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https://www.wikihow.com/Withhold-Rent-from-Your-Landlord	How to Withhold Rent from Your Landlord	If your landlord has failed to keep your home in good shape or provide basic necessities like heat and water, you may be able to withhold rent from them. Before you withhold rent, make sure you notify the landlord in writing about the repairs that need to be done so they can't claim they didn't know about it. You should also check your state's tenant laws to make sure you're legally allowed to withhold rent. Let your landlord know in writing that you intend to withhold rent, then give them a deadline for fixing the repairs. If they don't respond or make the repairs, you can either withhold all of your rent until the repairs are made, or hire someone to get the repairs done and subtract the fees from the rent you pay. If you're not sure what the best route is, speak to a tenants advocacy group in your area. They'll be able to help you take the proper steps for withholding rent.	Notify the landlord in writing of the need for repairs. If you haven't already done so, you must notify the landlord in writing about the need for repairs to your apartment. Your letter should contain the following information: In detail, describe the issue in your apartment and why you need the repairs. If you previously left messages for your landlord or discussed the problem, set forth all of the times that you previously notified the landlord of the problem If this is continuing problem that the landlord only partially fixed, detail all of the previous repairs and request a more permanent solution to the situation. If there is a potential for injury or the needed repairs make it difficult or impossible to properly reside in your apartment (no hot water, toilet doesn't work, etc.) explain the situation in detail in the letter. Make sure that you keep a copy of your letter and consider sending the letter by certified mail so that you have proof of delivery. You can find a sample request for repair letter at: http://www.communityactionatwork.org/tenant-support/for-tenants/forms/repair.html. Review your state’s landlord tenant laws. If your landlord fails to make the necessary repairs, you should review your state's landlord tenant laws so that you have a clear understanding of the landlord's responsibilities and the circumstances under which you can withhold rent, reduce rent, or have the problem repaired and deduct the cost from your rent. You can find a list of state-by-state laws regarding rent withholding and landlord/tenant rights and obligations here: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/tenant-rights-withhold-rent-state. Generally, you are reviewing your state's laws for the following: The reasons that legally allow you to withhold your rent, such as structural repairs or repairs to the electricity or plumbing. Whether you are required to give the landlord a certain type of notice and how long they have to make the repair before you can withhold rent. Whether you are required to place the withheld rent in a separate bank account or deposit it with the local housing authority. Evaluate your apartment for required repairs. In order to determine whether the landlord is required to make repairs to your apartment, you must inspect your property and detail all of the necessary repairs. Once you outline the repairs needed, you need to divide the list into repairs that must be made legally and small repairs that you would like the landlord to make but that he is not legally obligated to repair. You can only withhold rent for repairs that are legally required. When making your list, consider the following: Your landlord is required to make all repairs to ensure that your home is habitable. These repairs include, structural repairs (the ceiling has a big hole in it), repairs to leaking roofs, provide hot and cold water, ensure that the plumbing, heating and electrical systems are working and safe. The landlord must also hire an exterminator to get rid of bug or rodent infestations unless you caused the infestation. Landlords may also be required to provide and maintain smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and window guards. Failure to do so may make the home unsafe and uninhabitable under the laws of your state. Landlords are not required to fix dripping faucets or running toilets, small cosmetic problems such as a small hole in the carpet or scrapes on the floor, unless these repairs are required under your lease. Review your lease. Your lease is the legal contract that you entered into with the landlord that outlines both parties' rights and obligations, in addition to those that may be legally required. Review your lease to determine what, if any, obligations your landlord has to make minor repairs and any specific responsibilities for repairs that you may have assumed under the lease as a tenant.. Determine the best legal recourse—withhold or repair and deduct. If your landlord continues to fail to make necessary and legally required repairs, you must decide what steps that you want to take next. A review of your state should have indicated for you whether you are able and under what circumstance that you can either withhold rent completely until repairs are made or if you can pay someone to make the repairs and deduct the cost of the repairs from the next month's rent. When choosing between the two options, if both are allowed by your state, review the following practical considerations: Can you safely remain in your home while you await legally required repairs? If you answer yes, then choosing to withhold rent may be an option. If you cannot safely or practically (i.e. no running water) remain in the home, determine whether you can afford to make the necessary repairs. It may be helpful to have a professional come out and evaluate the problem and give you an estimate on the work. You can use the estimate to determine whether you can afford to pay for the repair and include the estimate in your next letter to your landlord. If you can afford to make the repair, it may be easiest to have the repair done and then deduct it from your next month's rent, provided that you are entitled to repair and deduct under state law. If you cannot afford to make the repair or safely remain in the property, you should contact a local tenant's rights association or your local housing court to discuss your options. If you choose to withhold rent, be sure that you review your state law's to determine if you need to deposit the rent with a specific housing agency. If you are not legally required to do so, it may be in your best interest to open a separate account and keep all withheld rent payments in this account. If you need to go to court, you can demonstrate that you had the ability to pay and that you were diligent in maintaining your rent. Speak to a tenant’s advocacy organization. Before taking the next steps against your landlord, it may be helpful to speak with a tenant's advocacy organization. These organizations will be intimately familiar with your legal options, may have information about your landlord's failure to maintain other properties, and may be able to give you advice on how best to proceed. You should explain the situation in depth and discuss how you plan to proceed against your landlord. The organization may even be willing to review your draft letter to your landlord or provide you with sample letters or how-to guides on how to proceed against your landlord. You can usually locate these organizations online by searching for your city or state's name and “tenant advocacy group” or tenant's rights. Notify your landlord in writing of what you intend to do. Whether you have decided to withhold rent completely or pay for the repairs and deduct the cost from your next month's rent, you must notify your landlord in writing and give them a brief opportunity to correct the problem. When drafting your letter, consider the following:: Set forth in detail the repairs that you are requesting. Describe your previous requests to have the landlord fix the problem. Include all of the dates you contacted the landlord, if possible, and attach your previous letter requesting the repairs. Reference your state's laws that require the landlord to make the repairs and allows you to either withhold rent or repair and deduct the cost of repairs from your rent. Set forth a date by which the legally required repairs must be made. Describe the action you intend to take if the landlord fails to uphold his responsibilities (withhold or repair and deduct). Include a copy of the estimate for repair, if applicable. Send the letter by certified mail, return receipt requested. Be sure that your letter conforms to all of the requirements set forth in your state laws and that you are legally justified in demanding repair. You can view sample letter to withhold rent here: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/sample-letter-landlord-you-intend-withhold-the-rent.html You can view sample letters to repair and deduct at: http://kyjustice.org/node/688 and http://www.palawhelp.org/resource/deduct-repair-tenants-right-to-a-safe-and-dec?ref=2FZB4 Report your landlord to the housing authority. If, after your last notice, the landlord fails to make the repairs, you should take the action you stated (withhold rent or repair and deduct) and contact your local housing authority. The local housing agency can come to your home, document the need for repair, and even fine your landlord for violations of the housing code. This documentation may be useful if you have to proceed to court against your landlord. You can find your local housing authority by conducting an internet search for the name of your town and “housing authority.” Review the website for how to report a landlord and request an inspection or call the housing authority and ask how best to proceed. Gather evidence. It if appears that you will need to go to court to force your landlord to make repairs to your property, you want to gather as much evidence as possible to make your case. This evidence may include: Your lease and any lease renewals. Cancelled rent checks, electronic transfers or money order receipts. All correspondence between you and your landlord about the repairs. Any reports from the housing agency about the necessary repairs. Any estimates you received about the cost of repair. Witness statements from people who saw your apartment and can speak about the required repairs. Witness statements from people who provided you with assistance because your home was not habitable (such as people who you had to stay with or use their shower because of the lack of repair). A list of problems with dates and the landlords failure to make timely repairs. Photographs of the damage or the condition of your apartment. Prepare and file court documents. If your landlord refuses to repair the property even after you withheld rent (if you chose to repair and deduct you have already been reimbursed for the work), you may have to file a court action to force the landlord to make the repairs. Contact your local housing court and ask where you need to file your action. Many housing courts have streamlined procedures to resolve landlord tenant disputes and can even provide you with a packet of documents that you need to file in order to start your legal action against the court. If there is no streamlined procedure for housing disputes, you may have to file a lawsuit against your landlord. Be sure to follow all local rules and regulations required for filing a lawsuit. Wait for the court’s ruling or mediate the action. After you present your evidence in court, the judge will either enter a ruling or you may choose to separately meet with the landlord to try and resolve your dispute before the ruling is entered—this is called mediation. Regardless of how you choose to proceed, you should argue that you should not be required to pay the landlord all of the withheld rent since your standard of living and hardship were so great during the time the landlord refused to make legally required repairs.	Notify the landlord in writing of the need for repairs. Review your state’s landlord tenant laws. Evaluate your apartment for required repairs. Review your lease. Determine the best legal recourse—withhold or repair and deduct. Speak to a tenant’s advocacy organization. Notify your landlord in writing of what you intend to do. Report your landlord to the housing authority. Gather evidence. Prepare and file court documents. Wait for the court’s ruling or mediate the action.
https://www.wikihow.com/Tame-Poofy-Hair	How to Tame Poofy Hair	To tame your poofy hair, try to only shampoo your hair once every few days, since shampoo can dry your hair out and make it poofier. When you do shampoo your hair, use products that are formulated for dry har, which will add moisture and reduce frizziness. If you have curly hair, gently comb it after applying conditioner to help detangle it. When you rinse your hair in the shower, use cool water, which seals your hair cuticles and locks moisture in. Once you get out of the shower, avoid brushing your hair before it dries, since this can cause breakage. Try to let your hair air dry if you can, since the heat from blow-dryers can damage it.	Wash your hair as infrequently as possible. Your scalp produces natural oils which provide your hair with a lot of moisture. When you shampoo your hair, you wash away these oils, leaving your hair dry. Instead of washing your hair every day, simply rinse your hair in the shower and shampoo only every 3-5 days. If your hair looks greasy in between washes, use a dry shampoo to soak up the oil and add texture. Use shampoo and conditioner formulated for dry hair. Select a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to help smooth your hair and reduce puffiness. Read the labels and choose products that specify they are "moisturizing" or "smoothing." Avoid using products with sulfates, which can dry out your tresses and lead to frizzy hair. Avoid products that advertise increased hair volume, as these will exacerbate frizz. Condition your hair from the mid-lengths to ends, and leave it on your hair for at least 2 minutes before rinsing. Rinse with cool or cold water. Cold water seals the hair cuticle, which will prevent each strand from losing valuable moisture and create a sleeker, shinier look. Enjoy a warm—not hot—shower and rinse out your shampoo and conditioner with cool or cold water. Remove excess water from your hair carefully. Avoid using terrycloth towels to dry your hair, as they have loops that can disturb hair cuticles and contribute to frizz. Try gently pressing the water from your hair with a T-shirt or microfiber towel instead. Remember to never wring or rub your hair aggressively. Be gentle when detangling your hair. If you have curly hair, it's best to comb through it in the shower after applying conditioner. If your hair is straight, you can comb through it when you get out of the shower. Either way, use a wide-tooth comb, begin at the ends of your hair, and work your way up to the roots. Avoid brushing wet hair, as this can cause breakage. Let your hair air dry. It's best to let your hair air dry rather than using a blow-dryer, especially if you have curly locks. Apply a moisturizing product, like a cream, serum, or oil, then shape your curls as desired. If you have straight hair, simply apply a smoothing product and let your tresses dry on their own. If you do choose to blow-dry your hair, apply a heat-protectant product first. Then, use an ionic, ceramic blow dryer to help combat frizz. Or, used a hooded dryer so the air flows down over the hair shaft. Let your natural shape work for you. With so many styling products available, there are plenty of options to help enhance your natural curl while fighting off unwanted frizz. Products like gels, mousses, and curl-enhancing creams all contain ingredients called polymers, which coat the hair and “lock” your curl or wave into place. If your hair is fine and wavy then mousses are your best choice since they don't weigh hair down. If your hair is coarse and curly, gel or cream is recommended. Switch to alcohol-free products. Most hair sprays and mousses have a high alcohol content, which can cause the cuticle to swell up. Alcohol can also dry out your hair, making it look poofy and eventually leading to breakage. Try using alcohol-free products that work to reduce frizz, such as creams and serums. Opt for a boar-bristle brush. If your hair is damaged from dye, or just naturally dry, a boar-bristle brush can help to reduce frizz. This type of brush helps to gather the natural oils from your scalp and distribute them throughout your hair. Tame flyaways with a curling iron. It may seem counterintuitive, but wrapping flyaway strands around a curling iron can help set them in place and smooth out your hair. Be sure to completely dry your hair first and use the curling iron sparingly. Keep it on a low heat setting and don't hold the strands for very long. Whenever you use heat, you risk causing damage to your hair. Always apply a heat-protectant product first. Do a weekly hot oil treatment. A hot oil treatment is a great way to condition and strengthen your hair. This is a good idea for all hair types, so try it out with your friends. Choose a treatment with jojoba oil to help strengthen the cuticle and further prevent frizz. Warm up the oil then massage it into your hair and scalp. If desired, you can put a shower cap over your hair and let the oil soak in for 30 minutes before washing it out. You can help the oil penetrate deeper into the hair shaft by applying heat with a hair dryer.	Wash your hair as infrequently as possible. Use shampoo and conditioner formulated for dry hair. Rinse with cool or cold water. Remove excess water from your hair carefully. Be gentle when detangling your hair. Let your hair air dry. Let your natural shape work for you. Switch to alcohol-free products. Opt for a boar-bristle brush. Tame flyaways with a curling iron. Do a weekly hot oil treatment.
https://www.wikihow.com/Escape-a-Minefield	How to Escape a Minefield	Minefields are dangerous and hard to navigate, but with some careful scoping, it'll be easier for you to escape. The moment you realize you're in a minefield, stop and don't take another step until you've come up with a plan for escape. If you're able to, slowly backtrack the exact path you came from, since this is the safest route. Or, probe the ground for mines by very gently testing the ground with your hands or feet before taking a step. If you find any wires coming from the side of the road or mounds of dirt, these may be mines. As you exit the minefield, try to be as quiet as you can and listen for detonation noises. If you hear a faint click or pop, a mine is probably exploding and you should drop to the ground to protect yourself.	Look for signs that mines are close. Most mines are hidden, but if you know what to look for you'll have a better chance of avoiding them. Don't let your guard down, even for a moment, if you are in a mined area. Constantly be on the lookout for the following signs: Trip wires. These aren't usually clearly visible, so you've got to look closely at the ground. Wires are usually thin enough to be almost impossible to see. Signs of road repair. This includes paved areas, new fill, road patches, ditches, and so on. This could be a sign that mines were installed nearby. Signs or markers on trees, stakes, or posts. The forces that place the mines may mark the minefields to protect their own soldiers. Dead animals. Cattle and other animals frequently detonate mines. Damaged vehicles. Abandoned cars, trucks or other vehicles may have detonated a mine, and more could be close by. Suspicious objects in trees and bushes. Not all mines are buried, and not all UXO land on the ground. Disturbances in previous tire tracks or tracks that stop inexplicably. Wires leading away from the side of the road. They may be firing wires that are partially buried. Odd features in the ground or patterns that are not present in nature. Plant growth may wilt or change color, rain may wash away some of the cover, the cover may sink or crack around the edges, or the material covering the mines may look like mounds of dirt. Civilians staying away from certain places or out of certain buildings. Locals often know where mines or unexploded ordnance (UXO) are located. Question civilians to determine the exact locations. Stop immediately. The moment you realize you may be in danger, freeze. Do not take another step. Take some time to assess your situation and formulate an escape plan. Your movements from now on need to be slow, careful and considered. Call out a warning to companions. As soon as you think you are in danger, make sure everyone knows so they can stop moving before someone detonates an explosive. Yell, "freeze!" and tell them to not to move their feet. If you're the leader in this situation, you'll have to coach them on how to leave the field safely; make sure everyone's on the same page, because one wrong move could get everyone killed. Do not pick anything up. Many mines are booby-trapped. You think you're picking up a helmet, radio, or military artifact, and lo and behold, there's a mine inside. Even toys and food are used as bait. If you didn't drop it, don't pick it up. Backtrack your way out of a mined area. Should you suspect that you have entered a minefield or mined area, either because you see warning signs, you see a mine or potential mine, or because a detonation occurs, remain calm and carefully back out of danger by stepping in your footsteps. If possible, do not turn around. Look behind you as you walk, and slowly place your feet exactly where they were before. Continue until you are sure you are out of danger, such as when you reach a road or other frequently traveled area. Probe the ground. If you have to move forward for some reason, or you can't see your tracks to backtrack, you'll need to probe the ground for mines and move forward little by little. Probe the ground very carefully with your hands or feet; you can also use a knife or another object to gently probe the area inch by inch. Probe at an angle, rather than straight down, since mines are usually detonated from top-down pressure. Once you've cleared a small area, move forward and continue probing. It's safest to move through the field very slowly and on your belly, rather than walking through. Get help if you're in over your head. If you're not absolutely sure where you stepped before, and you don't feel comfortable probing, don't risk moving. Inches can be the difference between life and death. Call for help or have people nearby do so. If you are alone and can use a cell phone , call for help. Do not use two-way radios unless absolutely necessary. The signal from the radio may cause certain types of mines or UXO to accidentally detonate. If you have no way of reaching anyone, wait. Do not try to "make a run for it" and do not attempt to probe your way out unless you know what you are doing. Pay attention for signs that a detonation may occur. When exiting a minefield be alert for signs that a mine may detonate. Listen for unusual noises. You may notice a faint click if a pressure plate has been depressed or a tilt rod has been moved, or, more likely, you may hear the pop of the exploding cap. Pay attention to what you can feel, as well. If you are very alert and proceed slowly you may be able to feel the tension of a trip wire, for example. Drop to the ground immediately if a detonation has been initiated. Soldiers call this "hitting the deck." If you notice any of the signs from the last step, or if someone nearby cries out a warning that they have detonated a mine, drop to the ground as quickly as possible. You may have as little as a second before the mine explodes, but if you use that second wisely you may be able to escape serious injury or death. Mines explode upward, and it's safest close to the ground. If possible, fall backward in order to shield your upper body from shrapnel as much as possible. While it's certainly possible to fall onto another mine, the area right behind you is the safest place to fall, because you were just walking there. Do not try to outrun the explosion; projectiles will fly out from the mine at thousands of feet per second, and the casualty radius - the distance from the mine in which you can expect to be injured - can be up to 100 feet or more. Mark the hazard, and report its location to the proper authorities. If you find a mine, help make sure that other people avoid it by marking it. Use internationally recognized symbols or signs if possible, or use the customary local warning. Make sure you are in safe territory before attempting to erect a warning. Note the location of the danger, and report it to police, the military, or local de-miners. Learn about land mines. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) is a term used to denote any kind of explosive weapons, such as bombs, grenades , and artillery shells, that have been used but have not yet exploded - "duds," in other words - and that retain the potential to detonate. Landmines are sometimes considered a type of UXO, and while mines receive the most media attention, all UXOs are dangerous. In some parts of the world, UXO other than mines present the greatest hazard. Learn about the history of an area. Anytime that you are traveling to an unfamiliar area, it's wise to learn about the history of that area to determine if there is a landmine risk. Areas that are experiencing armed conflict are clearly high-risk, but landmines and UXOs remain dangerous long after the cessation of hostilities. In Vietnam , Cambodia, and Laos, for example, millions of mines and dud bombs remain, and even in Belgium, long combat-free, crews have removed hundreds of tons of UXO, left over from WWI and WWII, in the past few years. Heed warning signs. While you can't always count on minefields being marked, you should definitely stay away from those that are. Internationally recognized symbols for minefields include a skull-and-crossbones and a red triangle. Signs are often, but not always, red, and they frequently say "MINES" or "DANGER." Where signs are not present, improvised warnings are often used, such as painted rocks (red usually indicates the boundary of the minefield, and white indicates a safe path through it), piles of stones, flags in the ground, tied grass, or ribbons cordoning off an area. Many minefields have no warning signs, so don't take the lack of a warning sign as an indication that the area is safe. Inquire locally. Mine warnings often don't last long. Over time, plants, weather, animals and people dismantle or conceal signs. In some areas, metal signs are a valuable building material, and it's not uncommon to see a mine warning used, for example, to patch a metal roof. What's more, in many places, warnings are never installed. Local people, however, often know the general locations of mines and UXO, so your best bet when traveling in potentially dangerous territory is to ask the locals whether an area is safe, or better yet, get a guide. Don't stray off established paths. Except in active combat situations, if people regularly use a path, you can be sure it is not mined. Just off the path, however, danger may be lurking.	Look for signs that mines are close. Stop immediately. Call out a warning to companions. Do not pick anything up. Backtrack your way out of a mined area. Probe the ground. Get help if you're in over your head. Pay attention for signs that a detonation may occur. Drop to the ground immediately if a detonation has been initiated. Mark the hazard, and report its location to the proper authorities. Learn about land mines. Learn about the history of an area. Heed warning signs. Inquire locally. Don't stray off established paths.
