. Let your hair stay in the cap for 15 to 20 minutes. Once you have let it sit, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. Lather your hair with shampoo two more times, rinsing after each time you use the shampoo. When you are done rinsing, the foam should only have a hint of dye left. Cover your head with conditioner. Rub your hair thoroughly with the conditioner, making sure your whole head is covered. If your hair is long enough, clip it up, otherwise just leave it down. Use a hairdryer to heat your hair. Once your hair is semi-dry, let your hair sit for 25 to 30 minutes. Rinse your hair with cool water so that all of the conditioner gets washed out. Rinse your hair with cold water. To close the hair cuticles up, blast your hair with freezing cold water. This will help to ensure that your hair retains the nutrients and moisture it needs from the conditioner. You should see that the dye has faded to roughly 2/3rds of what is once was. Let your hair rest for a day and then repeat this process. Use 1,000 mg of vitamin C mixed with shampoo. You can buy vitamin C in packets, bottles, or as a powder. Place your vitamin C in a mixing bowl. If it is not already a powder, crush it up into a powder using the back of a spoon, a pestle, or, in a pinch, a hammer. Add shampoo to your vitamin C. You will want to use good shampoo that leaves your hair soft and healthy. Add a good amount (a little more than you normally would use) to your vitamin C and mix the two ingredients together. Make sure there aren't any lumps and that the powder is thoroughly mixed in. You can also mix a little dish soap in with the shampoo and vitamin C if you want to boost the dye lifting power of this technique. Wet your hair with warm water and apply the mixture. Warm water really helps to open up your hair follicles, making it easier to remove the dye. Apply the shampoo mixture to your hair. Lather up to work it into your hair and coat each strand from root to tip. Clip your hair up and put a shower cap on. This method can be messy, so it is important to wear a shower cap while you wait for the treatment to work. You should also wrap your shoulders in an old towel, as the dye tends to drip down. The shower cap should catch most of the drips, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you don't have a shower cap, you can also use a plastic bag clipped in the front, or cling wrap that has been wrapped around your hair. Let your hair process for 45 minutes. During this 45 minutes, the shampoo and vitamin C mixture will be working to rid your hair of color. Once it is done processing, rinse your hair. Work conditioner into your to hair. This is important to do so that your hair does not dry out or become frizzy. This method works on both permanent and semi-permanent dyes, however everyone's hair is different. You may have to repeat these steps again if your dye is still noticeable. Run a bath and add bath salts. Bath salts, which can be purchased at drug stores, grocery stores, or at big box stores like Walmart, are known to fade blue and green semi-permanent hair dye. Run a bath with hot water and add a package of bath salts. Soak your hair for as long as possible in the tub. When you are done, your hair dye should be faded. You should then shampoo and condition your hair. Repeat this process in a day or two if necessary. You can also stop up a sink and add bath salts to that if you don't want to soak in the tub. Use dish soap. Note that this will really dry out your hair so it is important to condition your hair well after using this method. Add four or five drops of dish soap to a quarter-sized amount of shampoo. Get your hair wet using hot water and then lather your hair with the shampoo mixture. Leave this mixture in for 10 minutes, then rinse. Follow this with a conditioning treatment. Spend more time outside. Exposing yourself to some natural sunlight over the course of a few days can also help to fade your hair color. Try going for a daily walk in the afternoon when the sun is at its brightest. Make sure to use sunscreen on your skin and do not spend too much time outside in the sun or your scalp may get burned. Use hairspray. Cover the colored hair with lots of "strong hold" hairspray. Sit in the sun for as long as possible. Then brush out the hairspray, wash with an anti-dandruff shampoo and condition well to restore the hair's softness. Sit in the sun after going swimming in a chlorinated pool. While exposure to chlorine will not strip your hair of color immediately, going swimming in a chlorinated pool and exposing your hair to sunlight will begin to fade your dye. However, you should always wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner after you have gone swimming. Do not expose yourself to so much sun that you end up getting burnt, as this could lead to skin cancer. | Decide if a clarifying shampoo will work for you. Buy a clarifying shampoo. Consider mixing some baking soda into your shampoo. Use warm water to wet your hair. Lather with the clarifying shampoo. Clip your hair up. Place a plastic shower cap on your head and apply heat. Let your hair stay in the cap for 15 to 20 minutes. Cover your head with conditioner. Use a hairdryer to heat your hair. Rinse your hair with cold water. Use 1,000 mg of vitamin C mixed with shampoo. Add shampoo to your vitamin C. Wet your hair with warm water and apply the mixture. Clip your hair up and put a shower cap on. Let your hair process for 45 minutes. Work conditioner into your to hair. Run a bath and add bath salts. Use dish soap. Spend more time outside. Use hairspray. Sit in the sun after going swimming in a chlorinated pool. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Pet-Squirrel | How to Keep a Pet Squirrel | To keep a pet squirrel, fed it 3-4 blocks of squirrel food each day, and ensure it has fresh water at all times. Give your squirrel snacks of fruits or crickets to help supplement its diet. Buy or build a cage that is at least 2 ft wide, 2 ft deep, and several feet high, and fill the cage with pieces of wood or branches for the squirrel to climb on. Add toys, a nest box, and soft bedding material to the cage. Some places have laws against keeping squirrels as pets, so research the laws in your area before you get a pet squirrel. | Make sure you know the relevant laws in your area. Contact your local municipal office for more information about the laws surrounding pet ownership in your area. Owning a pet squirrel is not legal in all municipalities, while a permit might be required in others. It is best to inform yourself before obtaining a pet squirrel to avoid fines and forced surrender of your pet. Look for veterinarians who will treat a squirrel. Before investing time, money, and a piece of your heart in a squirrel, check with all vets in your area to see if they will treat one. Ask if they are experienced in working with wildlife or exotic animals. Alternatively, contact an experienced wildlife rehabilitator for advice and guidance about how to treat your squirrel in the event of a medical issue. Make sure you adopt a squirrel at the right age. After about nine weeks of age, squirrels will have difficulty acclimating to strangers. If you are thinking about taking in an abandoned squirrel, be sure that it is young enough to accept and trust you. For an accurate assessment of a squirrel's age, bring it to a veterinarian. Leave the squirrel in the wild if you can. If you come across a baby squirrel that is on its own and uninjured, leave it alone for at least a few hours to give its mother a chance to find it. Monitor the small squirrel from a safe distance to ensure that it survives during that time. Retrieve the baby squirrel if: It seems sick or injured. Its mother is dead or out of the picture. It faces danger from a family pet. Buy rodent blocks. To ensure your squirrel's complete nutrition, buy rodent blocks at your local pet store or online. The blocks will contain most of the nutritional elements that your squirrel needs and make feeding simple. If your squirrel does not show interest in eating its rodent blocks, try coating them with a very thin layer of peanut butter or rub them with apple or grapes to sweeten them. Feed your squirrel 3-4 blocks a day, and replace uneaten blocks daily to ensure freshness and prevent germs. Provide a constant supply of water. Make sure that your squirrel always has access to clean, fresh water. Dehydration can be very dangerous to both young and adult squirrels, particularly in hot summer months. Refill a water dish daily, or more if your squirrel is thirsty. Supplement your squirrel's diet. While rodent blocks should make up at least 80% of your squirrel's diet, you can supplement it with other things. Choose foods that they might eat in nature, such as fruit or insects. Be sure to remove or replace any fresh foods that go uneaten from your squirrel's food dish to prevent the growth of bacteria. Adding additional food sources can boost your squirrel's calcium intake, which is important to maintain strong bones and teeth. Purchase crickets to feed your squirrel from a local pet store. Offer your squirrel a variety of fruits, but in moderation. These might include berries (e.g., blueberries, blackberries, strawberries) and cut-up pieces of larger fruits (e.g., banana, apple, peach, mango.) Limit seeds, corn, and nuts. While it is tempting to feed a pet squirrel large quantities of seeds, corn, and nuts, they are not healthy choices and may cause obesity over time. Think of these foods as being like candy for squirrels and serve them in moderation. Opt to give small quantities of these treats to your squirrel at the end of the day, after they have filled up on healthier foods. Over-consumption of seeds, nuts, and corn can also contribute to the risk of nutritional disorders like metabolic bone disease. Buy a suitable cage. A pet squirrel will require a cage that is at least two feet wide, two feet deep, and several feet tall (about 0.6 meters wide, 0.6 meters deep, and at least a meter tall.) Squirrels are active animals and need to be able to move around. Provide covered spots for your squirrel to hide in when it wishes to do so. Squirrels have very strong teeth, so opt for a metal cage over wood or plastic. Make sure to buy a secure cage as squirrels are good at getting through small spaces. Give your squirrel things to climb on. Make sure that your squirrel has things to climb on to mimic its natural environment, such as pieces of wood or clean, sturdy branches. Hanging parrot toys and perches are also suitable choices. Make sure that any hanging toys are securely installed in the cage before allowing your squirrel to crawl on them. Provide things for your squirrel to chew. Squirrels have strong teeth and a natural tendency to chew things, so provide them with things to chew. Chew bones will allow your squirrel to wear down their incisors without destroying other things, and may provide calcium to their diet. Sturdy chew toys are also a good choice, but should be cleaned every week to prevent the growth of bacteria. Position the cage near a window. Position your squirrel's cage near a window to give it access to sunlight. Proximity to the outdoors will mimic its natural living environment. Open the window whenever possible so that your squirrel can experience the sounds and smells of the outdoors. Give your squirrel a nest box. Squirrels like to have a secure and cozy place to sleep. Place a small cardboard box in the cage with a hole in it large enough for your squirrel to crawl in and out. You can also purchase a wooden nesting box for your squirrel at a pet store or online. Be sure that the nesting box you purchase has a hole large enough for your squirrel to get through. Provide bedding material for your squirrel. Make your squirrel's nesting box more comfortable by placing soft materials in it. Avoid using an old towel or terrycloth, as your squirrel's nails can get caught in the fabric loops. An old t-shirt, fleece blanket, or shredded newspaper are all good options. Replace the shredded newspaper or wash the t-shirt or blanket once a week. Remove and replace fabric from the nesting box if your squirrel chews it. Keep other pets away from the squirrel. To keep your pet squirrel safe, keep dogs and cats away from it. It is difficult to predict a squirrel's behaviour and even the most well-trained pet may cause it harm in self-defense. Squirrels are prone to biting and may also harm your other pets is cornered, threatened, or playing roughly. Socialize your squirrel. Handle your squirrel from a young age so that it gets accustomed to human contact. Avoid too much physical contact once the squirrel is about six months old, however, as its teeth and nails will grow in sharper. A happy squirrel may inadvertently cause harm to you or your family members. Take the squirrel to the vet for regular checkups. Bring your squirrel for yearly check-ups at a veterinarian experienced in squirrel care. The veterinarian's directions for diet, care, and treatment should be followed closely. You should also bring your squirrel to a veterinarian immediately if it exhibits signs of illness. | Make sure you know the relevant laws in your area. Look for veterinarians who will treat a squirrel. Make sure you adopt a squirrel at the right age. Leave the squirrel in the wild if you can. Buy rodent blocks. Provide a constant supply of water. Supplement your squirrel's diet. Limit seeds, corn, and nuts. Buy a suitable cage. Give your squirrel things to climb on. Provide things for your squirrel to chew. Position the cage near a window. Give your squirrel a nest box. Provide bedding material for your squirrel. Keep other pets away from the squirrel. Socialize your squirrel. Take the squirrel to the vet for regular checkups. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Strawberry-Flowers | How to Make Strawberry Flowers | To make strawberry flowers, start by pushing the base of a strawberry into a skewer. Then, carve the first outer petal by using a paring knife to slice a small section of the strawberry downwards about ¼ inch deep. Repeat around the base of the strawberry 4 to 6 times. Continue adding layers of petals, making shallow cuts around the berry, with each row having fewer petals than the one before. Finish by driving your knife downward into the top of the berry to create the look of final petals. | Gather your ingredients. Foremost, you'll want to get the best strawberries you can find. For your flowers, buy large strawberries that are bright red. Lightly press one of the strawberries with your thumb to test for firmness. If the strawberries are too soft, they will be hard to shape. The more uniform they are, the better your flowers will look. Wash and dry your strawberries before you make your flowers. You'll also need at least one skewer to hold the strawberry while you cut your petals into it. For cutting, use a small paring knife. Sharpen the knife before you begin for the best results. Push the base of your strawberry into the skewer. The base is the end of the strawberry with leaves. This will keep the berry in place while you create your flower. Only push the skewer in far enough to hold the berry firmly. You don't want to hit the skewer as you carve your top petals. Create the outer petals. Use the paring knife to slice a small section of your strawberry downwards toward the stem about one-fourth of an inch deep. Depending on the size of your strawberry, you should be able to get four to six of these petals circling around the bottom of your strawberry. After you make your incisions, use the flat of the knife to slightly bend each petal outwards, so it curls like a flower. As you cut, be careful to only cut into the strawberry slightly. Avoid removing any part of it. Add more layers of petals to your strawberry. You should be able to get about three to four rows of petals on a strawberry. Continue making slight cuts around the berry. Each row will have fewer petals as you move upward. As you get toward the top, make your cuts as thin and close to the skin of the berry as possible. This will help your petals curl outward and look more realistic. Finish the top of your strawberry flower. To do this, drive your knife downward into the top of your berry to create the look of final petals. After you make these final cuts, spin your flower around and look at it. Adjust it as you see fit. Make the petals deeper or curl them out more if you feel like this would improve the aesthetic. Add chocolate. To make your strawberry flowers more of a treat or special gift, you can add sweet drizzle of melted white, dark, or milk chocolate. For even more decadence and a geometric look, dip your strawberry flowers completely in chocolate. Melt chocolate chips or chopped up chocolate over a double boiler or in low power increments in the microwave. Stir often. To temper the chocolate, add a few extra pieces of solid chocolate to your melted chocolate and stir them in until they melt. To create an even drizzle, spoon your melted chocolate into a plastic sandwich bag. Cut off a tiny bit of one corner of the bag. Squeeze the chocolate onto your strawberry in this hole in the bag as though you are piping icing. Lay out your strawberries on wax paper to let the chocolate harden so that it doesn't become messy or smudged. Give your rose some sparkle. Interesting sprinkles can give your strawberry roses a pop of color and visual interest. For a touch of class, add single edible sugar pearls in the petals of your strawberries. You can find these at most grocery stories in the confectionary aisle. To add these pearls to your strawberries, use a dot of melted white chocolate as a kind of edible glue. Simply dip one side of the pearl in the chocolate, and then place it on one of the petals of your strawberry. Don't move the strawberries until this chocolate dries. Add multi-colored sprinkles. Rainbow sprinkles will transform your strawberries with a bit of whimsy. Adding sprinkles will make these fancy strawberries a kid-friendly treat. Adding sprinkles to your strawberries work best with chocolate. First, either dip your strawberry into melted chocolate or drizzle with the melted chocolate of your choice. While the chocolate is still wet, shake your sprinkles onto so that they stick. Allow your strawberries to dry on waxed or parchment paper. Create a bouquet. To add an element of realism to your strawberry flowers, display them atop flower stems. You can use stems from plastic flowers for a reusable option or cut the stems off of fresh flowers. For fresh stems, take a sharp knife to create a 45-degree angle on each of your stems. This will help them glide easily into the strawberries. Carefully stick your stems into the base of your strawberries where the skewers were. Only push them in far enough that the flowers feel secure. You don't want the stem to protrude from the top of your strawberry flower. Place your finished flowers in a vase of your choice to serve. If you don't want to use stems, you can also dye your skewers green. Mix some green food coloring and water in a large dish like a roasting pan. Then, lay all your skewers in the pan, and leave them to dye for 30 minutes. Lay them out on a paper towel to dry. Serve them at a party. Strawberry flowers are deceptively simple, and so they are an impressive refreshment at any gathering and party. Strawberry flowers are a beautiful addition to a wedding shower or baby shower served in a vase on either skewers or stems or added to a fruit plate. For a more adult treat, make the classic champagne and strawberries a little more lovely. Simply add a strawberry flower to the rim of each glass. To do this, make an approximately half-inch incision in the bottom of the strawberry, and then push it onto the side of the champagne flute. Add your strawberry flowers to baked goods. Whether it's for a party, your own enjoyment, or something like a bake sale, strawberry flowers can greatly enhance the appearance of cakes, cupcakes, and tarts. Add strawberry flowers to the top of your favorite strawberry shortcake recipe to make a classic just a bit more refined. To add strawberry flowers to a baked good, simply press them into the icing so that they stick and remain where you place them. Give your strawberry flowers away as a fresh gift. Many people give fruit baskets and fruit bouquets as gifts. A handmade strawberry flower bouquet can be a sweet gift to show you are thinking of someone. This is great for Mother's Day, a significant other, a birthday, or comforting someone who is ill or grieving. Tie a ribbon around your bouquet, and add a hand written note for a little personalization. Deliver your strawberry flowers as soon as you can, so they are fresh when the recipient gets them. | Gather your ingredients. Push the base of your strawberry into the skewer. Create the outer petals. Add more layers of petals to your strawberry. Finish the top of your strawberry flower. Add chocolate. Give your rose some sparkle. Add multi-colored sprinkles. Create a bouquet. Serve them at a party. Add your strawberry flowers to baked goods. Give your strawberry flowers away as a fresh gift. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Transport-a-Horse | How to Transport a Horse | To transport a horse, transport it in a tow trailer that's been properly connected to your vehicle. Line the bottom of the trailer with bedding for your horse, and make sure it has food and water for the trip. You should also tie your horse to the inside of the trailer so it doesn't move around while you're on the road. Also, remember to stop every 2-3 hours so your horse can stretch its legs, and stop every 12 hours so your horse can sleep before you continue on. | Obtain a commercial driver’s license for business-related trips. Private owners are free to transport livestock and other animals without the need for any special documentation. If you're relocating a horse as part of your job, however, you'll need to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) on file in your state. You can apply for your CDL by visiting the Driver Services Division of your local DMV. In order to be eligible for a CDL in the United States, you must be at least 21 years of age and hold a commercial learner's permit for 14 days or longer. You'll be issued your CDL by mail after passing a short exam and paying the associated fees, which vary state- to-state. Double-check that tow trailers have been properly connected. Turn the crank on the back of the trailer clockwise to raise the coupling. Align the coupling with your trailer hitch, then turn the crank counterclockwise to lower it into position. Take a moment to ensure that the two components fit together squarely. After hooking up the trailer, secure the connection site by sliding the latch pin into the slot at the top of the coupling. If you're going to be using your own vehicle to tow a horse trailer, study the vehicle's specifications to find out whether its towing capacity is equal to the trailer's Maximum Authorized Mass (MAM). For additional security, consider winding a length of chain around the hitch to act as a fail safe in the event that the trailer somehow comes uncoupled. You can't afford to rush your trailer hookup—the last thing you want is to slip a hitch on a busy highway or interstate with your horse in tow! Perform a thorough safety inspection of your vehicle. Examine the vehicle inside and out to look for damaged or dysfunctional components. Test all lights on both your towing vehicle and trailer and make sure secondary features like the windshield wipers and horn are fully operational. Don't forget to put air in your tires and top off your fuel and fluid levels if necessary, as well. It's also a good idea to keep a copy of your horse's legal and medical paperwork stashed in your glove compartment just in case you happen to get stopped. Taking the time to confirm that your vehicle is in good working order will help you avoid problems once you're on the road. Cover the floor of the truck or trailer with a rubber mat and bedding material. First, place a rubber mat along the entire length of the truck or trailer so your horse will have traction. This helps your horse avoid falling over on the smooth metal surface. Then, spread a thick layer of hay, wood shavings, or whatever bedding material your horse is used to over the entire bottom surface. Without a rubber mat, it's easy for a horse to accidentally fall while the trailer is moving. This will make the compartment more comfortable and inviting to your horse. It will also absorb any urine or manure that's released during the trip. Scattering some bedding onto the ramp when it comes time to load your horse can also improve its footing and help calm its nerves by presenting it with a familiar sight. The shavings also help lighten the feeling inside the trailer. Horses don't like going into dark spaces, as these places feel like a pit to them. You want your trailer to be as bright as possible. Feed and water your horse several hours before you set out. Before you attempt to load your horse into your truck or trailer, give it a hearty meal consisting of moist hay and clean, fresh water. A preliminary feeding is good for your horse's digestion, and will help it retain more energy while standing in one place for long periods of time. If your horse is reluctant to eat, try offering it a wet mash flavored with fresh fruits, vegetables, or molasses. Feed your horse early and allow it to eat at a comfortable pace. Forcing it to eat and drink at the last minute could cause undue stress, which will make the rest of the process much more difficult for both of you. Dress your horse from head to hoof with protective travel clothing. Slip a breakaway head collar onto your horse, along with poll, tail, and leg guards. Custom wraps or boots are another option. Make sure the accessories you're using are the right fit for your horse and appropriate for the weather and the conditions inside the trailer. If it's cold outside, you can also throw a couple blankets over your horse for added coziness and protection. Keep in mind, however, that temperatures can climb quickly inside a stuffy truck or trailer—you don't want your horse to overheat. Protective travel clothing is a must anytime you take your horse on the road, as it minimizes the risk of a severe injury during travel. Fit your horse with a halter and lead rope. Slip the halter over your horse's muzzle and around the top of its head just behind its ears. Cinch each of the buckle straps down until they're snug, but not too tight. Then, tie or connect your lead rope to the bottom of the halter. Use a breakaway halter so you horse won't accidentally hurt itself if it begins to struggle at any point. You'll be using the halter and lead rope to control your horse as you lead it into your transport vehicle. Guide your horse up the ramp of the vehicle slowly. Most horses will understandably be frightened to venture into a truck or trailer the first few times. It may help to enter the vehicle before your horse to demonstrate there's nothing inside to be afraid of. Give the lead rope a firm yet gentle tug if necessary to keep noncompliant horses moving. Ideally, ask someone else to help you get your horse into the trailer. It's best to have 2 people ushering the horse into the trailer, while 1 person helps from inside the trailer. However, only allow someone to get in the trailer if they can safely get out once the horse is loaded. Don't be frustrated if your horse tries to back out of the vehicle once or twice. They usually just do this to “test the waters” before finally settling in. Horses are sensitives creatures, and can be startled easily. Be patient and do your best to keep your horse relaxed while coaxing it into the vehicle. Tie up your horse inside the vehicle by its lead rope. As soon as you've directed your horse into its stall or chute, close the compartment door behind it to prevent it from escaping. Knot the lead rope around one of the rings on the upper wall or ceiling so your horse isn't tempted to wander while the vehicle is in motion. If time permits, spend a few minutes petting and talking to your horse before you lock up the truck or trailer and get your journey underway. When you're ready to unload, be sure to leave the door or gate of your vehicle closed until you've untied the lead rope and have control over your horse. Otherwise, it might bolt when it catches sight of the outdoors. Close and secure the door to the truck or trailer. Most horse trailers and lorries have single or double gate-style doors that swing open and closed. You should hear a faint click as the doors catch. Once they're shut, engage the locking latch or lower the butt bar across the doors and insert the latch pin to make sure they don't come open accidentally. It's essential the doors be correctly closed and locked. Otherwise, the trailer will be unsafe for your horse. Different vehicles come equipped with different locking mechanisms. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the design of your transport to minimize the chances of a mishap on the road. Provide food in a hay net and water in a secure container. Fill a hay net completely and attach it to the inside of the trailer where your horse can easily reach it. Additionally, provide plenty of fresh water in a container or bucket that's secured at either ground level or shoulder-height for your horse. Make sure your horse is facing its food and water supplies so it can easily consume them. Having food in front of it will cause your horse to move its head around to eat and drink. Continual head movement will reduce your horse's risk of contracting “shipping fever.” Shipping fever is a respiratory illness that's common among horses transported long distances in close quarters. It occurs when the animal is unable to drop its head to cough, which can result in bacteria being trapped inside its lungs. Be sure to refill your horse's food and water every few hundred miles to pacify it and keep its energy up. Take rest stops every 2-3 hours. Regular stops will give your horse a chance to rest its legs, which will undoubtedly be tired from constantly balancing to maintain stability in the back of the moving vehicle. This is also a good opportunity to replenish its food and water and take it out for a short energizing trot, if you're in a safe place to do so. The best time to trot your horse is when you're surrounded by miles of open pasture, desert, or other quiet, spacious terrain. Avoid letting your horse out of the truck or trailer if you're near a main road. Even if its not in immediate danger, the sounds of passing automobiles could cause it to spook, which will making wrangling it back into the vehicle a challenge. Similarly, don't unload your horse if you had a difficult time getting it into the trailer. Stop every 12 hours on longer trips to put your horse up for the night. If you've got a long road ahead of you, veterinarians recommend pulling over after about half a day's worth of travel time to give both you and your horse a much-needed break. Allow your horse to rest for at least 8 hours before you head on to your next stop. Plan your overnight stops in locations where you can rent a stall at a commercial stable. Horses experience travel exhaustion just like people do. If you find yourself feeling fatigued after a lengthy drive, chances are your horse is, too. Sanitize your truck or trailer thoroughly after arriving at your destination. Start by sweeping the leftover feed and soiled bedding material into a trash bag to discard separately. Pull up any removable floor mats, along with leads, haynets, and other loose fittings. Spray the floor, walls, and ceiling of the interior compartment with a power washer on a low pressure setting, then scrub them with a stiff-bristled brush and disinfectant soap while they're still wet. When you're done, rinse all exposed surfaces with your power washer. For health reasons, it's important to wear thick work gloves, a face mask or respirator, and protective long-sleeved clothing, especially if your animal has recently been sick. Always sanitize your transport within 24 hours of unloading your horse. | Obtain a commercial driver’s license for business-related trips. Double-check that tow trailers have been properly connected. Perform a thorough safety inspection of your vehicle. Cover the floor of the truck or trailer with a rubber mat and bedding material. Feed and water your horse several hours before you set out. Dress your horse from head to hoof with protective travel clothing. Fit your horse with a halter and lead rope. Guide your horse up the ramp of the vehicle slowly. Tie up your horse inside the vehicle by its lead rope. Close and secure the door to the truck or trailer. Provide food in a hay net and water in a secure container. Take rest stops every 2-3 hours. Stop every 12 hours on longer trips to put your horse up for the night. Sanitize your truck or trailer thoroughly after arriving at your destination. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Veil | How to Make a Veil | To make a veil, start by measuring from the top of your head down to the point on your body where you want your veil to fall, like your shoulder, elbow, or waist. Then, cut some fabric to that length, and sew 2 rows of stitches across the edge of the fabric that will be the top of your veil. Next, pull the bobbin threads to gather the fabric until it's the same length as a comb you want to use for your veil. Finally, stitch the bunched-up section of fabric to the comb to finish your veil. | Select the style of veil you would like to make. When you are choosing a veil, you have several options. Pick the length and style the best suits your personal aesthetic. Blusher: This shoulder length veil rests just below the shoulders of the bride. The standard length of the blusher is 22 inches long. Brides that want a double-tier veil often pair the blusher with a longer veil. Elbow length veil: This 25 inch veil rests at the bride's elbow. Waist length veil: The bottom of this 30 inch veil sits at the bride's waist. Mid-hip length veil: The mid-hip veil is 33 inches long. Hip length veil: The hip length veil reaches the bottom of the bride's hips. Its standard length is 36 inches. Fingertip veil: This veil brushes the tips of the bride's fingers. Its standard length is 45 inches. Waltz veil: This veil hits the bride just above the back of the knees. Its standard length is 54 inches. Ankle veil: The ankle veil sits just above the floor. Its standard length is 70 inches. Chapel veil: This veil has a short train. Its standard length is 90 inches. Cathedral veil: The Cathedral veil has a grander train than the chapel veil. Its standard length is 108 inches. Determine the length of the veil. The benefit of making your own veil is that you can easily customize the length to match the proportions of your body. Retrieve a measuring tape and ask a friend to assist you. Place and hold one end of the measuring tape where you intend to insert the clip or comb. Run the measuring tape down your back until it reaches the appropriate length (to shoulders, elbows, waist, mid-hips, hips, fingertips, top of your knees, ankles, 20 inches beyond your ankles, or 38 inches beyond your ankles). Write down the measurement. Determine the length of the second tier (if applicable). If you have decided to create a two-tier veil, drop veil, or full veil, you will need to make an additional measurement. Place the top of the measuring tape in the location you intend to insert the clip or comb. Run the measuring tape over the crown of your head, down the front of your face, to your collarbone. Write down this measurement. Determine how much fabric to get. If you are creating a single tier veil, you will need to purchase fabric that is as long or slightly longer than the measurement you wrote down. If you are creating a two-tier, drop, or full veil, add the first measurement to the second measurement. You will need to purchase fabric that is as long or slightly longer than the the sum of the two measurements. Iron your fabric. Lay your fabric on an ironing board. Gently iron out any folds or wrinkles. Once complete, lay out your fabric on a clean, large flat surface and smooth out the fabric. Cut your veil. Measure and mark the length of the veil. Retrieve a pair of fabric scissors. Carefully cut the fabric to the desired length. If you wish, you may round the bottom corners of the veil. Sew two rows of stitches across the top of the veil. Set your sewing machine to the largest stitch length. Sew a straight line of stitches across the top of the veil (widthwise) approximately 1 inch from the top edge. Do not backstitch or cut the bobbin thread short, but leave a long tail. Flatten the fabric. Sew a second straight row of stitches approximately 1.5 inches down from the first row. Leave a long bobbin thread. Pull the bobbin threads to gather the fabric. Gather both of the bobbin threads in one of your hands. Lose hold onto the veil at the stitch lines in your other hand. Pull on the bobbin threads as you gently push the fabric together. Stop gathering the fabric once it has reached the length of your comb. Tie each of the bobbin threads in knots. Trim the excess thread and fabric above the top row of stitches. Attach the comb. Grab your plastic or wire comb. Set it on a flat surface so that it curves up. Place the gathered edge of the veil on top of the comb—make sure that the side of the veil you want showing is facing up. Thread a needle. Stitch the veil to the comb by placing two to three stitches around each tooth of the comb. Cut off the needle and tie knots in the ends of the thread. Create the second tier. The second tier of a two-piece veil is created in the same manner. The length is only difference between the two veils. If you are creating a second, separate tier, repeat the process listed above. Cut the veil to the desired length. A full veil is made out of a single piece of fabric. It is folded in half to form two tiers: a longer veil that runs down your back and a blusher that is worn over the face in the ceremony.The total length of your full combines the first measurement (measurement of the longer veil) with the second measurement (measurement of the blusher). After adding together the two measurements, cut your veil to the appropriate length. Fold the material into quarters. Lay out the material on a flat, clean surface. Fold the material in half lengthwise. Fold the material in half widthwise. Round off corners. Locate the corner of the material where all four layers are separate. Use a pair of fabric scissors to round off the corners. You may measure this curve or choose to eyeball it. To achieve a smooth curve, carefully trim off the rough edges. Fold down the blusher. Unfold the material and lay it out flat once again. Fold the top edge of the veil down so that it lays on top of the bottom layer of material. Adjust the length of the top layer until it is as long as the blusher measurement. Stitch across the width of the veil near the fold, gathering the material as you go. Thread a needle. Insert the needle through both layers of material near the fold. Create a secure stitch on one end of the veil. As you continue stitching, gather the material. When you reach the other side, make sure the length of the gatherer material matches the length of your comb. Knot the thread and cut off the needle. Attach the comb to the veil. Place the comb, curved side up, on top of the gathered edge. The blusher should be the top layer. Use a threaded needle to attach the comb to the veil by stitching several times around each tooth. Cut the material to the appropriate length. A drop veil is created out of a single piece of fabric. The fabric is not gathered. The total length of your full combines the first measurement (measurement of the longer veil) with the second measurement (measurement of the blusher). Add together the two measurements and cut your veil to the appropriate length. Fold the material into quarters. Lay the material on a flat, clean surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Fold the material in half lengthwise. Fold the material in half widthwise. Round off corners. Find the corner of the folded material where all four layers are separate. Round off the corners with a pair of fabric scissors. You may eyeball the curve or measure the curve. After cutting, carefully trim off the rough edges. Fold down the blusher. Unfold lay the material out flat. Fold the top edge of the veil down so that it lays on top of the bottom layer of material. Adjust the length of the top layer until it matches the length of the blusher measurement. Find the center of the veil. Fold the material in half lengthwise. Mark the center fold of the veil with a pin. Unfold the veil. Attach the comb. Use the pin to help you center the hair comb, curved side up, along the top edge of your veil. Once you are pleased with your placement, remove the pin. Use a threaded needle to secure the comb to your veil. | Select the style of veil you would like to make. Determine the length of the veil. Determine the length of the second tier (if applicable). Determine how much fabric to get. Iron your fabric. Cut your veil. Sew two rows of stitches across the top of the veil. Pull the bobbin threads to gather the fabric. Attach the comb. Create the second tier. Cut the veil to the desired length. Fold the material into quarters. Round off corners. Fold down the blusher. Stitch across the width of the veil near the fold, gathering the material as you go. Attach the comb to the veil. Cut the material to the appropriate length. Fold the material into quarters. Round off corners. Fold down the blusher. Find the center of the veil. Attach the comb. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Create-Your-Own-Mythological-Creature | How to Create Your Own Mythological Creature | Mythological creatures are fantastical and often have supernatural powers like Medusa or fire-breathing dragons. To create your own, try mixing parts of different animals. For example, a centaur is half horse and half man. Think about the size of your creature. Many monsters in myths are huge, but it depends on what you want. You can also give your creature special abilities like flying, being able to change shape, or having supernatural strength. Consider what purpose your creature serves, like guarding a special treasure or being the companion to a great hero. If you're stuck for a name, look up Greek and Latin words that represent your creature's abilities for inspiration. | Give your creature a purpose. Thinking about the purpose of your mythological creature can help you to shape the development and look of your beast. This is especially important if you are creating a creature as a part of a game. Will your creature be a background part of a fantastical environment you want to create, a mount for a hero figure, or a fighter? Many mythological creatures have specific vocations or relationships to other creatures in a universe. Decide if you want your creature to be a companion to a creature that already exists. Discover the role you want your new creature to play in your mythology. Consider the personality traits of your creature. In addition to specific purposes, many mythological creatures also share certain moral and personality traits within their species. Think about what you want your creature to be like. Do you want your creature to be good or bad? Do you want it to be a singular, solitary beast, or do you want to create a legion of these creatures? For example, in Lord of the Rings , orcs were created as a dark, twisted mockery of elves and used in Sauron's army. What will the intelligence level of your creature be? Do you want it to be a trickster or strong but simplistic? Do you want it to be always good or self-serving? Assign your creature specific abilities. Based on the role you want your mythological creature to play in your fantasy universe, you need to give them attributes that will help them in that role. It can help to write down a list of attributes, and then narrow down that list to those essential for your creature. Some possible supernatural abilities include: Shape-shifting: the ability to change appearance at will Superb strength: a supernatural level of brute strength Flight: the ability to fly Underwater breathing: the ability to swim and breathe underwater Healing: the ability to heal wounds or sickness Foreshadowing: the ability to foresee or predict future events Climbing: the ability to scale walls or climb other tall structures without equipment Name your creature by using ancient words. To bring your creature into existence, you need to give it a name. Your name can be just a word that you like, or it can have a connection with your creature's abilities or physical attributes. Consider using Latin or Greek in your name. Many fantastic creatures in mythology have Latin or Greek-based names. Using ancient language is a way to name your creature based on attributes without the name sounding silly. For example, in Latin, the word “inpennatus” means feathered. So, if your creature can fly, you might name it Inpennatus, or a variation of the word, like Pennatus. Create your own unique name for your creature. If you don't want to name your creature using Latin or Greek word roots, you can make up an entirely new word to use as a name. One way to create a unique name for your creature is to make an anagram of one of its attributes. This simply means rearranging the letters of the word. For example, if your creature is a fighter, you might rearrange the letters in the word “fighter,” and call your creature a Rheftig. If you find it difficult to come up with names of your own, try an online name generator. These can help you find unique mythological names quickly. Think about the scale of your mythological creature. The size of your creature is a large part of its overall look. Whether your creature is large or small will be largely based on how you want others to perceive the creature. It can also correlate to the attributes you chose for your creature. For example: If you envision your creature to be a trickster or as being very sneaky, you might want to make it smaller in stature, like a leprechaun or an elf. If your creature has an attribute like supernatural strength, you may want it to be large in size to show off this attribute. Give your creature a surprising attribute. For example, a small creature with super strength could be surprising and advantageous. Consider texture and animal-like attributes. Many mythological creatures take on aspects of multiple normal animals, and thus become a more formidable composite creature. For example, the majestic hippogriff has the front half of a gryphon and the back half of a horse. Centaurs have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse. Think about the traits of your creature. If your creature is strong and a fighter, consider giving it a physical trait from a strong creature like an eagle, snake, or alligator. If your mythological creature has wings, decide what sort of wings you want them to be. Do you want feathered wings, bat-like wings, wings with scales, or insect wings? Do you want your creature to have scales, smooth skin, fur, or feathers on its body? Decide on a color for your mythological creature. Once you have determined the body type of your creature, you want to assign it a coloring. This might be a singular color or multiple colors. This coloring might be glossy or matte. Take the function of your creature into account. For example, if you want your creature to be camouflaged in its environment, you may want to give it a neutral color. A vibrant coloring, on the other hand, can show off its attributes and make your creature stand out. For example, the phoenix, also known as the firebird, has a bright orange and red coloring, which matches its name and abilities. Create accessories for you mythological creature. As well as creating the look for your mythological creature, you can also add on to their overall abilities and look with accessories like clothing and weapons. Consider armor. Will your creature's armor be purely natural, like scales, or do you also want to create something for you creature to wear? If you do want to accessorize your creature, think about what material and color you want these accessories to be. Sketch your creature. This will help you to see your finished creature as you envisioned it. You can draw with a pencil on paper or sketch your creature digitally. Take your time when you sketch your creature. Sketch it from multiple different angles to show off its various physical traits. Be sure to label the creature with its name. If you can't draw, ask someone to draw it for you. Alternatively, find similar pictures online and trace over them. Add color to your sketch. Color will bring life to your mythological creature. You can use it to add detail to your drawing. With color, you'll be able to see your full vision for your creature drawn out on paper. Use markers, crayons, or colored pencils for simple, mess-free color. If you want to create a more complex type of artwork, try using paints. Oil, acrylic, and watercolor will all work for your project. Alternatively, scan your image into the computer and paint it digitally using an image editing program, such as Photoshop. Write about your mythological creature. Storytelling is an essential part of mythology and bringing your creation to life in your mythological world. Start by simply writing down all of your creature's abilities. Give you creature an origin story, or even multiple alternate origin stories. This is simply an account of where the creature originated. For example, by one account in Greek mythology, centaurs came into being when Ixion fell in love with the wife of Zeus, Hera. Ixion arranged to meet with Hera, but Zeus found out and formed a cloud into the shape of Hera. When Ixion embraced the cloud form, centaurs were made from the union. In addition to origin stories, you can also create stories of the journeys your creature has gone on, and/or the battles it has fought. Weave your mythological creature into a larger narrative. You'll have to decide whether you want to add your mythological creature to the lore of a world that already exists in a book, movie, or game, or create your own world. Write about how your creature relates to others in the world you choose. Does it have specific allies or enemies? Think about communication. What type of language does your creature have? What is its personality temperament? You can write stories, lists, or create graphic style artwork to weave your creature into a larger mythology. | Give your creature a purpose. Consider the personality traits of your creature. Assign your creature specific abilities. Name your creature by using ancient words. Create your own unique name for your creature. Think about the scale of your mythological creature. Consider texture and animal-like attributes. Decide on a color for your mythological creature. Create accessories for you mythological creature. Sketch your creature. Add color to your sketch. Write about your mythological creature. Weave your mythological creature into a larger narrative. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kennel-Train-an-Older-Dog-That-Barks | How to Kennel Train an Older Dog That Barks | If you want to kennel train your older dog that barks, make sure its crate is big enough for it to turn around and stand inside so it doesn't feel claustrophobic. In addition to having a spacious crate, try to make it as comfortable as possible with blankets or a dog bed so it's more appealing for your older dog. When you first introduce it to the kennel, leave the door open and give it treats to help it relax. Once it's used to being in the cage, start closing the door for short periods of time so your dog doesn't get too anxious. Then, increase the time until your dog is comfortable for longer periods. However, you shouldn't leave your dog in its cage for more than 4 hours during the day. You should always take your dog for a short walk and let it relieve itself before shutting it inside the kennel, so it doesn't need to do its business inside. | Make sure you have the right type of crate. Wire crates are usually a good choice for most dogs. Make sure the dog can stand up completely and put his head up completely in the crate that you've chosen. Make sure the crate is large enough for the dog to turn around easily. A good rule of thumb is to read the recommended size on the box the crate comes in and then get one size larger to account for growth and to provide for the comfort of your pet. Walk the dog before kennel training. The best time to train an older dog is after a little bit of exercise, when it's been worn out a little. It's also good to give the animal an opportunity to do its business in the outdoors, before being locked in the kennel for any amount of time. Even if it's going to be a brief intro at first, it's important to establish a routine. Keep in mind that old dogs might have difficulty holding in their waste over longer periods. An animal with full bowel control will usually avoid making a mess in their cage and don't want to sleep in their poop any more than you do. Choose a command word that you'll use each time you want your dog to get in its kennel. Popular choices are "cage" or "kennel" or "kennel up." Get your dog's attention, then use the command word. They won't have a clue what you're talking about at first, so gently lead them to the cage. Repeat your command word a few times while you do this. Make the crate seem comfortable. Put a comfortable blanket or dog bed in the crate and make sure that it is the most comfortable thing available for the dog to lie down on. This will make the dog more likely to voluntarily go into the crate. Start introducing the kennel to your dog in short sessions. Once you have the correct equipment, you can start introducing your dog to the crate. You need to help the dog understand that the kennel is a safe place and not a punishment before you require the dog to stay in the kennel for a long period of time. Begin by putting the kennel in the dog's space with the door left open all the time. When you first bring the crate home, don't put it together with the dog close by. A crate can seem very strange to a dog and can be intimidating. Instead, take the dog out of the area, assemble the crate, put it in a corner, and let the dog come check it out on his own terms. Praise the dog for going in, not for coming out. Do not ever praise the dog when you let the dog out. Instead, praise the dog as he goes in. When you let him out, say nothing. This helps to establish that going into the kennel is a good thing, and coming out is a normal and regular thing that the dog doesn't need to get excited about. Feed the dog in the crate. Start by feeding the dog a few times in the crate, and leave the door wide open. At first, put the food bowl halfway into the crate, so the dog can eat with his body half in and half out of the crate. Gradually move the food to the back of the crate. Once the dog willingly stands inside the crate to eat the whole meal, reach in and move the food bowl to the front of the crate. When the dog turns to face you, close the door halfway. Let the dog continue to go in and out of the crate as he eats. You want to move the bowl so that you are not closing the door behind him. If he is facing you to eat, he can see what you are doing. Try closing the dog in the crate for short periods of time. When the dog is no longer apprehensive about being in the crate with the door halfway, begin leading the dog into the crate with a treat. Give the treat in the crate and close the door while he eats it. As soon as the dog is finished with the treat, let him out right away. Continue to feed all meals in the crate. Gradually increase the amount of time the dog stays in the crate after the treat is finished, and until the dog is comfortable resting quietly in the crate. If the dog gets up and barks at five minutes, for example, let the dog out at four minutes for a while. Then slowly increase the time you wait. Try to let the dog out before it starts making noise. If you miss the chance, try to wait for the dog to stop barking briefly before you open the kennel. If you let the dog out every time he starts barking, you're teaching him to open the door by barking. Don't leave the dog in the crate for extended period of time. Crates are ok for dogs to sleep in at night and to stay in for a little while during the day, but it's not a longterm solution to caring for your animal. No dog should be left in the crate during the day for more than four hours at a time without exercise and potty breaks. Water should be available at all times and dogs that are new to crates should be supervised until they get used to being in left in the crate alone. If your dog is barking, whining, drooling, panting, restless, standing or turning around continuously, or pawing at the door to get out, do not force the dog to stay inside. Have patience. Unlike with puppies, which don't have habits they've been forming for their entire lives, adult dogs may have spent years without ever entering a crate. This means they're probably going to be a lot more resistant to the idea and may fight against it more. Your job is to bear with them and keep trying. Over time, most adult dogs will come to accept a crate with the right training. | Make sure you have the right type of crate. Walk the dog before kennel training. Choose a command word that you'll use each time you want your dog to get in its kennel. Make the crate seem comfortable. Start introducing the kennel to your dog in short sessions. Praise the dog for going in, not for coming out. Feed the dog in the crate. Try closing the dog in the crate for short periods of time. Try to let the dog out before it starts making noise. Don't leave the dog in the crate for extended period of time. Have patience. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Legal-Disclaimer-for-Your-Business | How to Write a Legal Disclaimer for Your Business | A legal disclaimer is a short paragraph that describes any possible risks your business or products could pose to customers. It's meant to protect you and your business from any liabilities if things don't go as planned. Before you write one, figure out what potential liabilities you have. For example, if you sell gym equipment, you could be held liable for a customer's injury while using one of your products. Alternatively, if you sell vacation packages, you could be held liable if a customer gets lost or injured during the trip. Once you understand your liabilities, write your disclaimer by listing the potential risks of your product or service. You might say, “Notice of risk: This product can at times involve risk of injury, property damage, and other dangers.” Additionally, if your business involves third party contractors, you could say, “We cannot be held responsible for the failure of contractors to perform duties.” | Identify the goods or services you provide. You will need a disclaimer if you provide goods or services, but the requirements of the disclaimer will depend on what you provide. Goods may be tangible (like a hammer) or intangible (like information). You can usually lump "goods and services" together in your disclaimer. Also the good provided may be both tangible and intangible. For example, you might sell paintings. A painting is both a tangible good (the canvas and paint) and an intangible good (the likeness depicted). If you created it, it also represents a service. Think about the liability you might be subjected to. Whenever you sell goods or services, you open yourself up to legal liability. A person may be injured by your product, or they may want a refund because the product does not work as advertised. If your business offers an opportunity to participate in an activity or to use equipment, such as a tour group or a gym, you will definitely want a disclaimer to avoid being held liable in the case of injury. You can find a sample liability disclaimer here. Alternately, someone may rely on information you provide to their detriment. They might then want to turn around and sue you for “causing” their injury. Some people may also claim injury from words alone. If you write about people, those people could claim that you harmed them because the information was false and malicious. Although defamation cases require the false statement to be untruthfully or negligently presented as a statement of fact, you don't want to give anyone even the possibility of a reason to try to bring a case against you. You should also write a disclaimer if you run a social media page or website where others can leave comments, so that you cannot be held responsible for someone else's words. Identify the rights you want to protect. Legal disclaimers also protect your legal rights from infringement by other people. Intangible property, such as intellectual property, is often vulnerable to infringement. If your intellectual property includes something such as a system or a method of doing something, you should file for a patent if possible. A trademark will protect words, phrases, symbols, and designs that identify your goods or services, such as your business's logo or signature phrase. If you write, or create images or music, then you will want to assert your rights to that intellectual property. Although your copyright exists from the moment you create your intellectual property, you still want to bring that information to the attention of consumers. Registering your work creates a "paper trail" so that it is easier to prove that your property is yours. Understand the limitations of legal disclaimers. Before drafting, you should be aware that a legal disclaimer cannot completely insulate you from liability. For example, you may try to disclaim liability for any injuries caused by your negligence, but that disclaimer will often be legally ineffective. Nevertheless, to protect yourself as much as possible you should still write a broad disclaimer. A customer reading a disclaimer may assume that he cannot sue you and therefore not pursue a case. Limit liability for tangible goods. Legal disclaimers should always be written with possible lawsuits in mind. This will allow you to consider the discrete terms of your disclaimer. In your disclaimer, cover any and all liabilities for the product or service that you provide. You should warn consumers of any dangers or hazards posed by your product. You should list specific risks while at the same time acknowledging that the list is not exhaustive. For example, you could write, “NOTICE OF RISK. This product [or service] can at times involve substantial risk of injury, property damage, and other dangers. Dangers peculiar to such activities include, but are not limited to, [list the dangers].” You may want to limit the time period in which someone can return a product or seek a refund to avoid being held liable, for example, for normal wear-and-tear to the item. Be as specific as possible. For example, you might state, “We do not accept returns or exchanges after 30 days unless the item you purchased is defective. If you received a defective item, please contact us at [inset contact information] with details of the defect. You can send the item you consider defective to: [insert address].” Limit liability for intangible property. If you provide an intangible good, such as information, then you will want to limit your liability for causing offense or damage. However, in general, you cannot limit your liability if you willfully and intentionally provide false statements of fact. (Exceptions may be made in the case of parody and satire.) You can attempt to protect yourself from liability for defamation by stating, “The information provided herein is the author's opinion and provided for entertainment purposes only.” The key to protecting yourself is to make the reader aware that the post is opinion, not provable fact. If you are providing information, you might want to include a disclaimer as to its accuracy. Here is a disclaimer from the U.S. Department of the Interior: "While the Department of the Interior strives to make the information on this website as timely and accurate as possible, the department makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site." You may also want to warn others against relying on the information. If you publish information about health and medicine, for example, you may want to include a long disclaimer, stating that you are not providing medical advice and encouraging readers to seek professional medical assistance. Limit liability for services. If your business provides a service, activity, or opportunity to use products or equipment, you will want to protect yourself against being held liable for your customers' use of those things. For example, if you own a gym, you would include in your disclaimer language that the customer acknowledges there are certain risks inherent in using exercise equipment and that the customer assumes all responsibility for her use of the equipment. However, you should note that a disclaimer is not likely to protect you from liability if the injury is caused to your own negligence or your failure to maintain your equipment properly. Protect your rights. Just as you want to limit your potential exposure to lawsuits, you want to protect your rights in your product and warn others against infringement. For example, if you provide original content created by you, you might want to state: "All content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without express written consent of the author." You should note that copyright in the US is a complex legal concept and is not unlimited. For example, the "fair use" doctrine allows others to use your content in certain circumstances and under certain conditions. ] Limit your responsibility for third parties. This is especially important if your business displays advertising, uses outside vendors, or has a website or social media page that is open to public comment. For example, if you run a wedding planning business, you could include in your disclaimer that you cannot be held responsible for the failure of contractors (decorators, musicians, etc.) to perform their duties. Your liability disclaimer can extend to include third parties such as subcontractors, if you desire. Include terms and conditions and a privacy statement. Terms and conditions spell out the rights and responsibilities of you, the business, and your customer. Your disclaimer can then exempt you from responsibility if the customer does not abide by the terms and conditions. A privacy policy describes how your business will gather and use customer information. You can find a sample template for a privacy policy at the Better Business Bureau website here. For example, if you sell computers, you could include in your terms and conditions that you are not responsible for damage to the computer if the customer does not use it appropriately. If you own a coffee shop with wi-fi, you could include that you do not collect personal information over wi-fi, but that others could possibly do so. By agreeing to those terms and conditions, the customer agrees to be responsible for any information sharing if she uses your wi-fi. Include your contact information. Provide as many different ways of contacting you as possible, unless you feel uncomfortable providing personal information. At a minimum, you should provide an email address. Contact information also helps generate business. If someone wants to license your image, song, poetry, or essay, then providing contact information helps facilitate that. Include language about requesting permission to use material: “The contents of all material available on this website are copyrighted unless otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved and content may not be reproduced, downloaded, disseminated, published, or transferred in any form or by any means, except with the prior written permission of [insert your name]. Requests for permission to reuse copyrighted content should be submitted to [your address].” Make customers aware of your disclaimer. You should place the disclaimer in a place where it will be visible to the public. If you are using a risk disclaimer, then it must be highly visible. Use boldface so that it is conspicuous. It is extremely important to document that your customers have seen and acknowledged the disclaimer. The easiest way to do that is to ask them to sign an acknowledgement (or click through, if you are online). Cover all of your bases. Have your legal disclaimer on any paperwork that your customer might come across to guarantee that they see it. | Identify the goods or services you provide. Think about the liability you might be subjected to. Identify the rights you want to protect. Understand the limitations of legal disclaimers. Limit liability for tangible goods. Limit liability for intangible property. Limit liability for services. Protect your rights. Limit your responsibility for third parties. Include terms and conditions and a privacy statement. Include your contact information. Make customers aware of your disclaimer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Boyfriend-If-You-Are-Overweight | How to Get a Boyfriend If You Are Overweight | While it can seem difficult to get a boyfriend if you're overweight, staying positive and taking care of your appearance will put you on the right track to meeting Mr. Right! If you don't feel great about your body, start by building a positive body image to boost your confidence. To do this, wear clothes that are flattering and try out a new hairstyle every once in a while to help yourself feel great. When you talk to guys, try your best to smile and be outgoing, since confidence is the key to being attractive. If you don't know where to meet people, ask your friends and family if they know anyone they could set you up with. Alternatively, if you're an adult, use online dating sites to find someone special! | Think positively. It can be frustrating trying to meet the right guy. It might make you anxious, or even sad. That's normal, but those types of thoughts won't help you to find a boyfriend. Shift your mindset so that you focus on thinking positive thoughts. Release negativity. If you find yourself thinking, "You'll never meet someone", let that thought go. Replace it with a thought like, "I'm proud of myself for putting in effort." Try a gratitude journal. Spend 5-10 minutes a day writing down things you are thankful for. This will help you reflect on the positive aspects of your life. You could write things such as, "I'm grateful that my best friend and I both got cast in the school play" or "I'm glad my parents trust and respect me." Focus on your strengths. Try to spend some time each day reflecting on what you most like about yourself. You can choose any attributes you like! You can give yourself compliments out loud, or you can try writing them down. For example, you might look at yourself in the mirror and say to yourself, "You have a great smile!" You might leave yourself a note on your laptop that says, "You are an excellent writer!" Try hanging a note in your locker that says something like, "You're an awesome singer!" Achieve goals. Conquering your goals is a great way to build your confidence. First, set specific goals. Remember to include both long term and short term goals. Then, make a plan to achieve each one. A short term goal could be, "Avoid going out to eat for 1 week." You