https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-at-Work	How to Lose Weight at Work	If you want to lose weight while at work, pack healthy snacks like almonds, low-fat cheeses, and fruit so you're not tempted to hit up the vending machine when you get a craving. You can also keep away hunger pangs by drinking more water throughout the day, which will be easier to do if you have a water bottle at your desk. Along with making healthy eating choices, get in some additional cardio at work by taking the stairs instead of the elevator and going for short, 2 to 3 minute walks around the office every hour or so. If possible, you can even swap out your desk chair for a balance ball for a few hours of the day to work out your abs and back while being seated.	Pack healthy snacks from home. If you come to work empty handed, you might find yourself raiding the vending machine for candy bars and bags of chips when snack cravings hit. Instead, bring snacks and lunches from home. Plan healthy, easy-to-make meals, such as salads and bring them with you for lunch. That way, you won't be tempted to eat out for lunch or grab fast food. Almonds, low-fat cheeses (like 1% cottage cheese), yogurt, fruit, and sliced veggies are all really great snacking alternatives. They will give you the boost in energy you need, as well as a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and protein. These are good snacks to help you stay full for longer while you work. Pair a lean protein with a fruit or vegetable for a healthy snack. For example, you could try a boiled egg with some cherry tomatoes, carrots and a couple of tablespoons of hummus, or low-fat Greek yogurt with fresh berries. Keep your snacks out of sight. If you've got a crazy sweet tooth and you have to bring a little splurge snack with you to get you through the day, keep it out of sight. Tuck your food and snacks into a desk drawer or keep them in the office fridge. If it's out of sight, it's more likely to be out of mind. Try keeping out something healthy, like a piece of fruit or some baby carrots. That way, if you do feel compelled to snack, the first thing you'll have to reach for will be something good for you. Something that won't spoil from sitting out is a good option, like an apple or unpeeled orange. Track calories every day. Use a smartphone app or just a regular old pen and paper to keep track of your intake throughout the day. Balancing your intake with exercise is important if you are trying to lose weight. Plus, a visual representation of what you're taking in, like a chart of calories, can really help you see what changes you need to make with your diet. If apps or writing down your intake don't work for you, you could try simply keeping a food journal. In it, keep notes of what you eat, when you eat it, and about how much you ate. It might not be as formal as counting calories, but it holds you more accountable for what you're eating each day. Try chewing gum while you work. Chewing gum has been shown to reduce tension in those who chew more than in those who don't. Since stress levels can lead to a higher rate of retention of body fat, busting stress is important when trying to lose weight. Pop a stick of gum in your mouth when you feel stressed at work to limit stress eating and calm tension. Look for chewing gum that has the American Dental Association stamp of acceptance on the label. The ADA puts this label on chewing gum that is good for your teeth, so while you work on losing weight, you can also be looking after your dental health! Drink more water. Keeping yourself hydrated might also help keep away the hunger pangs by keeping you feeling full. Keep a water bottle on your desk and make it a habit to drink it and refill it throughout the day. Forgo sweet drinks like sodas in favor of water to save on calories, as well. Try adding some sliced lemons, limes, oranges, or strawberries to a jug of water. Let it steep in the fridge overnight to infuse some fruity flavors into your water--a good alternative to sugary water sweeteners. You could also use an app to monitor your water intake. There are applications available for your smartphone that will help you track how much water you've had each day so you can be sure you've reached your goal. Alternatively, you can keep track on paper. One study showed that drinking two glasses of water before meals can help with weight loss. Replace breakfast with a smoothie. Rather than grabbing a donut from the break room or a greasy breakfast sandwich from the drive-thru, start your mornings with a healthy smoothie. Not only are smoothies filling and satisfying, they help you get the vitamins and minerals you need to have a productive morning and feed your body in a healthy way. Virtually any fruit or vegetable is fair game for a smoothie ingredient. Powerhouse ingredients like half an avocado, Greek yogurt, berries, bananas, and greens like kale or spinach are a great place to start. Try this: in your blender, put in a half a cup of ice cubes, a half a cup of almond milk (or coconut milk, or soy milk, or Greek yogurt), a healthy handful of spinach leaves, a handful of strawberries (you can use frozen berries), and a banana. Blend until smooth, adding milk to thin it out as necessary. Strong-flavored fruits like berries are great for blending with greens, as you'll taste the berries and not the spinach! Take the stairs. One of the simplest ways to add a bit of cardio into your workday is to take the stairs up to your office instead of taking the elevator or escalator. If you work somewhere that doesn't have multiple floors, opt to park a little further away from the door to add some steps to your walk inside. Work on incorporating extra movement into your day in any way you can, even if you don't have stairs or a big parking lot at your work. Offer to run an errand that needs to be done and take a walk, for example. Switch out your chair for a balance ball. Balance balls, or stability balls, keep you moving, even while seated. Since you're constantly working your abs and back while you're sitting on it, it's like building exercise into your day without much effort at all. Spend a few hours out of your work day on the ball and a few hours in your regular chair if you need to rest. You could also get rid of your chair completely and choose to stand instead. There are special lifting desks you can purchase online or at an office supply store that will lift up your workstation so that you can stand while you work, which is great for your circulation and keeps you moving. Take short walks around the office. Set a timer on your desk for every half hour to an hour and take a short, two to three minute walk around the office. Go grab a glass of water from the break room, walk the hallways, or just take a lap or two around the perimeter of the office. Taking breaks can also help you refocus. So, when you return to your desk after your short walk, you'll be feeling more energized to keep working and better able to focus on your work. Do some leg lifts at your desk. While sitting in your desk chair, or any other chair in the workplace, lift your legs straight out. Hold them there for a few seconds, then slowly lower them back down. Do a few sets of at least ten repetitions scattered throughout your workday. If your job requires standing full time, try swapping this exercise out for lunges. Step forward with one foot and bend the opposite knee until it almost touches the floor. Then, gently push yourself back up to standing and repeat on the other side. Try some calf raises while waiting at the copier. If you've got some time to kill at work while standing up, you can do calf raises to exercise without drawing attention to yourself. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart and slowly raise up onto the balls of your feet. Slowly lower back down again, and repeat. Do these in sets. When starting off, try two sets of ten repetitions each, then gradually increase that over time. You could even challenge yourself to do as many calf raises as copies you have to make! Clench or flex different muscles each time you get an email. Use little triggers like getting a new email, answering a phone call, or making a new sale and flex a different muscle group each time the trigger happens. For example, each time you get a new email, flex the muscles in your legs. Hold the flex for a few seconds and then relax it. Do stretches at your desk. Not only can stretching help you boost your energy and focus, it can also be an easy way to kill a few calories while staying seated at your desk. Try sitting in your chair and slowly lowering your fingers down toward your toes. Stretch your arms and back as you reach. Then, sit on the edge of the seat and without pushing your feet down into the floor. Lean back slowly without touching the chair back. Hold, then slowly sit upright. Repeat a few times. This exercise will help you stretch out and also work your abs. Stretch your chest, shoulders, and the front of your neck. Reach your arms out as wide as possible to your sides and lean back in your chair with your head tilted back and hold. For a more invigorating move you can do big arm reaches overhead and slowly fan your arms down and out to the sides, inhaling as you reach up, exhaling as you lower your arms, and then repeat. Work your abs with a simple breathing exercise. Sit up straight in your chair. Take in a deep breath. As you exhale, pull your abdominal muscles in, like you're trying to pull them towards your spine. When you breathe in again, keep holding your muscles like that, and breathe into the back of your ribs. Keep holding your muscles (but not your breath!) that way for 30 seconds, then relax. Repeat this as often as you'd like. Do chair squats. Hover a few inches above your chair with your knees bent. Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly stand up straight. Lower back down to hover above your chair again, and hold for another 5 seconds. Repeat this for as many reps as you'd like. This can get your blood pumping a little in addition to working the muscles in your lower body. Try chair dips. While sitting on the edge of your chair, put one hand on the seat on either side of your hips. Lift yourself from the chair, then lower yourself down towards the floor. Your elbows should be at about 90 degrees once you're fully lowered. Then, pull yourself back up to your chair. Repeat. Make sure your chair is stable before trying this exercise. If your chair has wheels, lock them, or use a different chair. Use a water bottle as a weight. A full water bottle can serve as a makeshift dumbbell at your desk. Gripping the bottle in one hand, lift your arm until it is straight out in front of you, and hold there for a moment. Then, continue lifting your arm up until your elbow is beside your ear, then bend your elbow to reach back behind you. Reverse the motion, and repeat. You can even try bringing a small weight with you to work. A one or two pound weight would be plenty. Try using a water bottle as a weight. A one liter bottle of water weighs one kilogram. Plan to work out with a coworker after work. If you make a plan ahead of time, you might be more likely to stick to it--especially if that plan involves another person. Ask a coworker to go for a walk or jog with you after work, or to hit up the health club nearby on the way home. Or, make a plan to do yoga in the park on your day off together. Making a plan by yourself won't be as effective as asking someone else to join you. Not only will you feel more accountable for following through with that plan, you'll have the person nearby at work as a reminder that the plan is in place. Ask that coworkers keep high-calorie foods out of the break room. If you're not so good at keeping your hand out of the candy jar at work, ask that your coworkers keep their junk food out of the common areas. You could suggest a bin system in the fridge with each employee's name on them, or that the candy and donuts in the break room be replaced with fruit. It might seem like a stretch to suggest others change their habits as well, but you aren't really asking them to stop eating unhealthy things—just that those unhealthy things aren't out in the open for anyone to graze on. You might be surprised to find that many of your coworkers might be in favor of a healthy change in the communal snacks in the workplace. Create a support system with your coworkers. Some offices or workplaces hold competitions to see which employee can lose the most weight over a certain period of time. Instead of creating competitiveness, though, try fostering support. If multiple employees want to participate, consider creating a group meeting after work once or twice a week to help support each other along the way. If you work at a desk or on the computer, consider creating a digital way to keep track of each other's success, like an email thread or a personal webpage. Hold a healthy dish potluck. Sometimes changing up your eating habits can be difficult, especially if you don't really know what to cook for yourself. Hold a healthy dish potluck at work to get some new ideas of easy, healthy dishes you can make yourself. Have each person bring along a few copies of the recipe for the dish they've brought. That way, if you like it, you will know how to make it yourself at home!	Pack healthy snacks from home. Keep your snacks out of sight. Track calories every day. Try chewing gum while you work. Drink more water. Replace breakfast with a smoothie. Take the stairs. Switch out your chair for a balance ball. Take short walks around the office. Do some leg lifts at your desk. Try some calf raises while waiting at the copier. Clench or flex different muscles each time you get an email. Do stretches at your desk. Work your abs with a simple breathing exercise. Do chair squats. Try chair dips. Use a water bottle as a weight. Plan to work out with a coworker after work. Ask that coworkers keep high-calorie foods out of the break room. Create a support system with your coworkers. Hold a healthy dish potluck.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lettuce-Wraps	How to Make Lettuce Wraps	To make lettuce wraps, start by making a sauce out of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, starch, and rice vinegar. Then, brown 1 pound of ground chicken in a skillet, set it aside, and fry carrots and bell peppers for 5 minutes. Next, put the chicken, green onions, and sauce into the skillet, stir for 1 minute, then turn off the heat. Finally, place a large spoonful of filling in the middle of each lettuce leaf and wrap the leaf around it.	Combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. In a small bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons (48 g) of hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of rice wine vinegar, and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of sesame oil with a fork until well blended. Next, mix in 1 teaspoon (3 g) cornstarch to thicken up the sauce and set aside. If you want a thinner sauce, you can omit the cornstarch. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan. Set a medium-size skillet on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Allow the pan to heat for 1 to 2 minutes before adding 1 teaspoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil. Let the oil heat for another 1 to 2 minutes. If you don't have vegetable oil in your pantry, you can substitute olive oil. Add the ground chicken and cook until it’s browned. Once the oil is heated, turn the heat up to medium high and place 1 pound (450 g) ground chicken in the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break up the chicken, and allow it to cook until it is no longer pink, which usually takes 4 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a dish, and set aside. Make sure to drain the excess fat from the ground chicken before transferring it to a dish. You may want to cover the ground chicken with foil after you remove it from the heat to keep it somewhat warm. If you prefer, you can substitute ground turkey for the ground chicken. You can also swap the ground chicken for sliced or chopped grilled chicken. If you're in a hurry, you can even purchase a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, cut the meat off of it, and mix it in with the vegetables and sauce. Cook the carrots and bell peppers in the skillet. Place the other teaspoon of vegetable oil in the skillet, and allow it to warm over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1 cup (50 g) of grated carrots and 1 cup (149 g) of chopped bell peppers to the pan, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until tender. You can add to or replace the carrots and bell peppers with any other vegetables that you like, such as chopped onions or chopped mushrooms. Stir in the water chestnuts, garlic, and ginger, and cook. When the carrots and peppers are tender, mix in 1 8-ounce (227 g) can of water chestnuts that have been drained and chopped, 3 cloves of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon (15 g) of minced ginger. Allow the mixture to cook for approximately 30 seconds or until the pan starts to give off an aroma. If desired, you can also season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Add the ground chicken, half of the green onions, and the sauce to the pan. Transfer the ground chicken back to the skillet with the vegetables and mix in ¼ cup (59 g) of the sliced green onions. Stir until all of the ingredients are well combined. Mix in the sauce and cook until all of the filling is warmed through. Next, pour the sauce that you made earlier over the mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon to ensure that that chicken and vegetables are well coated. Allow the filling to cook for about a minute or until it's warmed through. You can tell when the filling is sufficiently warm when the sauce starts to bubble. It's a good idea to taste the mixture to see if it needs more hoisin sauce before removing it from the pan. Add up to 2 tablespoons (32 g) more depending on your taste. Cut out the lettuce core and break off the leaves. Take 2 small heads of lettuce, and use a paring knife to cut off the root at the bottom of the heads. To separate the leaves, you can use the knife or your hands depending on how firm the lettuce is. You can use any type of lettuce that you like for these wraps, such as iceberg or romaine. However, lettuces with sturdy, broad leaves, such as bibb and butter, typically work best. Wash and dry the lettuce leaves. After you've all leaves off the heads of lettuce, fill a large bowl with water and swish the lettuce through it. Let the leaves sit in the water for a minute or so to dislodge any dirt or grit. Next, transfer the leaves to a salad spinner and spin the lettuce until it's dry. Depending on how large a bowl you have, you may have to wash the lettuce in batches. If you don't have a salad spinner, lay the lettuce out on paper towel and blot the leave with another sheet of paper towel until dry. Spoon the filling into the center of the lettuce. Once the lettuce leaves are washed and dry, you can fill the wraps. Place a generous spoonful of the ground chicken and vegetable filling in the center of a leaf. Wrap the leaf around it and eat. If you are serving the lettuce wraps to your family or guests, pile the lettuce on a plate, place the filling in a bowl, and give everyone a spoon so they can assemble their own wraps.	Combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan. Add the ground chicken and cook until it’s browned. Cook the carrots and bell peppers in the skillet. Stir in the water chestnuts, garlic, and ginger, and cook. Add the ground chicken, half of the green onions, and the sauce to the pan. Mix in the sauce and cook until all of the filling is warmed through. Cut out the lettuce core and break off the leaves. Wash and dry the lettuce leaves. Spoon the filling into the center of the lettuce.
https://www.wikihow.com/Peel-a-Watermelon	How to Peel a Watermelon	To peel a watermelon, start by cutting off the top of the watermelon with a knife. Then, starting with the knife at the top of the watermelon, cut down toward the bottom of the watermelon, following along with the curve of the fruit so you're just cutting off the rind. Once you finish one section, rotate the watermelon and repeat until you've removed all of the outer green skin. Finally, use a knife and vegetable peeler to peel off any remaining bits of rind.	Prepare your items. Peeling a watermelon sounds out of the ordinary to most people, and many will question how you can actually peel one. You will need: Examine your watermelon. An average watermelon probably isn't going to have a shell that's more than 1 centimeter (0.4 in) thick, so do the following to try to determine the thickness of the watermelon rind. Start the rough cutting. Begin by removing the top. Examine the rind of the watermelon from the inside. This will give you a good idea of how to proceed and how much rind to pare away in the rough hewing. Start a rough hewing by slicing through the rind of the watermelon with the paring knife. Remove enough rind so you just begin to see the redness. Cut the rind in rough shapes. In other words, don't try to keep the melon meat perfectly round (or ovate) or you will end up with a smaller portion of watermelon that can be served up. Finish peeling. Continue removing tiny bits of rind with the potato peeler, layer by layer, until your watermelon looks red and juicy. Compost the rind.	Prepare your items. Examine your watermelon. Start the rough cutting. Examine the rind of the watermelon from the inside. Start a rough hewing by slicing through the rind of the watermelon with the paring knife. Remove enough rind so you just begin to see the redness. Cut the rind in rough shapes. Finish peeling. Compost the rind.
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Hard-Wood-Flooring	How to Install Hard Wood Flooring	To install hardwood flooring, start by laying the first boards against the wall, then nailing them down to the subfloor by placing a nail every 6 inches. When you finish the first row, fit the tongue into the grooves of the boards in the next row and use a mallet to tap them together tightly. Once you've laid and nailed down the first 3 rows, continue adding rows, but secure them with flooring nailer instead of a hammer and nails. Then, cut the final row of boards to fit and use a crowbar to wedge them into place.	Consider solid hardwood. Solid hardwoods have been the traditionally used material in flooring for some time now. They will give a room an elegant, old-world look and for good reason: solid hardwood floors last a long time. They can be sanded and refinished many times, giving them a much longer lifespan than other types of wood flooring. However, considerations must be made as hardwoods are very susceptible to changes in moisture level. Solid hardwood floors can only be placed in specific areas, because of their reactions to moisture. They cannot be used in bathrooms or in basements. Prepare accordingly. Floors like these will also need installation considerations. Solid hardwoods will need to be nailed into place, which means that a wood subfloor is required. If you do not or cannot provide this, you will need to consider other options. Consider engineered wood. If solid hardwoods are not an option but you would like to have a similar look, consider engineered wood. This wood is similar to what is used to construct many types of modern furniture, and can be used anywhere in your home as it is not affected by moisture as much. It will provide a sleeker, more modern feel and appearance to a room. It is also possible to glue boards such as this. However, the surface they are applied to must be absolutely flat and perfectly clean, so it is not necessarily recommended. . Prepare your subfloor You will need your subfloor to be ready for laying down hardwood floors. This tutorial focuses on installing solid hardwoods, so you will want a wood subfloor if you want to follow the directions exactly. Other options are available, however. Don't forget to consider things like door jambs as well. You will need to be able to either get your floors underneath the molding or you will need to cut your floor to go around it. Let your wood acclimate. Before you install solid hardwood floors, you will need to let the wood acclimate to the moisture level of your home first. Leave the wood to sit in the room in which it will be installed for at least three days. Try to install the floor during either the Spring or Fall, when the temperature is neither very hot nor very cold. Temperature will also affect the wood. Gather tools. A larger number of tools and supplies will be necessary to complete this project. You can rent larger pieces, like flooring nailers, from your local hardware store. Other pieces, like nails, will need to be purchased. You can find the materials list for this project at the bottom of this page. Lay down the first board, tongued-edge facing out into the room. The board should leave a small gap at the wall for expansion (check manufacturer's recommendation) and be placed in line with the room (so consider measuring guidelines). Place spacers in the gap. Guidelines can be placed by finding the center point of each wall and marking a line between them, creating a cross at the center of the room. Where one of these lines meets with the wall, mark the manufacturer's recommended expansion distance and then draw a line at that point which is perpendicular to the center line. Nail the boards to the subfloor. Use the drill to make guide holes and then, using a hammer, nail the board into the subfloor with nails placed 1-3” from the end of the plank, ½” from the groove side, and every six inches down the board. Use a nail set to finish. Lock your boards together. When the first row is done, place the next board so that the tongue of the first fits into the groove. You will want to place the boards so that they are offset, beginning six inches or so from the ending of the previous board. Use a mallet and tapping block to tap the boards together and create a tight seam. Continue until you have completed three rows. You will nail the first three rows just as described in Step 2. Remember to cut boards to size. Since you are staggering boards, you will likely need to cut boards in order to fit in the gaps at the end. Measure the distance that it needs to be, keeping the expansion gap in mind, and then (with the board face-down) cut it using a saw. Begin laying rows with the flooring nailer. Once you have enough space, you should begin using the flooring nailer (though you could technically do the entire floor with the hammer and nails). Simply align it with the board to be nailed and then hit it. Use a hammer for the last few rows. You will eventually run out of room to use the flooring nailer. Hammer the last few rows the same way you did the first ones. Cut the final board to size. If it does not fit properly, you will need to cut the final board so that it is narrow enough to fit. Measure carefully and use a circular or miter saw to cut the boards to size. Place the final boards using the crowbar. Since you will not have enough space to tap them with the mallet, use a crowbar instead to wedge them into place. You are now ready to finish your floor. Add baseboards. Once the floor is in place, you can add some type of baseboard trim, usually a type of molding, where the floor meets the wall. What type of baseboard you choose is up to you and will depend on your needs as well as the design of the room. Add trim and transitions. Add trim and transitions anywhere where your floor does not meet up with your wall, such as doorways or a section of the room with different floor covering. Trim and transitions should be cut to size and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. This is usually a very simple process. Use putty to cover holes. If you wish to, you can cover the holes created by the nails with nail putty. This may be a good idea, as such holes can collect dirt and other undesirable material. Be sure to get putty in the color of the wood you are using for the floors, as this will help in blend in.	Consider solid hardwood. Consider engineered wood. . Let your wood acclimate. Gather tools. Lay down the first board, tongued-edge facing out into the room. Nail the boards to the subfloor. Lock your boards together. Continue until you have completed three rows. Remember to cut boards to size. Begin laying rows with the flooring nailer. Use a hammer for the last few rows. Cut the final board to size. Place the final boards using the crowbar. Add baseboards. Add trim and transitions. Use putty to cover holes.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Mold-from-Grout	How to Clean Mold from Grout	If you want to clean mold from grout, try scrubbing it with warm water and a brush. Apply the water to small sections of grout and rub the area with an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush. if the water fails to remove it, try using a paste made out of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water instead. Make sure to dry the grout and open a window when you're done, since good ventilation will prevent mold from returning. For especially stubborn mold, try mixing 3 parts water to 1 part bleach. Just remember to take safety precautions, including wearing gloves and a mask, because bleach can irritate your skin.	Apply warm water. Fill a bucket or spray bottle with warm water. Douse small sections of grout at a time. Scrub the grout in a vigorous, back-and-forth motion. Use a narrow scrub brush, tile brush, or stiff toothbrush. If you're having trouble getting into corners or grout lines with your brush, try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for those areas. Instead of a scrub brush, you can try a closed-loop microfiber cloth. If so, wear gloves to protect your hands from the friction. Try a baking soda paste. If water alone doesn't work, mix three parts baking soda with one part water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the grout, and let it sit for one to two hours. Spray with plain water, then scrub the grout again. Alternately, make a paste from two parts baking soda to one part hydrogen peroxide. Let the paste sit on the grout for several minutes before scrubbing it and rinsing it clean. Rinse the grout with water. Use clean running water, a spray bottle or a clean, wet sponge to rinse the grout. Dry the grout. Use clean cloths to buff remaining moisture from the grout. Open a window or turn on a fan until the grout is dry to the touch. Ensure proper safety and ventilation. Open the window and/or run a fan. Wear non-porous gloves, a mask, and safety glasses. Chlorine bleach is an eye and skin irritant. The fumes can affect the respiratory tract. Adequate protection and ventilation are essential. Make a diluted bleach solution. Mix three parts water to one part chlorine bleach. Alternately, you can purchase a cleaning solution that contains some bleach. If your grout is colored, using bleach may cause it to fade, especially if used regularly. You can repeat this method with a slightly higher concentration of bleach (for example, half bleach, half water) if the 3-to-1 ratio doesn't work. Never attempt to mix other chemicals with diluted bleach. For example, ammonia – found in many cleaning agents – emits toxic fumes when mixed with bleach. Wet tiles with water. Thoroughly wet any tiles in the area with warm water before using any bleach solution. Even if you're just cleaning the grout, spatter will land on tiling. Pre-wetting tiles with water saturates them to limit their absorption of chemicals. Apply the bleach solution. Use a narrow brush such as an old, stiff toothbrush or any natural bristle or nylon brush. Scrub the grout with the solution in small sections. Bleach can lighten mold so that it isn't visible. Scrubbing is needed to reach into grout's pores and remove organic growth. Soak and rinse the grout. Let the solution remain on each section of grout for about three minutes. Then rinse it clean with clear water. Letting bleach sit for more than a few minutes can cause staining, streaking, or even breakage to tile. Dry the grout. Buff away any remaining moisture with clean cloths. Leave the window open or fan running until the grout feels totally dry. Spray the grout with diluted vinegar. Fill a bucket or spray bottle with one part water to one part white vinegar. Leave the solution on the grout for five minutes. Scrub the grout with a narrow scrub brush or stiff toothbrush. Rinse the area clean with warm water. Vinegar is acid-based, so make sure to do a small test area first to make sure the solution doesn't affect your surrounding tile. Optionally, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the grout before dousing it with the vinegar solution. The combination will bubble up. Then scrub and rinse. Treat the grout with hydrogen peroxide. Make sure to do a small test area first. Use a spray bottle or sponge to apply hydrogen peroxide to your grout. Allow it to sit for several minutes. Scrub the grout with a narrow scrub brush or toothbrush. Rinse completely with warm water. Try repeating this several times. Baking soda is abrasive, so keep it off the tile as much as possible. Use a steam cleaner. Choose a machine with high heat and a brush attachment. Don't use a machine with a beater bar, which can damage tile. You may want to check if your brand of tile is compatible with using a steam cleaner first. For example, steam cleaners are not recommended for ceramic tile. Strip and reseal the caulk. If all else fails, use a sharp-edged tool to scrape away the caulk. Clean the area with a solution of three parts water to one part bleach, and let it dry. Use mildew-resistant caulk to discourage future mold. Make sure to seal the grout correctly so that organic growth won't re-enter. If you think the mold may have gotten underneath tiling or otherwise penetrated the structure of the room, you may want to renovate and re-tile the area. Cut down on moisture. Keep a door or window open when you're showering. Alternately, run a dehumidifier or portable fan after showering. If you have a vent fan, run it before, during, and after your shower. For example, turn on your vent fan before a morning shower, and keep it running until you leave for the day. Even when the mirror is no longer foggy, there can still be moisture in the air. Mold and mildew thrive where it's warm, airless and damp. Wipe tiles and grout after showering or cooking. Dry wet grout thoroughly after using moisture in the kitchen or bathroom. Keep a squeegee in the bathroom and squeegee the walls and floor after showering. Using a squeegee after showering will cut down on surface buildup. Spray diluted tea tree oil regularly as a mold preventative. Add ten drops of tea tree oil to a clean spray bottle filled with water. Keep the spray bottle in the bathroom and use the “mist” setting to spray tiles and grout after showering. You should perform this on a small test area first to make sure there is no negative effect. Keep nearby fabrics dry. Spread out any wet or damp towels so they can totally dry. For rooms that face a lot of moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms, opt for synthetic materials, since they hold less moisture. For example, choose polyester or vinyl for items like bathmats and curtains. Clean routinely to prevent mold. Spray the grout monthly with an anti-fungal solution. For example, fill a spray bottle with one part water to one part white vinegar. Spray and wipe down the grout. Let the solution dry naturally rather than rinsing it off. If your grout is in a bathroom, clean soap scum weekly.	Apply warm water. Scrub the grout in a vigorous, back-and-forth motion. Try a baking soda paste. Rinse the grout with water. Dry the grout. Ensure proper safety and ventilation. Make a diluted bleach solution. Wet tiles with water. Apply the bleach solution. Soak and rinse the grout. Dry the grout. Spray the grout with diluted vinegar. Treat the grout with hydrogen peroxide. Use a steam cleaner. Strip and reseal the caulk. Cut down on moisture. Wipe tiles and grout after showering or cooking. Spray diluted tea tree oil regularly as a mold preventative. Keep nearby fabrics dry. Clean routinely to prevent mold.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Ovarian-Cysts	How to Treat Ovarian Cysts	To treat ovarian cysts, talk to your doctor so they can monitor the cysts and determine if they're serious. The most common ovarian cysts are functional cysts, which will usually go away on their own after a few cycles. In the meantime, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers and use heat to help manage the pain. If your cysts are large, recurrent, or extremely painful, talk with your doctor about having them removed via surgery.	Wait patiently. Treatment depends on the type of ovarian cyst. Most often, the first course of action is to wait. Functional cysts often disappear on their own within a few cycles. The cysts may be monitored by ultrasounds every one to three cycles to determine if the cysts are getting smaller or not. Use over-the-counter pain relievers. Pain relievers can help alleviate ovarian pain connected to cysts. Acetaminophen, like Tylenol, NSAIDs, like Aleve or Advil, and aspirin, like Bayer, can help. Take oral contraceptives. Your physician may prescribe oral contraceptives to control and prevent some forms of ovarian cysts. Oral contraceptives are useful in both preventing and sometimes treating ovarian cysts. If you are using the oral contraceptives for birth control, you will probably be put on a regular dose. If the oral contraceptives are being used only to treat the cysts, the dose will be the lowest possible for the shortest period of time. Taking birth control pills decreases the risk of some types of ovarian cysts, but carry their own risks. These include an increased risk of cancer of the breast, cervix, and liver, heart disease, and stroke. Consider surgery. Surgery to treat ovarian cysts is very rare. However, if your cyst looks large, is recurrent, or there are multiple cysts, your doctor may suggest that they be surgically removed. Your doctor may also consider removing the cyst if it causes a lot of pain or other problems. This treatment option needs to be discussed with your doctor. Use a heat pad. Heat can be used to relax muscles and relieve any cramping that you may be experience. You can use either a heating pad or a hot water bottle. Place either on your lower abdomen for about 15 minutes. You can repeat this 3-4 times a day. Try castor oil. Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties and has been used as a traditional treatment for any kind of menstrual pain. It may improve the blood flow during the menstrual period. Start by applying enough castor oil on your lower abdomen to completely coat the area. Take a large, clean, cotton towel and cover your lower abdomen. Then, use either a heating pad or a hot water bottle and place it over the towel. Leave the heat and towel on for at least 30 minutes. Repeat four to five times a week. Take a warm bath. A warm bath may help to relax the muscles in your abdomen. Soaking in hot water may also relieve cramping. Drink herbal tea. Drinking herbal teas can help relieve the pain of ovarian cysts. Try teas such as chamomile, mint, raspberry, and blackberry. These teas may help reduce tension in your muscles and calm your mood. Change your diet. Diets full of meat and cheese may cause more ovarian cysts. Instead, eat more fruits and vegetables as part of your regular diet. This may help reduce ovarian cysts. A healthy diet also helps prevent obesity, which can lead to more ovarian cysts. Consider rebalancing your hormones using natural progesterone. Progesterone can inhibit ovulation, thus decreasing the likelihood of ovarian cysts. This approach should only be used when working with your physician. Even though creams are available online, you need to be working with someone to ensure there are no complications. Beginning 10 days after the beginning of your last menstrual period (day 10 of the cycle), use a natural progesterone cream. Apply on your inner thigh or behind your knees. Follow manufacturer's instructions. Rebalance your hormones using herbs. The following herbs can be used to rebalance the natural hormone levels. When using any of these products, follow manufacturer's instructions. Maca is a root vegetable from Peru that has traditionally been used to treat fertility and energy issues. Maca may be beneficial in balancing hormonal levels. It is commonly used for these purposes in treating menopause. Chaste berry is traditionally used to balance reproductive herbs and may help decrease the pain, discomfort, and the size of ovarian cysts. It is being studied for its effects in PMS to reduce pain. Monitor pelvic pain. Pelvic pain may be a symptom of ovarian cysts. This pain is a dull ache that may radiate to your lower back and thighs. The pain can occur just before your period begins or just before it ends. The pain can occur only during intercourse. The pain can also occur during bowel movements or if there is any pressure on your bowels. Look for other symptoms of ovarian cysts. Most ovarian cysts are painless and symptomless, and often disappear on their own. These cysts can result in symptoms, however. The symptoms include: Nausea, vomiting, or breast tenderness similar to that experienced during pregnancy A feeling of abdominal fullness or heaviness A feeling of pressure on your bladder. This can cause more frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder completely Be aware of the risk factors. There are a number of possible risk factors for cysts, and these can play a role in any treatment choices. These include: A history of previous cysts Irregular menstrual cycles Beginning menstruation younger than 12 Infertility or a history of infertility treatments Low thyroid function Treatment with tamoxifen for breast cancer Smoking and use of tobacco products Chronic inflammatory conditions Schedule a doctor’s appointment. You should see your doctor regularly if you have had a history of ovarian cysts. If any of the symptoms listed become severe or interfere with your daily life, call your physician. If you have severe abdominal or lower abdominal or pelvic pain, especially when accompanied by fever or nausea or vomiting, seek immediate medical attention. Let your physician know what home treatments you are pursuing and let your physician know if they are helping.	Wait patiently. Use over-the-counter pain relievers. Take oral contraceptives. Consider surgery. Use a heat pad. Try castor oil. Take a warm bath. Drink herbal tea. Change your diet. Consider rebalancing your hormones using natural progesterone. Rebalance your hormones using herbs. Monitor pelvic pain. Look for other symptoms of ovarian cysts. Be aware of the risk factors. Schedule a doctor’s appointment.
https://www.wikihow.com/Watch-Live-TV-Online	How to Watch Live TV Online	To watch live TV online, try using a free streaming website, like World Wide Internet TV, Live TV Cafe, or Stream2Watch. Or, you can sign up for a subscription with Aereo, which costs 8 dollars per month and lets you watch live TV from any computer or smart device. If you already have a cable subscription, like with Xfinity or Time Warner Cable, you may be able to watch live TV online by visiting their website.	Find a streaming site. There are a variety of websites online that offer links to live streams of all the popular (and niche) TV channels. These sites are of questionable legality, and you may run into issues trying to load the stream. A few of the more popular sites include World Wide Internet TV, Live TV Cafe, and Stream2Watch. Many of these services are ad-supported, and you may need to deal with popups and other advertisements in order to watch. These sites are great for watching content from other countries, as they often cover countries around the globe. Find the channel you want. Most streaming sites have a list of all the available channels, as well as categories and search features. Use these to find the channel that you want to watch. Choose the stream. After choosing a channel, you may need to choose from a selection of streams. These are streams running on different servers, and some may be down while others are up. Find the stream that works best for your connection. You will usually have to wait for advertisements to disappear, or manually close advertisements that appear on top of the video player. They typically have a small "X" icon that you can click to close them. Sign up for the Aereo service. Aereo is a subscription service that allows you to watch your local channels from any computer or smart device. It does not support cable channels, just the local over-the-air channels in your market. You can use Aereo to watch live, or record a program to watch later. Aereo costs about $8 per month. Download the app. If you want to watch your live TV on the go, you will want to download the app for your mobile device. The app is free as long as you have an Aereo subscription. You will not need an app to watch shows on your computer. If you are watching from your computer, Aereo recommends using Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Opera. Internet Explorer works but tends to have more issues than the other browsers. Update Flash. Aereo uses Adobe Flash to play video through your computer's web browser, and you will have the best experience if you are using the latest version. For details on how to update Flash, see this guide. Log in with your Aereo account. Once you are signed up, you can access Aereo from the website on your computer or through the mobile app for your iOS or Android device. You will presented with a guide displaying all of the programs that are currently airing on the channels you have access to. Select a show. Once you select a show, click the Watch button to start watching it immediately, or you can record it to watch it later. Basic Aereo subscriptions come with 20 hours of recording time, while premium subscriptions come with 40 hours. Aereo only supports watching the current program. If you want to continue watching that channel after the program ends, you will need to select the next program in the guide. Sign in to the Xfinity website. You will need to have a valid cable television package in order to watch live TV from the Xfinity website. If you are only receiving internet service from Xfinity, you will not have access to live TV. Click the Sign In link on the Xfinity homepage to log in with your account information. If you don't have an account set up, you can create one by entering your account number, birthday, address, and phone number. If the entered information matches your account information, your account will be created. Click the TV button. At the top of the Xfinity homepage, you will see a row of buttons that take you to various parts of the Xfinity network. Click the TV button to open the TV page. Select the "Watch Online" tab in the TV page if it is not already selected. Click the "Live TV" category. At the top of the "Watch Online" tab, you will see several options that let you choose what kind of programming you want to watch. Click the "Live TV" option to see what's available to watch live. Find a channel to watch. A list of available channels will appear, along with what programs are currently airing. Not every channel will be available due to different contracts, and some require an extra subscription. Click the "Watch" button on one of the available channels to begin watching. If you are prompted to install anything in order to watch, follow the instructions to ensure that everything is updated properly. Sign in to the U-verse website. You will need to have a valid cable television package in order to watch live TV from the U-verse website. If you are only receiving internet service from U-verse, you will not have access to live TV. Click the Sign In link on the U-verse homepage to log in with your account information. Open the Live TV section. Click the Browse button next to the search bar at the top of the U-verse homepage. Select "Live TV" from the menu that appears. The U-verse Live TV guide will appear, listing everything that is currently airing. Determine if you need to be at home to watch. U-verse has some channels available to watch anywhere as long as you are signed in. Other channels, labeled "In-Home Only", can only be watched from your computer as long as you are connected to your home network. Install the LIVE Player plug-in. If you want to watch channels that require "In-Home Only" viewing, you will need to download and install the browser plug-in. This plug-in authenticates your browser and ensures that you are connected to your home network. You can install the plug-in by clicking the "Install Plug-in" button at the top of the page and following the instructions. You will not need the plug-in if you are only trying to watch regular streaming channels. Start watching. Hover over the channel you want to watch and click the "Watch Now" button that appears. A new tab will open, and after a few moments the video will begin playing. Sign in to the Time Warner website. You will need to have a valid cable television package in order to watch live TV from the Time Warner website. If you are only receiving internet service from Time Warner, you will not have access to live TV. Click the Sign In link on the Time Warner homepage to log in with your account information. Open the Live TV page. Hover over the TV menu option on the Time Warner homepage, and click the "Watch TV Online" link. This will take you to the Time Warner online video player. If you are not signed in yet, you will be asked to sign in to access the guide and player. Browse the available channels. On the left side of the player, you will see a list of available channels. This list is based on your current television package as well as what is available for online streaming (not all channels support online streaming). Scroll through the list to find a program you want to watch. Watch your program. Click the program to begin streaming it in the main video player screen. You can adjust the volume and screen size by using the controls at the bottom-right corner of the player. Visit your local news site. Many local news programs will stream the news broadcast online for free at the same time that the show airs on TV. You can usually access these feeds directly from the news site's homepage. Not every channel supports this, so check with your local channels for availability. Watch the news. You'll be able to watch the news just as if you were watching from your TV, commercials and all. You won't be able to continue watching the channels after the show ends, however. News sites will only broadcast the news show; if you want to keep watching that channel, you will need to use one of the methods listed above.	Find a streaming site. Find the channel you want. Choose the stream. Sign up for the Aereo service. Download the app. Update Flash. Log in with your Aereo account. Select a show. Sign in to the Xfinity website. Click the TV button. Click the "Live TV" category. Find a channel to watch. Sign in to the U-verse website. Open the Live TV section. Determine if you need to be at home to watch. Install the LIVE Player plug-in. Start watching. Sign in to the Time Warner website. Open the Live TV page. Browse the available channels. Watch your program. Visit your local news site. Watch the news.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Hemorrhoids-from-Itching	How to Stop Hemorrhoids from Itching	Hemorrhoids can be very uncomfortable and itchy, but there are plenty of home remedies you can use to alleviate your symptoms. Try sitting in a warm sitz bath to get better circulation in the anal area, which provides relief from the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids. Simply fill up a sitz bath or bathtub with a few inches of warm water and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts, and repeat this twice per day. You can also use a warm compress to relieve itching. Soak a clean towel in warm water and then apply the compress to your anus for 10 to 15 minutes, 4 to 5 times per day. If you're still uncomfortable, try purchasing an itch-relieving gel from your local drugstore. Aloe vera gel or Preparation H are effective options and you can apply these as often as needed.	Take a warm sitz bath. A sitz bath has become a general phrase for a shallow bath of only a few inches of water. You get in it to soak your anus; however, if you prefer, a full bath can accomplish the same thing. These baths allow for better circulation in the anal area, mostly due to the warmth, and adds extra relaxation and healing of the tissues around your anus. Repeat it two times a day. You can also buy a sitz bath that fits over your toilet at any pharmacy or medical supply store. Add about one cup of epsom salts to a full bathtub or two to three tablespoons of epsom salts into a few inches of water in the tub or toilet sitz bath. You can also add a tablespoon of witch hazel or baking soda as well.This will help decrease the swelling and inflammation, which will relieve the itching. Keep the water warm, but not too hot. Use a warm compress. To help relieve any itching experienced from hemorrhoids, make a towel compress for the area. Soak a clean, soft towel in warm (not hot) water. Apply the compress to your anus for about 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure it is directly on the hemorrhoid. Repeat four to five times a day. After you finish, use a clean cotton towel to dry yourself thoroughly. Make sure you pat the area. Do not rub your anal region because it will irritate it even more. Use a medicated pad. To relieve itching, you can use a medicated pad. These are available commercially at most drug stores. If you are itching, gently cleanse the area. Next, use one of the wipes to gently wipe the anal area. Do not rub the area. Repeat six times a day. Make sure you use one of these whenever you have a bowel movement. Always cleanse the area first, then use the pad. Also make sure you throw the pad away after use. Try pain- and itch-relieving gels or lotions. Medicated gels and lotions can help reduce itching. Use a small amount of aloe vera gel or Preparation H to help with hemorrhoidal pain and discomfort. Apply it as often as needed. Avoid any cream that has steroids in it for a long period of time or more than an occasional basis. With repeated use, these can damage the delicate tissue around a hemorrhoid. If you don't have these, try a tiny bit of baby teething gel on the area. These teething gels contain a local anesthetic that can decrease the itching. Use cold compresses. Ice packs can help reduce swelling. Apply one to the area once it is clean for not more than 10 minutes. Make sure to wrap the cold compress with a towel so the cold doesn't harm your skin. Repeat several times a day. You can follow it with a warm compress for 10 to 20 minutes to help ease the discomfort even more. Use an herbal astringent. Herbal astringents, like witch hazel, help with itching skin. Witch hazel acts as an astringent and can help reduce any swelling and itching you experience. Soak a cotton pad with the astringent and apply it after you have cleansed yourself following a bowel movement. Repeat as often as needed, but aim for at least four or five times a day. Never use any herbal astringent on your anus before first cleansing yourself. Use essential oils. Essential oils may help treat hemorrhoids and reduce itching. To make a treatment, add two to four drops of an essential oil to two fluid ounces of a base oil, such as castor or almond oil. Mix well and apply directly on your external hemorrhoid. You can use one to three oils in your mixture. Lavender oil can help relieve pain and itching. Cypress oil is used to sooth and help heal the tissues. Tea tree oil is used as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory oil. Avocado oil can be used as a base or added to other oils. It moisturizes, soothes, and accelerates healing. These can also be applied to internal hemorrhoids, but in general, that would require a partner to apply. If you have a partner willing to help, make sure your partner washes his or her hands before and after application and wear non-latex gloves or a finger cot for the application. Learn the causes. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins that are found either externally or internally around the anus, the opening of the rectum. Hemorrhoids are most commonly caused by straining or pushing too hard during a bowel movement. They can also be caused by obesity, lifting heavy objects, sitting too long, and pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are also associated with age and a history of constipation. In pregnancy, hemorrhoids occur commonly and are due to the increased pressure caused by the growing fetus, which causes pressure on the veins of the lower abdomen. Recognize the symptoms. The most common symptom of hemorrhoids is bleeding during a bowel movement. You may notice blood on the toilet paper or drops of blood in the toilet bowl. Other symptoms of hemorrhoids, especially external ones, are itchiness and pain or tenderness. You may actually feel an external hemorrhoid when cleaning yourself. It will be a tender, puffy swelling around the anal opening. You won't usually feel internal hemorrhoids, but they can bulge through the anal opening. As long as it is only a spot of blood or a few drops of blood in the toilet, there is no need to panic. Prevent hemorrhoids. Preventing hemorrhoids can be achieved through diet. There are many different techniques you can try, which you can play with until you find what works best for you. Some of the techniques include: Trying to soften and hydrate the stool by drinking lots of water. Drink nine to twelve eight ounce glasses of water a day. This also helps get rid of hemorrhoids. They will often go away and the swelling will be reduced if the amount of irritation caused by passing stools is minimized. Stool contains significant amounts of water, so the more water a stool contains, the softer and easier to pass it will be. Increasing the fiber in your diet. Fiber helps keep water in the stool and bulks it up so that it passes more easily. It also helps lessen the pain of hemorrhoids. Eat whole grains, like brown rice, barley, corn, rye, and oatmeal. Fruits, such as cherries, plums, prunes, apricots, and berries, and vegetables, like leafy greens, are great sources of fiber. Also try beans and legumes. Avoiding laxatives. Laxatives can be habit forming and can also weaken the bowels, potentially leading to chronic constipation. See your doctor. Most hemorrhoids resolve using home remedies and over the counter remedies within four to seven days. If you don't see improvement (less pain, less itching, less tenderness, and less bleeding) within two to three days, call your doctor. There are medical treatments for more serious cases. Many, if not most, hemorrhoids can safely be treated at home. If the bleeding doesn't stop or if there is a large amount of blood, you should call your doctor for an appointment right away. Also, if you are on blood thinning medication and experience rectal bleeding, call your physician right away. A doctor will generally diagnose internal or external hemorrhoids by visual inspection and performing a rectal exam. If you have internal hemorrhoids, your doctor may remove them using rubber band ligation, which uses a rubber band to cut off circulation to the hemorrhoid. After about a week the hemorrhoid will die and fall off, leaving scar tissue. Other treatments may include coagulation therapy or sclerotherapy.	Take a warm sitz bath. Use a warm compress. Use a medicated pad. Try pain- and itch-relieving gels or lotions. Use cold compresses. Use an herbal astringent. Use essential oils. Learn the causes. Recognize the symptoms. Prevent hemorrhoids. See your doctor.