can accomplish this goal by meal planning and packing lunches to take to work. A long term goal might be, "Get promoted in 1 year." Write down specific ways to accomplish this, such as taking on more responsibility at work. You could try, "Make the honor roll this semester" or "Join a new after school club". Checking each goal off of your list will be a serious confidence boost! Build a positive body image. In today's society, it is easy to feel like you might be overweight. It can be hard to feel good about yourself when constantly faced with photos of super thin celebrities. Try to remember, these images are often airbrushed. And the ones that aren't are often not realistic for most people. Remember that everyone's body is different. People are different heights, builds, and everyone has a different metabolism. Think about what you like about your body. For instance, "I'm glad my legs are strong enough to let me go on these long hikes that I love." Tune out negativity. Don't listen to negative comments or any type of body shaming. Find a female role model who looks real and healthy. This could be anyone from your mom to Amy Schumer. Take care with your appearance. Sometimes you can boost your confidence by focusing on feeling great about the way you look. Spend some time each day carefully grooming and putting yourself together. You'll find it to be an instant mood booster! Wear clothes that make you feel confident. Do you feel you look best in jewel tones? Find a great ruby red sweater to wear to work. Try a new hairstyle. Have you always wanted to try shorter hair? Go for it! Experimenting with new looks can be a lot of fun and help you feel great. Polish your smile. A great smile is everyone's best accessory. Try using some whitening strips to brighten yours. Don't worry about being trendy. Maybe the latest trend at school is high waisted jeans. Those just don't look good on everyone, and that's ok. Dress for your body type. Ask a friend for advice. You can say, "Do you think this tight sweater is the best look for me?" Be open to feedback. Exercise to boost your mood. You might dread going to the gym if you don't feel confident about your body. But exercise can actually elevate your mood. Working up a sweat is a great way to feel good about yourself and increase your energy. Meet with a trainer. Many gyms offer a complimentary introductory session with a pro. Get tips on the workouts that are right for you. Try a group class. Grab a friend and hit a spinning or barre class. Head outside. Exercising outdoors can help you get more fresh air and sunshine, which can also boost your mood. Join a team. Tryout for soccer or field hockey. List your priorities. One of the most important parts of getting a boyfriend is to meet someone that you'd like to date. Before you head out looking for guys, take a few minutes to think about what you want. List the priorities that you're looking for in a potential boyfriend. Maybe common interests is your top priority. For instance, do you love to ride your bike? Make it a priority to find someone who also enjoys that activity. You can also list important personality traits: honesty, compassion, and a great sense of humor are all good examples. Utilize your network. Your friends and family can be a great resource in your hunt for someone to date. In fact, most people report that they met their partners through friends and family. Let your network of friends know that you are open to meeting new people. You can say, "Hey, Stacy. I'm interested in meeting someone. Do you know any eligible guys that I might be interested in?" You might try, "Ellen, that guy that sits next to you in English seems nice. Can you mention my name to him and see if he sounds interested?" Accept invitations to gatherings. You never know who will be at Aunt Maureen's BBQ! If you are working on building a positive body image, it might feel more comfortable to meet people through your circle. After all, it's unlikely that your best friend would set you up with a jerk who makes negative comments about your appearance. Use technology. These days, a large percentage of relationships begin online. Forget about the old stigmas! Use technology to your advantage and put yourself out there to meet the man of your dreams. Or even just someone fun to hang out with! Online dating might be a great way to go if you are feeling insecure about your appearance. You will usually have to post a picture. This is helpful, because anyone who approaches you already knows (and accepts) what you look like. Always be honest in your profile. For example, don't post a picture of yourself from 10 years ago. Use caution when meeting someone online. Don't give out personal information, such as your home address or where you work. Reputable dating sites likely won't allow teens to use them. That's ok. You can still use technology to your advantage. Come up with a clever Instagram post and tag your crush. You could also make a cute Snapchat and sent it to a group of friends--including the guy you like. You're sure to get his attention! Be outgoing. When you meet someone, try to focus on the conversation. This will help you put aside any nagging concerns you might have about your weight. Instead, work on your people skills and make an effort to chat up that cute guy you see at the party. Be upbeat. Try not to discuss any depressing or controversial topics when you first meet someone. Don't be afraid to make the first move. Casually walk up to someone at a party and say, "I don't think we've met. Are you a friend of Katie's?" Be ready to meet someone. It's great to have a plan and work your network, but you really can meet a guy anywhere. Keeping your eyes open in everyday situations can allow you to see new possibilities everywhere you go. Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation at any of the following places: The grocery store. "I love hummus. Is that kind good?" In an airport lounge. "Are you traveling for business or pleasure?" At your local coffee shop. "I haven't seen you here before. You must not have quite the caffeine addiction that I do." School is a great place to meet people. Join several different activities, such as the school paper, so that you can meet a wide variety of guys. Have reasonable expectations. When you meet someone, don't expect it to immediately develop into a meaningful relationship. Be patient. Allow some time to get to know one another. If you are uncomfortable about your weight, you should feel free to talk about it. For example, you might say "No, thanks. I don't feel like splitting desert. I'm trying to eat healthy." Remember to be yourself. And remember that your date is there because he is interested in you. Build a connection. As you get to know each other, spend time learning about the things you have in common. Don't be afraid to share your likes and dislikes. For example, you could say, "I'm really into horror movies. Do you want to have a movie marathon with me next Friday?" Do things together. Activities are a great way to build a connection. Try something new together, like dance lessons or a cooking class. Learning is a great way to boost your confidence, too. Focus on fun. When you're in the early stages of dating, try not to take things too seriously. Having fun is a key component to any healthy relationship. If you're not having fun with the guy, or if he makes you feel bad about yourself, it might be time to reconsider. Laugh together. Go to a comedy club or watch funny videos on YouTube. Be playful. If you pass a playground, don't be afraid to take a turn on the swings. Communicate effectively. Communication is key in any relationship. To build your relationship, make sure that you effectively express yourself. Don't be afraid to share your feelings. For example, you could say, "I'd really rather not spend the day at the pool. I'm not feeling very confident these days. But I'm working on that. Can we find another way to spend the afternoon together?" Be direct, honest, and respectful. | Think positively. Focus on your strengths. Achieve goals. Build a positive body image. Take care with your appearance. Exercise to boost your mood. List your priorities. Utilize your network. Use technology. Be outgoing. Be ready to meet someone. Have reasonable expectations. Build a connection. Focus on fun. Communicate effectively. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Insert-an-IV | How to Insert an IV | Before you insert an IV, wash your hands and put on sterile gloves to avoid the risk of infection. Then, find a prominent vein, and apply a tourniquet behind it so it swells and is easier to insert into. Next, disinfect the IV site with an alcohol wipe. When you're ready, stabilize the patient's limb with your non-dominant hand, and insert the needle into the vein. As you press the needle into the vein, reduce the angle between the needle and the skin. Once you're finished, pull the needle about 1 centimeter out of the vein, and slowly press the catheter into the vein. Now, remove the tourniquet, and secure the catheter with a bandage. After you've applied the bandage, carefully pull the needle all the way out of the vein, and insert the primed IV tubing into the catheter hub. Finally, secure the IV to the patient's skin with tape. | Gather your materials. Though starting an IV isn't nearly as serious of an undertaking as more complicated procedures, it still requires the same basic level of preparation and precaution as any minor medical procedure. Before you begin, you'll want to have all of the tools and equipment you need handy and you'll want to be sure that any materials which will come into contact with the patient's body — especially your needles — are fresh and sterile. To start a typical IV line, you will need: Sterile disposable gloves Appropriate size "over-the-needle" IV catheter (typically 14 - 25 gauge) Bag of IV fluid Non-latex tourniquet Sterile bandage or dressing Gauze Alcohol wipes Medical tape Sharps container Sterile pad or paper (set small tools out on this to keep them close at hand) Introduce yourself to the patient. An important part of the process of starting an IV is introducing yourself to the patient and explaining the procedure that's about to occur. Talking to patients and sharing this basic information helps put them at ease and ensures that no part of the process surprises or shocks them. In addition, it ensures that you have their full consent to proceed. When you're done, have the patient lay or recline where they'll be receiving their IV. When patients are nervous, their veins may contract somewhat in a process called vasoconstriction. This makes it harder to start an IV, so make sure your patient is as relaxed and comfortable as possible before proceeding. You may want to ask whether the patient has had any trouble with IVs in the past. If so, the patient may be able to tell you which sites are easiest to access. Prepare the IV tubing. Next, prime the IV tubing by suspending the IV bag from an elevated stand, filling the tubing with saline solution, and checking for any bubbles. If necessary, clamp the tubing so that the solution doesn't drip onto the floor. Be sure to remove any bubbles from the tubing by gently tapping, squeezing, or flushing them out of the line. A dated and signed sticker should then be placed on both the IV tubing and the IV bag. Injecting air bubbles into a patient's bloodstream can cause a serious condition called an embolism. One easy technique for removing bubbles from the IV tubing is to uncoil the tubing to its full length and run the roller valve all the way up to the drip chamber. Next, puncture the IV bag with the tubing spike and pinch the drip chamber. Open the roller valve and release the line — fluid should flow down the length of the tubing without producing any bubbles. Choose a suitable-gauge catheter for the situation. Typically, IV catheters are mounted over the needle used to puncture the vein. After the vein is accessed, the catheter is left in place for easy access to the vein. Catheters come in different sizes called gauges. The smaller the gauge number, the thicker the catheter and the more rapidly medicine can be administered and blood can be drawn. However, thick catheters are also cause more painful insertion, so it's important not to use a catheter that's bigger than you need. In general, for IVs, you'll need a catheter that's about 14-25 gauge. Tend towards higher-gauge (thinner) catheters for children and the elderly, but tend towards lower-gauge (thicker) catheters when rapid transfusion is needed. Put on sterile gloves. Inserting an IV pierces the skin and introduces foreign equipment directly into the bloodstream. To avoid the risk of a dangerous infection, it's important to wash your hands and dry them with a clean paper towel before beginning, then put on sterile gloves before you handle your equipment and touch the patient. If at any point your gloves' sterility becomes compromised, take them off and put on a new pair; it's better to be safe than sorry. Below are situations where most medical standards require changing gloves: Before touching the patient Before clean/aseptic procedures (like administering IV medications) After procedures with a risk of body fluid exposure After touching the patient After touching the patient's surroundings Before moving to a different patient Look for prominent veins. Next, you'll want to find a site on the patient to administer the IV. For adult patients, the most accessible veins are long, straight ones in upper extremities that aren't near joints and are furthest from the body. For children, the scalp, hand, or foot is more preferable as an IV site than a leg, arm or elbow fold. While any accessible vein can be used to start an IV, it's best to avoid veins in the patient's dominant hand. If your patient has a history of hard-to-reach veins, ask where doctors have previously had success. Usually, patients with previous difficult IV experiences will know where their veins are most accessible. Note that, regardless of the presence of veins, there are certain places you won't want to insert an IV. These include: Places where the IV will interfere with surgery In the same location as another recent IV In a site that shows signs of infection (redness, swelling, irritation, etc.) In a limb on the same side of the body as a mastectomy or vascular graft (this can lead to complications) Apply a tourniquet. To get your chosen veins to swell up for easy insertion, apply a tourniquet behind (in the direction of the torso) the intended IV site. For instance, if you're going to insert the IV into the typical site of the underside of the forearm, you might put the tourniquet part of the way up the upper arm. Don't tie the tourniquet too tight — this can cause bruising, especially in the elderly. It should be tight, but not so tight that you can't slip a finger underneath. Letting the limb hang limp towards the floor while a tourniquet is in place can help the veins become more prominent by increasing the blood flow to the limb. Palpate the vein if necessary. If you're having a hard time finding suitable veins, it can be helpful to palpate the patient's skin in the area of the IV site. Align your finger in the direction of the vein, then press down on the skin above it. You should feel the vein "push back". Continue pressing with a bouncing motion for about 20-30 seconds.The vein should become visibly larger. Disinfect the IV site. Next, tear open a fresh alcohol wipe (or use a similar sterilising method like chlorhexidine) and apply it to the skin in the area that the IV will be inserted. Wipe gently but thoroughly, ensuring an even coat of alcohol. This kills bacteria on the skin, minimizing the chance of infection when the skin is punctured. Prepare the catheter for insertion. Remove the catheter from its sterile packaging. Briefly inspect it to ensure that it is intact and working. Press down on the flashback chamber to ensure it is tight. Spin the catheter hub to ensure it sits loosely on the needle. Remove the protective cap and inspect the needle, taking care to ensure the needle doesn't touch anything. If everything looks in order, prepare to insert the needle. Don't allow the catheter or needle to come into contact with anything other than the patient's skin in the IV site. This can compromise their sterility and increase the risk of infection. Insert the needle. Use the non-dominant hand to stabilise the patient's limb with gentle pressure, taking care not to touch the IV site directly. Take the catheter in your dominant hand and insert the needle (bevel facing up) through the skin. Reduce the angle of insertion as you advance the needle into the vein — use a shallow-angled approach. Look for a flashback of blood at the catheter hub. This is a sign that you've successfully hit the vein. Once you see the flashback, advance the needle one more centimeter (cm) into the vein. If you miss the vein, explain and try again. Inserting an IV is a delicate art — sometimes, even experienced doctors and nurses miss the vein on their first attempt, especially if the patient has difficult-to-hit veins. If you advance the needle and don't see a flashback of blood, explain to the patient that you've missed and are going to try again. Try to be pleasant to the patient — this process can be painful. If you repeatedly miss the vein, apologize to the patient, remove the needle and catheter, and try again on a different limb with a fresh needle and catheter. Attempting numerous inserts on the same vein can be very painful for the patient and leave lasting bruising. You might comfort the patient by explaining why it didn't work and also saying something like, “Sometimes these things just happen. It's no one's fault. We should get it right next time.” Remove and discard the needle. Maintaining pressure on the skin, pull the needle ( only the needle — not the catheter) about 1 centimeter (0.4 in) back out of the vein. Slowly advance the catheter into the vein while maintaining pressure on the vein and skin. When the cannula is seated in the vein, remove the tourniquet and secure the catheter by placing a sterile bandage or dressing (like Tegaderm) over the lower half of the catheter hub. Be sure not to block the the IV tubing connection with your dressing. Remove the needle and insert the tubing. Hold onto the catheter hub with your thumb and index finger. Keep it securely seated in the vein. Using your other hand, carefully pull the needle (and only the needle) out of the vein. Dispose of the needle in a proper sharps container. Next, remove the protective cover from the end of the primed IV tubing and carefully insert it into the catheter hub. Secure it in the catheter by screwing and locking in place. Secure the IV. Finally, secure the IV against the patient's skin. Place a piece of tape over the catheter hub, then make a loop in the catheter tubing and tape this down with a second piece of tape over the first. Secure the other end of the loop above the site of the IV with a third piece of tape. Putting loops in the tubing reduces the strain on the IV catheter, making it more comfortable for the patient and less likely to accidentally be removed from the vein. Make sure there are no kinks in the loop — this can interfere with the flow of fluids into the bloodstream. Don't forget to place a label with the date and time of insertion on the IV dressing. Check the flow of fluid into the IV. Open the IV roller clamp and look for drips forming in the drip chamber. Check that the IV is infusing into the vein by occluding the vein (pressing down on it to block its flow) distal to the site of the IV (away from the torso). The flow of drips should slow and stop, then restart flowing when you stop occluding the vein. Change the dressing as needed. IVs left in for an extended period of time are at a greater risk of infection than IVs used only for a single operation or procedure. To reduce the risk of infection, it's important to carefully remove the dressing, clean the site of the IV, and put a new dressing in place. In general, transparent dressings should be changed roughly weekly, while gauze dressings should be changed more frequently because they don't allow observation of the IV site. Don't forget to wash your hands and wear a fresh pair of gloves every time you touch a patient's IV site. This is especially important for when you're changing dressings, as the use of long-term IV connections is associated with an increased rate of infection. Remove the IV safely. To remove an IV, first, close the roller clamp to stop the flow of fluid. Gently remove the tape and dressing to expose the catheter hub and IV site. Place a clean piece of gauze over the IV site and apply delicate pressure as you pull the catheter out, slowly. Secure the gauze over the puncture site with tape or a bandage, such as Coban. Dispose of all needles properly. The needles used to start an IV qualify as medical sharps and need to placed in a well-marked sharps container immediately after use. Because needles can transfer infectious agents and even blood-borne illnesses from person to person if handled improperly, it's extremely important to ensure that these needles aren't disposed with ordinary trash, even if you're sure that the patient is perfectly healthy. Know IV-related complications. Though IVs are usually safe procedures, there is always a very small but real chance that complications will result from the IV. It's important to know the most common signs of IV complications to be able to provide the best care to the patient and, if need, to know when to get emergency care. Some IV complications (and their symptoms are below: Infiltration: Occurs when fluid is injected outside of the vein into surrounding soft tissue. Will cause swelling and smooth, pale skin in the affected area. Can be a minor or serious issue depending on the medicine being administered. Hematoma: Occurs when blood leaks from the vein into the surrounding tissue, usually after more than one vein wall is accidentally punctured. Often accompanied by pain, bruising, and irritation. Will usually resolve within several weeks light pressure. Embolism: Occurs after injecting air into the vein. Often caused by air bubbles in the IV tubing. Children are especially at risk. In serious cases, causes trouble breathing, chest pain, blue skin, low blood pressure, and even stroke and heart attack. Thrombosis and endarteritis: Life-threatening conditions that can result from injecting into an artery, rather than a vein. Can lead to severe pain, compartment syndrome (high pressure on a muscle leading to a very painful "tight" or "full" feeling) gangrene, motor dysfunction, and even the eventual loss of the limb. | Gather your materials. Introduce yourself to the patient. Prepare the IV tubing. Choose a suitable-gauge catheter for the situation. Put on sterile gloves. Look for prominent veins. Apply a tourniquet. Palpate the vein if necessary. Disinfect the IV site. Prepare the catheter for insertion. Insert the needle. If you miss the vein, explain and try again. Remove and discard the needle. Remove the needle and insert the tubing. Secure the IV. Check the flow of fluid into the IV. Change the dressing as needed. Remove the IV safely. Dispose of all needles properly. Know IV-related complications. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-White-Leather-Furniture | How to Clean White Leather Furniture | Clean white leather furniture can be tricky, but if you determine the source of a stain, it's much easier. If you have a minor grease stain, for instance, it's best to wipe it away with a clean, dry cloth. To clean an ink stain, dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and blot at the stain until it's lifted. For dark spots due to dirt, cover the stain with a paste made from lemon juice and cream of tartar. Let it stand for about 10 minutes, then wipe it away with a damp cloth, followed by a dry cloth. | Wipe grease stains away with a dry cloth. Adding a fluid or other cleaning solution will only help the stain set. It's important to deal with these stains promptly so they don't have a chance to set. If the stain has had time to set, you can sprinkle baking soda on it. Leave it for a few hours, allowing the grease to soak into the baking soda. Then, brush everything off with a rag. Use rubbing alcohol to handle ink stains. Take a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol. Rub at the stain until the ink is lifted. If the stain is particularly large, you might need more than one cotton swab to take care of it. Mix lemon juice and cream of tartar to handle dark spots. Mix equal quantities of each ingredient, creating a paste. The amount of paste you need to make depends on the size of the spot you're trying to clear. Slather the paste on the stain, and let it stand for 10 minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth. Mix water, dish detergent and a powdered stain remover in a bowl. Add a tablespoon (14.8g) of stain remover such as OxiClean and half a teaspoon (2.5ml) of dish detergent to a bowl of warm water. You can use a spoon to mix the solution together. The detergent will clean the surface gently while the stain remover will lift any stains that have set, brightening and revitalizing the leather. This solution can be used with a variety of cleaning tools, such as rags, sponges and toothbrushes. Mix Borax and baking soda with warm water. Use 1 teaspoon (5g) of Borax, 1 tablespoon (15g) of baking soda and half a cup (118ml) of water. Mix these ingredients in a bowl. This is a very similar solution to that used in Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, which will greatly help lift stains when used with a slightly abrasive sponge. Combine white vinegar and water. You'll want to mix equal parts of both liquids. For example, if you use 6 ounces (177ml) of vinegar, you'll need to mix in 6 ounces (177ml) of water. The exact amount of solution you need will depend on the size of the furniture you're cleaning. Mix the solution together in a bowl, although you may need to use a bucket if you're using a large amount of cleaning solution. This solution is best used with a microfiber cloth, but a rag can do just fine. Buy a melamine sponge. Melamine makes these sponges denser than regular cleaning sponges. They also have pores that serve a dual purpose. They absorb any cleaning solution they're put into contact with and give the sponge a slight abrasive quality. These make them more effective for cleaning marks and stains. You can buy these sponges in bulk on eBay and other online stores. You can buy these sponges under the Mr. Clean brand; they come already soaked with cleaning solution. Otherwise you can buy the sponges in bulk and soak them in homemade cleaning solutions. You can also use a cloth instead of a melamine sponge, but be aware it won't clean as deeply as a sponge. Use a clean rag; any dirt on it could leak out into your cleaning solution. Soak up the solution with the sponge and wipe the leather. Make sure to squeeze any excess solution. Your sponge should be damp, holding enough solution to clean your surface. It shouldn't be leaking. Wipe the leather gently, since the sponge's abrasiveness could damage the leather's coating if too much pressure is used. You use a cloth for this step. Note that since a cloth is less abrasive than a melamine sponge, you can use a bit more pressure as you clean. Use a toothbrush for your furniture's tighter spots. This includes stitching, creases and crevices where the various parts of the furniture meet. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and make sure to scrub gently. You can dip the toothbrush in your cleaning solution to dislodge any spots on the couch. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth. Leaving any cleaning solution on leather for an extended period can damage the surface. Wipe thoroughly until the surface is completely dry. | Wipe grease stains away with a dry cloth. Use rubbing alcohol to handle ink stains. Mix lemon juice and cream of tartar to handle dark spots. Mix water, dish detergent and a powdered stain remover in a bowl. Mix Borax and baking soda with warm water. Combine white vinegar and water. Buy a melamine sponge. Soak up the solution with the sponge and wipe the leather. Use a toothbrush for your furniture's tighter spots. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Your-Fish | How to Take Care of Your Fish | To take care of your fish, feed them twice a day with the right food for your type of fish. Once a week, test the pH of the tank water using a water testing kit to keep the water at a healthy level for your fish. If the tank starts to develop a filmy white or green coating, scrub it away using an algae brush once a week. Next, change or rinse the filters once a month to remove any debris that could clog the filter. Also, use a suction wand to remove 20% of the water each month and replace it with fresh, treated water. | In the first step to the cycle, your fish poops. The waste contains a toxic chemical called ammonia. Ammonia is also produced by leftover food in the tank, so be sure you're not overfeeding your fish. When you test your ammonia in the tank, an ideal level is below 0.25ppm. Beneficial bacteria (called nitrosomonas bacteria) digests the ammonia and turns it into nitrites. This bacteria is found in your fish filter. Before you get your fish, run your filter for awhile in the tank and add in fish food to feed the bacteria. When a brown film appears in the filter media, do not wash the filter. This brown film is the nitrosomonas bacteria. Without it, your fish will suffer ammonia poisoning. Nitrites are toxic to your fish. When you test them, the ideal level is 0.0ppm. Beneficial bacteria (nitrobacter bacteria) digests the nitrites and turns it into nitrates. As well as the nitrosomonas bacteria, this bacteria is also visible in a brown film in the filter. Nitrates should be kept below 20ppm. Plants assist in removing nitrates, but you should do at least a one fourth water change every week to keep the nitrates down. The cycle starts again when you put fish food in the tank. You should only get your fish when your tank is fully cycled. This means the ammonia and nitrites are 0ppm and the nitrates are below 20ppm. When you add your fish, only add up to three at a time or your ammonia will rise. Decide on freshwater or saltwater. Freshwater fish are the best choice for beginners, as they require less aquarium maintenance. They also generally have fewer health issues in home aquariums. Saltwater fish require saltwater aquariums and are more challenging to maintain. However, they are quite beautiful. Go with a small breed. In many cases, small fish are peaceful breeds. They also require less tank space, making them a good choice for first-time fish owners. Neon tetras, zebra danios, and livebearers are all solid options. Be aware that some fish thought to be able to keep in bowls, like goldfish, can actually grow quite large. Ideally, the smallest fish tank you can keep is 3 gallons. If you go with a fish species that prefer to live in schools or shoals, like tetras, plan to purchase at least five of them at once. Schooling fish swim together, whereas shoaling fish only swim together when afraid. Both fish need companions to feel safe. Select companion fish carefully. When deciding which fish to put in your tank, you'll need to go beyond color and appearance and focus on behaviors instead. You generally need to either put non-aggressive or aggressive fish together. If you mix the types, then the aggressive fish will usually attack the others. For example, goldfish, guppies, and tiger pleco are all friendly fish that will coexist peacefully together. Angelfish and cichlids are two types of aggressive fish that can often live in a tank together without harming one another. Buy from a reputable dealer or store. If you purchase from a pet store, you have the added security of seeing the actual fish that you are buying. Most stores also often a refund if the fish dies prior to a certain date. If you buy online, you'll forgo any choice regarding the individual fish, but you will gain more fish breeds to choose from. If you do go the online route, choose a dealer that offers clear customer service connections via email or the phone. Look for positive reviews online as well. These can often be found in fish owner forums. Avoid wild-caught whenever possible. Wild-caught fish are often more sensitive, caught in inhumane ways, and harder to care for. As soon as you receive a fish from online, or before buying it in the store, look to make sure that it appears healthy. It should be active and swimming around at a steady pace. The eyes and gills should be clear of debris or mucus. The scales should be intact and scratch-free. Get the right size tank. The bigger that your fish will get, or the more of them that you have, the larger your tank will need to be. As a general rule, a freshwater fish that grows to be one inch length should have 4.5 liters (1.2 US gal) of water in the tank. A saltwater fish measuring the same size should have 2.5 liters (0.7 US gal) of water. Multiply these figures by the total number of fish that you have to decide which tank to purchase. However, this rule doesn't always apply. Some energetic species, such as shrimp, require more room to thrive. You also need to consider the bio load of the fish (how much ammonia they produce). Higher bio loads need bigger tanks. For example, plecos, goldfish, and platies have high bio loads, while tetras and otocinclus have lower bio loads. When in doubt it's better to get a slightly larger tank, as overcrowding can cause a number of health problems for fish. It can even lead to fish deaths due to poor water quality. Make sure to base your calculations on your fish's full adult size, not their current size. Place your tank in a good location. Fish tanks can be quite heavy, so invest in a quality stand and once you get it into position try not to move it around too often. Make sure to place your tank out of direct sunlight to avoid algae growth. It should also be on level ground to minimize the possibility of it tipping over. A quieter room without a TV or lots of foot traffic generally makes for a more peaceful environment for your fish. It's also a good idea to not smoke in the same room as your fish, as this damages the air quality. If you have other pets or if your fish jump, remember to get a lid for your tank. Install your heater. Most fish require that the water in your tank maintains a specific temperature, usually between 72 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some fish like goldfish are cold water fish and need lower temperatures. To keep the temperature regulated and steady, you'll use a heater in your tank. Some heaters go under the gravel or other substrate. Others hang on the side of the tank. Follow the installation directions on the package. It's important to place your tank near a functioning electrical socket, as you'll need to plug in devices like your heater, light, and filter. Install the filtration system. A filter will keep your water clean and remove many pollutants, such as fecal matter. There are mechanical filters that catch debris in traps that can be emptied. There are chemical filters that absorb pollutants with activated carbon. And, there are biological filters that use active bacteria to balance the chemicals in the water. A mechanical filter is generally the best option for a beginner, as they are fairly basic. Some filters should be placed under the gravel in your tank, whereas others hang from the back of your tank. There are also canister filters, which go inside the tank. Only clean the first filter media, near the back of the filter. It only needs cleaning if it's full of debris. Otherwise DO