https://www.wikihow.com/Summarize-a-Story	How to Summarize a Story	To summarize a story as you read, take notes about the characters, plot, and setting. When you've finished the story, organize your notes chronologically so you can see how the story develops from beginning to end. Then, write a paragraph describing the characters, followed by one dealing with the basic plot points. Next, note the time period, the setting, and the main takeaways from the story. When you've touched on all these elements, go back and revise your summary so there are no errors.	Read the story. It will be very difficult to summarize a story without actually reading it. So crack open your book, or plug in some headphones and listen to it on your iPod. Don't always trust the internet sites that claim to summarize books, because they aren't always accurate. As you're reading, you need to keep in mind what the central idea of the story is. For Lord of the Rings, for instance, the central idea might be something about how the power of greed (i.e. the Ring) is a strong force for evil, or even the actions of one insignificant person (like a hobbit) can change the world. Concentrate fully on the book. Don't get distracted by anything, not even music. Take notes. You'll need to take notes as you read so that you have refer to them when you're ready to start the summary. Look for the "who? what? when? where? why?" These will give you the basis for what you want to cover in your summary. Find the main characters. You'll need to know who the story is about, after all, and you need to figure out which characters aren't as important to the narrative. If you're reading a story with tons of characters, you won't want to note down every single character that appears. For example: for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone you would write down Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, because they are the main characters. You might even note down Hagrid, Dumbledore, Snape, Quirrell, and Voldemort because they figure importantly in the story. You wouldn't need to write down Peeves the poltergeist, or Norbert the dragon, because while they are important in their places in the story, they don't influence the main storyline enough to be part of the summary. A shorter story like "Little Red Riding Hood" is easy because you only have to note down Red Riding Hood, her grandmother, the wolf, and the woodcutter (depending on the version). Note down the setting. The setting is where the events take place. Now this can get complicated if the story you're reading takes place in a lot of different places. If that's the case, you'll need to be more broad. Continuing the Harry Potter example: the main action takes place at Hogwarts, so you could write down something like 'the magical school Hogwarts in the United Kingdoms.' Now for a story like Lord of the Rings, which takes place over a large amount of territory, you can mention that it's Middle-Earth, and note some places of important like the Shire, Mordor, and Gondor. You don't have to go too specific (like mentioning the forest Fangorn, or the tower Minas Morgul). Note the story's conflict. This means whatever is the main problem that the characters are having to overcome. It doesn't necessarily have to be a villain, like with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. For Harry Potter, the main conflict is Voldemort's attempt to steal the Sorcerer's Stone and return to menace the Wizard World (and kill Harry). For example, if you're summarizing The Odyssey, the main conflict is Odysseus trying to get home to Ithaca. Everything about the story is driven by his desire to get home and all the obstacles standing in his way. Note the main events. These are the most important parts of the story. You don't need to note down every single thing that a character does. In fact, that is exactly what you're supposed to not do! Just look for the events that further the main conflict, or help resolve it. For Harry Potter, some main events would be Harry finding out he's a wizard, or Harry meeting the three-headed dog and, of course, Harry, Ron, and Hermione defeating Voldemort. It might seem easier for a shorter story like 'Little Red Riding Hood,' but you should only note down the most important moments like Riding Hood meeting the wolf, getting eaten after she mistakes the wolf for her grandmother, and the appearance of the woodcutter. Note the conclusion. This is the big event, usually, that wraps up the story's conflict and resolves the problems. Even in a book that is part of a series there is usually some sort of conclusion to the story. Spoilers below! For Harry Potter the conclusion is defeating Voldemort. The story after that isn't important to the summary, even if it is important to the overall story. You won't need to go into the conversation between Dumbledore and Harry at the end, or even the Gryffindor House winning points, because it isn't really part of the main Voldemort storyline. For Red Riding Hood, the conclusion is the appearance of the woodcutter to save her and her grandmother. For something like Lord of the Rings, the conclusion is complicated for a summary, because you may want to stop off at the destruction of the Ring, but (especially if the central idea of the story is the importance of the the deeds of one insignificant person) you will want to mention the Scouring of the Shire, and Frodo's departure from the Grey Havens. Organize your notes. The hardest part is already finished, reading the book! if you've taken all your notes, you're completely ready to write the summary. You'll want to organize your notes based on the chronology of the story. Look at where the story begins and ends and how the main character gets from the first to the last. To continue with the Harry Potter example, you'll need to look at how Harry went from learning he was a wizard to defeating Voldemort. For something like The Odyssey you'll need to look at how Odysseus gets from his losing all his men and washing up on Calypso's island to defeating the suitors and convincing Penelope of his identity. A short story like Red Riding Hood, you'll need to look at why Riding Hood was going into the woods, how she was fooled into being eaten and how she was saved. Write the summary. This will be totally easy, now that you've gotten all your notes in order. All you need to do is write a short paragraph covering the key points of who? what? when? where? why? which you've already covered in your notes. Make sure that you also include the title of the story and the name of the author. Make sure that you only focus on the main plot of the story. Don't get side tracked into Harry's Quidditch playing, or his feud with Malfoy. Likewise, don't quote from the story itself. You don't need to replicate conversations from the story in the summary. You might need to briefly mention the key point from a conversation (like 'When Harry and his friends discover from Hagrid that the Sorcerer's Stone might no longer be safe, they go to stop the thief themselves.') Look at examples of plot summaries. It is a lot easier to write something if you've looked at a couple examples and get the hang of the kind of wording to use and the way to incorporate all the different elements into one short, cohesive piece. 'J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" tells the story of eleven-year-old orphan Harry Potter, who discovers that he is a wizard and goes to study magic at the British school for wizards, Hogwarts. While there he discovers that his parents were killed by the evil wizard, Voldemort, who was destroyed by Harry when he was a baby. With his friends, Ron Weasley, who comes from a large family of wizards, and Hermione Granger, the smartest witch in their year, Harry figures out that the Sorcerer's Stone, which gives eternal life, is hidden on the off-limits third floor. When Harry and his friends discover from Hagrid that the Sorcerer's Stone is no longer be safe, they go to stop the thief themselves, who they think is Professor Snape, who hates Harry. When Harry finds the Stone, he discovers that the thief is Professor Quirrell, who is possessed by Voldemort. Because of a spell cast by Harry's mother, he is able to defeat Quirrell and Voldemort is forced back into hiding.' 'Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey" tells the story of the Greek hero, Odysseus, and ten-year voyage to get home to the island of Ithaca where his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus waited. It begins with Odysseus imprisoned by the nymph Calypso until the Greek Gods force her to free him. The god Poseidon, who harbors a grudge against Odysseus for blinding his son the Cyclops Polyphemus previously in his travels, attempts to wreck his ship, but is stopped by the goddess Athena. Odysseus makes it to Scheria, home of the Phaeacians, where he is given safe passage and asked about his journeys to this point. Odysseus tells them of the variety of adventures he suffered through with his crew, the trip to the Land of the Lotus Eaters, his blinding of Polyphemus, his love affair with the witch-goddess Circe, the deadly Sirens, the journey into Hades, and his fight with the sea monster Scylla among them. The Phaeacians take him safely to Ithaca, where he enters the hall disguised as a beggar. In Ithaca, supposing Odysseus to be dead, suitors have taken over his hall, tried to kill his son and tried to convince Penelope to choose one of them. Penelope, believing Odysseus to be alive, has refused. She arranges a contest with Odysseus's bow, that only he can string. Once he's strung it, he shoots all the suitors and is reunited with his family.' These summaries cover the main plots of the stories that they're summarizing. They use sentences like "When Harry finds the Stone..." instead of explaining exactly what it took to find the stone, which is not the point of a summary. They are brief and they focus only on the most important main characters, like Odysseus, Penelope, the gods, etc. Revise your summary. Make sure that you've edited it so that there are no spelling errors, that the events are in their proper order and that you've spelled all the characters and place names correctly. It's best to have a friend look it over to catch anything you've missed. Once you've revised it, the summary is ready to go!	Read the story. Take notes. Find the main characters. Note down the setting. Note the story's conflict. Note the main events. Note the conclusion. Organize your notes. Write the summary. Look at examples of plot summaries. Revise your summary.
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-an-Essay	How to Start an Essay	The hardest part of writing an essay is usually getting started, but with a little concentration, you can do it! Start by reading the essay prompt thoroughly to ensure you know what your teacher expects of you. If you have any initial thoughts on the topic, write them down, along with any specifics you might include in the essay. Once you decide what to write about, organize the content into an outline, adding details that support your main idea. After your outline is completed, start writing out your ideas in paragraph form, and you're on your way to having an essay!	Know how to read an essay prompt. Although they vary depending on who has written them, most essay prompts include similar information. Essay prompts can seem overwhelming at first, especially if they incorporate a lot of information, but knowing what you're looking for can help you decipher them. Most prompts begin with some contextual information about the topic of the essay. While this can seem superfluous, read it carefully; it may give you a clue about how your teacher wants you to frame the topic of the essay. The "task" of the essay prompt will usually be worded with active verbs such as summarize, describe, compare , contrast , analyze and/or argue. These verbs will help you know what type of essay the prompt is asking for. Sometimes the prompt will offer a list of questions or suggestions for further thought. Read this section attentively: sometimes these questions or suggestions may just be a way to prompt your own thinking, but other times it may be required to address them all in your essay. Many prompts will conclude with a list of formatting requirements: common requirements include "12-pt font," "double-spaced," and "1-inch margins," but your prompt may also ask for others. Make sure you adhere to all of these requirements in your final draft! Failure to do so may cost you points on the essay. Understand your essay prompt completely. Knowing exactly what your teacher expects from you is the first step to starting your essay successfully. You should read the prompt as soon as possible after it is given to you. Read any questions or prompts several times. You may want to re-write the prompt in your own words to be sure that you understand it. Paraphrasing can help you remember and interpret information more effectively. If you have a choice between several essay prompts, choose the one that you feel the most comfortable with or the one that you think you can write about in the most detail. Ask questions if you are confused or unsure about the teacher's expectations. Ask to see a rubric. Find out if there is a grading rubric for the essay and ask to see it ahead of time so that you can see how your work will be evaluated. This can help you know where to focus most of your time. Come up with at least two ideas. If your essay assignment is open-ended and you have to completely choose your own topic, come up with several ideas and then choose the one that you think will make the best essay: it may not be the first idea that pops into your mind. A good essay topic is broad enough that you will have plenty to say, but not so broad that you can't say anything of substance. An essay about "the impact of Shakespeare" is too broad; you could write a dozen books about that topic. An essay about "the impact of Shakespeare on common English phrases" is narrower, but still offers you plenty to think about. Consider the purpose of your essay. Is it to persuade your reader of something? Is it to convey an experience? Is it to present a critical analysis of a text or image? Knowing your goal will help you decide how to navigate your ideas. Prewrite to get ideas flowing. The best way to start an essay is to get your ideas out in a non-essay format to begin with. Prewriting can take many different forms, and you may want to experiment to find one that helps you the most. Freewriting, a process in which you just write what you are thinking about without worrying about grammar or punctuation or even your central argument, may be a good way to start generating ideas. It could also help you “find” your thesis. A simple list may be all you need. Write a list of the subtopics or specifics you want to include in the essay. A mind map may be a helpful prewriting guide for visual learners. The center of the mind map contains your main argument, or thesis, and other ideas branch off in all directions. Keep your audience in mind. As you write, think about what you might need if you were reading the essay. If it's a history essay, what context would you need about your topic? If it's a narrative essay, what information would you need to feel as though you had experienced the event? Understand that prewriting isn't perfect. One of the biggest causes of writer's block is striving for perfection before you've written a word. Don't censor yourself as you prewrite. Try to avoid negative thoughts such as "This doesn't make any sense" or "I can't express what I want to say." Just write everything down! Write a traditional outline. If you have used one of the prewriting methods listed above, reorganize the content and add detail by creating an outline. A traditional outline is a great format for getting out ideas in detail and organizing your entire essay. Begin each section of your outline with the main point. Indicate each section with a roman numeral (For example, I. Puppies are cute. II. Puppies are fun to play with.) Provide at least two sub-points for your main point. Indicate each sub-point with a capital letter (For example, A. Puppies look cute, B. Puppies act cute.) Provide at least two details for each sub-point. Indicate your details with a number (For example, A- 1. Puppies have sweet faces, 2. Puppies are small, and little things are usually cute. B- 1. Puppies play and roll around all the time, making people laugh, 2. Puppies are very affectionate and lick their owners to show love.) Each level of detail should be indented further to the right than the level before. Read your outline. Be sure that the organization makes sense, and re-organize or switch sections around if you need to. Be sure that each section has a similar amount of detail, and add detail to any sections that need to be developed. Determine the type of paper you need to write. Your thesis will vary based on whether your paper is analytic, argumentative, or expository. Thinking about the verbs used in the prompt and the goal of your essay will help you decide what direction it needs to take. An argumentative thesis will indicate a position (side of the argument) as well as introduce the topic. An expository thesis will introduce what is going to be explained in the paper. An analytical thesis will introduce the topic and contextualize the reason for the analysis. Understand what a thesis statement needs to accomplish. Your thesis statement should provide an answer to the question "So what?" Ask yourself how your argument or analysis contributes to your reader's understanding. Think about what you want to say. Developing your thesis statement is an important part of writing your paper. If you try to write it before you've done any thinking or research about your topic, you're unlikely to be successful. Refer back to your prewriting and try to find relationships between the ideas there. Think about your essay assignment and what you most want to say: the thesis statement will likely be somewhere in between those two things. Use a “working” thesis statement. If you are having trouble with this step, or if you feel like the pressure to have a perfect thesis statement is interfering with getting started, try using a “working” thesis statement. This will enable you to move on without getting too stuck, knowing that you're going to go back and change the thesis. Write your thesis statement. Remember that you can always revise or change the language later, so don't spend too much time worrying about the exact wording. Your thesis should answer the question posed by the essay prompt (if there was a prompt). A thesis statement is usually the last sentence of your introduction, but it may occasionally be the very first sentence of your paper. Do not write your thesis statement as a question. Avoid the "three-prong" thesis. An example of a typical three-prong thesis might be "Puppies are good for your health because they are cute, affectionate, and inexpensive." The trouble with thesis statements such as these is that they can severely restrict your essay development. You may feel the need to use only one paragraph to discuss each prong rather than developing your ideas as much as necessary. Consider writing your introduction last. If you find yourself getting stuck by the introduction and it is preventing you from writing the rest of your paper, skip it for now. Just write your thesis statement at the top of your paper and start on your body paragraphs. You may find it easier to write your introduction after you finish your essay, after you know what you end up saying with your essay. It is more important to get into a groove with your writing than to write each part in the order that it comes in the essay. Remember the purpose of an introduction. An introduction should introduce your topic, state your argument, and provide your reader with the context of your essay. If sentences in your introduction do not help with any of those goals, they are likely unnecessary. Write a hook. A hook, often the very first sentence in your paper, is a sentence or two that “hooks” or grabs the interest of your audience. Commonly used hooks may be good for novice writers, but some college professors think that certain hooks are overused. A few ideas for hooks follow. A statistic (particularly one that seems surprising to the reader) can be a good way to start certain types of papers. Be sure the statistic is from a reliable source, like one from your school's library database. A personal story or anecdote told in detail can draw the reader in. It should, however, be relevant to the topic, and you will need to explicitly connect it to your thesis statement. This may not be appropriate in a formal essay. A quotation from a famous person can be a good lead-in. However, since this is one method that has been overused, try putting a twist on this method by using a surprising quote, contradicting the quote, or using it in a new context. You will also need to connect this to your thesis clearly. Illuminating a paradox or puzzling scenario could draw your reader in by making them question something that is usually taken for granted. Try to avoid introductions that start by giving a dictionary definition of a word and explaining it or by asking a question. Avoid over-used and essentially empty phrases like “from the beginning of time” or “throughout the history of mankind.” Transition from your hook to your thesis. You will need to write a few sentences that explain the context of your hook and transition into the thesis of your paper. If your hook is long, as with a detailed personal anecdote, this may be a phrase like “this experience has led me to believe that…” If your hook is shorter, like a statistic, you will likely need to write 3-4 sentences explaining your statistic and leading up to your thesis statement. Give yourself time to write. If you wait until the last minute to begin your essay, you will likely feel more stress and the pressure to write in a short amount of time might cause you to become stuck. You also want to give yourself time to revise, so getting started early will help with the entire process. Sit down and write. The best way to write is to write. Just start putting words on the page, and give yourself a writing goal for your work time. Giving yourself a time goal (like 2 hours of writing) is often more helpful than a product goal (like 2 pages or 400 words). Many people use the “Pomodoro technique” to write, which is to focus with no distractions for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. Keep writing when you feel stuck. Sometimes trying to get one sentence or section “perfect” can prevent you from continuing to write. If you find yourself getting stuck on a particular sentence, write a “placeholder” sentence and move on. A placeholder sentence may look like this: [Something about how much I like puppies.] You may want to mark any placeholder sentences with brackets or by highlighting it in the word processing program (or on paper if you're writing a draft by hand). Revisit your placeholder sentences. When you have finished your first draft, go back to any areas or sentences that you skipped and try to write them now. It will be easier to revise your essay if these sections have already been filled in.	Know how to read an essay prompt. Understand your essay prompt completely. Ask to see a rubric. Come up with at least two ideas. Consider the purpose of your essay. Prewrite to get ideas flowing. Keep your audience in mind. Understand that prewriting isn't perfect. Write a traditional outline. Read your outline. Determine the type of paper you need to write. Understand what a thesis statement needs to accomplish. Think about what you want to say. Use a “working” thesis statement. Write your thesis statement. Avoid the "three-prong" thesis. Consider writing your introduction last. Remember the purpose of an introduction. Write a hook. Transition from your hook to your thesis. Give yourself time to write. Sit down and write. Keep writing when you feel stuck. Revisit your placeholder sentences.
https://www.wikihow.com/Facilitate-a-Meeting	How to Facilitate a Meeting	To facilitate a meeting, start by nailing down details like the purpose, major discussion topics, start and end times, location, and how the attendees should prepare for the meeting. Next, plan the attendee list and send out email invitations that include all of the necessary information. Then, arrive to the meeting location early and set up the space. Finally, start the meeting on time, make the objectives clear at the beginning, and get the meeting back on track if the discussion goes off-topic.	Preparation is key so start with an agenda. While a facilitator should blend into meetings and make their job look easy, it is crucial that they prepare extensively for meetings. Start with writing an Agenda. A good agenda will include key points about the meeting as well as provide adequate detail so that attendees know where to be and what to expect. Note the start and end times of sessions, as well as realistic time limits for each session, to ensure that the meeting will run on time. Select topics that impact upon everyone attending the meeting. Try to get input from those attending the meeting about the topics that warrant discussion. Try posing the topics as questions that need answering to stimulate dialogue in the meeting. Note what the purpose of discussion is. Is it for information, to solve a problem, or to make a decision? Specify how attendees should prepare for the meeting. Plan the invitation list. This requires a delicate balance. If there are too few or too many people in attendance you run the risk of an unproductive meeting. You will want to invite only people who will help you reach the goal of the meeting. Ask yourself the following. Who are the key decision makers on the issue? Who is most knowledgable about the information being discussed? Who has a vested interest in the topics? Who will have to implement any decisions that are made? Some experts suggest 8 people be invited to meetings where a decision needs to be made. By contrast, they suggest 18 people when the purpose of the meeting is to brainstorm. Send out the invitations via email. Sending an email is the easiest way to invite your attendees. Your email should provide a brief introduction to the meeting. It should also include the date, time, and possibly an RSVP deadline. The agenda should be attached to the email. Requiring an RSVP is optional, but it will allow you to prepare a proper amount of materials for all participants. Start to think about what a good facilitator does. By reflecting on what a facilitator does during a meeting, you will be in a good position to know what is expected of you when it is your turn to perform the job. A good facilitator will have a number of traits that helps him or her manage time, people and different opinions. It is best to develop these traits early. Value people and their ideas. A good facilitator will convey his or her own compliments after an attendee has presented an idea. Say something like "thank you Samantha, those are very useful points that help us think about the issue in a different way." By doing this, you will ensure that each person and idea is heard and also that others will be confident about speaking up. Be on your toes. You will have to respond to a number of different situations during meetings. You need to think and respond quickly to these different situations. For example, if someone provides meaningful advice, be quick to praise them, then immediately look for another attendee who is seeking to build on that line of thought. If someone raises a bad point that is off topic, however, do your best to highlight the good in the comment and search for another attendee who will build on what you thought was good. Be well spoken. It is important that everyone in the room understand you. You will want to speak at a reasonable volume so that everyone can hear. Articulate clearly and do not mutter or mumble. Take care to use jargon only if everyone at the meeting is familiar with the terminology. Plan the location and arrange the furniture. You'll need to consider if the meeting is going to be face-to-face, a virtual meeting through screens, or a combination of the two. Depending on the meeting format, you will need to make sure that all the furniture and hardware are in place, including chairs, tables, and projector screens. There are several possible ways to set up furniture for a meeting. A round table set-up will help for discussion orientated meetings. A setting with chairs in rows is good for establishing a speaker as the main focus. This set-up works well when the main purpose is conveying information rather than seeking discussion. A theater set-up features a table at the front of the room and allows for a panel of speakers to sit up front. Attendees will sit in rows in front of the panel speakers as in a lecture format. A classroom set-up has tables in front of the rows of chairs to allow attendees to take notes while the speaker remains the focus of the meeting. Utilize the U-shaped set-up for meetings where you want the participants to see each other and interact when needed. Set up chairs in a circle with you in the center for meetings intended as open and participatory. Provide supplies for those attending the meeting. A fully-prepared facilitator will provide attendees with pens, notepads, workbooks, handouts and other tools needed for the meeting. Also consider if you will need to provide any log-in information ahead of time for virtual meetings. There should be a board set up to enable people and presenters to take notes for everyone to view, perhaps a flip chart or white board. This keeps the meeting flowing more smoothly, allowing participants to have their questions answered at specified times during the meeting. Depending on the length of the meeting, think about providing your participants with beverages (coffee), snacks, water and/or candy. Send an email reminder about the meeting as it approaches. People are busy, and without reminders, it is possible that they will forget about an upcoming meeting. Try to send out reminders to those who will be attending two days before the meeting is scheduled to take place. If you asked invitees to RSVP, you can send a reminder that they need to RSVP before the deadline. In your reminder email be sure to ask if anyone has changed plans. Arrive to the meeting early. As the facilitator you should be there to greet everyone who arrives at the meeting. Either shake their hand as they walk into the room or greet them as they log in to the tele-conference. This will create a warm environment at the meeting while also showing that you are serious and ready to discuss. Start the meeting on time and make the objectives clear. While everyone in the meeting will have received the agenda, by re-introducing the objectives, all attendees will begin on the same page. It will also help to set the tone for the meeting and put people on the right track immediately. You can also make housekeeping announcements at the start of the meeting, including information about break times, fire exits and restroom locations. You may also think about establishing rules for interaction depending upon who is attending the meeting. Rules could include show one another mutual respect, staying on topic, attacking the problem rather than the person, bringing closure to discussion, and not interrupting others. Guide the meeting by having all attendees speak. Everyone has a different method for guiding a meeting and keeping speakers on topic. One vital method is to make sure that conversation and discussion is not dominated by one or two people. Ensure that you are on the lookout for anyone who may want to make a point and give them the opportunity to speak by asking them their thoughts. Say a colleague named Samantha looks interested but has yet to contribute. You may try saying: "Samantha, how does the issue at hand affect your department and you specifically?" Stick to the topic. The facilitator's job is to keep all attendees or speakers on topic. Allowing off-target tangents will throw your schedule off and may mean that the meeting will not reach its intended outcome. If you sense discussion moving off topic, redirect the conversation by asking questions that directly relate to the topic. If dialogue has begun to drift, you could say: "But how does this affect the issue we are discussing today?" Or, "These are all very interesting points. We should discuss these at a later date but, for now, let's focus on the issue at hand." You may also want to flag the ideas that were brought up and address them in a later meeting or another way. Thus you can properly honor those tangential ideas and not to offend any of the attendees. Have a plan for difficult situations and defuse them. If you sense to participants are on the verge of getting into a heated debate, bring in another person that you know will speak to the issue. Essentially, you will want to defuse a debate by bringing in more dialogue. In the event of a conflict, you can also listen to both sides and identify common ground to bring the opposing parties together. In the event of a difficult situation, you could say: "it is clear that you are both coming from different sides. However, you obviously agree on the importance of this issue so let's try to focus our energy on finding a mutually beneficial result." Answer and redirect questions. As the facilitator you can take questions from attendees so long as you are in a position to respond accurately. If not, you should refer the question to someone at the meeting who is in a better position to respond accurately. In the event you do not know the answer to a question, you may say: "That's an excellent question. However, I think Samantha is better informed on this topic. Samantha, what are your thoughts?" Summarize and simplify findings. Take notes during the meeting and ensure that you are writing down all the key ideas and opinions. At the conclusion of a discussion on a certain topic, it is helpful if the facilitator provides a review of what was said and the conclusions that were reached. Do your best to summarize the key points made by each person in attendance. Also, highlight whatever resolutions were made to the issues addressed. Ask how the meeting went when it concludes. Feedback is essential for you to improve as a meeting facilitator. You may think about asking the following: Was the agenda distributed at a good time? How well prepared were the attendees? Did the time allocated to each topic work? Was there enough time for discussion? How could the room set-up be improved? Feedback can also be collected by an email survey sent to participants shortly after the meeting. Be sure to review the result and make any necessary changes for the next meeting.	Preparation is key so start with an agenda. Plan the invitation list. Send out the invitations via email. Start to think about what a good facilitator does. Plan the location and arrange the furniture. Provide supplies for those attending the meeting. Send an email reminder about the meeting as it approaches. Arrive to the meeting early. Start the meeting on time and make the objectives clear. Guide the meeting by having all attendees speak. Stick to the topic. Have a plan for difficult situations and defuse them. Answer and redirect questions. Summarize and simplify findings. Ask how the meeting went when it concludes.
https://www.wikihow.com/Let-Go-of-Anger	How to Let Go of Anger	To let go of your anger, you may need to spend time understanding your emotions and reflecting on why exactly you feel this way. Once you have figured that out, spend some time processing your emotions before you try to resolve anything. Some good strategies include writing in a journal, going for a walk, or even screaming into a pillow. After your anger has subsided, try to see the situation from another point of view. Determine whether you were partially at fault and whether forgiveness or avoidance is the best course of action.	Understand anger. It's important to learn how to let go of your anger, not just for your psychological health, but also for your physical health. Part of letting go of anger involves forgiveness, and forgiveness can have a deterrent effect, making it less likely for people to hurt you again in the future. When someone betrays or hurts you, it can have a negative effect on your health through increased anxiety and stress. This can negatively impact your cardiac, immune, and nervous systems. Identify the problem. Figure out what, specifically, you feel hurt over. Only in identifying the loss or underlying problem can you begin to confront that issue and let go of it. It's also important to understand whether the other person knows that she has hurt you. This will impact how you begin reconciling. For instance, if a spouse cheated on you or left you, you would understandably feel angry. The sense of loss you feel likely stems from the loss of being loved and being appreciated or respected. Furthermore, your spouse likely understands the way that she has hurt you. Alternatively, if a friend has an extra ticket to a concert and does not invite you, you may feel a loss of friendship and camaraderie that drives you to sorrow and anger. However, your friend may be unaware that your feelings were hurt. Let yourself grieve. Interpersonal conflict and resolution can be thought of as a grieving process. For example, when someone hurts you, it can feel as though you have lost that person. The stages of grief are helpful for understanding your emotions after you are hurt. They can also help you understand how your anger is a part of the grieving process and therefore, can help you let go of your anger. If the hurt has to do with a breakup or other type of indefinite separation, then that loss may seem permanent. If the hurt has to do with being overlooked, forgotten, or otherwise disrespected then it can seem as though you lost that person temporarily by losing their attention or respect. Temporarily avoid the person who hurt you. Anger can get out of control when tension escalates between you and the person who hurt you. Wait to interact until you've processed your grief and moved on to a more accepting stage. It's important that the other person move on the grieving process as well, so that anger is not directed at you when you interact. Even if the other person is the one that hurt you, she can still feel a sense of loss and regret. Scream. There are times when a person feels so angry that he or she feels the desire to scream. If you are facing this sort of anger right now, pause your reading and go scream into a pillow. Screaming offers you a physical release. Studies have shown that crying it out can release toxins that are built up by stress. As a word of caution, you should try to make sure that your scream is well-muffled by the sound of your pillow to avoid worrying any neighbors. Metaphorically throw your anger away. If there are a lot of details about a given situation that make you upset, you can find something symbolic to represent these components of your anger before throwing those symbolic elements away. For example, You can collect stones alongside a river and throw them into the water after you have assigned a component of your anger to each one. Replace resentment with compassion. Another way to put this would be to “walk in the other person's shoes.” Consider the reasons the offending party may have had for acting in a hurtful way. You might never completely understand another's motivations, nor may you agree with them upon identifying them, but it is easier to let go of anger towards someone after you spend a little time in her head. If possible, remind yourself that the other person didn't realize she was hurting you. If she did consciously hurt you, think about what led her to do so. Determine if reconciliation is an option. Understand that forgiveness does not automatically lead to reconciliation. If you suspect that the party responsible for triggering your anger feels remorseful and wants to make amends, reconciliation might work out. On the other hand, if the other party is not open to setting things right, or if the nature of the pain is such that you can never trust the other person again, reconciliation might not seem like an option. Forgive. Recognize that you alone can forgive. Completely letting go of anger means forgiving the person who has hurt you. However, forgiveness is not for everyone at all times. Forced or feigned forgiveness is of little benefit to anyone, least of all yourself. It's important to thoroughly process your hurt, control your anger, and decide if/when forgiveness is right for you. Understand that forgiving someone may not prompt the other person to change her behavior. The purpose of forgiveness, in this sense, is to cleanse yourself of the anger and resentment building inside you. Forgiveness is for your own benefit and is an internal necessity, not an external one. Take responsibility for your own actions. There can be a lot of blame during the anger stage. It's important to reflect on your own role in the situation and accept responsibility for whatever role you played. This doesn't mean that you can't acknowledge the poor treatment given to you by the other party. It simply means that if you did wrong, you should be honest about it, especially if you ever plan to reconcile. Accepting responsibility can start with eliminating negative emotions. One way to do this is to make a list of the 3 to 5 strongest negative emotions you feel, and think about how to substitute the negative emotion for a good one. Look for the positive. Examine any ways that your pain has helped you to grow as an individual. Look for benefits or unexpected positives and cling to them to help you cope. If you can't look at the good brought about from a hurtful situation, then look at other positives in your life and other things you can be thankful for. Consider if your pain has put you onto a new path leading to good things that you may not have experienced had you missed that path completely. Leave a positive influence on the world. You can let your anger spill out and affect those around you, but then you would only be spreading it and making those negative feelings stronger. By consciously deciding to spread a positive influence to others, you can transform the way you handle social interactions in a way that leads to less anger. Surround yourself with positive people. Simply put, by exposing yourself to the optimism and positive thoughts expressed by other people, you introduce positive thinking back into your own life. As time progresses, you may even start to develop positive thoughts of your own to replace your anger. Write a letter or a journal. If you keep a diary or journal, write about your anger as often as necessary to help you release it. If you do not have a journal, you can write an angry letter to the person who triggered your anger to get the feelings off your chest. Do not actually send the letter, though. Sending the letter is almost always a bad idea. It can easily be viewed as retaliation or be poorly received, which could escalate problems. Even if you phrase it as politely as possible, the other party is likely to take it poorly, especially if she is suffering from low self-esteem or other personal pain. Exercise or take up a hobby. Exercise provides you with a positive physical release for your anger. Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy. Take a walk in a scenic park, go for a refreshing swim, or shoot some hoops. The key is to take the energy you feel that could be channeled into anger and channel it into something more positive for yourself. If you are not a big fan of exercise, you can start small by taking more walks, channeling your energy into picking up a new hobby, or doing something nice for your friends or family. Turn to your faith or meditate. If you believe in God, pray for the strength and willingness to let go of your anger. When letting go of anger seems out of your ability to handle, petitioning for divine help can help soften your heart enough to let you release that anger for good. Whether you believe in any particular faith or not, meditation is a good way to stabilize your body, mind, and soul. There are many types of meditation you can try, so choose which is best for you and your needs. Consult with a religious leader at your center of worship or others who share your faith for support and guidance. Read from your faith's scriptural texts, or read spiritual books written on the matter of anger and forgiveness. Avoid social functions as necessary. If someone who makes you angry will be at a social engagement and you want to avoid the temptation of getting into an argument or stirring up old feelings of resentment, there is nothing wrong with skipping that social event, even if others do not entirely understand why. At the same time, you should also avoid letting the person who makes you angry ruin your life. If the two of you share most of your friends, go out of your way to schedule time with your friends away from the offender's company.	Understand anger. Identify the problem. Let yourself grieve. Temporarily avoid the person who hurt you. Scream. Metaphorically throw your anger away. Replace resentment with compassion. Determine if reconciliation is an option. Forgive. Take responsibility for your own actions. Look for the positive. Leave a positive influence on the world. Write a letter or a journal. Exercise or take up a hobby. Turn to your faith or meditate. Avoid social functions as necessary.