NOT clean the filter! This will cause ammonia and nitrite spikes and could kill your fish. The filter media will grow beneficial brown bacteria on it, which removes toxic chemicals from the fish waste. It is essential to keeping your fish alive. Add in your substrate. A good rule of thumb is that you'll need one pound of sand, rock, or gravel per one gallon of water in your tank. Before placing your substrate in your tank, rinse it off thoroughly with tap water to remove any dust. Then, place the substrate gently in your tank with just a slight slope towards the front. Select and place any decorations in the tank. Choose decorations that provide safe hiding places for your fish, but also look natural, such as driftwood or rock structures. It's best to stick with only one large piece initially to avoid overcrowding your tank. Rinse off any objects with tap water prior to placing them in the tank. Driftwood will need to be boiled for 30 minutes and soaked for a week before placing in a tank. Try to balance out your decorations by placing taller or larger pieces towards the back of the tank. This will also make it easier to view your fish in action. Make sure that your decorations don't have sharp edges, plastic pieces that can break off, or paint that might flake. Select and place any plants in the tank. Many people opt for plastic plants, as they are easy to clean and come in a wide variety of vibrant colors. However, live plants have the benefit of increasing the oxygen levels in your tank, removing nitrates in the water, and also creating a more natural look. Rinse off your plastic or natural plants in tap water before placing them in the tank. Make sure that they are partially secured at the base by some substrate to prevent lots of movement. If you decide to add live plants, then you'll want to consider their light needs. Most live plants will need at least 10 hours light a day. Amazon sword, java grass, water wisteria, hornwort, and java fern are a few examples of hardy live plants that are great for starter aquariums. Condition the water and fill up your tank. Set aside enough water in buckets to fill up your tank. Treat the water with a de-chlorinating agent and wait until it takes full effect. The directions should be listed on the package. When the water is ready, gently pour it into the tank. Once the water is in your tank, put some fish food in and wait until brown beneficial bacteria is growing on the filter media. Test your water qualities. Once the ammonia and nitrites are 0ppm and the nitrates are below 20ppm, you can acclimate the fish. The tank usually will take six weeks to cycle, but the process can be sped up by adding beneficial bacteria or used filter media. Float any new fish. Once you bring your new fish home, set the bag with them inside it in your tank for 15-30 minutes. Add ¼ cup of tank water into the bag and then reclose it and let it continue to float for another five minutes. Then, gently tip the bag into the water and watch as your fish swim away. Some fish, such as otocinclus, require drip-acclimation. To do this, tie a knot in air tubing and start a siphon by putting one end in the tank and sucking on the other end. Place the end you were sucking on into the bag with the fish. The water should slowly drip into the bag. Drip acclimate for about 30 minutes. Don't skip this step as it helps to acclimate your fish to the new water qualities and temperature. It reduces the risk of shock. Don’t overfeed. Feeding your fish twice a day with the serving size the size of their eye is usually sufficient. Talk with your vet or the pet store about how much you should aim to feed per fish, but you can also adjust the amounts that you give based on how much is left over. Ideally, no food will remain in the tank after half an hour. Excess food can cause all sorts of problems, including clogging filters, ammonia and nitrite spikes, and contributing to algae growth. Feeding the right type of food is important as well. Most fish to well with flakes or freeze-dried food, but some bottom feeders will require sinking pellets. Test the pH levels weekly. Get a water testing kit and follow the directions to collect and measure the pH present in your tank. Make sure that your water falls within an acceptable range, for freshwater fish this is usually between 6.6 and 8. If your pH is too low, add crushed coral to the filter. If it's too high, add peat moss to the filter, or driftwood to the tank. These will tint the water slightly yellow, but it is completely safe for your fish. Do weekly partial water changes. For freshwater tanks, you'll need to change about 20-30% of the water. Saltwater tanks generally need to be cleaned more. Use a suction wand to remove the water and pull out the debris from the substrate at the same time. Then, replace the removed water with fresh, treated water kept in additional buckets nearby. Clean your filter media if the filter is close to overflowing. Your tank filter can become clogged with debris, if left too long in the water. For most filters, you'll need to pull them out completely and replace with new ones. However, in some cases, it's possible to simply rinse the first filter media off with old tank water. Check your filter's directions. Remember to only clean the first filter media; the one closest to the back. If you clean all of it, your ammonia and nitrite levels will rise because you removed all the beneficial bacteria. Treat any health problems. Watch your fish to ensure that they are swimming actively and maintaining a healthy coloring. They should be breathing freely and not gasping. Take a close look at their scales as well to ensure that no spotting or flaking is occurring. If you notice that one of your fish looks ill, scoop it out and isolate it in a separate tank for monitoring. Add needed medications. Make sure to remove any dead fish from the tank immediately. Most medications should never be added as a preventative measure. | In the first step to the cycle, your fish poops. Beneficial bacteria (called nitrosomonas bacteria) digests the ammonia and turns it into nitrites. Nitrites are toxic to your fish. Beneficial bacteria (nitrobacter bacteria) digests the nitrites and turns it into nitrates. Nitrates should be kept below 20ppm. The cycle starts again when you put fish food in the tank. Decide on freshwater or saltwater. Go with a small breed. Select companion fish carefully. Buy from a reputable dealer or store. Get the right size tank. Place your tank in a good location. Install your heater. Install the filtration system. Add in your substrate. Select and place any decorations in the tank. Select and place any plants in the tank. Condition the water and fill up your tank. Float any new fish. Don’t overfeed. Test the pH levels weekly. Do weekly partial water changes. Clean your filter media if the filter is close to overflowing. Treat any health problems. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Missing-Person | How to Find a Missing Person | To find a missing person, start by contacting the police so they can begin looking for the person as soon as possible. Additionally, ask the person's friends and family if they have any information, and call nearby hospitals and jails in case the person's been injured or is being held by the police. You should also check the missing person's social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to get clues as to where they are. If the person is a child, you may want to consider registering with an organization like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. | Contact the police as soon as you have reason to worry. You don't have to wait a mandatory amount of time to file a missing person report. The faster you notify the police that your loved one is missing, the faster they can begin searching. Go to your local police department to file a report. You should understand the limits of what the police can do, especially if the missing person is an adult. It is not illegal for a person to go missing. Provide the police with information about the missing person. To complete the missing persons report, you'll need to provide detailed information about the missing person's physical characteristics and last known location. Have the following information ready when you go to the police station to file the report: Three current photos of the person A list of nicknames or aliases used by the person A physical description, including height, weight, age, hair color, eye color, build, etc. A description of the clothing and shoes the person was last seen wearing A list of possessions the person might be carrying, such as jewelry, glasses, contact lenses, accessories, a purse, a wallet, ID cards, etc. A list of scars, tattoos, and other identifying characteristics A list of medications the person was taking, as well as allergies, handicaps, and other medical conditions A list of relatives or friends of the missing person, along with contact information A list of places the person frequents A description of the person's car or a different mode of transportation (a bicycle, for example) if applicable A description of the situation surrounding the person's disappearance Keep a record of the report. Make sure you obtain a case number for your missing person's report. Write down the name of the person in charge of your case. Contact this person when you wish to follow up. Contact the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). The US Department of Justice operates this system. NamUs lets you upload information about a missing person for use by law enforcement officials, agencies, and individuals. The site helps missing persons cases wrap up sooner by providing this information to the public. Register with other missing persons databases or review their resources. You can use other databases designed to help find missing persons, many of which are geared toward specific characteristics. Consider registering with additional databases to gain access to their free services and resources to help you find your missing person. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children specializes in providing services for families of children who are missing. After you have reported a missing child to law enforcement, you can call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST(1-800-843-5678). The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides resources for families of people with mental illness who have gone missing. Their website contains potentially useful materials, including suggested guidelines and forums. Contact the person's friends and acquaintances. Call the people in the missing person's life and ask when they last saw him or her. Determine if they know anything about the person's whereabouts. Besides friends, family members, neighbors, and classmates, call anyone who had regular contact with the missing person. This may include teachers, doctors, dentists, bus drivers, coworkers, and neighbors. Keep a log of the people to whom you've spoken and what they had to say about the missing person. Keep it updated with as much detailed information as possible. Encourage people to call you back if they find out more information from another source. Report new findings to the case worker in charge of your missing person's case at the police department. Check with hospitals and coroners in the area. If the missing person was in an accident, he or she might be in a local hospital and unable to communicate for some reason. In some tragic cases, a missing person will be found with a coroner or medical examiner. Call all the facilities in your area to rule out these possibilities. When you make the calls, ask for the missing person by name. If no one by that name is on record there, ask if they have unidentified people in their care who resemble your missing person. Check with your local county jail. If the missing person had an encounter with law enforcement that led to an arrest, he or she may be in a local county jail. Check with local law enforcement offices to see if the missing person is incarcerated. You may also be able to check online using the “inmate locator” option on your local law enforcement's website. Check social media sites. This is an important way to gain information about the days leading up to the person's disappearance. Check his or her Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other accounts. Determine whether recent activity contains any clues. Look at the missing person's friends' accounts as well. Print out correspondence and activity that seems as though it could lead to the missing person's location. Report any activity that might be a clue to the case worker at the police department. Put up fliers with a picture and description of the missing person. Often, the missing person will see the fliers and decide to return home. Fliers can also alert friends and neighbors who might have information about the person's whereabouts. Put up the fliers in the neighborhood where the missing person lived and around places where he or she spent time. Hang your fliers in prominent locations. Gas stations, grocery stores, post offices, banks, drug stores, local libraries, churches, hospitals, homeless shelters, parks, and hiking trails will all work well. Be sure to include a recent, clear photograph of the missing person. Include the person's age, a physical description, and the date he or she went missing. Include contact information as well. Ask people to spread the word. Send out an email with a picture of the missing person and a request to pass the word around. Post a picture and description of the missing person on your social media pages and ask people to share. The more people who become aware that you're looking for a missing person, the better the chances of finding him or her. Alert the local media. Getting the media involved is another important way to publicize the fact that you're looking for a missing person. The person may see the announcement and decide to return home. Others will look out for the missing person as well. With media involved, local police may devote more resources to solving the case. Send photos and videos of the missing person to your local TV stations. Call your local newspapers, and ask them to publish an article on the missing person. Take out an ad in a weekly newspaper. Send information to local blogs and websites. Consider hiring a private investigator. A private investigator, unlike the police department, will spend as much time as you want investigating your case. If you have the money, hiring an investigator is a good way to keep the search going when police are no longer spending as much time on it. Research private investigators in your area and work with one to find your missing person. | Contact the police as soon as you have reason to worry. Provide the police with information about the missing person. Keep a record of the report. Contact the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). Register with other missing persons databases or review their resources. Contact the person's friends and acquaintances. Check with hospitals and coroners in the area. Check with your local county jail. Check social media sites. Put up fliers with a picture and description of the missing person. Ask people to spread the word. Alert the local media. Consider hiring a private investigator. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Somali-Cat | How to Take Care of a Somali Cat | To take care of a Somali cat, try to brush its fur every day to reduce the chance of tangles. You should also check its ears weekly for redness and clean any dirt or grime that might be inside. As well as grooming your Somali cat regularly, you should feed it high-quality food which lists an animal product, like chicken or beef, as one of its top ingredients. Somali cats are affectionate animals, so try and make time to pet and play with yours every day. Additionally, you can provide puzzle toys, scratch posts, and toy mice to keep it entertained when you're not there. | Brush your cat every few days. The Somali's long fur and dense undercoat requires frequent brushing to keep it clean and tangle free. While you don't have to brush it every single day, brushing the cat every other day will minimize the chance of tangles developing. Use a long-toothed metal comb or a fine-toothed brush to brush your cat. These can get to the cat's dense undercoat, removing fur that would otherwise end up matting or getting on your furniture or around your home. Trim your cat's nails. It is important that you trim your cat's nails on a regular basis. To trim your cat's nails, take one of the cat's paws in one hand and the nail clippers, either the ones made for pets or ones made for humans, in the other hand. Clip off only the tip of the nails, as cutting the nails back too far increases the risk of hitting the quick, the vein inside the nail. Keeping your cat's nails trimmed minimizes the risk of them scratching up your furniture but it also minimizes the chance of them snagging a nail and injuring their paws. If you can only get to a few nails at a time don't worry about it. Gradually work on clipping the cat's nails a few at a time until they have all been clipped. Inspect and clean your cat's ears. Inspect your cat's ears weekly and look for redness or dirt and grime. If you find that your cat's ears are dirty or irritated, clean them with a soft cotton rag and a cleaner that is approved for cleaning cat's ears. Cleaners made for cleaning cat ears can be found at most pet supply stores. Be sure to follow the directions on the packaging when using this type of product. If you are unsure what product to use, discuss it with your veterinarian. They may be able to suggest a product that they like and they may even carry it in their office. Feed your cat high-quality food. In order to keep your cat healthy, you need to feed it a high quality food that mainly consists of animal tissue. Cats are carnivores, so eating things other than animals is not good for a cat. Look at the labels of all potential cat foods and make sure that at least the first few ingredients are some type of animal or animal byproduct. Also make sure that they are certified as safe by looking for a certification stamp on the packaging, such as a AAFCO certification stamp in the United States. If you are having a hard time figuring out what food to feed your cat, discuss your options with your veterinarian. They may have some suggestions what will take your cat's specific dietary needs into consideration. Remember that along with quality food, your cat needs constant access to water as well. Treats should be given sparingly to your cat. They are best given when training a cat, and even then you should only give your cat a few. Clean your cat's teeth. Somali cats are prone to periodontal disease, so you need to care for their teeth by brushing them regularly. Use a pet toothbrush and a toothpaste that is approved for use on cats. These products are usually available at any large pet supply store. Additionally, you should schedule occasional teeth cleanings with your vet for a for complete dental treatment. Brushing a cat's teeth can be difficult. It can take a long time for a cat to accept this activity. If you are raising a kitten, start brushing its teeth early, so that as the cat grows up it is used to getting its teeth brushed. Take your cat to the veterinarian regularly. Every cat needs and deserves quality veterinary care that includes an annual exam and treatment for injuries and illnesses. Be sure to take your Somali cat in for its annual exam so that the veterinarian can assess your cat's general health and so that they can give it preventative treatments, such as vaccines. Since there are some genetic health issues that a Somali cat can inherit, make sure your vet checks for these. They include pyruvate kinase deficiency (an enzyme deficiency that can lead to anemia), renal amyloidosis (a kidney disease), myasthenia gravis (a neuromuscular condition), and retinal atrophy (a progressive eye disease that can lead to blindness). Get the cat spayed or neutered. In order to limit pet overpopulation, and to keep your cat healthy, it is important to get it fixed. For female cats, desexing your cat can reduce their chance of developing mammary cancer later in life. For male cats, desexing limits the chances of spraying and of developing reproductive system cancers. Talk to your vet about when the procedure should be done. It is usually done when the cat is between three to six months old. Clean the cat's litter box regularly. In order to keep your cat happy you will need to give it a clean and accessible place to go to the bathroom. Place the litter box in a location that the cat can easily get to and give it a scoop daily. Replace the litter completely every week or two, depending on how dirty it gets. Use a type of litter box and litter that the cat likes. If the cat is refusing to use its litter box, try replacing the type of litter you are using first. If that doesn't work, get a box that is shaped differently. Some experts suggest having one more litter box than you have cats. This means that if you only have one cat, try to keep two litter boxes. Spread them out across rooms and levels of your home so that your cat has a place nearby whenever they need to relive themselves. Spend time with your cat. Somali cats are very intelligent and affectionate cats, which means that they love spending quality time with their people. Try training your Somali to fetch its toys, to open boxes or doors, or just to leap after a string you flick around in front of it for play time. Whatever you do, your Somali will be happy about the stimulating time spent with you. These cats should not be left alone for long periods of time every day. If you do, you are likely to come home to open cupboards and other doors. This is a sign that your cat may be bored. Provide stimulating toys and equipment. Somali cats are generally very intelligent and they love to investigate their surroundings. To try and dissuade them from getting into cupboards and opening doors, it's a good idea to give these cats lots of interactive toys to play with. This could include puzzle toys, cat trees, balls, and toy mice. Don't forget to give your cat a scratching post or pad as well. Allowing your cat to focus its scratching on one of these, rather than your furniture, is important for your relationship with your cat. Cats also enjoy climbing and perching, so provide them with some vertical space. Pick up a tall cat tree or some cat shelves from your local pet store. | Brush your cat every few days. Trim your cat's nails. Inspect and clean your cat's ears. Feed your cat high-quality food. Clean your cat's teeth. Take your cat to the veterinarian regularly. Get the cat spayed or neutered. Clean the cat's litter box regularly. Spend time with your cat. Provide stimulating toys and equipment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Hardwood-Floor | How to Remove Hardwood Floor | Removing or replacing your hardwood flooring is hard work and can leave your subflooring permanently damaged, so make sure to prepare for this job if you do it yourself. You'll need tarps to cover fixtures, furniture, appliances, and anything else that you don't want coated in dust and debris. Make sure to have safety gear as well, like goggles, thick gloves, closed-toe shoes, and knee guards. Your first task will be to saw the boards into smaller sections, which will make them easier to pry up. Wedging the tip of your pry bar under the sections of flooring should get them to pop right up. If any of the boards are stuck, you'll need to hit the underside of the board where it meets the subflooring with a chisel to create a separation. Dispose of the flooring in a large, lined garbage bin so you can easily take it to the dump or recycling center. | Map out the removal area. Determine exactly how much flooring you need to pull up and where you'll start. You may want to do away with the entire floor and put in a new one, or you might decide to only remove a particular section in order to have carpet, tile or laminate installed to change the layout of your floorplan. Having a clear idea in mind of how best to proceed will help you carry out the project more efficiently. Generally, it's easiest to remove one or two central boards and work your way outward from there. Use to tape to mark off specific boundaries and make cutting and prying more precise. Lay down tarps to control the spread of dust and debris. Use tarps to cover light fixtures, furniture, appliances and anything else that you don't want coated in sawdust once you begin sawing. You should also remove as much clutter from the work area as possible beforehand to give yourself a maximum amount of room to work. Remove any computers, gaming systems, TVs, and other sensitive electronics from the room completely. Even they are covered, the internal components can still be damaged. Tack up your tarps with masking or painter's tape that can be peeled away easily when you're done. While it may be tempting to skip this step, it's not recommended. Cleaning sawdust from unprotected surfaces is an exhaustive effort that will add greatly to your overall project time. Equip with the proper safety gear. Before you get started, make sure you're prepared to tackle the project safely. Put on rugged work gloves to protect your hands while operating the circular saw, some protective eyewear and a breathing mask to filter out sawdust and mold. You should also make a point of wearing closed-toed shoes with thick soles, as you'll be surrounded by loose nails and other exposed edges. Long-sleeved clothing will keep your skin from being exposed to dust and hazardous objects. Since you'll be spending hours kneeling to pry up the planks, a pair of knee pads can be a lifesaver. Saw the boards into small sections 3 feet (0.91 m) wide. Cut across the boards perpendicularly at intervals. This will reduce them to a more manageable size and make them easier to pry up later. Run the saw in a straight line from one end of the work area to the other, then turn and continue in the opposite direction. Set the depth of the saw blade to the same thickness as the hardwood so that you don't accidentally scar your subflooring. For instance, if your flooring is ⁄ 8 inch (16 mm) thick, your saw guard should also be positioned at ⁄ 8 inch (16 mm). Make your cuts approximately every one to two feet, and be sure to avoid sawing over the “tongue” end of the board. Use a pry bar to pull up the boards. Wedge the tip of the pry bar underneath a section of flooring. Pull back sharply on the handle to wrench the board from its place. Assuming you've sawed the boards into small enough sections, they should pop right out. Repeat this process until all the flooring has been removed. Always pry up the boards in the same direction that they're nailed down. This will help prevent cracking and splintering. If the boards are stuck too firmly to be budged, strike the underside of the board where it meets the subflooring with a chisel to create separation. Dispose of the old flooring. Keep a large, lined trash receptacle in your work area so that you'll have something to drop the discarded wood fragments into as you go. This is a much safer and more organized approach than throwing everything into a loose pile. When you're finished, the old flooring will be carted off to the dump or recycling center. Be careful around the disposal bin, as there will likely be lots of stray nails and jagged edges exposed. Pick up remaining nails and staples. There will likely be a few loose metal fasteners littering the floor, so be careful moving throughout your work area. You can collect these materials by hand or use a powerful handheld magnet to pick up whatever metal scraps happen to be lying around. Spent nails and staples should go straight into the trash. Protruding nails can be bent prior to disposal to make them less of a hazard. Keep your work gloves on throughout the cleanup process in case you come into contact with any sharp objects. Clean your work area thoroughly. Sweep the sawdust, wood chips and other debris into small piles, then use a shop vac to suction them up. Take down the tarps, roll them up carefully and move them outside to be cleaned or thrown away. If necessary, go over the area again with a vacuum or mop to clear away any especially fine dust remaining. For deep cleaning jobs, use dust-attracting sprays and a microfiber towel to small particles. Cut one board in half lengthwise. If your hardwood flooring is still in good condition, you may decide that it's worth keeping and putting to use elsewhere. To successfully salvage hardwood, you'll need to first saw one board straight down the middle along its length. After tearing out both halves of this board, you'll have a sufficient amount of space to begin working on the others. It may be necessary to sacrifice one or two boards to put you in a position to remove the others. Dig out a central board and work outward in both directions. Pry up the remaining boards individually. Start at one end of the board and work your way down, keeping the tip of the pry bar positioned directly beneath the nails or staples. You'll want to pull up on the boards rather gingerly to prevent them from splintering. Work slowly, doing your best to keep each board intact. Move the pry bar along about half a foot at a time, focusing on areas that are held down by fasteners or adhesives. Preserving your flooring is a time consuming process, but the payoff is a fresh supply of useful hardwood. Extract all nails and staples. Once you've got all the boards up, go through them one at a time and ease out the fasteners that were used to secure them. The best tools for this task are a nail claw or the back of a hammer and a pair of locking pliers. Be patient—it will take a while to remove every last nail and staple. Work slowly and delicately to avoid causing unnecessary damage to the wood. Use a handheld magnet to speed up the collection and disposal of small metal pieces. Clean and store the salvaged wood. From here, you're free to hang onto the hardwood or employ it in other projects. Wipe down each board with a damp cloth and keep them in a cool, dry environment until you're ready to use them. If you wish, you can polish or sand and stain older wood to restore it like-new condition. Recycled wood can be used to provide flooring for another room in your home, create unique, rustic wall paneling, construct a garden footpath or any number of other projects. In some cases, you may be able to sell reclaimed wood to other companies or individuals seeking inexpensive building materials. The longer the pieces are, the more valuable they are. | Map out the removal area. Lay down tarps to control the spread of dust and debris. Equip with the proper safety gear. Saw the boards into small sections 3 feet (0.91 m) wide. Use a pry bar to pull up the boards. Dispose of the old flooring. Pick up remaining nails and staples. Clean your work area thoroughly. Cut one board in half lengthwise. Pry up the remaining boards individually. Extract all nails and staples. Clean and store the salvaged wood. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Use-a-Can-Opener | How to Use a Can Opener | "To use a manual can opener, open the arms of the can opener and place the metal tooth on the lip of the can. This will align the wheel of the opener where it needs to be to cut into the lid. Squeeze the arms together for a secure fit and start turning handle. This action will rotate the wheel, which cuts into the can. Continue to turn the handle until the wheel has gone around the entire can. The lid will then disengage from the opener. Be careful as you remove the lid from the can as the edges will be sharp! " | Understand the components of a can opener. Though it may look like a simple tool, it's actually comprised of three different machine apparatuses. The two long arms that clamp onto the side of the can are the levers. The handle that is used to turn the can is comprised of an axle and a wheel. Lastly, the circular wheel that cuts into a can is called a wedge. The tin can was invented in the early 1800s by an Englishman. It required some skill to open it, and people usually used rocks, chisels or knives to work their way into it. Finally, the can opener was invented in 1858, and the task became a lot easier. Open the arms of the can opener. Place the metal tooth (the wedge) on the lip of the can. This will automatically align the wheel of the opener to where it needs to be. Firmly squeeze the arms together. With practice, you'll be able to tell when it's on right. Until you get the hang of it, you may have to do it several times. Start turning the handle when it fits securely. Otherwise, it could fly off the can. It is a sharp object, so you want to be careful. This begins to rotate the wheel underneath that then cuts into the can. Work your way around the rim of the can as you turn the handle. This action pierces the seal, cutting into the can as it moves around the edge of the lid. When it has gone all the way around, the lid will naturally disengage from the opener. Carefully dispose of the cut lid. Enjoy the contents of the container. Lift the cutter head up. Place the can against the back top part of it. Position the lip of the can between the wheel and the cutting apparatus. Press the cutter head down when the can is in the right position. This will set the opener into motion. It will begin to rotate the can. Hold it as it turns to keep it from tipping. Allow the opener’s magnet to catch hold of the can as it’s cutting through. This will cause the lid to raise up slightly. When the lid is completely cut, lift the top of the cutter head. Carefully disengage the can from the opener. Remove the lid from the opener’s magnet. Grab hold of it between your two fingers versus pressing the cut part against your fingers. Dispose of the lid. Enjoy the contents of the can. Carefully place the “knife” part of the can opener nearly perpendicular to the edge of the top of the can. Then using controlled force, push the knife part of the can opener down into it. With a little practice, it should slide right in. This type of can opener used to be referred as a “stab push,” and some people still prefer to use it, even over the modern ones. Be careful when you do this. If you don't hold the can tightly, or if the blade of the can opener isn't sharp enough, it could slip. If it's at the right angle, you could end up cutting yourself. Until you've done it a few times, it's probably a good idea to do it with another person. Hold the opener with the blade part down. Now insert the blade into the hole you just made. This time you want it as close to parallel to the edge of the can as possible. Push the blade down again, more gently this time, opening another hole. Fit one of the grooves on the stem of the can opener into the edge of the can that is now slightly raised. “See-Saw” the blade up (cutting) and down, moving around the can as you go. The edge of the can will now be rough and incredibly sharp. Be sure to not rest either hand close to the edge. Enjoy the contents of the can. | Understand the components of a can opener. Open the arms of the can opener. Start turning the handle when it fits securely. Work your way around the rim of the can as you turn the handle. Lift the cutter head up. Press the cutter head down when the can is in the right position. Allow the opener’s magnet to catch hold of the can as it’s cutting through. Remove the lid from the opener’s magnet. Carefully place the “knife” part of the can opener nearly perpendicular to the edge of the top of the can. Be careful when you do this. Hold the opener with the blade part down. Fit one of the grooves on the stem of the can opener into the edge of the can that is now slightly raised. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Campfire | How to Build a Campfire | To build a campfire, start by digging a shallow pit and clearing out any nearby vegetation. Then, put some tinder, like crumpled up paper or wood shavings, in the bottom of the pit. Next, arrange your kindling and firewood around the tinder in a teepee shape. When you're ready to light the fire, hold a lighter underneath the tinder until it catches. Wait for the flames to spread to the kindling and firewood. If they go out before the bigger pieces of wood catch, try adding more tinder and relighting the fire. | Bring tinder. To start an effective campfire, you must start with tinder, which are the smallest fire-starting materials and burn the easiest. The tinder must be dry, so it's best to bring tinder with you from home instead of looking for it while camping. You can use a variety of household items as tinder, such as: Wood shavings Wadded newspaper Cardboard Wax Dryer lint Commercial fire sticks Gather kindling. To keep your fire burning, you'll need to add some more substantial material to the tinder. Kindling is larger than tinder materials, but not so large that it will smother the fire's flames. Look around your campground for small twigs and branches to use as kindling. Choose twigs and branches with a diameter between ⅛- and ½-inch, or approximately the width of a pencil. Just as with tinder, it's important that your kindling materials are dry. If there are any damp areas on the twigs and branches, use a pocket knife to carefully whittle them off. Collect firewood. For your campfire to really maintain its flames, you must add larger pieces of wood. These materials, usually known as firewood or fuelwood, can be anywhere from 1- to 5-inches in diameter, so you can use complete logs or split larger pieces of wood into smaller chunks. You shouldn't break branches off trees to use as firewood or you'll ruin the trees at your campsite. Instead, look for pieces that have already fallen off. Look for firewood that bends or snaps easily. That way, you'll know it's dry enough to burn in the fire. You don't want to use firewood that's too large because it will take much longer to start burning. If you're not sure whether wood is the right size, compare it to your wrist or forearm -- they should be about the same size. Pack a firestarter. Once you have the proper materials to build your fire, you'll need something to light it. Make sure to include some type of firestarter in your camping gear, so you can easily start your fire. Regular matches work well to start a fire, but you may prefer to use a lighter. You can also use a ferro-flint rod as a firestarter when camping. Also known as a flint spark lighter, it generates a spark that helps ignite your fire materials. Make sure campfires are permitted. Before you begin building a fire, it's important to verify that fires are allowed in the area. Look around your campsite for posted signs, which will usually inform you if fires aren't permitted. You can also ask a ranger or the campsite's host if fires are allowed. Don't assume that a campfire is permitted just because there's a fire ring at your campsite. It may be intended for use with a camping stove but not an open flame. In some cases, there may be fire restrictions in place, which limit the types of fires that you are permitted to light. Make sure you understand what materials you're allowed to use for your fire. Campfires may not be permitted at certain altitudes, in areas that are experiencing droughts and are extremely dry, or at times when the winds are very strong. Choose a spot for the fire. Some campsites have specific fire rings designed for building a fire. However, if you're camping in an area that doesn't have a fire ring, it's important to choose the right spot for the fire. Make sure that the site is at least 15-feet from tents, shrubs, trees, and any other flammable objects. If your campsite has a fire ring, there may be ashes in it from a previous fire. Push them to the outside of the ring to make room for your fire. If the ashes are completely cold, you can also place them in a plastic bag so can dispose of them properly later. Make sure the spot that you choose is shielded from wind gusts, which can not only make it more difficult to light but can help spread the fire if the flames get too large. Clear and dig out the spot. It's best to build a campfire on bare dirt, so you may need to clear the spot you've chosen. Remove any dead grass, leaves, or other vegetation to create an 8- to 10-foot area of bare soil for the fire. Next, dig down into the dirt for several inches to create a pit to contain the fire. Keep the removed dirt close to the fire. You can use it to help smother the flames in case of an emergency. You can place the removed dirt in a mounded ring around your fire pit to serve as a firewall. Setting large rocks around the pit can also help insulate the fire. Place tinder in the center of the fire pit. As with most campfires, a teepee fire starts with a foundation of tinder. Gather up your tinder materials and place them in a bundle in the center of the fire location. To make it easier to bundle the tinder, you may want to lay it on top of a piece of dry tree bark. Create a teepee with kindling and firewood. Once your tinder material is in place in the center, gather your kindling and use approximately five or six pieces to create a cone-like teepee shape around the tinder. Next, add a layer of firewood to create a larger teepee around the first. Stick the smaller twigs and branches into the ground to help secure the teepee. Start with smaller pieces of kindling and move on to larger pieces for a second layer as you build the structure. Make sure to leave an opening in the teepee so you can light the fire when you're ready. Place the opening on the side of the teepee where the wind is blowing, so the fire will get the air needed to maintain it. Leave spaces between the pieces of wood as you place them to help air circulate through the fire as well. Keep a reserve pile of kindling and firewood on hand after building the teepee. You may need it later to feed the fire. Light the tinder. With the teepee structure in place, it's time to light the fire. Place a match or lighter under the tinder to ignite it. The teepee structure helps encourage the flames to move upward, so the kindling should catch fire first, followed by the firewood. If the flames don't move from the tinder to the kindling and firewood, you may need to relight the tinder to get the fire started. Add kindling and firewood as needed. As the fire burns, the teepee structure will eventually collapse, and help feed the fire for some time. However, the flames may start to die down after a while. At that point, throw some kindling and firewood from your reserve pile onto the fire to maintain it. A teepee fire is ideal for cooking because it burns steadily for a shorter period of time. Place a piece of kindling in the ground with tinder beneath it. Start preparing your fire by setting a long piece of kindling in the dirt at a 30 degree angle in your fire pit. Next, gather your tinder material into a bundle, and place it beneath the lean-to kindling. While kindling usually consists of thin sticks, you can use a small or medium-size log as the lean-to. Make sure that the end of the kindling that you place in the ground is pointing into the wind. Add smaller pieces of kindling. Once the lean-to and tinder are ready, start placing additional pieces of kindling in your fire set-up. Choose smaller pieces of kindling than the stick serving as the lean-to, and set them against the tinder bundle and lean-to. As you lay the kindling around the lean-to and tinder, you'll create a tent-like shape. Once you have a first layer of kindling arranged around the lean-to and tinder, find larger pieces and place a second layer on top. Light the tinder. After you're finished building the lean-to structure, it's time to light the fire. Use matches or a lighter to ignite the tinder. As it starts to burn, the kindling will eventually catch fire too, and create larger flames. Add more kindling and firewood. Once the kindling starts to burn, you can add more pieces to feed the fire. If it isn't as large as you'd like, you can throw some firewood on the fire to help it grow. Start with one piece, and only add more when you're sure that the fire hasn't grown large enough. A lean-to fire is good for cooking because it doesn't burn too long but remains steady while it is lit. Create a small kindling teepee over the tinder. To start a log cabin fire, you'll need to create a set-up similar to a teepee fire. Center your tinder in the fire pit, and use kindling to create a teepee shape around it. Make sure to start with smaller pieces of kindling and then add a second layer of larger kindling. Your teepee lay doesn't have to be as large as it would if you were planning a teepee fire. Two layers of kindling are usually enough. Place four pieces of firewood around the teepee. Collect four pieces of firewood to set around the teepee. Take the two largest pieces and place them on opposite sides of the teepee. Next, set the two smaller pieces on the other sides to form a square with the wood. Make sure that the smaller pieces rest over the two larger pieces. Be sure to leave an opening on the side of the structure that is upwind, so you can reach the tinder when it's time to light the fire. Continue laying firewood to build a cabin. Over the four pieces of wood that form the base, lay smaller and shorter pieces of firewood in the same pattern. The goal is to create a cabin-like structure around the original teepee. The process of laying the wood around the teepee is similar to building with the Lincoln Log toys that you may remember from your childhood. Top with the lightest kindling and light. Once you've built up the cabin for the fire, place some of your lightest kindling on top to close off the structure. Use a match or lighter to light the tinder inside the cabin. For best results, light the tinder from several sides. Until the external walls of the cabin catch fire, continue to add kindling to the inside in order to feed the internal fire. A log cabin lay typically offers up a longer-lasting fire, so it's an ideal choice if you need warmth for an extended period. Start putting it out early. You're responsible for putting out any campfire that you start, and the process often takes longer than you think it will. To prevent the possibility of leaving any smoldering ashes behind, plan ahead to give yourself enough time to do the job right. Set aside at least 20 minutes to put out the fire, so you can be certain to kill it completely. You should never leave a fire unattended, so you need to put yours out when you go to sleep at night. Make sure to give yourself about a half hour to put out the fire before you plan to go to bed. Sprinkle water over the fire. While you may be tempted to throw an entire bucket of water on the flames to put them out quickly, that's not the best way to extinguish a campfire. Instead, start slowly sprinkling water over the fire, using only as much as you need to put out the fire's embers. Pouring water on your fire is a bad idea because it will flood the fire pit, making it unusable when you or someone else wants to light a fire later. Stir the embers. As you sprinkle water over the fire, you want to ensure that it reaches as much of the embers as possible. To accomplish this, use a shovel or stick to stir the ashes and embers as you douse them with water. Make sure to bring up embers from the bottom of the pile so you don't leave any smouldering underneath. You'll know that you're done sprinkling water and stirring the embers when you no longer see steam or hear hissing sounds. Test the heat with your hand. To be certain that the fire is out, you'll want to make sure that it's no longer giving off heat. Place your hand, palm-side up, over the ashes. If you don't feel any heat, the fire is out. If you still feel any heat, the fire isn't out and you shouldn't leave. Continue to add water and stir the ashes until you no longer feel any heat. Repeat the hand test as many times as needed to be certain that the fire is cold. You're better off safe than sorry. Remove the ashes. Once the fire is out and cold, you should remove the ashes from the fire pit or ring so the next camper doesn't have to deal with getting rid of them. Use your shovel or hand to scoop up the ashes and place them in a plastic bag for disposal. As you walk away from your campsite, start spreading the ashes around on the ground to dispose of them. | Bring tinder. Gather kindling. Collect firewood. Pack a firestarter. Make sure campfires are permitted. Choose a spot for the fire. Clear and dig out the spot. Place tinder in the center of the fire pit. Create a teepee with kindling and firewood. Light the tinder. Add kindling and firewood as needed. Place a piece of kindling in the ground with tinder beneath it. Add smaller pieces of kindling. Light the tinder. Add more kindling and firewood. Create a small kindling teepee over the tinder. Place four pieces of firewood around the teepee. Continue laying firewood to build a cabin. Top with the lightest kindling and light. Start putting it out early. Sprinkle water over the fire. Stir the embers. Test the heat with your hand. Remove the ashes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Being-Single-and-Feeling-Lonely | How to Deal With Being Single and Feeling Lonely | If you're feeling lonely because you're single, make it a priority to spend time with your family and friends. Visit local shops and restaurants, become friendly with your neighbors, and join a new club, organization, or online group to help you meet people. Getting out and doing what you love can also be a great way to meet someone who shares the same passions as you! Remember that relationships sometimes come along when you least expect them, so stay open when you meet new people. | Try to appreciate the perks of being single. Being in a relationship does not make you a better, more successful person, so don't think less of yourself for being single. Instead, think about the positive aspects of single life. You have the freedom to choose where you live and what you do, and you don't have to deal with the stress and annoyances that come with any relationship. Being single also allows you to put your professional and personal goals first. Plenty of people in committed relationships wish they could pursue their own goals without having to compromise. Reach out to loved ones when you feel lonely. Call an old friend and catch up, ask a loved one to have coffee or lunch, or invite some people over for a game night. A romantic partnership is not the only satisfying type of relationship. In fact, being single is the perfect time to nurture other relationships that can last a lifetime. If you want to vent about your feelings, be honest with your trusted loved ones. It might be hard to talk about being lonely at first, but discussing it with a friend or relative can help you feel better. Take advantage of technology to stay connected with loved ones. When seeing each other face-to-face isn't possible, talk on the phone, exchange emails, connect through social media, or schedule video chats. Add some cheer to your home. If your environment is dreary, work on creating a happy, vibrant space to help combat the lonely blues. Try giving your room a fresh coat of paint in a bright color, like a revitalizing green or chipper blue. Get some flowers or plants to liven up your house. Open the window blinds and swap heavy, dark drapes for sheer curtains. Letting more light into your home can help you feel more connected to the outside world. Try to cut down on clutter, too. A more organized home can help promote a positive mindset. Exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Regular exercise improve both physical and mental health. Go for activities that get you out of the house. Try walking around your neighborhood, going for nature, swimming, or taking a group yoga, spin, or martial arts class. Walking around your neighborhood can help you get to know more of your neighbors, and a group exercise class is a great way to meet new people. Take up a new hobby. Learning something new can be a rewarding experience and help you cultivate new skills. Joining a club or taking a class can also help you meet people who share similar interests. For example, pursue interests in cooking, gardening, or crafting. Turn your solo hobbies into social activities by joining clubs or taking classes on these topics. Look online for classes or clubs, or check related businesses or organizations for social opportunities. For instance, if you're into gardening, see if a local garden center offers gardening classes. Treat yourself with rewards that require leaving the house. Going shopping for new clothes, getting a new haircut, or getting a massage are great ways to practice self-love. Checking out new shops, restaurants, and other public places also provides opportunities to interact with other people. Put yourself out there and treat yourself to a movie, play, or concert. These don't only have to be “date” activities; they're things that you can enjoy all on your own. Go on a trip to a place you've always wanted to visit. Best of all, you don't have to negotiate another person or deal with their quirks, like wanting to stop at an attraction you don't care for or not wanting to fly. Get a new furry friend. If you're sick of coming home to an empty house, a furry companion can offer unconditional love and help curb feelings of loneliness. Additionally, pets can improve your overall health, such as by lowering blood pressure and promoting exercise. Pets can also provide opportunities to become more social. For instance, having a dog is a great conversation starter, and you'll need to leave the house more to walk your pooch. Remember that everyone feels lonely sometimes. Try not to idealize relationships, or think that dating and marriage are cure-alls. Being in a relationship with someone isn't easy, and even people in relationships feel lonely. Feeling lonely is part of being human and, in a way, it's sort of a good thing. Loneliness prompts people to seek connections with others, so it's part of the foundation of all relationships. Redirect negative, critical thoughts. If you start to think thoughts like “I'm not good enough,” or “There's something wrong with me,” say to yourself, “Stop! These are not productive thoughts, and I have the power to change my mindset.” The first step to being confident in social situations is to change the thought patterns that give rise to insecurity. Harsh self-criticism is usually based on distorted thinking. Stop beating yourself up, remain objective, and challenge distorted thoughts. Don't dwell on past relationships or think of them as "failures." Accept the fact that you can't change the past. Instead, move on and seize opportunities to become a more fulfilled and fruitful person. Work on making yourself vulnerable. You don't have to be perfect to form new platonic or romantic relationships. In fact, being open and honest about vulnerabilities is how people bond with each other. Accept your imperfections, work on what you can change, and show yourself some compassion. Try not to fear being rejected. If things don't work out with a potential friend or partner, don't assume that it's your fault or there's something wrong with you. Sometimes people are incompatible, have a misunderstanding, or are just in a bad mood. Take healthy social risks. It might feel stressful and risky, but you have to meet and interact with people in order to curb loneliness. Put yourself out there and make connections with new people. With each baby step, you'll get a little more comfortable in your own skin. Challenge yourself to try new things, to talk to new people, and to engage in unfamiliar situations. If your coworkers invite you out after work, take them up on their offer. If you're in line at the store, strike up conversation with the person next to you or with the cashier. Spur conversations by asking questions. If you're anxious about awkward silences or not knowing what to say, just ask questions. Most people like talking about themselves, so asking questions is a good way to get a conversation flowing. You could ask someone “What do you do for work,” or “Have you seen any good movies lately?” If you're at a party, you could ask, “So how do you know the host?” While waiting for class to start, you could ask the person next to you, “How about that pop quiz yesterday? It really pulled the rug right out from under me!” Build your confidence in social settings gradually. Set reasonable expectations, and work on improving your social confidence one step at a time. For instance, you could start by smiling and waving at a neighbor while walking down the street. The next time you see your neighbor, you could introduce yourself and take a minute to chat. You could talk about the neighborhood, say how cute their dog is, or compliment their garden. As you become friendly, you could invite them over for coffee or tea Join a new social group. You could see if there's a book club through your local library or coffee house. If you're passionate about a particular set of issues or social causes, do some internet searching to see if there are any clubs or organizations in your area that focus on the same causes. If you're religious, consider joining a place of worship or participating in a meditation or prayer group. Volunteer for your favorite charitable cause. Volunteering can help keep you busy and raise your self-esteem. In addition, volunteering for a cause you value can put you in touch with like-minded people. For example, you could volunteer at a shelter if you love animals, raise awareness for a disease that affected a loved one, or canvas for a political cause close to your heart. Join an online community. In addition to dating online, there are lots of ways to connect with other people via the internet. Play online games with chat features, chat on forums on topics that interest you, and meet people on social media. Interacting with others online can help you develop social skills if you're anxious about meeting people face-to-face. Just remember to practice internet safety , and avoid sharing private information. Try to let relationships form naturally. Do your best not to rush into platonic or romantic relationships. Allow your connections with others to evolve over time, and don't feel like you have to force things. Have patience, and give your relationships time to develop solid foundations. It's better to be single than to rush into a relationship with someone who doesn't have your best interests in mind. Someone will come along when you least expect it, so try to stay patient and positive. Set up an online dating profile. Try to be yourself when you fill out your profile. Talk about positive things, like your hobbies and things you like, instead listing your annoyances or boasting about being the best at something. Read everything you write out loud, and make sure it sounds conversational instead of clunky or cocky. Try to set realistic expectations, proceed slowly, and listen to your instincts. If you hit it off with someone via email or text, move on to phone conversations and schedule a date. While you don't want to rush things, it's important to work on building a connection with someone instead of just texting for weeks. Try not to think that someone is “the one” or that you have an instant connection with them, especially before the first date. It's easy to idealize someone before meeting them in person, and you should allow your relationship to develop without preconceived notions. Build your confidence so you can ask people out in person. Aside from online dating sites, you might also meet potential dates at the grocery store, a club or class, at a party, or at your gym. The idea of asking someone out might be daunting, but becoming more comfortable in basic social situations can help you overcome shyness. Work on starting conversations when you're out and about, and try to talk to both people you're attracted to and those you're not. To break the ice, you could mention the weather, ask for advice, or pay them a compliment. Try to develop a more confident mindset with positive self-talk. Instead of thinking, "I'm a shy person and can't ask someone out," say to yourself, “I'm shy sometimes, but I can get past it.” Stay calm and casual when you ask someone on a date. As you become more comfortable with people in general, challenge yourself to ask someone on a date. Chat with them to break the ice. Then, if the conversation goes well, ask them if they want to meet for a coffee or drink some time. For instance, you might see someone at a coffee shop carrying a book by your favorite author. You might say something like, “Oh, I've always loved Nabokov,” or “I didn't know people still read real books!” During your conversation, you might ask questions such as, “Have you read many of his books? Which is your favorite? Who's your favorite author?” If you seem to hit it off, ask to continue to the conversation. Keep it casual, and think of it as asking a friend to hang out with you. Say, “I've got to get to work, but I'm really enjoying this conversation. Would you be interested in continuing it over coffee some time this week?” Start with a brief encounter, like coffee or a drink. A good first date is low-pressure, brief, and lets you and your date get a feel for each other. Chatting over coffee or cocktails helps break the ice without the formality or pressure of a dinner date. Set reasonable expectations, and try not to decide if someone is unsuitable just because they're not perfect. However, if you're absolutely sure right off the bat that the person isn't right for you, at least grabbing a coffee or drink isn't a major investment of your time or money. Go on second and third dates that allow you to talk. If the first date went well, ask them if they'd like to have dinner, walk around a park, make a picnic, or go to the zoo. Getting to know each other is important at this stage, so go for activities that don't get in the way of talking. Date ideas to avoid include going to the movies and noisy bars. Additionally, it's best to spend time alone at this point, so hold off on doing activities with lots of friends. Instead, try to find a date that balances activities you like and activities your date likes. Stay open and optimistic instead of setting high expectations. When you hit it off with someone, it's tempting to fantasize about where it will go. However, instead of writing your relationship's script before it can get off the ground, try to enjoy each moment that naturally unfolds. Not every relationship has to develop into a marriage or long-term partnership. Casually dating someone can be fun, and it helps you get a better sense of what you need in a partner. Have a good time, and try not to pressure yourself with rigid expectations. Remind yourself that love happens when you least expect it, and that there are plenty of aspects of life that resist your control. | Try to appreciate the perks of being single. Reach out to loved ones when you feel lonely. Add some cheer to your home. Exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Take up a new hobby. Treat yourself with rewards that require leaving the house. Get a new furry friend. Remember that everyone feels lonely sometimes. Redirect negative, critical thoughts. Work on making yourself vulnerable. Take healthy social risks. Spur conversations by asking questions. Build your confidence in social settings gradually. Join a new social group. Volunteer for your favorite charitable cause. Join an online community. Try to let relationships form naturally. Set up an online dating profile. Build your confidence so you can ask people out in person. Stay calm and casual when you ask someone on a date. Start with a brief encounter, like coffee or a drink. Go on second and third dates that allow you to talk. Stay open and optimistic instead of setting high expectations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Travel-when-You-Have-an-Anxiety-Disorder | How to Travel when You Have an Anxiety Disorder | To travel when you have an anxiety disorder, start by putting on comfortable clothing and eating a light meal before your trip. Pack your carry-on or backpack with stuff to keep your mind occupied during your flight, like crossword puzzles, a good book, or calming music. For a little extra help, try taking over-the-counter medications like melatonin or antihistamines to help you feel calm. If you're worried that you're going to have a panic attack when you're traveling, talk to your doctor about prescribing you a small amount of diazepam, alprazolam, or lorazepam to help you stay calm. | Make a to-do list. It can be helpful to make a to-do list that includes tasks you need to complete before your trip. This might include arranging care for a pet, doing laundry, or purchasing certain items for your trip. Checking off items once they're completed can help you feel more in control and will also let you see what you have accomplished. Pack ahead of time. Packing at the last minute can be a source of considerable stress that starts off your journey on the wrong foot. Have your bags ready to go the day before your trip. You can also make a list of items to be packed before doing the actual packing or pack slowly over a few days rather than all at once. Separate things you'll need to keep out between the time you pack and the time you leave like a toothbrush. If packing causes you stress, consider using a sample packing list, which can be found online. This may help you get the ball rolling. Gather carry-on items. Any items that you'll need to have on hand during the trip, such as your keys, wallet, phone, phone charger, and travel tickets, should be gathered ahead of time. Make them visible so that they can't be missed, but keep them clear of children, pets, or housemates who might confuse them for their own belongings. Wear comfortable clothing. For many forms of travel, you will be seated for long periods of time, typically in a confined space. Wearing restrictive clothing can make matters worse and increase your stress. This physical discomfort could trigger the effects of your anxiety disorder. Prioritize your comfort over looking good. Loose-fitting jeans, sweatpants, shorts, t-shirts and sweatshirts are all good options for a comfortable trip. Consider the temperature when dressing. It may be hard to know ahead of time what the temperature in the vehicle might be like, so consider dressing for a warm temperature and taking a sweatshirt or blanket you can easily throw over yourself if it turns out to be cold. If you are concerned with looking nice, you may want to bring a change of clothes as well as quick grooming items (such as a toothbrush, hair brush, or lipstick) in your carry-on luggage to use when your trip is over. Eat a light meal. Travel anxiety could distract you from eating well before your flight, but traveling while hungry will amplify your anxiety. On the other hand, a large meal may leave you feeling bloated, tired, or even sick in a confined space. Eat a light meal before you leave so you're comfortable. Dehydration can exacerbate anxiety. Drink water beforehand and bring a bottle with you on your trip. If you are flying, you'll need to buy the water at the airport past the security checkpoint. Sliced fruit, yogurt, baby carrots, celery, and nuts are great options to provide healthy energy for your trip. These foods are also relatively easy to take with you to eat during the trip. Avoid foods that might give you gas or bloating. These include dairy products, bran, legumes like beans or lentils, and cruciferous vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, artichokes or onions. You should also avoid anything with a lot of grease, trans fat, or sugar. Set alarms. If you have an early trip, set your alarm as soon as possible so you don't forget. You can also set an alarm for when you have to leave for the trip itself. Anxiety disorder can cause you to obsess about being on time so you don't miss your flight. Therefore, knowing you have the alarm set could ease that anxiety. If you have a friend or family member that typically rises early, ask if they will call you to ensure you are awake. Leave early. Leave for your trip early so you don't add unnecessary anxiety when you hit traffic or other unexpected hindrances. If you get there early, you can spend a while sitting and relaxing to center yourself before you board your vehicle. Plan activities. One of the best ways to deal with travel anxiety is to simply take your mind off it. Have some work, school, or recreational activities planned so that you're distracted from whatever is making you anxious about the trip. Practicing art or writing is a great way to distract yourself from your anxiety during a trip. Bring along a loose-leaf journal with plenty of paper. Try sketching or writing a creative story. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and other games are popular options for passing time during travel. Read exciting or compelling books to help you disconnect from anxiety triggers around you. If you get motion sick, try audio books with headphones. Calming music or guided meditations on your phone or music device can aid in relaxation. Invest in some comfortable earbuds or headphones. Taking along a laptop or portable gaming device will greatly expand your options. Have some games or tasks you can complete available offline in case Wi-Fi isn't available for your trip. Smile. Smiling is clinically proven to reduce anxiety and stimulate the body's relaxation response. Even if you're nervous, try smiling to yourself or at the people around you. It really can help you feel better and reduce your heartrate. Practice deep breathing. If you feel an anxiety attack coming on during your trip, try deep breathing. It is a great way to calm your nerves and take your mind off your anxieties. Better yet, you can do it anytime, anywhere. Open your mouth and gently sigh to let the air out of your lungs. Let your upper body and shoulder muscles relax as you do. It may help to close your eyes. Keep your mouth closed and slowly inhale through your nose until your lungs are full. Try to pause for a second or two once they are full. Open your mouth slightly and slowly exhale until your lungs are empty. Repeat several times until you feel like your nerves are under control. Take a travel companion. Traveling with someone will help ease your anxiety. Select this person carefully to make sure they are understanding of your anxiety and will comfort you. Choosing someone who will be critical or judgmental can add unnecessary stress. If you don't have a companion, try making conversation with the person next to you. Have a trusted friend or loved one you can call while stressing if you feel an anxiety attack coming on. Bring pillows and blankets. Making yourself comfortable will go a long way to lessening your anxiety and calming yourself during an acute episode. It may be difficult to sleep while experiencing travel anxiety but just making yourself comfortable can ease your tensions. Bring along a plush blanket and small pillow that you can use while seated upright. You may want to bring along a sleep blindfold and earplugs as well. Maintain a routine. People with anxiety disorders often comfort themselves with a predictable routine. Travel can throw this routine off but you can still try to replicate it as much as possible during your trip. Consider things like when you eat, when you wake up and go to sleep. Be prepared for panic attacks. If you're in an unfamiliar place, research local doctors ahead of time so you can react quickly. Prepare traveling companions by explaining your condition so they can help. You can also plan to contact a friend back home via video messaging or phone if you find them comforting. Make sure you have any other resources that you would typically have for dealing with an attack at home. Don't be afraid to ask for help from locals or other passengers if you're experiencing the symptoms of a panic attack, especially if it's as simple as needing someone to talk to. If you have a therapist, make them aware that you will be traveling. They may be able to be accessible to you for assistance if you have a panic attack. Purchase melatonin. Melatonin is an over-the-counter medication that replicates a natural hormone in your brain. Its primary use is as a sleep aid but is also effective for controlling anxiety and high blood pressure and is often used for travel anxiety specifically. It can be found at any pharmacy. If you have diabetes, clinical depression, hemophilia or any other clotting disorder, chronically low blood pressure, epilepsy, or have recently received a blood or organ transplant, do not take melatonin. Speak to your doctor about alternatives. Try an antihistamine. Some travelers also use antihistamines, such as Benadryl, for a subtle calming effect. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label. Ask your doctor about benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines refer to a broad range of prescription medications that are designed to treat anxiety. Though you'd typically need to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder before being prescribed a benzodiazepine, physicians will sometimes give you a small number of pills to use for travel. Diazepam, known by the brand name Vallium, Alprazolam, known by the brand name Xanax, Lorazepam, and Clonazepam are commonly prescribed for anxiety. Tell your doctor you're specifically looking for something to cope with travel anxiety. Avoid alcohol. Many people with travel anxiety drink alcohol before or during their trip to ease their stress. This is a mistake as alcohol tends to make anxiety worse, especially as it wears off. If you do drink, do so lightly or you can become sick. You absolutely cannot drink alcohol if you are also taking anxiety medications for the trip. This can cause serious health problems. | Make a to-do list. Pack ahead of time. Gather carry-on items. Wear comfortable clothing. Eat a light meal. Set alarms. Leave early. Plan activities. Smile. Practice deep breathing. Take a travel companion. Bring pillows and blankets. Maintain a routine. Be prepared for panic attacks. Purchase melatonin. Try an antihistamine. Ask your doctor about benzodiazepines. Avoid alcohol. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Drink-Beer | How to Drink Beer | To drink beer, start by picking the right glass for the beer you're drinking. For example, choose a mug for Indian Pale Ales or a pint glass for American ales. Then, pour the beer into your glass at a 45°angle to create the perfect “head,” or foam. Next, swirl the beer in your glass to release the beer's aromas, then take a whiff through your nose and see what flavors you can sense. Finally, take your first sip, hold it in your mouth to get the full flavor, and swallow it. | . Choose the right beer Gone are the days when you thought beer only came out of a keg and into a red plastic cup. There are an infinite amount of varieties out there, meaning there's a beer out there that matches your ideal taste. Here's a brief and not-at-all comprehensive rundown (that would take ages): Ales. These ferment quickly and are generally a bit sweeter, fuller-bodied, and have a fruity flavor. Indian Pale Ales (IPAs) have more hops and are generally bitter. This category includes pale ales, wheat beers, bitters, porters, stouts, barley wines, brown ales and tripels. Watch out for tripels – they've been fermented several times and can knock you off your feet. Lagers. These ferment slowly and tend to have a "crisper" flavor than ales and are, in general, less "hoppy." Think of Heineken, Bud Light, Natural Light, Harp, Corona, Miller Genuine Draft – these are all light lagers. This category also includes pilsners, Vienna lagers, bocks and marzens. Stouts. These really fall under the "ale" umbrella, but they are their own beast. A stout is dark and often creamy, with tastes of chocolate and coffee undertones. There's also oatmeal and oyster stouts, too. For these, think Guinness, Beamish, and Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stouts. Bitters. These are English ales that have a deep bronze look and a well-hopped flavor (in other words, bitter). In general, they have greater depth than IPAs. It's hard to qualify their taste beyond that as there are several categories: session or ordinary bitter, best or regular bitter and premium or strong bitter (often called Extra Special Bitters (ESB)). Wheat Beer (or Hefeweizen). This is an ale with a light yet hazy appearance. It often has a slight banana or clove flavor. Sometimes it's spicy or apple-y, too. It's not bitter and it's often served with a wedge of lemon. Choose the right glass for the right beer. Just like red wines and white wines (and hard liquors) need to be treated differently and put it in different glasses, the same goes for different varieties of beer. Here's a few things to consider: Mugs – good for IPAs, red, black, brown, and blonde American Ales, Pilsner, English Stouts, smoked beer, witbier, American and English Porters Pint glasses – good for American Ales, IPAs, Pale Ales, English Bitter and mild English Ales, cream ales, dark Lager and Stouts. Goblets : Belgian IPAs and strong, dark ales, quadruples and tripels Pilsner glasses : Vienna and Japanese lagers, Euro dark and strong lagers, American malt liquors, pale and red lagers, doppelbocks Weizen glasses: Dark and pale wheat ales, and all "weizens" Choose the right beer to complement your meal. Beer pairs just as well – if not better – with food like wine. And in general, it's the same idea: lighter foods like salads and fish go with lighter beers. Heavier foods and meatier meats go with darker beers. You should also pair "regional" beers with food of that region. Apart from that, here are a few things to remember: Does your beer have a caramel, cocoa or coffee flavor? Pair it with a smokey flavor, like with char-grilled foods. Is your beer hoppy? This can provide an herbal contract to fattier foods, like salmon, pizza, and fried foods. Is your beer sweet and fruity? Think appetizer plates, like grapes, cheeses, and bruschetta. Choose a beer that's been stored properly in a cool, dark location. It's important to store your beer in a cool area, away from direct light, heat and in a constant temperature. Ideally, most beers should be kept around 50–55 °F (10–13 °C). Anything higher and the lifespan of your beer will be shortened; anything lower and you'll make it hazy or cloudy. Wanna get technical? Strong beers (like barleywines, tripels, dark ales) will be best enjoyed when kept just below room temperature, around 55-60F. Standard ales (like bitters, IPAs, dobbelbocks, lambics, stouts, etc) should be at "cellar temperature, 50-55F. Lighter beers (think lagers, pilsners, wheat beers, milds, etc) should be around refrigerated temperature, or 45-50F. Think of it this way: the higher the alcohol content, the higher the temperature required and vice versa. Grab a clean class. A dirty glass may contain oils or grime that interferes with the true flavor of your beer. Also, it's just a little gross. To be sure, run your glass under hot water; use soap and water if necessary. Hold it up to the light to inspect for smudges and oil. Don't mix your glasses, either. If it's a beer glass, use it as just a beer glass. Try putting beer in a milk glass and you'll get the picture. Pour the beer in at a 45-degree angle. For the perfect beer, you need about 1" to 1-1/2" of "head" (the foamy stuff), or about 2.5–3 centimeter (1.0–1.2 in). To get at this, start by pouring the beer into your perfect glass at a 45-degree angle. The beer should stream down the midpoint of the side of the glass, allowing it to aerate. This creates the "head". Having head is very important to get to the true flavors of the beer. No head and you'll lose what makes your beer tasty and delicious. It'll also provide a stronger, more decadent aroma. Level the glass and start to pour straight in. When glass becomes half full, start leveling it out slowly, pouring straight into the glass. This minimizes the head created, giving you the perfect amount. If you head is forming too quickly (this happens with some beers), start pouring straight down the middle sooner. If it's not forming, keep it at an angle. Alternatively, try the double-pour method. Some people believe in the double-pour method as it supposedly increases the aroma and releases the flavors. This is especially true with Guinness (if that's how they do it in Dublin, it's best to follow suit). Here's how it's done: Pour the glass half full, accumulating a large head Let the head dissipate slightly Pour again, aiming for that 1" to 1-1/2" of head in total Look at your beer. Want to analyze your beer and learn which ones you love, which ones you loathe, and why? Start by looking at your beer, marveling at its color and body. Raise it in front of you, but not to the light (that'll make it appear lighter than it is). What do you notice? Think about the head. Is it foamy? Creamy? Quick to disappear? Consider its color. Is it more golden, red, or chestnut? Look at its consistency. Is it creamy? Thick or thin? Hazy with debris or clean as a whistle? Swirl your beer a bit. Just like you swirl around a glass of good red wine, swirl around your beer. This releases the aromas and fragrance of your particular beer. It pulls out the nuances and tests its head retention. How does this beer differ from other beers you're used to when you swirl it around? How does the carbonation loosen? What happens from the bottom to the top of the beer? Smell it. Most of taste is smell, after all. Take the first whiff through your nose. What do you sense? Fruits? Bread? Chocolate? Then take a whiff through your mouth (yes, the two are connected). Does it change at all? If need be, swirl it around again. Does this intensify the smell? Go in for the taste. Take your first sip. Don't swallow quite yet. Let it ruminate on your palate, wandering and exploring every taste bud. How does it feel in your mouth? Now breathe out (this could change the taste as mucus gets released). Detect even the smallest flavors, like salty or sweetness. How does it change as it warms in your mouth, too? Then swallow. Then repeat. Repeat, repeat, repeat, and repeat. How is it changing with every sip? Does it change as you reach the bottom of your glass? Drink up! Don't leave it to get warm and stale. If you drank from a bottle (why would you do that?) and you recap it for later, it'll get skunk-y when you come back to it, so don't bother. Beer is best now. Okay, so you can let it get a little warm. Really, really cold beer has its flavors masked by temperature. Let it warm up a bit and you may notice nice changes. But there's a line where it crosses and becomes not so tasty – if you wait, you'll find that line. | . Choose the right glass for the right beer. Choose the right beer to complement your meal. Choose a beer that's been stored properly in a cool, dark location. Grab a clean class. Pour the beer in at a 45-degree angle. Level the glass and start to pour straight in. Alternatively, try the double-pour method. Look at your beer. Swirl your beer a bit. Smell it. Go in for the taste. Drink up! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-a-Healthy-Adult-Cat | How to Pick a Healthy Adult Cat | Before you can pick a healthy adult cat, visit your local animal shelter or humane society to see which cats are available. Once you find a cat you like, ask to see its medical record to make sure it has been tested for feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis. Additionally, spend a couple hours with the cat to ensure it has a good temperament. Remember, it's okay if you don't find a cat you want to adopt right away; you can always return later. | Recognize your responsibilities. It's easy to assume that most cats are solitary creatures that can look after themselves. But, cats need companionship and socialization. You'll need to spend time with your cat. Make sure you'll be able to keep her stimulated and play with her every day. If you have other pets already (especially cats), consider how they'll interact with another cat. Determine if you can provide for the cat. In addition to attention, your cat will need clean water, food, and shelter. Decide whether or not you'll keep your cat strictly indoors. If so, create a space for the cat to rest, eat, and toilet. Make sure your cat always has access to fresh clean water and feed her a high-quality cat food. Consider the cost of buying food, litter supplies, any medications, and possible veterinary care. Make sure you're willing to spend money on maintaining the cat. Think about the needs of your household. If you have children or small kids, think about how they'll do around the cat. You should choose a cat that's proven to be good around small children, if you're concerned. You'll also need to teach your small kids how to treat the cat. If the cat is small or shy, you don't want the kids to frighten or injure her. For example, you'll need to teach the kids how to play nicely with the cat. This way, they won't unintentionally harm the cat. Decide what type of breed you want. Since most shelters and humane societies end up with a variety of cats, you might want to go with a particular breed in mind. If you're set on a certain breed, you can also contact a breeder or cat fancier to ask if they're retiring any of their breeding or show cats. Keep in mind that purebred cats may have a high chance of having inheritable diseases. Purebreds are prone to eye problems, skin problems and metabolic problems like diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Consider what age and personality you're looking for. If you're looking for an adult cat, you probably want a cat who's not overly energetic. Think about if you're looking for an older cat who's not terribly active and sleeps most of the day, or if you'd like one who's still active and playful. Study the personalities of the cats that are available for you to buy or adopt. Really spend some time paying attention to how well they interact with each other, their energy levels (how much they sleep), and if they are good with people. Look for clean ears. The cat's ears should be healthy and free of dirt. Dirty ears can indicate an infection or ear mites. The cat's ears should not smell bad. Look for obvious signs of ear infection which include: Redness Discharge Ear Scratching Head Shaking Rubbing ears on hard surfaces Check for clean teeth. The teeth should be clear from any tartar or calculus (brown residue that sticks to the teeth around the gum line). If the cat is over five years old, you may see a small amount of tartar on the big canine teeth and the teeth may be stained yellow. Other dental problems include sores in the mouth and drooling. Don't forget to check the gums, especially where they meet the teeth. The gums shouldn't be red or swollen. Look for a clean nose. The cat's nose should not have any mucus or discharge and she shouldn't be sneezing or coughing. If the cat's nose is wet from licking, it's fine. It's also alright if the nose is dry, which could mean that she was sitting in the sun or just in a warm area. The cat shouldn't be wheezing or having difficulty breathing. Notice the cat's eyes. The eyes should be bright and have no discharge from them or around them. She should be able to completely open them and be able to focus normally. Test the cat's tracking vision by dragging a string or feather toy across the floor. Make sure the cat can follow it with her eyes. Examine the cat's skin. Part the hair and look at the skin. It should be clear and smooth. If you see redness, itchiness, or signs of fleas, the cat probably hasn't been properly cared for and you may want to choose a different seller. An adult cat's fur will seem glossier than a kitten's. Make sure there are no bald spots or signs of scratching. Look at the cat's body condition. Body condition refers to the cat's overall shape, especially her belly size. Most veterinarians use a 9 point scale to grade your cat's condition. The cat should score around a 5. This means you should be able to see her waist and ribs, but her belly shouldn't protrude. She should be a healthy weight. An extended belly can mean the cat has an untreated worm infestation or a serious condition like heart or liver disease. A score of 1 would be severely underweight while a 9 would be very overweight. Make sure the cat is trained and spayed or neutered. Many sellers or shelters will spay or neuter cats before adoption. If not, you'll probably want to get this done within a month of bringing the cat home. You should also make sure the cat is litter box trained and that her stools are firm. Loose stools or stool around her bottom might mean the cat has diarrhea. Don't forget to ask to see the litter box so you can check for this. Watch to see if the cat licks her genital area often (especially if a female cat). This might indicate a urinary tract infection. Visit the animal shelter or humane society. Start your search at the local humane or animal rescue society. See what cats they currently have available. Shelters and humane societies provide good health care to all animals in their care. The animals usually get a full veterinary examination, vaccinations, and are spayed or neutered. Shelters and humane societies will not knowingly adopt out a sick cat. They'll often take back a cat within a few days of adoption if it gets sick. Ask to see the cat's medical record. Regardless of where you get your cat from, you should make sure the cat has been checked for feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis. Do not take a cat that tests positive for these into your home without consulting with your veterinarian. You should also ask to see the veterinary records for the cat to make sure all vaccinations are up to date. Play with the cat. If you think you've found a cat you'd like to bring home, spend at least a few hours with her. This will give you a chance to play with her and see her true temperament. Adult cats may develop bad behaviors and you need to make sure the cat is friendly with you. You should also feel comfortable around her. Spending time with the cat will give you an opportunity to see her vices. For example, she may bite or growl at you. Take the cat to the vet. If you do decide that the cat is healthy and friendly enough to take with you, bring the cat (and her health records) to your veterinarian within three days of taking her home with you. The veterinarian will want to meet her and do a thorough examination. During this exam, ask the veterinarian to have the cat's vaccinations updated and to have her stool checked for worms and parasites. Take your time. Remember, it's okay to take your time when choosing a pet. If you don't see a cat you'd like to adopt, give it some time and return later. Or, if you're unsure what kind of cat you'd like, spend more time playing around cats till you discover what you're looking for. Only adopt a cat when you're certain you will care for her and provide her a permanent home. | Recognize your responsibilities. Determine if you can provide for the cat. Think about the needs of your household. Decide what type of breed you want. Consider what age and personality you're looking for. Look for clean ears. Check for clean teeth. Look for a clean nose. Notice the cat's eyes. Examine the cat's skin. Look at the cat's body condition. Make sure the cat is trained and spayed or neutered. Visit the animal shelter or humane society. Ask to see the cat's medical record. Play with the cat. Take the cat to the vet. Take your time. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Alter-a-Shirt | How to Alter a Shirt | To alter a T-shirt that's too big for you, start by laying it flat and placing a well-fitting shirt on top of it. Next, trace the outer edges of the top shirt onto the bottom one, then cut along the lines with sharp scissors, including the underside of the sleeves. Then, pin the two sides of the shirt you just cut out along the edges, and fold over the end of the sleeves by 1/2 inch to make the hems for the sleeves. Once you've pinned the edges, sew them together, removing the pins as you go. Finally, turn the shirt inside out so that the hems are on in the inside. | Lay the well-fitting shirt over the ill-fitting shirt. Lay your ill-fitting t-shirt out flat and then lay the well-fitting shirt over it. Make sure that both shirts are flat and lined up at the shoulders and neckline. Leave the t-shirt sleeves on both shirts untucked. Trace along the edges of the well-fitting shirt. Trace around the outside of the entire shirt including around the underside of the sleeves (around the armpit areas). Make sure that the shoulders and neckline of the t-shirts are lined up. Cut along the lines you have drawn. Use your scissors to cut straight, even lines following the chalk lines you have drawn on the ill-fitting shirt. Cut around the undersides of the sleeves as well. Shorten the sleeves. For a t-shirt, you will only need to adjust the length of your sleeves. Line up the t-shirt sleeves so that the shoulder seams are lined up. Then, use a piece of chalk to trace ½” (1.3 cm) from the end of the well-fitting sleeve. Cut off the excess, and then fold over the end of your sleeve by ½” (1.3 cm) all the way around the sleeve opening. This will be the new hemline for your t-shirt sleeve. Sew along the edges of the t-shirt. Sew along the edges going from the bottom of the t-shirt to the ends of the sleeves. Then, sew around the pinned areas at the end of the t-shirt sleeves to create your new sleeve hem. Remove the pins as you sew. Your seam should be about ½” (1.3 cm) from the raw edge of the fabric. When you are finished, you can turn your t-shirt inside out and try it on! Place a shirt that fits well over your oversized shirt. Turn your oversized shirt inside out and then lay out your oversized shirt so that it is completely flat. Tuck the sleeves of the well-fitting shirt into the armholes before you begin. Leave the sleeves of the ill-fitting shirt untucked and spread out. Make sure that both shirts are buttoned up all the way as well. Trace around the edges with chalk. Next, take a piece of chalk and trace around the outer edges of the button-down shirt. Start at the bottom of the shirt and trace ½” (1.3 cm) from the edges of the well-fitting shirt on both sides. This will provide some extra fabric for your seam allowance. Tuck in the sleeves on your well-fitting shirt all the way to the sleeve seam. This is where the shoulder and sleeve meet on your shirt. Do not trace around the sleeves. Only trace around the sleeve openings. Cut along the lines you have drawn. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut along the lines you have drawn onto the ill-fitting shirt. Make sure to cut straight, even lines. Do not cut inside or outside of the lines. Cut right along them. Cut the sleeves completely off of the body piece of the shirt. Trim down the sleeves as needed. Leave the sleeves turned inside out to do this. Measure the sleeve length on your ill-fitting shirt against the sleeve length of your well-fitting shirt to determine how much you want to trim them down. To do this, lay the ill-fitting sleeve out flat and then line up the well-fitting sleeve over it so that the sleeve cuffs and top edges are lined up. Make sure that the well-fitting sleeve is flat as well. Trace around the bottom edge and arm seam of your well-fitting sleeve with a piece of chalk leaving a ½” (1.3 cm) seam allowance. Do this for both sleeves. Sew along the edges of the shirt. When you have finished making your adjustments to the t-shirt or button-down shirt, you can sew along the edges to secure the new fit. Sew a straight seam about ½” (1.3 cm) from the edges of the body of the shirt. Do not sew across the armhole openings. Leave these open so that you can reattach the sleeves. Turn the sleeves right side out. Your body piece will need to remain inside out, but your sleeves will need to be right side out to reattach them properly. Turn the sleeves right side out before you begin. Insert the sleeves through the armhole openings. To line up the edges of your sleeve openings and sleeves, you will need to completely insert the sleeves into the arm openings cuff first. Insert the cuffs into the arm openings and keep going until the ends of your sleeves are lined up with the openings. Pin the sleeves in place. After you have inserted the sleeves through the sleeve openings completely, you can pin around the edges to secure them. Make sure that the edges of the sleeves and sleeves openings are lined up evenly. Sew the sleeves back onto the shirt. When you are satisfied with the way the sleeves are pinned, you can sew the sleeves in place. Sew along the pinned edges about ½” (1.3 cm) from the raw edges to secure the sleeves. Remove the pins as you sew. After you finish sewing both sleeves into place, you can turn the shirt inside out and try it on! Turn the shirt inside out and put it on. Pinning and pinching is a fairly easy way to improve the fit of a shirt. To get started, all you need to do is turn the shirt inside out and put it on. This way you will be able to sew the areas you have pinned when you remove the shirt. If you are tailoring a button-down shirt, then make sure that you button it up all the way before putting the shirt on. Pinch the areas where you would like the shirt to fit better. Locate the areas of the shirt where it is ill-fitting and pinch them so that they will be the size you'd like them to be. Then, place a pin through the fabric in each of these areas to hold the fabric in place. You may also ask a friend to do this for you if you find it difficult to pinch and pin the shirt you are wearing. Remove the shirt. When you finish pinning the shirt in all of the areas where the fit is off, carefully take off the shirt. Make sure that you do this carefully and slowly to avoid removing any of the pins in the process. Sew along the edges of the pinned areas. To secure the fabric in the areas you have pinned, sew a straight stitch just outside of the areas you have pinned. Remove the pins as you sew. Cut away the excess fabric. When you finish sewing along the pinned areas, you will need to cut away the excess fabric that is outside of the seam. Cut about ½” (1.3 cm) from the new seam to remove the excess fabric. After you cut away the excess fabric, your shirt will be ready to wear. Turn it right side out and try it on! | Lay the well-fitting shirt over the ill-fitting shirt. Trace along the edges of the well-fitting shirt. Cut along the lines you have drawn. Shorten the sleeves. Sew along the edges of the t-shirt. Place a shirt that fits well over your oversized shirt. Trace around the edges with chalk. Cut along the lines you have drawn. Trim down the sleeves as needed. Sew along the edges of the shirt. Turn the sleeves right side out. Insert the sleeves through the armhole openings. Pin the sleeves in place. Sew the sleeves back onto the shirt. Turn the shirt inside out and put it on. Pinch the areas where you would like the shirt to fit better. Remove the shirt. Sew along the edges of the pinned areas. Cut away the excess fabric. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Manage-a-Laminitis-Prone-Horse | How to Manage a Laminitis Prone Horse | To manage a laminitis-prone horse, replace all of your horse's grain-based feed with hay since excessive grain can cause laminitis. Also, feed your horse beet pulp so it's getting enough fiber, which helps prevent laminitis flare-ups. You can also help your horse by limiting how much it grazes since too much grazing can cause laminitis. | Remove all grain-based feed and replace it with hay. Horses that consume an excess of grain feed are more prone to laminitis. Remove your horse's grain feed and restrict its access to grain pasture to help manage its laminitis. Instead of offering your horse copious amounts of grain feed, provide lots of hay instead. Make sure to choose good quality hay for your horse. Giving your horse more hay allows it to eat more volume and stay busy while keeping its calorie and sugar consumption low. Hay is a healthier option than grain, so your horse can eat more of it. Your horse needs to consume 1.5% of its body weight in hay each day, unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise. Ensure your horse gets enough fiber by offering beet pulp. Your horse's hay contains fiber, but this type of fiber may be more difficult for your horse to digest. Beet pulp provides your horse with an easily digestible source of fiber, which is important for preventing laminitis flareups. You can use it as a 1 to 1 replacement for part of your horse's hay. Soak the beet pulp in enough warm water to cover it. Soaking the beet pulp makes it easier for your horse to chew and it may taste more appealing this way as well. Beet pulp is a byproduct of sugar production, but it is not sweet at all. Supplement to your horse's diet with canola or soybean oil. Many horse owners advocate offering canola or soybean oil to your horse in place of grain feed, especially for horses that are prone to laminitis. Make sure to gradually introduce oil into your horse's diet as you eliminate their grain feed. Plan to give your horse 3.5 fl oz (100 mL) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight. For example, if your horse weighs 880 lb (400 kg), then give your horse 14 fl oz (410 mL) of oil daily. Divide the oil into 2 to 3 servings added onto your horse's hay or beet pulp. For example, if you need to give your horse 14 fl oz (410 mL) daily, then you could divide this into two 7 fl oz (210 mL) portions. Ask your horse's veterinarian for a specific recommendation for your horse. Avoid letting your horse graze freely. Allowing your horse to roam a lush pastures and graze freely on the grass may seem like it would be good for it, but it may lead to a laminitis flareup. Limit your horse's access to the pasture during daytime hours, and only let it graze between 3 am and 10 am. Make sure that the pasture is not dense with lush grass. This will lead to overgrazing. Put a grazing muzzle on your horse to prevent it from grazing too much. Get your horse's shoes removed and replaced if recommended. Since laminitis mainly affects your horse's hooves, taking off your horse's regular shoes may be a crucial part of its treatment. Consult your horse's farrier to see if this is a good option for your horse. Then, discuss supportive measures to help ease your horse's discomfort, such as: Therapeutic shoes Ask your farrier to give your horse corrective hoof trimming and realignment trimming. Corrective hoof trimming will restore proper hoof form and function. Corrective trimming will allow the hooves to be healthy again. Realignment trimming trims back the toe so that it is in line with the coffin bone. Realigning trimming pushes the coffin bone back into the correct position. The process of a new hoof capsule totally growing out to replace the old one takes up to a year. You must leave your horse on laminitis trimmings long term. This will prevent the laminitis from coming back. The trimmings will reverse laminitis. Get your farrier to work with your veterinarian, who can X-ray your horse's feet. This is important because it allows your farrier to see how close the bone is to the sole, how much hoof they have to work with, and if your horse has any imbalances within its hoof. Frog supports can be added to your horse's shoes. These are made from a pour in material or a dental impression material. Ice your horse's feet to help relieve its discomfort. Icing your horse's legs and feet will reduce the blood flow to the hooves, relieve inflammation, make your horse more comfortable, and slow the disease progression. For an easy and safe option, buy commercial full-leg ice boots to chill your horses lower leg and hoof. If you prefer a homemade solution, put your horse's feet in a bucket and fill it with ice or apply bags of ice to your horse's feet. Refresh the ice every 2-4 hours during the day if you can. Commercial ice boots will be more comfortable for your horse. Using a bucket or bag of ice may irritate your horse. Lay soft bedding in your horse's stall. Your horse will be more comfortable while standing if the ground beneath its feet is soft. Cover the ground with sand or wood shavings to make it more comfortable for your horse to stand, such as while it is eating or drinking water. It's best to double the amount of shavings compared to what you normally put in your horse's stall. It's likely that your horse will want to lie down more because its feet hurt. Using extra shavings can decrease the risk that your horse will develop bed sores. Do not use black walnut shavings as these may be hazardous to your horse. Permit your horse to lie down for as long as it likes. It is okay if your horse prefers to lay than to stand for most of the time. Standing may be painful for your horse during an episode of laminitis. You may even want to encourage your horse to lay down if it seems like it is struggling to stay standing. Ensure that your horse maintains a healthy body weight. Overweight horses are more prone to laminitis than horses that are at a healthy weight. Consult your horse's veterinarian to determine if your horse needs to lose weight. If so, ask your horse's veterinarian for feeding guidelines, exercise recommendations, and other measures to help your horse lose weight. Your horse's vet may recommend: Cutting back your horse's hay intake to 1 to 1.5% of its target body weight Reducing treats and high-calorie supplements Gradually increasing your horse's exercise amount and intensity Limiting your horse's pasture time to 4 hours or less daily Maintain regular appointments with your horse's farrier. Regular hoof maintenance is important for reducing laminitis flareups. Ensure that your horse has regular appointments with a farrier to keep its hooves in good condition and spot any problems early before they get worse. For example, during a routine shoe change, your horse's farrier may be able to spot laminitis before it becomes severe. Keep regular appointments with your horse's veterinarian. Preventative checkups will help you keep your horse from developing laminitis if it is prone to it. Work with your horse's veterinarian to keep your horse parasite free and up to date on its vaccinations. Doing so will help to keep it healthy in general, and may also reduce the likelihood of a laminitis flare up. Your horse's veterinarian can also advise you on ways you can minimize your horse's symptoms in the event of a laminitis flare up. For example, they may recommend icing your horse's hooves and legs in the first 72 hours after symptoms appear. Call your horse's veterinarian if you suspect it has laminitis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is crucial if your horse gets laminitis. Call your vet and make an appointment right away if you suspect this is the issue. Your veterinarian may need to treat your horse using different techniques depending on the severity of its condition. Your veterinarian may: Prescribe antibiotics Open and drain any abscesses that have formed Purge your horse's digestive system Administer IV fluids If it ever gets to where your horse can't stand up or if the coffin bone drops through the sole of the hoof you must put your horse down. | Remove all grain-based feed and replace it with hay. Ensure your horse gets enough fiber by offering beet pulp. Supplement to your horse's diet with canola or soybean oil. Avoid letting your horse graze freely. Get your horse's shoes removed and replaced if recommended. Ice your horse's feet to help relieve its discomfort. Lay soft bedding in your horse's stall. Permit your horse to lie down for as long as it likes. Ensure that your horse maintains a healthy body weight. Maintain regular appointments with your horse's farrier. Keep regular appointments with your horse's veterinarian. Call your horse's veterinarian if you suspect it has laminitis. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Translator | How to Become a Translator | To become a translator, start by becoming fluent in another language. Additionally, look into taking advanced language, translation, and interpreting classes since this educational background will help you sell your skills to future employers. Moreover, consider pursuing your certification or taking a language skills test such as The Defense Language Proficiency Test. Then, look for volunteer opportunities in hospitals, at sporting events, or with community organizations to gain experience and get recommendations. | Become fluent in another language. “Fluent” is sort of an understatement. You need to know another language inside and out, from formal dialogue to casual conversations, to esoteric terms about a variety of topics. It's not a bad idea to study your own language, too. Most people only have an intrinsic understanding of their mother tongue; they can't verbally explain to you how it works. Get an extrinsic knowledge of your language to better understand how it works and how foreigners approach it. If you’re in college, choose a major that will give you an area of expertise. While you can specifically go to a translation school and get a Bachelor's of Translation, plenty of people go a completely different route entirely. See yourself translating at a bank? Get a degree in finance. See yourself working at a hospital? Get a biology degree. You need to understand what it is you'll be translating to be able to do it well – the right knowledge base can do just that. Work on your writing skills as well. Many people think that being a translator just means you know two languages. In reality, to be a successful translator, you've got to be a good writer, too. In addition to studying your language of choice and your topic of choice, study up on your writing. Just because you can speak the language does not mean you can write it well. Take translation and interpreting classes. Translating is a true skill – a good translator makes tiny modifications to the text they're working with to make it as good as it can be, taking into consideration audience, culture, and context. If you're currently a student or even just live near a college, take classes in translation or interpreting. Having this educational background will help sell your skills to future employers. While in school, look for opportunities to perform translation or interpreting work on campus for whomever you can. It is crucial to start early so you can get experience and get recommendations for when you need them later on. If you can, go to that country of your second language. The best way to get an appreciation for a language, a true understanding of it, and to see its nuances and idiosyncrasies is to go to a country where it is an official language. You'll see how the people actually talk, learn regionalized terms, and get a true feel for how the language naturally works. The longer you stay in that country for, the better and better your second language will get. Just make sure you spending your time with locals and not other expats! Take volunteer opportunities. When you're just starting out, you'll likely have to do work for free to beef up your resume and make connections. Turn to community organizations, hospitals, and sporting events, like marathons, that have international participants and see if you can just help out on the translating side. It's a necessary part of starting out in this career. Odds are you probably know someone who works in an industry that deals with many different types of people with many different linguistic backgrounds. Ask everyone you know if they could use some free help. Why would they turn you down? Get certified. Though certification isn't 100% necessary, it will make it much easier to get jobs. Employers look at your background and see this certification and trust you have the skills to do the job. You'll also be listed on the website of the organization you go through, where potential clients can find you. There are several varieties to consider: The American Translator's Association offers generalized certification programs for translators. If you want to be a judicial or medical translator, organizations such as the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators and the International Medical Interpreters Association offer specialized certifications in this area. Check if your state or area has an accreditation programs for translators and interpreters. Get tested. Take a language proficiency test such as the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) to show potential clients that you are indeed fluent in your specific language. Similar to an accreditation or certification, showing your test results to prospective employers is a quick way for them to assess your skills and see that you'll be good for the job. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages offers many proficiency tests, too. You can find plenty of tests online offered by other countries, as well. Sign up for job forums. Websites like Proz and Translators cafe have job postings for freelance work that could be just what you need to jumpstart your career. Some are free and some require a fee – for the record, generally the ones that cost money are a bit more lucrative in the end. There are also websites like Verbalizeit and Gengo where you take a test, they assess your skills, and you're put into a pool of translators that clients come to for work. Once you're fluent enough and have your resume set, try these sites to supplement your income. Get an internship. Paid or unpaid internships are very common ways that most interpreters and translators get their experience (no different than many other careers, really). At the end of the internship, you may be taken on as a full-time employee. Escort interpreting is an opportunity for inexperienced soon-to-be interpreters to work alongside a more experienced interpreter. Ask any potential employer if they have a shadowing program if you're interested in speaking, not just writing. Market yourself. Most translators are contractors, not employees usually. You'll work on a project here, a project there, taking work as it comes and goes. Because of that, you need to market yourself everywhere and everywhere. Who knows where the next job could be, even if it's just a few hours? Law firms, police stations, hospitals, government agencies, and language agencies are great places to start. Especially if you're just beginning, charge decent rates, or if you have some recommendations under your belt will this be easy. Have a niche. Concentrate on one niche (maybe two) where you know the language and the topic matter. For example, if you know all the hospital terminology you need to know already, you'll be that much more up to the challenge. You'll also be able to spot content mistakes when they appear, checking for accuracy. Translators often have an easier time finding work in industries with a particularly high demand for language services, such as court or medical interpreting. It's wise to have your niche be in one of these areas. Consider direct mailing. Translation agencies are always looking for good translators. Briefly list your name and contact details, languages and rates and ask for a test translation. As with everything, the longer your letter, the less likely it is that people will read to the end. Keep your rates competitive. As you gain more and more experience, you can charge more and more – whether it's per word, per piece, per hour, etc. Keep your rates competitive and similar to those that match your experience. Make sure you're charging a reasonable price for the times, too. Back in 2008, when the economy wasn't doing so well, many translators saw a dip in the prices they could charge that people were willing to pay. Make sure your rates match the times, the industry, and your experience. Get the right software. Computer Aided Translation (CAT) tools are a must for every translator or interpreter – and no, Google Translate doesn't count. It's a good idea to install the free Open Source CAT tool OmegaT (along with the free Open Office suite) for any projects you plan on working on. Unfortunately, many out sources much prefer to work with the TMs produced by Trados, which is quite expensive. If and when you are able, consider upgrading your software to make work that much easier. Translate only ‘’to’’ your native language. You're going to find that translating to your native language is a whole lot easier than translating to your second language. That's because each work is going to require some topical vocabulary that you likely don't have in your second language or that you're going to have to do a bit of research about – which is generally quicker to do in your native tongue. You can see here why it's doubly important to know the ins and outs of your own language, too. Successful translating is easiest when you're doing to your native language about a topic you know like the back of your hand. Stick to what you know. Let's say a company contacts you and wants you to a translate a piece on farming machinery used in the American Midwest in the late 1800s or work on a piece devoted to the freezing of human oocytes. Odds are that work is going to be the one you keep putting off and the one that takes forever to complete because you've got to make sure every word is correct. Instead, stick to your niche. You'll be better at it in addition to feeling better about your work. Always try to expand your field of expertise, but don't expand it too far. Do you specialize in medical reports on pregnancy, labor, and delivery? Start learning and working on articles devoted to pediatric care. Slowly widen your expanse of knowledge to accompany more related endeavors. You can then spread out from there. | Become fluent in another language. If you’re in college, choose a major that will give you an area of expertise. Take translation and interpreting classes. If you can, go to that country of your second language. Take volunteer opportunities. Get certified. Get tested. Sign up for job forums. Get an internship. Market yourself. Have a niche. Consider direct mailing. Keep your rates competitive. Get the right software. Translate only ‘’to’’ your native language. Stick to what you know. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Move-a-Pool-Table | How to Move a Pool Table | To move a pool table, start by placing a wooden dollie next to each of the pool table's legs. Then, carefully lift up one end of the pool table and slide the two dollies on that end underneath the legs. Once that end of the table is secured on the dollies, repeat with the other end. Push on the pool table to roll it to its new destination. After you've moved the table, carefully lift each end and pull the dollies out from underneath the legs. | Acquire four wooden dollies. These wooden wheeled wonders make moving heavy objects a cinch. You'll want to wrap the edges of your dollies in carpet or fabric. This will prevent the legs of the pool table from being scratched. Position your equipment. Distribute your dollies around each corner of your pool table to prepare each for being slid under its legs. Clear the area around the pool table so that there are no objects that might get caught in the wheels and make it difficult to slide the dollies into place. When clearing objects from around/under your pool table, don't forget to remove any throw rugs, which can bunch and hamper the rolling of your dolly. Lift one end of your pool table up. You should be able to do this alone, but since pool tables are heavy, a friend can considerably lessen your effort. Tilt the pool table off the ground from one of the longer sides. Lift with your legs to prevent injury to your back. Move your dollies into place. If you are doing this alone, snag the dolly with your foot and push it into place beneath the pool table. Be sure not to overexert yourself in this maneuver or lose your grip; dropping your pool table can damage it. If you are working with a friend, have him roll the wooden dolly into place. Repeat this process for both legs of the end of the pool table that you are lifting. Brace your dollies. When you raise the other end of your pool table, you will be applying force to the pool table that might cause it to roll backwards on the dollies you have just placed. You'll want to prevent this by locking the wheels, or by placing an object to jam the wheels of your dollies, rendering each stationary. Lift the other end of your pool table into a raised position. Double check that your dollies are within foot-reach or that your friend is ready to slide the dollies into place, then lift the other side of the pool table. Move the other two dollies beneath both legs of that end of your table. Free your braced dollies and prepare to roll. Unlock or unblock the two dollies. Now you should walk the path on which you plan on wheeling your pool table. Measure all doors that you'll have to pass through and check these measurements against the width of your pool table. Move carpets and other items that might bunch or otherwise jam the wheels of your dollies. A jammed wheel can jostle your table and do damage to it, you, a wall, or one of your possessions. Apply firm, steady pressure. You want to control the speed at which your table rolls. Due to the considerable weight of your pool table, if it gains too much speed it will be nearly impossible for you to stop. If you have a friend, each of you should push the pool table from opposite corners of the same side and, in a controlled fashion, move it through your home. If you are doing this on your own, you'll want to take a more central position, probably at the end of the longways side, between the two corner pockets. The weight of the pool table will make it difficult to turn corners. Take this into account when moving it through your home. Brace a set of dollies. You'll want to remove the dollies opposite your braced dollies first. Before you do anything, check the position and alignment of your pool table. Once you take the table off the dollies, it will again become difficult to move. Retrieve your dollies. Lift from the middle of the long side of your pool table and have your friend quickly pull the dollies free. Then you should carefully lower it to the ground. If you are doing this alone, you should be able to easily kick the dollies free, and then slowly, in a controlled fashion to prevent damage, lower your table. Once one set are removed, you can unlock the wheels of the dollies at the opposite side and remove these in the same fashion. Remove the pockets. Every standard pool table with have 4 corner pockets and 2 side pockets. Depending on the design of your pool table, these could be attached to the table in various ways, though usually you'll find staples attaching each to the table. Lay on your back underneath the pocket and pry the staples out with a flathead screwdriver or staple puller. To prevent an errant stable falling into your eye, you do not lie directly under the pool table, and you might consider wearing some kind of eye protection. Detach the rails. Again, the part holding the rails to your table depends on your table, but chances are good that bolts will be holding these in place. You can remove these bolts easily with a regular socket wrench. Slide each rail free. If the rails are attached in sections, you may need a helper to flip them over all at once and disconnect them. Free the felt. This is the most delicate part of the process, as a tear to your felt can ruin it completely. If the felt is held in place by staples, a staple puller may help prevent you from incurring damage to the felt. Glued felt can be removed by gently pulling it backwards, never upwards or forwards, taking care not to rip it. If you are planning to reuse the felt, fold it up to prevent wrinkles. Separate the slate from the table. There will likely be screws holding the slate of your pool table to its frame. These can be most effectively removed with a power drill that has been fitted with the right type of bit. In some cases beeswax is used on the screws to prevent damage. If this is the case, use a flathead screwdriver to scrape off the beeswax before unscrewing the slate. Place the slate in your vehicle. The rock that forms the level surface upon which you play pool must remain unblemished to protect the integrity of your future games. Slate usually comes either in a solid piece or three pieces. Lift the slate off the pool table legs and set it in your transport vehicle. It's safe to stack the pieces of slate on top of each other, but be sure each are properly fastened and don't jostle against anything the might cause damage. To make sure that your slate is undamaged, you should wrap it in a blanket, drop cloth, or some other covering. Remove the legs. Now that the delicate parts of your pool table have been removed and stowed away, taking the legs off the frame shouldn't pose a problem. Likely, your trusty drill will come to your aid again, and with a proper bit, soon the legs will be off. Load the frame. You can set the frame on top of the slate in your vehicle. If you have a finished table with lacquered wood, you may want to wrap the finished surfaces with a drop-cloth or some kind of padding to protect against damage. Transport it to its new home. Any remaining parts should be manageable at this point, and shouldn't require any further disassembly. Finish loading these parts into your transport vehicle and move your table to to the new location. Scope out the new location. You should take measurements so you can be sure your table will fit comfortably wherever you move it, but even more important, you'll want to clear the area in which you are setting up the pool table and the path to this room. Getting tripped up by a throw rug when you're carrying the slate is a good way to ruin a perfectly good pool table. Rebuild your table in reverse order. You will want to take great care when assembling your pool table. Improper installation can leave it unlevel, which will affect your game. Starting with your frame and legs, begin reassembling your table. For specific issues dealing with leveling, warping, and cracked or damaged slate, please see the section on troubleshooting. Place the slate. The slate is one of the most difficult and delicate pieces in your pool table due to its weight. Any damage done to the slate can ruin your pool table. Single pieces of slate will install more easily since you'll only have to slide it into place. For pool tables with three-piece slate parts, move each piece to your mostly assembled table, setting each atop it with space between the pieces. Then: Check to see the pieces haven't been damaged and fit together neatly. Are the dowel pins that connect the pieces bent or warped? If so, you may have to make a trip to the hardware store to buy a few new dowels. Slide each of the three slate pieces together with the proper connectors between and slot the assembled slate into its place on the table. Take care to not get your hands caught between pieces of slate. This can cause serious injury to hands and fingers. Check for twists or frame tension. Especially with older pool tables where the frame may be difficult to deconstruct, over the course of your move, you may have caused the configuration of the frame to shift. This could create difficulty when inserting the slate. Use a level to check that the frame is still properly shaped. You may also want to use a carpenter's square to check the corner angles of your table. Take warps in stride. Older tables, or tables that have sat in one location for a long time, may have experienced warping, or may have conformed to the natural contours of the home in which it lived. This might mean that you need an additional piece, separate from the parts of your pool table, to balance it and negate any rocking you may notice once the table is moved. When choosing a piece to balance a rocking pool table, you need to choose a material that won't compress under the weight of it. Scrap steel or a sturdy tile might do the trick. Re-level the table. Buildings frequently have a slight pitch to them, and pool tables, to combat these potential angles, will often have adjustable feet. After you've taken care of the frame configuration and any major imbalances, you can move on to leveling the table. Have a friend hold the level atop a flat part of the frame and: Take the level reading. If the table isn't level, lift the end that needs adjusting. Have a friend adjust the leg in the appropriate direction. Set the pool table down. Check the level reading again and repeat if necessary. Fix the slate. Significant damage to the slate of your pool table is likely to require a professional repair or even replacement, but small chips or cracks might be within your ability to mend. For small cracks or chips, mix some Plaster of Paris and apply it to the area, while larger cracks can be patched with automotive body filler. After your patch has hardened, you'll need to sand your patch level. Level slate in a warped frame. There is little you can do to your table if the entire frame has warped to the point that the slate now sits in its mounting on an angle. The slate, on the other hand, can be adjusted. After fitting the slate together and fixing any damage, you can cut thin wedges of wood, called shims, and use these to level your slate. Know how to handle antique rails. Some older pool tables will use special bolts to connect the rails to the narrow edge of the slate. To remove and attach the rails of an antique pool table, a T-bolt wrench will make the process much easier. | Acquire four wooden dollies. Position your equipment. Lift one end of your pool table up. Move your dollies into place. Brace your dollies. Lift the other end of your pool table into a raised position. Free your braced dollies and prepare to roll. Apply firm, steady pressure. Brace a set of dollies. Retrieve your dollies. Remove the pockets. Detach the rails. Free the felt. Separate the slate from the table. Place the slate in your vehicle. Remove the legs. Load the frame. Transport it to its new home. Scope out the new location. Rebuild your table in reverse order. Place the slate. Check for twists or frame tension. Take warps in stride. Re-level the table. Fix the slate. Level slate in a warped frame. Know how to handle antique rails. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-for-Food-Stamps-in-Florida | How to Apply for Food Stamps in Florida | Applying for food stamps in Florida isn't too complicated as long as you meet the requirements. SNAP is the most common food stamps program in Florida. To be eligible for SNAP, your household will need to make under the income limit, which is $2,622 per month for a household of 2. The income limit goes up by $678 per month for each additional person in your household. Don't worry if you make over this limit though, since you may still be able to qualify by deducting expenses from your income. Expenses that can be deducted include child care, Medicare expenses, child support payments, and a portion of any shelter and utility costs. You'll find the full criteria for deductions on the Access Florida website where you can apply for your benefits. | Determine which program is right for you. Three Florida programs offer assistance in buying food for residents. Figure out which one best suits your needs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income households purchase healthy food. This is the default food assistance program. SUNCAP provides food assistance for individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you already receive SSI, you may be eligible for SUNCAP benefits without additional paperwork or applications. Food for Florida provides help for people affected by disasters. Food for Florida is not always in effect, and is only available to people living in an active disaster area. Recipients must not currently receive assistance from the Food Assistance program or SUNCAP. Find out more. Find out if you meet the income guidelines. To be eligible for SNAP, most households must not exceed a gross income limit, which is equal to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For example, a household of two cannot make more than $2,622 per month. A household of three cannot make more than $3,300 per month. A household of four cannot make more than $3,976. For each additional person in the household, add $678 to this maximum monthly income. If a member of your household is disqualified from receiving food assistance benefits, you are required to meet a gross income limit less than or equal to 130 percent of the FPL. That is, for a household of two, you must now make $1,705 a month or lower. All households with a disqualified member must have a net income of 100 percent the FPL or lower -- that's a monthly income of $1,311 for a household of two, with $339 added for each person. A household member is disqualified if he/she was convicted of drug trafficking, ran away from a felony warrant, intentionally violated the SNAP rules in the past, or does not have the required citizenship or non-student status. Figure out your deductions. If your monthly income exceeds the poverty guidelines, you may still qualify. Certain expenditures can be deducted from your monthly income. The following expenses can be deducted: Child care. Training for work or expenses in looking for work. Medicare expenses. Child support payments. A portion of shelter and utility costs. Know your assets. There is also a limit to the value of the assets you possess. The limit is $3,250 for households with an elderly or disabled person. For households with a disqualified member, the asset limit is reduced to $2,250. However, some property is excluded from the calculation of assets. Those things are: Home and surrounding property. Household goods and personal effects. Burial plots. Life insurance policies. Vehicles. Gather your information. To complete the online application for food assistance, collect documentation pertaining to household income; bills, including utilities and rent; medical bills; proof of child care costs; wage and employment information; and bank statements. All of this information will go into your application; it'll be easiest if you have it all organized now. All U.S. citizens must provide proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. Non-citizens are ineligible for food assistance unless they meet certain criteria. Lawfully admitted permanent residents, refugees, and those who have been granted asylum may apply. You must be able to provide a Social Security Number for each person who is applying for food stamp benefits, or proof that each person has applied for an SSN. To receive food stamps in Florida, you must be a Florida resident. The easiest way to demonstrate Florida residency is to show a valid Florida Driver's License or Florida-issued non-driver's photo ID. Locate your local SNAP office. A list of offices near you can be found on the Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service website. For a faster response, you can start an online application. ACCESS Florida allows you to apply for benefits online here. Click "Apply On-line for Food Stamps, Temporary Cash Assistance and Medicaid" located underneath the Apply for Benefits icon. Clicking this link will generate a code to access your account at any time. Make sure to save this access code for future reference. Complete the application. Use the information you gathered earlier to fill out the application. This information is necessary to determine your eligibility, so be thorough and include every article the application requests from you. Forms are available in English, Spanish and Creole, but you can download other languages here. If you are between the ages of 18 and 49 and physically and mentally fit, you must either be employed in some way or participating in a work training program to receive long-term benefits (unless you have a child). If you do meet these guidelines but are unemployed, you can only qualify for benefits for three months. If you're a student, you need to hold down a part-time job or have a child to qualify. If you fill out the online application, it should only take about 30 minutes to complete. Review for accuracy before submitting the application. Any misinformation or lack of information can cause a delay in receiving benefits. What's more, falsifying information can make receiving benefits in the future difficult or impossible. Submit the application. You will receive an e-mail confirmation if the application was sent successfully. Save this for your records. You should keep it in case you lose your information because you'll need your access code to log into the website. If you are mailing the application, mail to ACCESS Central Mail Center, P.O. Box 1770, Ocala, FL, 34478-1770. While you wait, you might as well use an online calculator to determine your benefits. You have to submit only the simplest information -- if you have your records handy, this will be even easier. Use your access code to check your claim status periodically. The approval process can take up to 30 days to determine eligibility of benefits. You will be notified once the process is complete. Some Florida food assistance applications can be approved or denied in as little as two weeks, but don't be alarmed if it takes the full 30 days. You may qualify for expedited benefits. These are for the truly needy and are available after seven days. You will be asked a series of questions at the time of application for SNAP benefits to see if you qualify for expedited benefits. You generally will qualify for expedited benefits if the monthly, pre-tax income for your household is less than $150 or if your household has less than $100 in the bank. You also qualify if your monthly rent or mortgage payment, when combined with your utilities, exceeds your monthly pre-tax income and savings. For example, if your rent is $800 a month and your monthly utilities are $300, then you could qualify for expedited benefits if your combined pre-tax income and savings is less than $1,100. Prepare for the interview. You may be called in to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) for an interview before you are awarded benefits. You will need to gather the information they request. Typically, they may request that you bring proof of the following: Your identity, such as a driver's license or state or military identification card. The earned or unearned income of every member of the family, such as the last four weeks of check stubs or child support notices Receive your EBT card. You will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card in the mail within 7 days of your application is approved. You can use this card as you would a debit or credit card at locations that accept EBT. Keep your EBT card safe. You must call EBT customer service at 1-888-356-3281 to have them reissue your card. Florida no longer issues paper food stamps or benefits checks for nutritional assistance programs. You will only receive your benefits on a preloaded EBT card. Follow the rules. You may use SNAP benefits to buy only certain items. You may buy fruits, meats, fish, dairy, breads and cereals. You may not use SNAP benefits to buy pet foods, soaps, paper products, alcohol, tobacco, medicine or foods to eat in the store. Re-certify your benefits. You have to report to your local office to continue to receive benefits. Ask for the re-certification form. The timeline to re-certify depends on how regular your income is. Families with regular income must re-certify once per year. Someone whose income fluctuates may have to report more regularly, such as once per month. Inform the Florida DCF of any relevant income changes. If your household income increases above the maximum income threshold, you must inform the DCF. Report any changes in the cost of rent or utilities because these affect your qualification for the program. Failure to inform the DCF of important changes can lead to cancellation of your benefits. Check if you qualify for SUNCAP. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may qualify for SUNCAP without any other paperwork or applications. Also, if you received SNAP benefits but became eligible for SSI, then you may be switched over to SUNCAP from SNAP. However, if your food benefit were to decrease, then you could stay with SNAP benefits. Determine if you qualify for Food For Florida if you have been affected by disaster. The Food For Florida program provides help for those people affected by disasters, such as a hurricane, and who have suffered at least one disaster effect: Damage to a home or self-employed business. Disaster-related expenses (such as loss of food), which are not being reimbursed. Lost income or income delayed for 15 days. Gather documents. You will need to prove residency and income to qualify for benefits. Items you will need include: Verification of identification, such as a photo ID. Proof of residence, such as a driver's license or a utility bill. Proof of income, such as pay stubs, bank statements, etc. Apply for benefits. You may apply online at the Florida DCF. Applications are open only after a disaster has struck. | Determine which program is right for you. Find out if you meet the income guidelines. Figure out your deductions. Know your assets. Gather your information. Locate your local SNAP office. Complete the application. Review for accuracy before submitting the application. Submit the application. Use your access code to check your claim status periodically. Prepare for the interview. Receive your EBT card. Follow the rules. Re-certify your benefits. Inform the Florida DCF of any relevant income changes. Check if you qualify for SUNCAP. Determine if you qualify for Food For Florida if you have been affected by disaster. Gather documents. Apply for benefits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-a-Fig | How to Eat a Fig | If you want to eat a fresh fig, choose one that smells very sweet and gives slightly when you press on it to ensure that it's ripe. Rinse the fig under cool water and gently pat it dry with clean paper towels. You can then eat your fresh figs whole, including the skin, or you can serve them with a tangy cheese like mascarpone or melted blue cheese. You can also poach figs in water, simmer them with sugar until they thicken into a preserve, or mix them into your favorite baked goods. | Eat figs fresh or dried. Figs are sensitive to cold temperatures and difficult to transport, so it can be hard to find fresh figs in cooler climates, especially outside of summer. Dried figs are available in most grocery stores year-round, however. Figs are healthy no matter how you consume them. There are 37 calories for every 8 oz (50 g), and the same amount yields an average of 1.45 g fiber, 116 mg potassium, 0.06 mg manganese, and 0.06 mg vitamin B6. Choose ripe figs for consumption. The exact size and color of a ripe fig varies based on the variety, but all varieties are soft when ripe. A ripe fig will give when poked and will have a very potent, sweet smell. Avoid figs that are hard or ones that have deep rips or bruises. A few small scratches are fine, however, since these will not affect the taste or quality of the fruit. Also avoid figs that appear to have mold on them or those that smell sour or rotten. Ripe figs can be green, brown, yellow, or deep purple. You should use figs as fresh as possible. They can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days after harvest but will begin to spoil past that point. You can preserve figs by freezing them or canning them if you need to keep them longer. Clean fresh figs before eating them. Rinse the figs under cool water and gently wipe them dry with clean paper towels. Since figs are so delicate, you should never scrub them with a vegetable brush. Remove any dirt you see by scrubbing it gently with your fingers. Remove the stems as you wash the figs by gently twisting them off using your fingers. Remove any sugar crystals. Sugar crystals can be removed by sprinkling 1/2 cup (125 ml) figs with 1 tsp (5 ml) water and microwaving them on high for 1 minute. Ripe figs often ooze a sugary syrup that can crystallize on the surface. These figs are still good to eat, but for presentation or texture purposes these crystals are usually removed. Eat whole. Figs have a mildly sweet taste and can be enjoyed fresh and on their own. The skin of the fig is edible. As a result, you do not need to peel the fig before eating it. Merely twist off the stem and eat the fig skin and all. If you do not like the texture of the skin, you can peel it off before eating the fig. After twisting off the stem, carefully use your fingers to peel away the skin starting from the exposed top. To enjoy the flavor of the interior without removing the skin, simply cut the fig in half. Gently hold the fig with one hand and use a sharp knife to cut it in half lengthwise. This exposes the sweet interior, allowing the taste to come forth immediately as soon as you eat it. Serve figs with a tangy cheese product. A common way to serve fresh figs is to enjoy them raw with a little cheese or dairy spread over them. The dairy should be sweet and tangy, however, rather than sharp. Cut the figs in half and place a dollop of cream cheese over each half. You could use plain cream cheese or flavored cream cheese. This can be served as a snack or simple appetizer. Melt a piece of blue cheese into the fig. Remove the stems and cut a small "x" shape in the top of the fig. Stuff a bit of blue cheese into the cut and bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Rich dairy products, like mascarpone and crème fraiche, also work well with the flavor of figs. Poach the figs. Figs can be poached on the stove or in a slow cooker. Use roughly 2 cups (500 ml) of liquid for every 8 figs. You could use fortified wine or wine that has been simmered with warm spices, like cinnamon, cloves, or star anise. You could also use fruit juice or flavored vinegar like balsamic vinegar. Simmer the figs for 10 to 15 minutes on the stove. Cook the figs on low for 23 hours in the slow cooker. Poached figs are often served with yogurt, rich dairy products, or frozen desserts. Use as preserves. Mix 1 lb (450 g) chopped figs with 1 cup (250 ml) sugar in a saucepan. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes until thick preserves form. Use in baked goods. Figs can be used in breads, cakes, muffins, and other flour-based baked goods. Mix with other fruits. For instance, you could add chopped figs to your favorite peach cobbler recipe or add figs to raspberry, lemon, or orange-flavored pies and desserts. Make figs the center of attention. You can also have baked goods that completely rely on the flavor of figs, rather than pairing figs with other fruits. You could make a fig tart or bake chopped figs into a pound cake or yogurt cake. Use as a garnish. Halved or quartered figs make an appealing garnish for cakes and similar desserts. They work especially well on cakes made with rich frostings, like cream cheese frosting, or on cakes flavored with nuts, like an almond cake. Enjoy as-is. Dried figs can be eaten plain, just like raisins or other dried fruits. This is one of the simplest ways to enjoy the fruit as a snack. Rehydrate the figs. When using dried figs for recipes, you may find it beneficial to rehydrate them so that they become juicier and plumper. You can soak dried figs in water or fruit juice overnight. A more thorough method of rehydrating figs is to simmer them for several minutes in water or fruit juice. When using either method, add just enough liquid to cover the layer of figs. Use in baked goods. Both dried and rehydrated figs can be used in baked good recipes. Gravitate toward breads, cakes, muffins, and cookies over pies and tarts. Mix the dried figs into the batter of these flour-based baked goods before baking. Replace other dried fruits with dried figs. Instead of making oatmeal raisin cookies, make oatmeal fig cookies. Instead of adding dried tart cherries to a muffin batter, add dried figs. Add to oatmeal or porridge. Another simple way to enjoy dried figs is to simply sprinkle a few over hot breakfast cereal. The figs will add a mildly sweet boost of flavor. Stir some into cottage cheese or yogurt. For a light lunch, you could mix a handful of dried figs into a serving of cottage cheese or yogurt. These rich, tangy dairy products complement the taste of figs rather well. | Eat figs fresh or dried. Choose ripe figs for consumption. Clean fresh figs before eating them. Remove any sugar crystals. Eat whole. Serve figs with a tangy cheese product. Poach the figs. Use as preserves. Use in baked goods. Enjoy as-is. Rehydrate the figs. Use in baked goods. Add to oatmeal or porridge. Stir some into cottage cheese or yogurt. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cottage-Cheese | How to Make Cottage Cheese | To make cottage cheese with rennet, heat milk to 85°F (30°C) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add rennet to the milk and stir the mixture for about 2 minute. Cover the saucepan with a clean dish towel and let it sit untouched for about 4 hours. After the time is up, use a knife to slice the mixture and break up the curds. Add salt to the saucepan and heat the mixture over medium-low, stirring continuously. When the curds have separated and the whey looks slightly yellow, remove the pan from the heat. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth for several hours, then serve! | Heat the milk. Pour the milk into a small saucepan and place it over medium heat. Heat the milk slowly, making sure it doesn't boil, until it reaches 85 °F (29 °C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Turn off the heat when the milk is sufficiently warm. Add the rennet. Place the drops of rennet directly in the milk. Use a spoon to stir the mixture for about 2 minutes. Let the mixture stand. Cover the saucepan with a clean dish towel and let the rennet and milk sit untouched for about 4 hours. The rennet will start reacting with the milk to turn it into cheese. Slice the mixture. Remove the dishcloth and use a knife to make slices in the mixture and break up the curds. Slice several times in one direction, then make several slices in the opposite direction. Cook the mixture. Add the salt to the saucepan. Turn the burner to medium low. Stir the mixture as it heats to help the curds separate from the whey. Stop as soon as the curds have separated and the whey looks slightly yellow. Don't overcook the mixture, or the curds will be hard. Strain the curds. Place a piece of cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl Pour the curds and whey into the cheesecloth to strain the curds from the whey. Keeping the curds in the cheesecloth suspended over a bowl, cover the curds loosely with plastic wrap and place all of it in the refrigerator to let the whey continue to drain for a few hours. Stir it every once in a while to help it along. Serve the cottage cheese. Place the curds in a clean bowl and add the cream or half and half. Season with more salt to taste. Heat the milk. Place the milk in a saucepan and put it on the stove. Turn the burner to medium and let the milk heat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the milk's temperature. Remove it from heat once it is sufficiently warmed. Add the vinegar. Pour the vinegar into the saucepan and stir the mixture slowly for 2 minutes. Cover the pan with a dishcloth and let the mixture rest for 30 minutes. Strain the curds from the whey. Pour the mixture into a colander lined with cheesecloth or a thin dishcloth. Let the whey drain for about five minutes. Rinse the curds. Gather the edges of the cloth and hold the curds under a stream of cold water. Squeeze the curds and move them around until they are all rinsed and cooled. Finish the cottage cheese. Place the curds in a bowl. Add the salt and the cream or half and half. Store in the refrigerator or serve immediately. Heat the milk. Place it in a saucepan and heat it until it begins to steam, but does not come to a boil. Remove the milk from heat. Add the lemon juice. Pour the lemon juice into the warm milk and stir it slowly for several minutes. Let the mixture rest. Cover the saucepan with a dishcloth and let the curds separate from the whey for about an hour. Strain the curds from the whey. Place a piece of cheesecloth over a bowl and pour the curds and whey into the cheesecloth. Let the curds drain for about 5 minutes. Rinse the curds. Gather the ends of the cheesecloth and hold it under cool water to rinse the curds. Continue until they are completely cooled, then squeeze the cloth to get the curds as dry as possible. Finish the cottage cheese. Place the curds in a bowl and add the salt and cream or half and half. | Heat the milk. Add the rennet. Let the mixture stand. Slice the mixture. Cook the mixture. Strain the curds. Serve the cottage cheese. Heat the milk. Add the vinegar. Strain the curds from the whey. Rinse the curds. Finish the cottage cheese. Heat the milk. Add the lemon juice. Let the mixture rest. Strain the curds from the whey. Rinse the curds. Finish the cottage cheese. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Bird | How to Buy a Bird | Before you buy a bird, keep in mind that large birds like macaws and parrots can live to be 80 years old, so they're a big commitment. Even small and mid-sized birds can live for 10-20 years, so make sure you're ready for that kind of responsibility. If it's your first time owning a bird, consider getting a smaller variety, like a budgie or cockatiel, since they require less space and won't be as demanding. Whichever kind of bird you decide to get, make sure you get it from a reputable breeder or pet store. | Buy a small bird if you have limited space or children at home. Generally speaking, smaller birds—like budgies or cockatiels—are a bit easier to care for, and better suited to households with children. In most cases, the larger the bird, the more demanding it'll be of your time, the more space it'll require, and the less suited it will be for kids. With instruction and supervision, even younger kids (over age 5) may be able to help care for budgies or cockatiels. Small birds require smaller cages, but make sure you're still providing adequate space according to the bird breed's needs. Talk to the breeder or your vet for guidance. Smaller birds tend to live shorter lifespans, often in the range of 5-10 years. Consider a mid-sized bird if you can handle the added responsibility. Mid-sized birds like parrotlets and lovebirds tend to live longer than small birds—often 10-20 years and sometimes more—and require more cage space. Birds also tend to become more needy in terms of attention as they go up in size. Mid-sized birds can present a danger (from biting or scratching) to smaller children. If you have pre-teens or teens at home, however, parrotlets and lovebirds might work out well. Mid-sized (and larger) birds don't thrive when left home alone for long stretches, so take your work schedule and social calendar into account. Smaller birds require regular attention as well, but aren't quite so needy. Be honest about whether you’re prepared to care for a large bird. Healthy macaws and other large bird breeds require regular attention and a lot of care. They can also live a very long time—different types of parrots can live for 30, 50, even 80+ years! Because of a large bird's long lifespan, consider what your life might be like in 5, 10, and 20 years down the road. Are you relatively confident that you'll be able to provide a stable, healthy home for the bird for years or decades to come? Larger parrots like macaws are not suited to households with children, especially younger children. Even with a trimmed beak and claws and good training, a large bird can easily injure a child. Don't ignore the financial responsibility either. Even a small parakeet can cost around $500 USD per year to care for, and larger birds can cost 2 or even 3 times more. That means a macaw might be a 50-year, $75,000 USD investment! Learn more about the species you’re interested in. Consult bird care books and websites, and talk to fellow bird owners and reputable breeders or pet shop owners. Use this information to help further narrow down your options. For instance: Decide if you want a really active bird that will constantly be talking and flying, or whether you want a beautiful, quieter bird just to give you company. A huge, talking African grey parrot will behave quite differently from a small, singing canary. Some birds need specific diets or other special care. Lories, for example, are medium-sized birds known for their striking colors. However, they have highly specialized digestive systems that require a diet of pollen, nectar, and fruit—which results in ample and messy liquid droppings. Consult your household, and maybe your neighbors, before getting a bird. A pet bird should never be an impulse buy. A bird is a major commitment, and it's important to make sure everyone in your household is on-board with accepting the shared responsibility. In some ways, bringing home a bird is like welcoming a permanent toddler into your home! Birds are noisy pets, so if you have neighbors in close proximity, you should at least alert them beforehand. They may need to make some adjustments as well. Work with a reputable breeder whenever possible. Ask bird-owning friends for referrals for bird breeders in your area, and visit the breeder yourself before considering a purchase. Look around and make sure the birds are kept in clean, humane conditions, and make sure the breeder is willing to answer your questions. Ask things like: How frequently do you breed pairs per year? (If shouldn't be more than 3 times.) What kind of diet do you provide? What kind of veterinary care do your birds receive? What can you tell me about this bird's genetic background? Evaluate a pet store and its birds before you think of buying there. Some pet stores are great places to buy birds, while others should be avoided. In addition to getting referrals from friends, you need to visit the store yourself before determining if it's a good place to get a bird. The store should look and smell clean, and the birds' cages should be roomy, clean, and stocked with a variety of food and clean water. The birds should seem friendly and social, not terrified. Ask questions, such as: “What type of diet do you feed the birds?”; “Which breeders do you use?”; “Do you offer a 48-72-hour “health guarantee?” (This gives you time to take the bird to an avian vet to make sure it is healthy.) If they won't or can't give you satisfactory answers, look elsewhere. Consider the added complications of taking in an abandoned bird. Unfortunately, there are large numbers of abandoned birds out there, because many people don't recognize the commitment required for bird ownership. Abandoned birds can be well socialized, happy, and healthy, or they can have a range of health and behavioral problems. If you're working with a shelter or rescue operation, get as much information as possible about the bird's previous ownership and any health or behavioral concerns. Some groups may offer training for taking in abandoned birds—if so, sign up. If you're considering taking in a bird from a friend or family member who can no longer care for it (due to moving, for instance, or other reasons), spend increasing amounts of time with the bird beforehand to help ease the transition. Watch the bird you’re interested in to see if it’s lively and friendly. Birds don't hide their personalities, so what you see is usually what you get. If a bird seems sociable and outgoing at the breeder's or pet shop, that's what it'll be like at home. If it seems scared and wary of people, it probably has not been treated well and may have great difficulty becoming socialized. There's a difference between being more quiet and subdued (which some birds naturally are) and being terrified, though. If the bird appears to be overly anxious or fearful around people, it probably has been mistreated. Look for clear eyes, a clean bottom, trimmed talons, and smooth feathers. Healthy birds have clean, clear, glossy eyes, without discharge or gunky buildup. Likewise, there shouldn't be fecal buildup around their backsides—this can indicate a poor diet and/or health problems. Healthy birds take pride in self-grooming, so looking unwell is a good sign that they feel unwell. Even smaller birds can have dangerous talons, so these should be kept properly trimmed and maintained. Make sure the seller can tell you about the talon care procedures they use, and give you advice on how to continue this care. Birds shouldn't have ruffled or unkempt feathers—instead, they should be smooth and orderly. Otherwise, a bird may have a skin condition or a behavioral issue (which can lead to feather-plucking). Get as much info as possible on a bird’s diet, lifestyle, and health history. When you've narrowed down your search to a single bird, get as many specific answers about that bird as you can. Find out what it has been fed and how often; if it has been kept alone or with other birds; if it has had any illnesses or health issues; if it has been given time to play and socialize; and so on. Don't finalize your purchase until you're completely satisfied that you've gotten all the answers and information you need. Always remember that buying a bird of any size is a long-term, time-intensive, and often very rewarding investment. Purchase supplies and set up the cage before getting your bird. Before you actually purchase the bird and take it home, you should make sure you have all the preparations in place to properly care for it. This is one of the many reasons why buying a bird should never be a spur-of-the-moment decision! If you think all you need is a little cage, some old newspaper, a water dish, and some birdseed, think again. Birds need lots of space, things to keep them occupied, and a varied diet. Buy a cage with multiple perches and ample room to move around. Bigger birds obviously need bigger cages. In fact, many birds will do better if you can provide a safe room—no open windows or doors, no ceiling fans, etc.—in which they can roam freely from time to time. Canaries require a cage that is at least 18 × 18 × 24 in (46 × 46 × 61 cm), with 0.25 in (0.64 cm) bar spacing. Cockatiels: 20 × 20 × 24 in (51 × 51 × 61 cm), 0.5 in (1.3 cm) spacing. Conures: 24 × 24 × 24 in (61 × 61 × 61 cm), 0.625 in (1.59 cm) spacing. Amazons: 34 × 24 × 36 in (86 × 61 × 91 cm), 0.75 in (1.9 cm) spacing. Macaws: 36 × 48 × 60 in (91 × 122 × 152 cm), 1 in (2.5 cm) spacing. Set up the cage in a good spot, and add a lining and toys. Birds like to be in the center of the action, not tucked away in an isolated room. Yet they also need a quiet place to sleep. Birds also have very sensitive respiratory systems, so you need to keep the cage far away from any smoking, heavy fragrances, chemical fumes, and so on—in fact it's best to keep these out of your house completely. Line the bottom of the cage with newspapers or paper towels. This makes clean-up much easier than using wood shavings or cat litter. Plan to change the lining at least every 2 days. Add a sturdy bowl that can be used as a bird bath—make sure it is the right size for your bird to bathe in. Include bird-appropriate toys from a bird supply retailer, such as mirrors, ladders, bells, and rope toys. The cage should have perches of multiple sizes on multiple levels. Buy pellets for bird feed, and add fruits and vegetables. The easiest and best way to ensure a pet bird is getting adequate nutrition is to make high-quality bird pellets (available at pet supply retailers) the main component of its diet. For the sake of variety, supplement the pellets with bite-size pieces of corn, broccoli, carrots, yams, peas, bananas, apples, or grapes (but no citrus fruit). Generally speaking, it's recommended to feed a bird twice per day. Make sure to provide a constant supply of clean drinking water. Talk to your bird's veterinarian regarding the ideal amount and mix of pellets and other foods to provide your particular bird. | Buy a small bird if you have limited space or children at home. Consider a mid-sized bird if you can handle the added responsibility. Be honest about whether you’re prepared to care for a large bird. Learn more about the species you’re interested in. Consult your household, and maybe your neighbors, before getting a bird. Work with a reputable breeder whenever possible. Evaluate a pet store and its birds before you think of buying there. Consider the added complications of taking in an abandoned bird. Watch the bird you’re interested in to see if it’s lively and friendly. Look for clear eyes, a clean bottom, trimmed talons, and smooth feathers. Get as much info as possible on a bird’s diet, lifestyle, and health history. Purchase supplies and set up the cage before getting your bird. Buy a cage with multiple perches and ample room to move around. Set up the cage in a good spot, and add a lining and toys. Buy pellets for bird feed, and add fruits and vegetables. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Colors-in-Clothes | How to Set Colors in Clothes | Setting the colors of your clothes in the washing machine will help prevent them from fading as much over time. To get started, choose 1 color of clothing to wash, like your red clothes, and up to 4 items in that color. Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar and wash your clothes on a rinse cycle with cold water. Alternatively, use your regular detergent and add 1 tablespoon of table salt per item of clothing. Then, wash them on your normal cycle. Whichever method you use, hang your clothing to air dry when they're done. While the vinegar or salt will help set the color, air drying will help keep the colors bright and the fabrics strong. | Load your new clothes into the washing machine by color. First, divide the items that you want to set by color. Then, put a single-color load into the washing machine drum, spreading them out evenly. For best results, limit the number of items to a small load (about 1 to 4 items). While you may choose to mix colors in the washing machine after the initial wash, you will want to separate them out for the first wash in order to accurately set the color in with vinegar. Choose distilled white vinegar to avoid discoloration. Distilled white vinegar is generally the best option for effectively setting color in clothes without any risk of damaging the fabric. While some popular vinegars, such as red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar, have a natural color that may effect some clothing fabrics, distilled white vinegar is safe to use on your clothing. Distilled white vinegar can be found at most grocery stores, or you can order it online. Pour the distilled white vinegar onto your new clothes. First, put your new clothes in the washing machine. Then, pour ½ to 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar on top of the clothes, depending on how large your load is. The vinegar smell might be strong but don't worry – it should dissipate in the wash. For best results, only add the clothes you want to set color in, limiting to a few items. You do not need to add laundry detergent when washing with white vinegar, as the vinegar will disinfect your clothing. Set the washing machine on the rinse cycle with cold water. To avoid breaking down fabrics or causing the dye to run, select the cold water option on your washing mashing. Then, select the rinse cycle before pressing the “start” button. If your washing machine doesn't have a rinse cycle option, choose a low agitation, quick wash option. Air dry the clothes for best results. Lay your clothes flat on a clean surface or hang them up to dry. While you can run your clothes through the dryer if you prefer (or if you need them done quickly), heat causes the fabrics to break down faster, causing your clothes to fade. After the vinegar has helped set the color, air drying helps keep colors bright and fabrics strong. While the vinegar smell should evaporate during the rinse cycle, if there is any residual smell, air drying should get rid of it. In addition to setting the colors, vinegar cleans and sanitizes your clothes, so you won't need to run them through again with your regular detergent until they are in need of another wash. Load your new clothes into the washing machine by color. First, divide the items that you want to set by color. Then, put a single-color load into the washing machine drum, spreading them out evenly. For best results, limit the number of items to a small load (about 1 to 4 items). While you may choose to mix colors in the washing machine after the initial wash, you will want to separate them out in order to accurately set the color in with salt. Add laundry detergent to your new clothes in the washing machine. Place the new clothes that you want to set color into in the washing machine. Then, add your regular laundry detergent, following the directions on the label. Make sure that your detergent does not contain bleach. Add table salt to your laundry. Depending on how big your laundry load is and how much detergent you've added accordingly, add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) to ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of white table salt. Adding table salt to the first cycle for new clothes can help set the colors and keep them from running during future washes. If you are only trying to set the colors in one piece of clothing, for example, use only 1 tablespoon (15 mL). Increase by 1 tablespoon (15 mL) per additional piece of clothing. Adding salt to your wash cycle during future washes may also help faded colors become vibrant again. Run the washing machine as usual. If your washing machine has several wash cycle options, select the wash cycle appropriate for your particular clothing item. If your clothes are made out of a delicate fabric, for example, you will likely want to choose a short, low agitation setting. Air dry your clothes for best results. Lay your clothes flat on a clean surface or hang them up to dry. While you can run your clothes through the dryer if you prefer, the heat will start breaking down fabric and, over time, cause your clothes to fade. Air drying helps delay this and keep the colors bright. Check the tag for washing instructions. Before washing new clothes, always check the tag to see how the manufacturer suggests that you wash the item. Instructions usually err on the side of caution, so following the directions is usually a safe bet. Spot clean between washes. The more you wash your clothes, the more the colors will fade. To help your clothes stay bright after you set the colors, spot clean with cold water and detergent to keep your clothes clean while washing as little as possible. Synthetic fabrics like polyester are more sensitive to heat and tend to break down faster than natural fabrics, such as cotton. Therefore, they should be washed less to maintain their colors. To avoid over-washing, spot clean synthetic fabrics whenever possible. Wash your clothes in cold water. While warmer water is helpful when you are trying to remove stains, it also breaks down dye in fabric. Whenever possible, wash with cold water to help set the colors in your clothes and keep them looking bright. Washing with cold water is particularly important if you are mixing clothing in different colors so that the various fabric dyes don't run together and ruin your clothes. Wash your garments inside out. Before putting your clothing in the washing machine, turn them inside out. This will shield the outside against friction from agitation, which breaks down fabric and causes it to appear faded. Use the cold water setting to protect the color even more. Use a color-boosting laundry detergent. When shopping for a laundry detergent, look for detergents with “color booster” or “color protect” on the label. There detergents are designed to keep your clothing colors bright. Many color-boosting laundry detergents contain baking soda to help keep your clothing colors bright, so check the label for this as well. | Load your new clothes into the washing machine by color. Choose distilled white vinegar to avoid discoloration. Pour the distilled white vinegar onto your new clothes. Set the washing machine on the rinse cycle with cold water. Air dry the clothes for best results. Load your new clothes into the washing machine by color. Add laundry detergent to your new clothes in the washing machine. Add table salt to your laundry. Run the washing machine as usual. Air dry your clothes for best results. Check the tag for washing instructions. Spot clean between washes. Wash your clothes in cold water. Wash your garments inside out. Use a color-boosting laundry detergent. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Cool-Calculator-Trick | How to Do a Cool Calculator Trick | To do a cool calculator trick, start by writing the number 73 on a piece of paper and folding the paper in half. Hand the paper to a volunteer, but don't let them look at what's on it! Then, ask your volunteer to enter a 4-digit number into a calculator twice so there's an 8-digit number on the screen. When they're finished, ask them to divide the 8-digit number by 137 on the calculator. Now, ask them to divide that number by the original 4-digit number they entered. If they followed your instructions, the final number on the calculator should be 73, regardless of the number they entered at the beginning. Tell them to look at the number on the sheet of paper they're holding. They'll be amazed that you predicted the right number! | Tell someone to secretly select a 3-digit number and enter it twice into a calculator. Make sure they do not show you the calculator's display. Stand across the room from the person and make it seem like you are trying to read their mind. For example, they could enter “123123.” Announce that the number is divisible by 11 and have them check it. Dramatically announce this from across the room. Have them verify it and then tell the audience that you are right. For instance, if they entered 123123, then they would divide it by 11 and get 11,193. Tell them to divide that result by 13. Announce from across the room that the result is divisible by 13. Tell them to do it on the calculator to prove it. For example, if their last result was 11,193, then they would divide it by 13 and get 861. Tell them to divide the result by the original 3-digit number. Remember that they chose a 3-digit number and entered it twice. Make sure they only divide the result by 3-digits, rather than the 6 they entered at the beginning. For instance, if their last result was 861, and the original number was 123, they would divide 861 by 123 to get the number 7. Announce that the final answer is 7. Tell them without looking at the screen. Have them show the audience, if you have one, to prove that you are right. You can switch this trick up by having them divide the result by 7 in step 3, and announce that the result is 13 in the final step. Write “73” on a piece of paper, fold it, and give it to a friend or volunteer. Don't let anyone see the number your write down. You'll reveal this secret number at the end of the trick, to your audience's delight. Tell your volunteer to pick a 4-digit number and put it into the calculator twice. Any 4-digit number will work for this trick. Hand the calculator to the volunteer and have them enter the number. For instance, if your volunteer picks the number “7893,” they would type "78937893" into the calculator. Announce that the number is evenly divisible by 137. Have your volunteer verify this by dividing the 8-digit number in the calculator by 137. Any number made by repeating a 4-digit number twice will be evenly divisible by 137. For example, 78,937,893 divided by 137 is 576,189. Tell your volunteer to divide the answer by the original 4-digit number. Your volunteer will get an answer of 73 every time if you've followed the directions right. It doesn't matter which number they started with. For instance, after dividing 78,937,893 by 137 to get 576,189, the volunteer would divide 576,189 by 7,893. Command your volunteer to reveal your prediction. Have your friend or volunteer open the folded piece of paper. Be prepared for your audience to go wild when your prediction of 73 is revealed! Don't reveal the math behind the trick! A good magician knows how to keep their secrets. Tell someone to pick a number from 1-9 without telling you. Explain to them that you are going to tell them what number they chose at the end. Put on an act that you are reading their mind while they are thinking of a number. This is a super easy math trick that is easy to figure out at the end, but it's still fun to put on a show! Have them multiply their number on a calculator by "9," then by “12345679. ” Notice that there is no “8” in the second sequence of numbers. Make sure they multiply the number they chose by "9", then by “12345679,” with no “8” in order for the trick to work. Keep pretending you are reading the person's mind while they perform the multiplication. Make them show you the results or pass you the calculator. Tell them you will divide what number they chose at the beginning from the result on the calculator. Have them hold the calculator to face you so you can see the number or hand it to you so you can look. If you have an audience, don't let them see the result on the screen in order to create a more dramatic effect. Look at the number to determine what their original number was and tell them. Whatever number you see repeating on the screen is the number they chose at the beginning. There will only be a string of a single repeating number. For example, if they chose “1,” then the calculator will show “111111111.” | Tell someone to secretly select a 3-digit number and enter it twice into a calculator. Announce that the number is divisible by 11 and have them check it. Tell them to divide that result by 13. Tell them to divide the result by the original 3-digit number. Announce that the final answer is 7. Write “73” on a piece of paper, fold it, and give it to a friend or volunteer. Tell your volunteer to pick a 4-digit number and put it into the calculator twice. Announce that the number is evenly divisible by 137. Tell your volunteer to divide the answer by the original 4-digit number. Command your volunteer to reveal your prediction. Tell someone to pick a number from 1-9 without telling you. Have them multiply their number on a calculator by "9," then by “12345679. Make them show you the results or pass you the calculator. Look at the number to determine what their original number was and tell them. |
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