https://www.wikihow.com/File-a-Grievance	How to File a Grievance	A grievance is a formal written complaint that alleges wrongdoing, and you can file one by completing and filing the appropriate forms. Start by contacting the department that is relevant to your complaint so you can request a copy of the grievance form. For instance, if you want to file a grievance with a company about a refund they didn't give you, you'd want to contact the returns department and ask for their form. Complete the form and provide all of the information that's requested. Keep a copy of the form for your records. Then, submit the forms to the appropriate department ahead of any deadlines so the investigation can continue.	Write down everything you remember about the incident. As soon as possible, document what happened. For example, if you were denied a promotion, write down your memory of the meeting where you were given an oral explanation. Take down the names of store employees or anyone else you have a complaint against. Ask for first and last names: customer service representatives often only give a first name. Write down the day and time, as well as the location of where the incident occurred. If you want to lodge a grievance against the driver of a transportation company, you should note not only the license plate number but also the location of the incident. Preserve documents. Keep any communications between you and the party against whom you hold a grievance. Retain not only formal communications, such as letters, bills, and receipts, but also informal ones like hand-written notes or emails. Keep your documents in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box or in a safe a home. Also, you can scan any documents so that you always have an electronic copy. Speak to witnesses. If someone observed the incident, talk to them. For example, if someone witnessed harassment at work, you should make a note of who they were. If a stranger observed poor service at a store, try to get their name and contact information. Speaking to witnesses is also a good way to judge whether or not you misunderstood the situation. For example, several witnesses may have heard someone say something different than what you heard. Seek evidence in the hands of third parties. Many businesses have security cameras which record what happens in the store as well as the parking lot. Many cities also have installed cameras that take pictures of intersections. If applicable, you may want to seek this evidence. At this stage, you should simply ask for the evidence. Even if the store does not want to hand a copy of the footage over to you, ask that it be preserved. If you file a lawsuit, then you can get a copy with a subpoena. You can sometimes get video from a police dash cam by filling out a Right-to-Know request form. Contact the police department about obtaining any video they may have. Meet informally with your supervisor. Some businesses require that employees meet with their supervisor informally to discuss their grievance. This should happen before any paperwork is filed. Even if you are not required to meet informally, it may still be a good idea to do so. Many times the other party is unaware of how their actions or statements are perceived by others. By articulating how you were wronged and what the person or company can do to relieve those feelings, you will alert them to their behavior. You can seek informal resolution outside the employment context as well. If you have a complaint with a business, you can stop in and talk with a clerk or employee, who might be able to provide a refund on the spot. Meeting informally is also a great way to find out the policies for filing a formal grievance. If you do not receive a satisfactory resolution informally, ask who you should contact to file a formal complaint. Bring copies of supporting documents. The person you meet with might want to see any documentation that you have. A sales clerk will want to see a receipt as well as a sample of the goods you claim are inferior. Only bring copies. Preserve the originals at home or in another safe space. If you hand over originals to another person, he might lose them. Consider using a mediator. Some businesses and organizations have trained mediators on staff. You can use a mediator during the informal resolution stage. Because of the costs of mediation, you may not want to use a mediator unless one is provided by the organization or business free of charge. Trained mediators can cost over $1,000 a day. Mediation still remains a possibility after you file an official grievance. At that time, it is much more likely that the business or organization will foot the bill. If you want to resolve a complaint with a store, a professional (like a lawyer), or a health care provider, then you should not pay for a mediator. Rather, you should simply show up for a meeting yourself. Ask about next steps. The person you meet with might not be able to resolve the issue immediately. Even if you have to wait for a decision, you should ask about next steps in case you are unhappy with the proposed settlement. If you complain to a store clerk or other customer service representative, you should immediately ask to speak to a supervisor if you are unsuccessful at getting your complaint resolved. Contact the appropriate department. If you are unhappy with the resolution ultimately offered by your supervisor, then contact the name of the individual or department that your supervisor directed you to. If you belong to a union you should also check with your union representative. Union rules often provide for representation during the grievance process. You will want to get them involved early. Study the rules and procedures. Each company or business has its own rules and regulations. For example, you may have to file within a certain amount of time. Also, the company will list who you must contact first. You should be provided with a handout explaining the procedures; alternately, the company may point you to a website. Follow the procedures as specified. If you fail to do so, the company may simply ignore your grievance and you will have to start the process all over again. Secure a copy of the grievance form. The form may be printed or online. You should fill out the form in whatever form makes you most comfortable. Some online forms might not provide you with a printout of the information you submitted. Instead, you might only get a confirmation code. If given the choice between an online form or a hard copy, you should fill out the hard copy so that you will have a record. Complete the grievance form. Each grievance form is different, but they all should ask for similar information: Your name, address, and contact information, such as phone and email. If you are complaining about a health care provider or credit card company, you will be asked for your account number as well as your date of birth. The name of the person you are complaining about (if applicable). The names of witnesses who can support your grievance with relevant facts. The nature of the grievance. Often you will be provided a space to type out your complaint. Your signature and date. Keep a copy of your completed form and only attach copies of any documentation or evidence. File early. You must meet deadlines to file a grievance. These vary by business or organization but should be outlined in the policies and procedures that you secured when you initiated the grievance process. If you must mail a grievance form, check to see if the deadline applies to the date the grievance form is received or the date when it is mailed. Send the form certified mail so that you know it has arrived. Participate in the investigation. You may be contacted by a company investigator charged with looking into your grievance. The person may wish to interview you in person or over the phone. You can prepare by reviewing your documents, including what you wrote down shortly after the incident. These documents can refresh your memory. Appeal the company’s decision. If the company does not provide a satisfactory resolution, then you should check to see if you can appeal the decision. Any appeal process should be included in the letter explaining the company's decision. Sometimes appeals have short deadlines. You should locate the deadline immediately and comply with it. Consider alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Although a business may not volunteer to compensate you, they might propose mediation or other forms of ADR, such as negotiation or arbitration. Businesses often propose ADR to stay out of court because ADR is often cheaper than a full-fledged lawsuit. Recognize that ADR can be binding. Arbitration, in particular, is like a trial: you present evidence to an arbitrator and agree to be bound by the decision. You can't appeal in court if you dislike the result. Mediation and negotiation are typically non-binding. You can walk away from discussions if you are unhappy with the results. Meet with an attorney. There are many legal avenues to pursue depending on your grievance. An attorney can provide good advice about whether to proceed with ADR or whether to pursue a more formal legal complaint. For example, if you are charging your employer with discrimination or retaliation, your attorney will advise you on filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or with an equivalent state board. If your complaint involves inferior service or products purchased from a company, your attorney can assist you in filing a breach of contract claim. If you want to contest the denial of coverage under an insurance contract, then your attorney can help you file the appropriate lawsuit.	Write down everything you remember about the incident. Preserve documents. Speak to witnesses. Seek evidence in the hands of third parties. Meet informally with your supervisor. Bring copies of supporting documents. Consider using a mediator. Ask about next steps. Contact the appropriate department. Study the rules and procedures. Secure a copy of the grievance form. Complete the grievance form. File early. Participate in the investigation. Appeal the company’s decision. Consider alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Meet with an attorney.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Razor-Nicks-and-Cuts	How to Treat Razor Nicks and Cuts	To treat a razor nick or cut, try holding an ice cube against it if it's a minor cut, which will constrict the blood vessels so it stops bleeding. You can also try rubbing some vaseline, lip balm, or deodorant over the cut to seal your skin and force the blood to clot. If you have a severe nick or cut that won't stop bleeding, apply pressure to it with a tissue or towel for up to 15 minutes. Once the bleeding stops, clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide or antibiotic cream before bandaging it. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 15 minutes, you should seek medical attention.	Stick toilet paper to the nick or cut. One of the traditional methods to treat a nick or cut is to apply a small piece of toilet paper to the area and wait for it to clot over. While this method works, it often takes longer to stop the bleeding than some of the other remedies discussed below. Don't forget to remove the toilet paper before leaving the house. Apply an ice cube to the affected area. Cold water constricts the blood vessels, which slows blood flow to the area and helps stop the bleeding. Grab an ice cube from the freezer and hold it to the affected area. You can also try to run the affected area under cold water or hold a cold cloth against the wound. Some people recommend soaking a hand towel with water, wringing it out, and then placing it in the freezer so it is available to treat these minor shaving nicks and cuts. Hold a cloth with hot water against the nick or cut. Hot water will also help stop the bleeding because it basically cauterizes the wound. Hold a warm cloth firmly in place over the wound. You might have to keep running the cloth under warm water for maximum effect. Use witch hazel. Witch hazel is an astringent that also constricts blood vessels and should relieve the bleeding. Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply it to the location of the nick or cut. Since witch hazel is an astringent, be prepared for it to sting when you apply it. Rub lip balm or vaseline on the nick or cut. The next time you nick or cut yourself shaving, reach for the lip balm or vaseline. Since the texture is waxy, it seals the skin and forces the blood to clot over. Don't apply the lip balm directly from the tube because then you can't use it again. Instead, scrape a little off with a cotton swab so your lip balm is still sanitary to use. Grab your deodorant or antiperspirant. Many antiperspirants and deodorants contain aluminum chloride, which can cause a blood clot to form and help stanch the bleeding. Coat your fingertip with the deodorant or antiperspirant and then gently apply it to the affected area. So you don't have to throw the tube of deodorant away after using, it's best to apply with a fingertip or a cotton swab. Sprinkle sugar on the affected wound. If the cut is small, sprinkling a little sugar onto the wound will stop the bleeding and also disinfect the wound. Some people also recommend cayenne and black pepper, but these will sting more than the sugar. Splash some Listerine or mouthwash on the nick or cut. Before being marketed as a mouthwash, Listerine was originally used as a surgical antiseptic. Splash a little mouthwash on the affected area to disinfect your wound and stop the bleeding. As you might imagine, it stings quite a bit, but it should get the job done. Add a few eye drops to the affected nick or cut. Eye drops such as Visine constrict blood vessels, which help slow and stop bleeding. As a result eye drops can also provide relief when you cut or nick yourself while shaving. Invest in an old-fashioned styptic pencil or alum block. Once standard issue in medicine cabinets and shaving kits, these products have been around for centuries. Styptic pencils usually contain titanium dioxide, potassium alum, or a sulfate formulation that helps the blood clot. Similarly, alum blocks are bar-soap sized blocks of potassium alum, which constricts the tissues and stanches blood flow. To use a styptic pencil, you wet the tip and press it against the nick or cut. To use an alum block you wet it and rub it on the affected area. The astringents in these products make them sting, but they should stop the bleeding quickly. They can also prevent razor burn. Styptic pencils and alum blocks can leave behind a powdery, white residue, so be sure to check the mirror and rinse it off before heading out the door. You can usually find styptic pencils and alum blocks at pharmacies, beauty supply stores, and online. Traditional barber's shops might also sell them. Rinse the wound under cold water. This will help stop the bleeding and give you a better idea of how severe the wound is. Apply pressure to the wound. Find a tissue, a wad of toilet paper, or a towel and press down on the area where the bleeding seems the most severe. Apply pressure to the wound for 5 to 15 minutes. If blood soaks through the cloth, add another cloth without lifting up the one on the wound. If applying firm pressure did not stop the bleeding, you can pinch the skin together with your thumb and index finger, which should help stop the bleeding. If this technique doesn't work and you continue bleeding, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Elevate the wound. If possible, try to elevate the body part with the wound so it is positioned above the heart. This should help slow down blood flow to that area. Clean the wound. After the bleeding stops, use hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or an antibiotic cream on the affected area. This will help prevent infection and ensure the cut heals faster. Bandage the wound. Place a sterile bandage on the wound to keep dirt and bacteria out and prevent the bleeding from starting again. Change the bandage if blood soaks through or it gets wet. This will help keep the wound clean and dry. Remove the bandage after a few days. If the cut was not too severe, you can probably remove the bandage from the wound after a few days. This will help it heal faster. Seek medical attention if the bleeding continues or you see signs of infection. If you are unable to stop the bleeding or notice any redness, irritation, or pus around the cut, it's best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A medical professional will be able to evaluate and provide appropriate care for your wound. Moisturize the area before and after shaving. Moisturizing before and after you shave will help prevent nicks and cuts from occurring in the first place. Have a warm shower before you shave. Taking a warm shower before you shave or washing the area you are shaving with hot water for a few minutes prior to shaving will help keep the razor from dragging on your skin. This reduces the risk of nicks and cuts. This technique is called wet shaving. When you wet shave, use a gentle soap that won't strip away your skin's oils or dry out the skin, which makes shaving even more difficult. Replace your razor blade regularly. Replacing your razor blade regularly will prevent the nicks and cuts that come from shaving with a dull razor. Changing your blade often will also prevent razor bumps and redness, and reduce the growth of bacteria that might lead to infections. Change your blades as soon they seem dull. When the razor drags on your skin or when it feels uncomfortable to shave, this is a good indicator you need to change the blade. Changing your razor after 5 to 10 shaves is one recommended timeline, but it depends on how often you use your razor. Gillette recently revealed that their razor cartridges are designed to last for five weeks. Avoid shaving dry. Although it might be tempting to try and save money and time, shaving dry or without gel or cream increases the likelihood of nicks and cuts. Use shaving gel or shaving cream so the razor will glide smoothly over your skin. Hair conditioner also works well as a shave gel or cream, and can be less expensive depending on the brand. Ditch the single-blade disposable razor. Disposable razors with a single blade, while often more affordable, tend to drag on the skin, leading to nasty nicks and cuts. For a smoother shave, opt for a razor with more blades. Keep the razor clean and dry. Most of us don't bother to clean or dry our razor blade after using, but research suggests this increases longevity, and prevents the blade from getting dull, which usually results in bad cuts and nicks. Try these tricks to keep your razor clean and dry: Rinse your razor after use in clean, hot water. On a dry towel or a pair of jeans, wipe the razor in the opposite direction from shaving. This helps get rid of any hair or shaving cream residue that might dull the blades or result in a less than perfect shave. Lubricate the blades after use with olive oil or an oil that won't irritate your skin. You can use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of oil to the blade. Let the razor air dry, and store it away from water. Handle the razor properly. Handling your razor properly and avoiding a few common mistakes will help prolong the life of your blades. You should avoid: Pressing too hard on the razor, which wears the blade down but also increases the risk of nicks and cuts. Tapping the razor head against the sink or shower can damage the blade edges, shorten the blade's life, and result in nicks and cuts. Consider using a different type of razor. If your current shaving method continues to cause irritating nicks and cuts, research and experiment with other razor options or other hair-removal methods. To get a smoother shave without the nicks and cuts, many people are turning to more traditional shaving methods with double-edged (DE) razors or straight razors.	Stick toilet paper to the nick or cut. Apply an ice cube to the affected area. Hold a cloth with hot water against the nick or cut. Use witch hazel. Rub lip balm or vaseline on the nick or cut. Grab your deodorant or antiperspirant. Sprinkle sugar on the affected wound. Splash some Listerine or mouthwash on the nick or cut. Add a few eye drops to the affected nick or cut. Invest in an old-fashioned styptic pencil or alum block. Rinse the wound under cold water. Apply pressure to the wound. Elevate the wound. Clean the wound. Bandage the wound. Remove the bandage after a few days. Seek medical attention if the bleeding continues or you see signs of infection. Moisturize the area before and after shaving. Have a warm shower before you shave. Replace your razor blade regularly. Avoid shaving dry. Ditch the single-blade disposable razor. Keep the razor clean and dry. Handle the razor properly. Consider using a different type of razor.
https://www.wikihow.com/Approach-a-Girl-in-Public	How to Approach a Girl in Public	If a girl has caught your eye, try gauging her interest before you approach her. If she's smiling at you or glancing your way, that's a great sign! However, if her arms are crossed or she's leaning away from you, she's probably not interested. To start a conversation with a girl who might be interested, comment on what she's doing or compliment something quirky about her, like her earrings. If she leans towards you, makes eye contact, and responds, try asking her out.	Make eye contact. If you see a girl you'd like to meet, try to make eye contact before talking to her. Look away for a few minutes then try looking at her again. If she catches you stealing quick glances at her, it will demonstrate to her that she has caught your attention and you are interested in her. If you repeatedly make eye contact with someone, it could be a sign that she wants you to approach her. Three glances from a girl might signal that she's interested. Eye contact activates our brain's reward center, making eye contact a powerful tool for attracting someone. Smile! A friendly smile is a great way to show someone that you're interested in them. If she returns the smile, that's a sign that she might be interested in you. Once you've exchanged a few glances and a smile, try approaching her to say hi and ask her about her about what she's doing: “Hi, I couldn't help but notice you over here. What are you studying/reading/up to?” Assess her for positive body language. While reading another person's body language is not an exact science, there are definitely a few behaviors to look for that will signal that the person is interested in engaging in conversation. If she is facing her body toward you or leaning toward you, that could mean that she would feel comfortable with you approaching her. If she makes eye contact or smiles at you, it could be a sign that she's interested in you approaching her! Check for negative body language. If a girl does not want to be approached, she will generally demonstrate this through closed-off signals. A few indicators generally include facing away from you, crossed arms, listening to music, reading a book, frowning, or pointedly looking away from you. While not perfect indicators, expressions and body language like this most likely means that you should leave her alone. Be respectful and let it go if she isn't responding to you with positive, open body language. Initiate a conversation. Striking up a friendly conversation can be flirting on its own. There are several ways to strike up a conversation. For example, you could ask her if she made her earrings/dress/other cool item. You could even say something like "I couldn't help but noticing how your dress matches your eyes. It's a great color." Don't be shy about commenting on something that is eye-catching and/or quirky but avoid teasing or poking fun at her the first time you speak to her. If you're in a place like a bookstore or comic book store, ask her what her favorite book is or what book she's currently reading. You could also comment on the general atmosphere of the venue: “It's pretty cool in here, isn't it?” or “I can't believe they painted the walls orange” to break the ice. You could also try complimenting her on her hair or outfit. If she doesn't seem interested in talking, leave her alone. There are numerous ways to tell: not making eye contact, monosyllabic answers, looking around for some way out of the conversation. If she is interested, she will make that clear through eye contact, smiling, and sometimes leaning closer to you. Listen when she speaks. If she wants to talk or say something, give her your full attention and actively listen to what she says. Avoid playing on your phone or letting yourself be distracted by other things. This way she will know that you are interested in what she has to say and you'll find out more about her, have opportunities to further the conversation, and show her that you are interested in her as a person. Ways to show that you are actively listening include maintaining eye contact, nodding, smiling, and agreeing with verbal cues such as “yes” or “mhmm.” Don’t overthink it. When approaching a girl, you don't want to come off as if you are trying too hard. Act casual, but friendly. Try some light banter to break the ice. You will want to present yourself as if you are addressing a friend or acquaintance. If you are nervous, remember the saying “fake it until you make it” and pretend that you are confident and not nervous at all. Practice what you want to say. Think of something to say ahead of time before you approach her to prevent choking and being too nervous to speak to her. Practice what you will say a few times in your head or even out loud in private before speaking to her. You could practice what you might say in your head. If you are alone or somewhere where you feel comfortable doing so - say, you excuse yourself to the restroom -, try saying it out loud in your normal speaking voice to familiarize yourself with the words, tone, and inflection you might use. If you are not comfortable rehearsing out loud, try going over it in your head or writing it down numerous times until you feel comfortable with it. Approach her even if she’s with a group of friends. If she's with friends, try talking to the group rather than just one girl. You could say something like, “I couldn't help but notice that it looks like you are discussing something very funny; it must be the orange guy over there...” or something silly and/or sarcastic along those lines. Don't fear approaching a group of girls. If you are confident, you will be admired for your confidence and courage. Exchange contact information. If she seems interested and you are still interested, try to make plans for a future meet-up. Give her your phone number or email address. This way she feels in control of the situation. You'll know for certain that she's interested if she follows up. If she says no, leave it. She doesn't owe you anything further, even if she did enjoy your company. You could ask her for her number or give her yours. When giving out your number, you could try saying something that appears to be off-the-cuff and smooth by saying, “Hey, can I give you my number real quick before we go?” and then write it down or enter it into her phone (if she offers it). If you have a business card, you can simply hand that to her instead of writing out your contact information, though this is a more formal approach. Ask her on a date. If it's during the day, before 5:00 p.m., suggest that the two of you grab coffee somewhere by saying, “do you want to grab a coffee?” If it's 5:00 p.m. or later ask her out to dinner. You could say, “Are you interested in grabbing a bite to eat?” If she's not available then, ask her if she has plans on the weekend: “Do you have plans this weekend? Would you be interested in going out with me?” Always choose a public place for a date; you want her to feel comfortable. Have a place in mind if you do ask, or ask her if she knows of a good place. If you discover through talking to her that you share an interest or hobby, you can suggest that you work on that interest/hobby together in a casual way. For example, you could say, “Some friends and I like to go out with our cameras and take photos of the skyline on the riverwalk on Saturday afternoons, would you like to join us sometime?” Inviting her to an event or activity that is public and involves others will make her feel more comfortable and take some of the pressure off of both of you. Be respectful. This is the most important part of approaching a girl in public or in any situation. Show respect by talking to her in a courteous way. Avoid swearing, making fun of her, commenting on her body inappropriately, and telling dirty jokes. Being respectful generally indicates that you are a good person that you can potentially be trusted. You can prove that you are trustworthy by being respectful to those around you, to your friends and family, and to her friends and family. If she is not interested, accept it gracefully and let it be.	Make eye contact. Smile! Assess her for positive body language. Check for negative body language. Initiate a conversation. Listen when she speaks. Don’t overthink it. Practice what you want to say. Approach her even if she’s with a group of friends. Exchange contact information. Ask her on a date. Be respectful.
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Conure	How to Care for a Conure	To care for your conure, start by cleaning its cage daily, making sure to replace the lining and clean the toys thoroughly. In the morning and evening each day, feed the bird a variety of fruit, seeds, and pellets in various dishes throughout its cage. After an hour, remove the food, but leave a few pellets for it to snack on throughout the day. When the conure starts to molt at 8 months old, spray it gently with water to relieve the itch as needed and feed it foods high in protein to help new feathers grow.	Select a cage. Conures are active birds that like to keep busy. Your conure will need a cage that gives him lots of space to move around and play with his toys. If you have a small conure, his cage should be at least 18 x 18 x 18 inches (46 x 46 x 46 centimeters). A larger conure would need a cage that is at least 36 x 36 x 36 inches (91 x 91 x 91 centimeters). The cage can be either horizontal or vertical. The cage bars should be horizontal so your conure can climb on them. The bars should be spaced no further than 3/4 inches to one inch (two to 2.5 cm) apart. Consider purchasing a cage cover to give your conure a sense of security when he sleeps. Alternatively, you could use a blanket or large towel to cover his cage at night. Situate the cage in an ideal location in your home. Your conure's cage should be in a room that is not in the direct path of harmful kitchen fumes. Within the room, make sure not to place the cage in direct sunlight. Conures are most comfortable in rooms that are 70 to 80 °F (21 to 27 °C), which is the typical room temperature for most homes. The room should also be free of drafts. Many types of fumes are toxic to conures, including perfumes, aerosols, and fumes from cleaning products and non-stick cookware. Place some basic items in your conure's cage. Perches are an essential item in any bird's cage. For your conure, choose at least two perches that are 1/2 to 5/8 inches (about 1.5 centimeters) in diameter. Position the perches such that your conure's tail feathers will not rub against the cage bars when she sits on the perches. Place one perch close to your conure's food and water dishes. Consider using perches that have various sizes, shapes, and textures. This will help keep your conure's feet healthy and strong. Many types of perches are available at your local pet store. Place two to three food and water dishes in her cage. One dish would be for water and one or two would be for food. Conures love to take baths. Place another water dish in your conure's cage, preferably one that is large enough for her to step in. Look for these dishes at your local pet store or housewares store. Line the bottom of your conure's cage with newspaper or paper liners. Clean your conure's cage regularly. Conures can be messy, so you will need to maintain a regular cleaning schedule for your conure's cage. On a daily basis, you should clean his water and food dishes. Conures like to dip their food in their water bowls, so you may need to clean your conure's water dish several times a day. Replace the cage lining each day. Clean your conure's toys and perches on a daily basis. Dishwater detergent is sufficient for cleaning these accessories. Make sure to completely rinse off the soap before placing the cleaned items back in your conure's cage. Depending on how messy your conure is, you will need to disinfect his cage either weekly or monthly. Since bleach fumes can be toxic to your conure, you will need to keep him in a separate room when you disinfect his cage and allow it to dry. Speak with an avian veterinarian or avian expert about safe cleaning products to use in your conure's cage. Place toys in your conure's cage. Conures like to be kept busy. Without things to do, your conure could become bored and resort to feather picking. Giving your conure a variety of toys will keep her happily entertained. Popular toy types for conures include foraging toys, wooden chew toys, and shredding toys. Foraging toys mimic your conure's natural food foraging behavior in the wild. Shredded toys can help your conure relieve stress and boredom. If you don't want to purchase a shredded toy, you can place some newspaper in the cage for him or her to shred. Avoid toys that have small parts. These parts could catch on your conure's beak or claws, possibly leading to damage or injury. Keep different types of toys at your conure's cage at all times to prevent boredom with any one toy. Consider installing a play stand in your conure's cage that can hold toys. All types of toys can be found at your local pet store. Provide an exercise outlet for your conure. Conures need lots of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Swings, and ladders would provide your conure with plenty of exercise during the day.< For the ladders and swings, install them at heights inside the cage that will keep your conure's tail from rubbing up against the cage bars. Consider putting a mirror in your conure's cage. Mirrors can be a good choice of enrichment to keep your conure busy. However, introduce him to a mirror only after he has bonded with you—otherwise he may bond with the mirror instead of you! Mirrors can also encourage mating behavior (e.g., regurgitating food, tail lifting). Mating behavior can be especially problematic in female birds, since they can lay eggs without a mate. If you have a female conure, mating behavior can lead to spontaneous egg laying that could result in physical stress and illness. Your conure could see the mirror as a "love toy." Speak with your veterinarian if you are unsure about placing shiny objects in your conure's cage. Select a pelleted food and seed mix for your conure. Pelleted bird food is commercially available at your local pet store. Pellets should make up approximately 60 to 70% of your conure's diet and seeds no more than 10% and fruits and veggies for the rest. They can come in different colors, which adds a little variety to an otherwise uninteresting food. Pelleted bird food, along with seed mixes, provide a good, nutritious diet. Some commercial seed mixes have fillers or harmful additives. Ask an avian veterinarian or the staff at your local pet store if you are unsure about which pelleted food and seed mix would be best for your conure, or select a seed mix that is labeled as "organic" or "all natural." Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your conure's diet. Variety is key to feeding your conure a nutritionally balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables are a great way to add this variety. Examples of fresh vegetables to feed your conure are collard greens, spinach, pumpkins, and zucchini. There are many types of fruit you can feed your conure, such as mangoes, blueberries, kiwi, and apples. Fruits and vegetables also add important vitamins and minerals to your conure's diet. Wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly with water to remove pesticides. Consider purchasing organic produce but not avocado because it is poisonous to your bird. Cut the produce into smaller pieces. Incorporate nuts into your conure's diet. Nuts add healthy protein and fat to your conure's diet, and should be a mainstay in her daily eating regimen. Examples of nuts to feed your conure are hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, and brazil nuts. The nuts should be low in salt. Although important, nuts should be fed only in small amounts because of their high fat content. Your conure could become obese if she eats a lot of nuts. If you feed your conure peanuts, they must be unshelled. Peanut shells contain a fungal toxin called aflatoxin that could make your conure very sick. Give your conure grains and legumes to eat. In addition to nuts, grains and legumes are mainstays of a conure diet. There are many types of healthy grains you can feed your conure, such as cooked brown rice or barley, as well as cereal, pasta, and crackers. Conures cannot break down sugar very well, so avoid sugary cereals. Examples of legumes are lentils and different types of beans (e.g., green beans, black beans). Legumes and grains have vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are essential components of your conure's diet. Supplement your conure's diet with extra vitamins and minerals. You may need to supplement your conure's diet with certain nutrients, including calcium and vitamin K. Incorporate foods into his diet (dark leafy greens, soy oil, and fish meal) that are high in these nutrients. Adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin K are important to prevent a condition called Conure Bleeding Syndrome. Calcium perches are available that your conure can chew on to get extra calcium in his diet. Cuttlebone is another calcium source, but is not recommended for conures. Water-soluble vitamins can be added to your conure's water. Speak with your veterinarian before supplementing your conure's diet. Avoid feeding your conure certain foods. Conures are not picky eaters. However, there are certain foods that she should not eat. For example, your conure should not eat avocados, cocoa, or onions. These foods contain toxins that could sicken your conure. Human foods that are high in sugar, salt, or fat should also be avoided, since a conure's digestive system cannot break them down very well. Processed foods tend to be high in these ingredients. Develop a feeding regimen for your conure. Feed your conure once in the morning and once in the evening. At each feeding time, place a variety of fresh foods, cooked foods, and seeds in his food dishes. After about one hour, remove any remaining food. In the morning, give him some pellets after you have removed the other food. He can snack on the pellets throughout the day. Conures are prone to obesity. To prevent him from overeating at mealtime, feed him only as much as he can eat in one sitting. It will probably take some trial and error to determine how much to feed him at mealtime. Since conures are messy eaters and like to dip their food in their water, you may have to replace your conure's water dish at each meal time. Gain your conure's trust. Since conures are very social and outgoing birds, interacting with your conure is important to his overall care. To have quality interactions with her, you will first need to gain her trust. One way to gain her trust is to talk to her in a smooth and calming voice. Talk to her throughout the day, especially when you are feeding her and cleaning her cage. The more she hears your voice when you are near her, the more comfortable she will be with you. Another way to gain her trust is to approach her cage slowly and calmly. When she sees that you are not a threat, she will be much more at ease when you are nearby. Acclimate your conure to your hand. In addition to trusting you, your conure will also need to be comfortable with your hand. Begin by gently placing your hand either on or near the outside of his cage. Talk to him while you hold your hand nearby to calm his anxiety. When your conure is comfortable with your hand outside his cage, slowly place your hand inside his cage. Hold some treats (e.g., millet spray, dark leafy greens) in your hand and keep your hand still while he approaches and explores your hand. It may a few days or a few weeks before your conure is comfortable with your hand. Just be patient with him. Teach your conure to step up. When your conure trusts you and is comfortable with you, you can have all types of fun with her. For example, you can teach her to step up. Using your index finger as a perch, gently press your finger against her lower chest (just above her feet) to encourage her to step up onto your finger. Give her a treat and verbal praise when she steps onto your finger. When she gets good at stepping onto your finger, you can take her out of his cage and practice stepping up in a different room, such as the bathroom. Teach your conure to talk. Parrots are known for their ability to talk. However, conures are not as good as other parrot species when it comes to talking ability. Try as he might, your conure will probably be able to learn only about five or ten words. Your conure will need to focus all of his attention on you to learn how to talk. Turn off any other noises (television, radio, phone) that may distract him. Choose simple words and phrases, and associate them with a specific object or action. For example, you can say "Are you hungry?" when you feed him and "Goodbye!" when you leave the room. Speak with enthusiasm to your conure. The more excited you sound, the more excited and motivated he will be to mimic your words. Your conure's voice will be high pitched. Help your conure with her morning bath. Another way to interact with her is to help her take her morning bath. Use a spray bottle to gently spritz her with a mist of water. If she will let you, gently wrap your conure in a towel after her bath and hold her close to you until she is dry. Conures are very cuddly, so your conure will probably enjoy being so close to you after a good bath. When she is dry, your conure will preen herself. To preen, she will use her beak to reach back to her oil gland (located at the base of her tail) and spread the oil over her plumage. Dance with your conure. Believe it or not, conures have rhythm and like to dance! When your conure is excited or is trying to copy your movements, he will sway back and forth. If you like to dance, turn on some music and dance in front of your conure. Watch in amusement as he sways from side to side to match your movement. Play with your conure. Playing with your conure is a great way to interact with her. A simple game is "peek a boo." Simply wrap her in a towel and say "peek a boo" when you uncover her face. Do this any many times as you want—chances are your conure will love to play this with you over and over. Play fetch with your conure. Toss a soft stuffed toy towards your conure. Be aware that she might not be very good at catching what you toss, but she will have fun anyway. She may even toss the toy back to you. Mimic your conure's actions and vice versa. For example, when your conure stretches her wings, stretch your arms out in response. Move side to side, and see if your conure will do the same. Make a mess with your conure. Conures love to shred things. When you have your conure out of her cage, sit on the floor with her and make a mess by shredding some newspaper. Give her her own newspaper to shred. Teach your conure to lay on his back. Conure owners like to teach this popular trick to their birds. With your conure perched on your finger outside of his cage, place him against your chest with his back facing away from you. Gently place your free hand on his back and begin to bend your body forward very slowly. Keep your hand on your conure's back as you bend forward. Lying back may feel a bit strange to your conure at first, so he will need your hand on his back to feel more secure with this movement. When he is comfortable lying back on your hand, you can play with him by tickling his tummy. You could also give him small toys that he can play with when lying on his back. When your conure can lie back, you can teach him more advanced tricks like doing back rolls. Ignore your conure's screeches. As important as it is to interact with your conure, you should not pay her attention when she screeches. Conures are prone to making very loud noises. As ear piercing as these screeches can be, do your best to ignore her when makes this noise. If you go over to her cage when she screeches, she may learn that she can screech to get your attention. To her, your attention is a reward for her behavior. Interacting with your conure on a regular basis and giving him plenty of toys to play with may help to temper his screeches. Understand that most birds need to molt. Molting happens to a bird when its feathers naturally shed and new ones replace the old ones. Molting is necessary to any bird's (including conures') growth. Know the age of your conure. Molting begins when the conure is around 8 to 10 months of age and continues on every year. The season in which molting occurs depends on the species of the conure. Understand the conure's stress. The conure will be more annoyed and won't be too cooperative. The conure will feel itch due to the new feathers growing out. Water could be sprayed on the conure to relieve the itchiness. Feed your conure food rich in protein as this will help the new feathers grow back on. Preen your conure. This could be done by gently brushing your hand on the conure's body to help the new feathers to come out. If you have a couple of conures who are molting at the same time, the conures can support each other by preening each other and rubbing their bodies against each other. Preen gently as new feathers could be painful to the conure when touched.	Select a cage. Situate the cage in an ideal location in your home. Place some basic items in your conure's cage. Clean your conure's cage regularly. Place toys in your conure's cage. Provide an exercise outlet for your conure. Consider putting a mirror in your conure's cage. Select a pelleted food and seed mix for your conure. Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your conure's diet. Incorporate nuts into your conure's diet. Give your conure grains and legumes to eat. Supplement your conure's diet with extra vitamins and minerals. Avoid feeding your conure certain foods. Develop a feeding regimen for your conure. Gain your conure's trust. Acclimate your conure to your hand. Teach your conure to step up. Teach your conure to talk. Help your conure with her morning bath. Dance with your conure. Play with your conure. Teach your conure to lay on his back. Ignore your conure's screeches. Understand that most birds need to molt. Know the age of your conure. Understand the conure's stress. Feed your conure food rich in protein as this will help the new feathers grow back on. Preen your conure.
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Your-Boyfriend-Is-Abusive	How to Know if Your Boyfriend Is Abusive	Domestic abuse can take many forms, from physical and sexual violence to emotional manipulation, but none of it is acceptable. If your boyfriend hurts you physically, pressures you into sex when you don't feel like it, or even just threatens to do those things, this is abuse. However, there are many subtler forms of abuse, like trying to control what you do, who you spend time with, or what you wear. He might not want you to do things without him or not trust you when you hang out with other people. Abusive partners often criticize you and make you feel like there's something wrong with you. If you think you're being abused by your boyfriend, tell someone you trust, like a friend or family member, or talk to a domestic violence hotline as soon as possible.	Look for controlling behavior. Controlling behavior may seem “normal” to you, but it is a form of abuse. Your boyfriend may say that he wants to know what you are doing all the time because he cares so much about you, but true caring involves trust. These are all signs of controlling behavior: Demanding that you constantly check-in with him, even when it's unreasonable or inconvenient Wanting to know everything you're doing Refusing to let you hang out with people unless he's there Monitoring your phone, internet, or social media use Expressing unhappiness that you spend time with people other than him Demanding to check your texts or other messages Asking for your account passwords Trying to control how you dress, where you go, what you say, etc. Think about how you feel around him. It can sometimes be hard to identify a relationship as abusive, especially if what you think of as “abuse” (usually, physical violence) hasn't happened yet. However, considering how your boyfriend makes you feel can help you determine whether you're in a healthy relationship. You may feel like something is “off,” or like you are “walking on eggshells” and don't know what will set him off. You may feel constantly blamed for the problems in the relationship. Consider the following questions: Do you feel accepted for who you are, or do you feel constant pressure to change? Do you feel embarrassed or humiliated around your boyfriend? Does your boyfriend make you feel guilty for his feelings or actions? Do you feel bad about yourself around your boyfriend? Do you feel like you need to “love” your boyfriend into changing? Do you feel exhausted or tired all the time when you interact with him? Consider how he talks to you. We all say things that we regret. Even in healthy relationships, people will not always speak to each other with kindness and respect. However, if you notice a consistent pattern of disrespect, belittling, intimidation, or humiliation, these are signs that you're not in a healthy relationship. Ask yourself the following questions: Do you feel like your boyfriend constantly criticizes you, even in front of others? Does your boyfriend call you names or other abusive terms? Does your boyfriend yell or scream at you? Do you frequently feel put down, dismissed, ignored, or ridiculed? Does your boyfriend tell you that you'll never find anyone “better” than he is, or that you don't “deserve” anyone else? Do you feel bad about the things your boyfriend says about you? Think about whether you feel heard in the relationship. Some people are natural leaders who “take charge” of things, and that's fine. However, if you don't feel like your boyfriend acknowledges your needs and ideas, or if your boyfriend often makes decisions that affect both of you without talking with you, this is a problem. In healthy relationships, both people listen to each other, even when they disagree, and try to come to a compromise. Abusive relationships are typically very one-sided. For example, consider whether you have a say in your plans together. Do you feel like your boyfriend listens to you, or do you usually end up doing what he wants to do? Do you feel like your feelings are acknowledged? For example, if you tell your boyfriend that something he said hurt your feelings, does he acknowledge the hurt and apologize? Do you feel comfortable speaking up or confronting your boyfriend? Do you feel like he listens to opinions that disagree with his? Think about whether your boyfriend takes responsibility. A common trait of abusive people is that they attempt to shift the responsibility for their actions and feelings onto someone else. An abusive person will also make you feel guilty for not giving him what he wants. This can sometimes be very flattering, especially if you look good by comparison. For example, your boyfriend might say something like, “I'm so glad I found you. You're nothing like the psycho girls I used to date.” However, if you notice that your boyfriend frequently blames other people for his own feelings and actions, this is a bad sign. An abusive person might also blame you for his abusive actions. For example, a common excuse for abuse is that “You make me so angry that I can't control myself” or “I can't help feeling jealous of your other friends because I just love you so much.” Remember that each person is responsible for his/her own feelings and actions. You are not responsible for your boyfriend. Abusive people will often try to get what they want by making you feel guilty, as though their feelings are your fault. For example, “If you break up with me I'll kill myself” or “I'll go crazy if you hang out with that guy again.” This type of behavior isn't fair, and it's not healthy. Consider whether you enjoy having sex with your boyfriend. It's a common myth that once you're in a relationship, you “owe” your boyfriend sex. This is totally untrue. In healthy relationships, sexual activity is always mutual, consenting, and pleasing for both partners. If you don't feel like your wishes are being respected, this is a sign of abuse. Some people believe that it is impossible to be guilty of rape in a relationship, but this is not true. Being in a relationship with someone does not create a contract where you can't say “no” to sex. If your partner forces you to have sex with him against your will, even if you have had and even enjoyed sex many times before, this is rape. Having sexual contact with you when you are intoxicated, unconscious, drugged, or otherwise unable to say “yes” is abuse. Think about whether you feel pressured to perform. There are other ways to sexually abuse someone in addition to rape. For example, it's possible for an abuser to coerce someone into having sex even when they don't really want to. If you feel pressured or manipulated into having sex, this is abuse. For example, your boyfriend might say things like “You'd do this if you really loved me” or “All the other girls do this, so you should too.” These are examples of coercion, a way of pressuring you into feeling guilty so that you give him what he wants. Demanding specific sex acts that you don't want or enjoy is abuse. Even if you enjoy some types of activities, you should not feel pressured or forced to participate in any activities that don't interest you, or that frighten or disturb you. It is perfectly okay to say “yes” to some things and “no” to others. Pressuring you to sext or send nude photos is abuse. You should also be aware that if you are a minor (under 18, in most countries) sending or receiving sexts or nude photos could legally be considered a form of child pornography. Consider whether your health choices are respected. You have a right to make decisions about your personal and sexual health. This includes what type(s) of birth control and STI protection you use. Your partner should respect your choices. For example, if you insist on using condoms and other safer sex practices (which you should), your boyfriend should not attempt to make you feel guilty or talk you out of these decisions. Your boyfriend should not attempt to have sex with you without using the birth control/STI protection that you have stipulated. “I forgot to wear a condom” isn't an excuse. Understand that physical abuse may not happen immediately. Abusive relationships don't always start off as physically abusive. In fact, they may even seem “too good to be true” at first, like your significant other is your “dream partner”. However, all types of abuse become worse over time, and if a person is willing to abuse you in one way, s/he is likely to become abusive in other ways as well. Physical violence may also appear in a cyclical pattern. Usually, there are periods of calm, where the abusive person is nice to you and may even go out of his way to treat you well. However, tensions will begin to escalate, leading to an abusive incident. After this incident, the abuser may apologize, say he feels really bad, and promise to change. However, this cycle continues to repeat itself. Recognize that even once is too often. There is no level of violence that's “okay.” An abusive person may excuse his actions by saying he “got angry” or by blaming the violence on alcohol or drugs. However, people in healthy relationships do not use violence to express their emotions. If your boyfriend uses violence in your relationship, he needs counseling. A person doesn't just “become” violent when s/he drinks. If your boyfriend is blaming alcohol for his abusive behavior, he is looking for an excuse to avoid accepting responsibility for his own actions. A willingness to use violence to express emotions is a sign that the violence could escalate later. If your boyfriend becomes violent at any time, you should consider leaving the relationship. Think about whether you feel safe around him. People in healthy relationships still get angry with each other sometimes -- that's human. However, people who respect each other will never harm or threaten to harm the other person, even when they're angry. If you don't feel safe around your boyfriend, it's a good sign that he's abusive. Transgender individuals and people in non-heterosexual relationships may also face the threat of being forcibly “outed” to their communities, friends, family, or school by their abuser. This is abusive behavior. Some abusive people will threaten to harm themselves unless you do what they want. This is also a form of abuse. Recognize other types of physical abuse. Kicking, choking, hitting, and slapping are all obvious forms of physical abuse. However, there are many other types of physical violence that you might not be as familiar with, including: Destroying your things, such as breaking your cellphone or keying your car Denying you basic needs, such as food and sleep Physically restraining you without your consent Keeping you from leaving your house or car, going to the hospital, or calling emergency services Threatening you with a weapon Kicking you out of the house or the car Abandoning you in strange or dangerous places Abusing others, such as your children or pets Driving dangerously while you're in the car Understand that abuse is never your fault. A common misconception about abuse is that the victim somehow “deserves” it. For example, when Chris Brown battered Rihanna, many people quickly believed that Rihanna had done something wrong to “deserve” this abuse. This is not true. It doesn't matter what you have or haven't done; nobody deserves to be abused, and abuse is always the responsibility of the person committing it. This is true for all types of abuse, not just physical abuse. Each person deserves to be treated with dignity and kindness. Contact a domestic violence hotline. These hotlines can help anyone who is or thinks they might be experiencing relationship abuse. They provide trained advocates who can listen to you and help you brainstorm solutions to your situation. In the US, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for free 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE. You can also contact the LoveIsRespect hotline, specifically for teens, at 1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522. Both of these hotlines offer advocates for LGBTQ individuals, too. Talk with someone you trust. If you're concerned that your boyfriend is abusive, talk with someone you trust about it. This could be a parent, a counselor, a school official, or someone from your church. The important thing is to find someone who listens to you without judging you and offers you their support. Leaving an abusive relationship can be dangerous. It's important to talk with people who can help and support you so that you don't have to deal with it all on your own. Remember, asking for help isn't a sign of weakness or failure. It's a sign that you're strong enough to do what's healthy for you. Seek safe shelter. If you feel like you're in immediate danger from your boyfriend, get away as soon as possible. Call a trusted friend or family member and ask to stay with them. Call a domestic violence agency in your area to find a local women's shelter or safehouse. Call the police, if you have to. Don't stay in an environment where you will continue to be abused. If you have been physically or sexually assaulted, call the police and seek medical attention immediately. Build strong support networks. Getting over an abusive relationship can be incredibly hard. Commonly, abusive people isolate you from your other friends and loved ones. An abusive ex can leave you feeling frightened, alone, or worthless. Rebuilding your support networks can help you move on from your abuser and recognize that you're an incredible person who's worthy of respect and caring. Join extracurricular activities and clubs at school. Serve your community as a peer advocate against relationship abuse. Many schools and communities have programs that help educate others about relationship abuse. If there isn't one in your area, start one! Honor yourself. You may have heard so much abuse that your brain has come to accept it as “natural” or true. Remember that the abusive things your ex said to you were not true. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself, take a moment to challenge them. You can find a positive thing to say instead, look for the logical flaws in your thoughts, or reframe negative thoughts in a helpful way. For example, you might find yourself thinking negative things about yourself or your appearance, especially if your abuser was very critical of you. Shift the focus to finding things you love and admire about yourself instead. It may feel “phony” at first because you aren't used to this way of thinking, but consistently choosing the positive will help you overcome the trauma of abuse. If you find yourself generalizing, such as “I'm such a loser,” look for the logic to support these thoughts. Chances are, it isn't there. Focus on specifics, and if there's a real problem, look for ways to address it in a helpful way: “I spent more time watching TV than I should have today and didn't get my homework done. Tomorrow I can focus on putting my homework first and then reward myself without feeling guilty.” Recognize even small accomplishments. Often, people who have been abused struggle with feelings of worthlessness. Take the time to recognize your achievements, even the small ones.	Look for controlling behavior. Think about how you feel around him. Consider how he talks to you. Think about whether you feel heard in the relationship. Think about whether your boyfriend takes responsibility. Consider whether you enjoy having sex with your boyfriend. Think about whether you feel pressured to perform. Consider whether your health choices are respected. Understand that physical abuse may not happen immediately. Recognize that even once is too often. Think about whether you feel safe around him. Recognize other types of physical abuse. Understand that abuse is never your fault. Contact a domestic violence hotline. Talk with someone you trust. Seek safe shelter. Build strong support networks. Honor yourself.
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Commercial-Square-Footage	How to Measure Commercial Square Footage	To measure commercial square footage for your commercial property, you can use several different methods. Useable square footage only covers the space occupied by the tenant. Rentable square footage combines the useable square footage with a percentage of the common areas' square footage. Alternatively, gross square footage covers the entire square footage of the building, which you calculate by measuring the exterior walls. To measure rectangular rooms, simply multiply the length by the width. For example, if a room is 12 feet by 12 feet, it would be 144 square feet. For L-shaped or divided rooms, split them into multiple shapes and calculate their square footage independently. Then, add them together to give you the room's total square footage.	Compare measurement techniques. Landlords may use several different measurement techniques to assess the square footage of a space. These methods include: Useable square footage, or USF: This is the space the tenant actually occupies. Rental agents often quote this figure to prospective renters, but it represents only part of the lease arrangement. Rentable square footage, or RSF: This is the combination of the useable square footage and a percentage of the common-area square footage of the building. Common areas, which are parts of a building all tenants benefit from, include the lobby, elevators, hallways and stairwells. Gross square footage, or GSF: The entire rentable square footage of a building. Decide what method of calculating commercial space is best for you. The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) simplified industry standards for measuring rentable space in commercial buildings in 2010. The BOMA's 2 leading methods are Method B and Legacy Method A. Method B: The new Single Load Factor Method calculates the rentable space for each tenant using a uniform approach in measuring floor area. It is the same for all floor levels of a building. Legacy Method A: The 1996 standard uses separate unit prices for the USF and common square footage. In some cases, it may be beneficial for tenants to opt for this approach. Choose a measurement method based on the property type. Typically, the measurement technique used will depend on the intended usage of the property and the planned number of tenants. Office buildings, shopping centers, and other multi-tenant buildings will typically be measured using RSF. Single-tenant buildings like warehouses or production facilities are measured using GSF. However, landlords may not be required to use a specific method to measure a space. Consider regional leasing standards. Federal law allows landlords to measure rentable space using any method they desire. However, certain parts of the country may have different rules for calculating square footage. Two notable examples are: The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) allows building owners to maximize profits by letting them bring RSF as close as possible to GSF. Tropical areas: New rules account for enclosed and open areas of commercial buildings in areas normally affected by specific weather conditions. Take nothing for granted. Measure the useable space yourself. A miscalculation in determining square footage can cost you thousands of dollars over the duration of the lease. Typical measurement standards allow for a 2 percent error tolerance when measuring commercial space. However, this can translate to a lot of money, especially in large or expensive spaces. Make sure to measure the area as carefully as possible, especially if you are the tenant that might be negatively affected by these miscalculations. Measure simple square footage. To measure commercial square footage for a rectangular space, multiply the length of the room in feet by its width. For example, a room that is 12 feet long by 12 feet wide is 144 square feet. For L-shaped or divided spaces, you can measure rectangles of space independently and then sum the areas to get a total area measurement. Measurements may be taken using a tape measure or laser measuring device. Account for unusual shapes. Take care when measuring irregularly-shaped sections of a room. To conduct your measurement, try splitting the room into shapes with easy-to-calculate areas, such as rectangles and triangles. The area of a right triangle can be found by multiplying the lengths of the two non-diagonal sides (those two joined by the right angle) and then dividing the product by 2. For example, if there is a room with a diagonal wall running through it, you must use a more-complicated formula to determine the area's square footage. If the length of the space with the diagonal wall was 10 feet and its width was 8 feet, the square footage of the area would be 40 feet. That is because the wall cuts the total square footage, which would have been 80 if the room had no wall intersecting it, in half. Measure common areas. Common areas should be measured so that rentable square feet can be calculated. Common area square footage is measured using the same methods as usable square footage unless otherwise provided for in local laws. Common areas might include elevators, bathrooms, lobbies, stairwells, and hallways. Importantly, common areas must be available to all tenants to use or benefit from. Make sure to measure the total square footage of all common areas in the building. Finding gross square footage. Gross square footage measures the total area of the space, including the thickness of exterior walls. To measure this area, you will need to measure wall length from the outside of the building and use those dimensions to calculate square footage. GSF is not reduced for obstructions such as ventilation shafts, support beams, or elevator shafts. GSF does not include open areas such as parking lots, pools, or unexcavated basement areas. Calculate load factor for the building. The load factor represents the additional percentage of square footage added to usable square footage to calculate rentable square footage. To calculate load factor, start by finding the total usable and rentable square footages of the building in questions. Remember that the usable square footage is the area that can be rented to tenants and the rentable square footage is that area plus common areas. Then, divide RSF by USF to get the load factor. For example, if a building has 80,000 square feet of usable space and an additional 20,000 square feet of common areas, the rentable square footage would be 100,000. Then, the load factor would be calculated as 100,000 / 80,000 = 1.25. Finding rentable square footage for a property. The rentable square footage for a property can be calculated using the building's load factor and USF of the property. The load factor is multiplied by the USF to get the RSF. You can then use the RSF and price per square foot to figure out the monthly rent. Continuing with the previous example, imagine that the property is divided in half between two commercial spaces. So, each one has 40,000 square feet of usable space. To find RSF, multiply this amount by the load factor, which is 1.25. This means that the RSF in this case would be 40,000 x 1.25 = 50,000. Weigh the differences in commercial properties. Unit prices can vary widely based on the location and class of the building. The rent on a 500 square foot (46.5 square m) office downtown might run higher than the rent on a 1,000 square foot space (92.9 square m) only 10 blocks away. Buildings fall into 1 of 3 standard classifications. Class A: These are the most prestigious buildings in the most-exclusive sections of a city. Class A buildings command higher rents than average. Class B: This is the broadest classification. Most of these buildings have fair to good finishes. Class C: Units in this class are highly functional but offer few amenities. Rents are generally low. Calculate total rent for a property based on square footage. Rents are typically based on a space's RSF or GSF. Once you have this data, you can use the market price per square foot to determine a rent price for the property. Continuing with the example above, if rent were $1.50 per square foot of RSF per month, the rent would be $1.50 x 50,000 = $75,000.	Compare measurement techniques. Decide what method of calculating commercial space is best for you. Choose a measurement method based on the property type. Consider regional leasing standards. Take nothing for granted. Measure simple square footage. Account for unusual shapes. Measure common areas. Finding gross square footage. Calculate load factor for the building. Finding rentable square footage for a property. Weigh the differences in commercial properties. Calculate total rent for a property based on square footage.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wine-Bottle-Plant-Waterer	How to Make a Wine Bottle Plant Waterer	To make a wine bottle plant waterer, start by cleaning the inside of the bottle with hot water and dish soap. Next, poke a hole all the way through the cork with a corkscrew and gently blow on the hole to remove any dust. Then, fill the bottle with water up to where the neck begins to narrow and place the cork back in the bottle. After that, wet the soil of the plant you want to water and make a hole 2 inches deep into the soil. Finally, turn your bottle upside down and insert it into the hole to keep the soil moist.	Find an empty wine bottle. If you cannot find an empty wine bottle, you can use another empty glass bottle. Keep in mind that the larger plant or flowerpot is, the larger bottle you will need. Here are some other types of glass bottles that you can use: Any sauce bottle, such as hot sauce or soy sauce. Carbonated water bottle Old-fashioned soda bottle Olive oil bottle Vinegar bottle Take the cap or cork off and set it aside. You will be using this later. It your bottle does not have a cork or cap, you can still make it work. Follow the steps for removing the label from your bottle, then click here to learn how to turn it into a plant waterer. Clean the inside of the bottle. Fill the bottle with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Close the bottle and shake it. After a few minutes, open the bottle and pour the soapy water out. Fill the bottle with water again and pour it out. Keep doing this until the water runs clean and there are no soap bubbles left. If you want to remove the label, start by filling a sink with water. Try using your kitchen sink instead of your bathroom sink; it is more likely to have more space. If you do not have enough room in your sink, use a large plastic bin or bucket. Consider leaving the label on. Some wine bottles have interesting labels. You can leave it on your bottle for an interesting look. If you wish to remove the label, keep reading. Add up to 1 cup (180 grams) of washing soda and stir. If you are using less water, you can use less washing soda. Stir the water with a spoon to dissolve the washing soda. Put the bottle into the water and leave it there for 30 minutes. Hold the bottle down until it fills with water and sinks. You want it to be completely submerged. During this time, the hot water and washing soda will dissolve the glue on the label, making it easier to remove. Pull the bottle out and remove the label. The label should slide off on its own. If not, you may have to pull it off. Dry the bottle off with a soft cloth once you have the label off. If there is any residue, you can clean it off using rubbing alcohol or acetone. Dampen a paper towel with rubbing alcohol or acetone, then rub the residue until there is none left. Consider taking the plastic or foam padding out from the bottom of the cap. This may make it easier to poke the hole into the cap. Place the tip of a flat-tipped screwdriver between the edge of the padding and the inside of the cap. Gently push down on the handle. This will cause the padding to pop out. If you don't have a screwdriver, you can use a craft knife instead. Set the cap down on a piece of wood. The top of the cap should be facing you. The bottom of the cap should be facing the wood. This will help protect your table or work surface from getting damaged if you punch the hole too deep. You can also use an old cutting board instead. Hold the cap between your fingers. If you are worried about smashing or hurting your fingers, put on a pair of work gloves. Punch a hole in the center using a hammer and nail. Take a sharp nail and position it in the center of the cap. Hold it steady between your thumb and forefinger. Hit the top of the nail with a hammer. Remove the nail when you are done. Consider using a drill instead. Keep in mind that this will be more effective on plastic caps, and less effective on metal ones. Simply hold the bottle cap between your fingers, and hold the tip of the drill against the top of the cap. Turn the drill on and push down lightly on it until the tip goes into the cap. Stop the drill and pull it out of the hole you made. Wipe off any residue using a damp cloth. You may have little to no reside if you used a hammer and nail, but you may have some dust if you used a drill. Simply wipe the top and inside of the cap using a damp cloth. This will help prevent any clogs. Consider soaking the cork in hot water for 10 minutes. This may help prevent the cork from crumbling when you try to make a hole in it. Poke a hole into the cork using a corkscrew. Place the tip of the corkscrew on the top of the cork, just how you would for when opening a wine bottle. Keep twisting the corkscrew until the metal spiral goes all the way through the cork. Twist the corkscrew in the other direction to take it out. You can put the cork into the wine bottle for this step. The neck of the bottle will help keep it steady while you work. Consider using a long screw instead. Use a screwdriver to twist a screw into the cork. Make sure that the screw goes all the way through the cork, from top to bottom. Twist the screwdriver in the opposite direction to take the screw out. Try using a drill. Place the cork down on a piece of wood and hold it steady between your thumb and forefinger. Place the tip of a drill against the top of the cork and turn the drill on. Gently press down on the drill until the tip goes all the way through the cork. Turn the drill off and pull it out of the cork when you are done. Remove any dust from inside the hole. You can do this by gently blowing into the hole. You can also place the cork under running water, and let the water flow through the hole. This will help prevent any clogs later on. Cut a circle out of fabric. Use the base of the bottle to trace a circle onto some fabric. You will be attaching this to the bottle opening to prevent clogging. You can also use wire mesh instead of fabric. Try using a thin fabric, such as cotton. Thick fabric, such as linen or canvas will be too thick and won't let the water pass through. Fill the bottle with cool water. You can also add some plant food into the water at this point. Do not fill the bottle all the way; fill it up just to where it starts to narrow. Place the fabric over the top of the bottle. Make sure that the circle is centered over the mouth of the bottle. Fold the edges down and secure them. Press the edges of the fabric circle down against the neck of the bottle. Tie a piece of string around the neck and fabric, just below the lip. If you do not have string, use a rubber band or twist tie. When the bottle becomes empty and you need to refill it, simply pull the string and fabric off. Refill the bottle, then put the fabric and string back on. Consider getting a terra cotta or plastic plant stake instead. They are shaped like cones, and are made for wine bottle plant waterers. You can find them in nurseries or in the garden section of a home improvement store. Stick the stake into the soil, and place the wine bottle down into it. You do not need to keep the original cork or cap. You also won't need any fabric or mesh. You may also find these plant stakes labeled as "Wine Bottle Plant Nanny Watering Stakes." Pour water inside the bottle and put on the cap or cork. Do not fill the bottle all the way. Instead, fill it up to just where the neck begins to narrow. You can also add some plant food into the bottle at this point. Select your plant. If you have a very large plant, such as a tree, you may need to make a second bottle. Make sure that the soil is wet. If the soil is too dry, the water in your bottle will empty too quickly. Make a 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) deep hole in the soil where you want the bottle to go. If you don't make the hole first, the bottle may break. The soil may also get forced into the bottle opening and create a clog. If you are going to use the bottle in a flowerpot, make the hole close to the edge of the pot. Try to make the hole at an angle, with the bottom pointing away from the pot's rim. This will allow you to insert the bottle at an angle, and rest the bottle against the edge of the pot. If the bottle's neck is shorter than 2 inches (5.08 centimeters), make a shallower hole. Turn the bottle upside down and insert it into the hole. Keep pushing the bottle until it won't go in any further. The mouth of the bottle should be pressed firmly against the soil. Consider wearing work gloves for this step, in case the bottle breaks. Look at the bottle and watch for any issues. If there are any bubbles or the water level is changing, take the bottle out and try again. This happens when the bottle mouth didn't seal against the soil. Refill the wine bottle when it is empty. This bottle is ideal for the forgetful gardener, or if you are going away on vacation. Give the bottle some color by gluing on flat-back marbles. You can find these vase fillers in most arts and crafts stores. You can also find them in the fish department of a pet store. Spread a thin layer of glass adhesive, such as E6000 or Weldbond onto the bottle, and stick the marbles on. Work in small patches, from the base of the bottle to the top. Leave the neck uncovered. Wait at least 24 hours for the glue to cure. If the marbles keep sliding off, try holding them in place with some masking tape. Simply place a piece of masking tape over the marbles. Stick both ends of the tape to the sides of the bottle. Consider using other items, such as gemstones or sea shells. Use glass etching cream to create designs. Stick an adhesive stencil onto the bottle. Brush on a thick layer of glass etching cream; you can find it in the glass and mosaic section of an arts and crafts store. Wait 15 minutes, or the amount of time recommended on the label, then wash it off. When you are done, pull the stencil off. To create the designs, you can use adhesive glass stencils. You can also use letter stickers. The area around the stickers will be frosted. The area covered by the stickers will be clear. Paint the bottle with chalkboard paint. Buff the bottle with fine-grained sandpaper, and wipe it clean with some rubbing alcohol. Shake a can of chalkboard spray paint until you can hear it rattling. Hold the can 6 to 8 inches (15.24 to 20.32 centimeters) away from the surface of the bottle, and apply a light, even coat of paint. Wait for the paint to dry before applying a second coat. Let the paint cure for at least 24 hours before priming it. To prime the chalkboard paint, rub a piece of chalk over the entire surface, then wipe it off. Because you won't be able to see inside the bottle, consider writing down the last time you filled it right onto the chalkboard surface. Use bottled chalkboard paint to make a label. Make a square or rectangle on the bottle with masking tape. Paint over the square using chalkboard paint and a paintbrush. Let the paint dry before applying more layers. Once you are done painting, pull off the masking tape and allow the paint to cure completely. Prime the paint by covering it with a piece of chalk, then wiping the chalk off. Write down the name of the plant or herb on the label. The bottle will double as a plant marker. Fill the bottle part-way with decorative marbles. Use flat-backed marbles instead of round ones, as they are less likely to fall out of the bottle. They will not only add color to the bottle, but also help regulate the water flow.	Find an empty wine bottle. Take the cap or cork off and set it aside. Clean the inside of the bottle. If you want to remove the label, start by filling a sink with water. Add up to 1 cup (180 grams) of washing soda and stir. Put the bottle into the water and leave it there for 30 minutes. Pull the bottle out and remove the label. Consider taking the plastic or foam padding out from the bottom of the cap. Set the cap down on a piece of wood. Hold the cap between your fingers. Punch a hole in the center using a hammer and nail. Consider using a drill instead. Wipe off any residue using a damp cloth. Consider soaking the cork in hot water for 10 minutes. Poke a hole into the cork using a corkscrew. Consider using a long screw instead. Try using a drill. Remove any dust from inside the hole. Cut a circle out of fabric. Fill the bottle with cool water. Place the fabric over the top of the bottle. Fold the edges down and secure them. Consider getting a terra cotta or plastic plant stake instead. Pour water inside the bottle and put on the cap or cork. Select your plant. Make sure that the soil is wet. Make a 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) deep hole in the soil where you want the bottle to go. Turn the bottle upside down and insert it into the hole. Look at the bottle and watch for any issues. Refill the wine bottle when it is empty. Give the bottle some color by gluing on flat-back marbles. Use glass etching cream to create designs. Paint the bottle with chalkboard paint. Use bottled chalkboard paint to make a label. Fill the bottle part-way with decorative marbles.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Spicy-Green-Spaghetti	How to Make Spicy Green Spaghetti	To make spicy green spaghetti, start by roasting some poblano peppers and peeling off the burnt outer layer. Then, slice the peppers, remove the seeds and veins, and puree them in a blender with some half-and-half. Next, boil some spaghetti for 5 minutes before straining the noodles and transferring them to a plate. Finally, pour the pureed pepper mixture over the spaghetti and dig in.	Roast 2-3 poblano peppers as shown in the picture. Keep the poblano peppers over a fire until the skins turn completely black. Place the peppers in a paper bag and allow them to cool for 15-20 minutes. Peel the peppers - Take the poblano peppers out of the paper bag and peel the burnt layer of skin off of the peppers. You may wish to do this over a garbage can or sink so you can immediately dispose of the peelings. Slice the peppers open and take all the seeds and veins out, and dispose of them. Puree the mixture - Place the poblano peppers into a blender. Pour one cup of half-and-half into the blender. Puree the mixture of peppers and half-and-half. Puree the mixture until there are no large chunks of pepper. the noodles Boil - Fill a large pot with 6 cups of water and put on high heat. Add 3 teaspoons of salt and a splash of olive oil to the water. Allow the mixture to come to a boil. For each person eating, add five ounces of angel hair noodles to the boiling pot. Turn the heat down to medium-high and allow to boil for 5 minutes. Strain the noodles - Rinse noodles briefly with very hot water to remove starch, if so desired. Strain the noodles, removing excess water, and return them to the pot. Pour and mixnoodles. - Pour the mixture of pureed poblano peppers and half-and-half into the pot of Stir the mixture thoroughly so the mixture is evenly spread. Allow to cool, if necessary, and enjoy!	Roast 2-3 poblano peppers Peel the peppers Puree the mixture the noodles Strain the noodles Pour and mixnoodles.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Galaxy-Frosting	How to Make Galaxy Frosting	To make Galaxy Cream Cheese frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter, then add confectioners' sugar, 2 cups at a time. Blend until the frosting is smooth with no streaks. Next, divide the frosting into 4 bowls and use food coloring to create 4 different colors: dark blue, light blue, purple and pink. Finish by mixing in edible glitter, then scoop the different colored frosting into a piping tube, one tablespoon at time. Pipe the frosting onto your favorite dessert, and enjoy!	Beat together the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Blend well on high speed for about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer. Add two cups of the confectioners' sugar at a time. Blend for an additional 2-3 minutes on medium high speed. Mix between each stir until the frosting comes out smooth with no confectioners' sugar streaks. Divide the frosting into 4 medium-sized bowls. Add the food coloring gel. Add in 3 drops of dark blue, 2 drops of purple, and 1 drop of pink and light blue. Stir with a clean spoon into each bowl. Mix until the color is bright and vibrant. Sprinkle edible glitter or disco dust to the frosting. Mix with a spoon until fully combined. Scoop the different colored frosting into a frosting pipe. Spoon a tablespoon at a time of each color until no frosting remains and the frosting pipe is full. For easier handling, place the frosting pipe in a tall glass to prevent gel food coloring stains on other objects. Serve. Pipe the galaxy frosting onto your favorite desserts for a galactic effect. Enjoy! Cream the butter in a large bowl. Blend well on high speed for about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer until smooth. Pour the powdered sugar, adding two cups in at a time. Blend for an additional 2-3 minutes on medium high speed. Mix between each stir until the frosting comes out smooth with no powdered sugar streaks. Stir in the vanilla extract and milk. Mix once more until fully combined. Divide the frosting into 4 medium-sized bowls. Add the food coloring gel. Add in 3 drops of violet, 2 drops of metallic silver, and 1 drop of rose pink. Stir with a clean spoon into each bowl. Mix until the color is bright and vibrant. Sprinkle edible glitter silver stars to the frosting. Mix with a spoon until fully combined. Scoop the different colored frosting into a frosting pipe. Spoon a tablespoon at a time of each color until no frosting remains and the frosting pipe is full. For easier handling, place the frosting pipe in a tall glass to prevent gel food coloring stains on other objects. Serve. Pipe the galaxy frosting onto your favorite desserts for a galactic effect. Enjoy! Combine the milk and icing sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Stir well with a whisk until properly combined. Scoop a spoonful of the icing in a separate bowl. Leave the rest of the icing in the bowl. This will be the white icing for the galaxy glaze. Add 2-3 drops of each food coloring gel into the base. Gently twirl the colors around with a toothpick or kebab skewer, creating color streaks. Take caution not to mix the colors, only swirl them to create the galactic effect for the glaze. Drizzle the white glaze over the colored glaze. Twirl the colors again gently. Sprinkle the edible glitter to the glaze. Serve. Drizzle or dunk the galaxy glaze onto your favorite desserts for a galactic effect. Enjoy! Finished.	Beat together the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Add two cups of the confectioners' sugar at a time. Divide the frosting into 4 medium-sized bowls. Add the food coloring gel. Sprinkle edible glitter or disco dust to the frosting. Scoop the different colored frosting into a frosting pipe. Serve. Cream the butter in a large bowl. Pour the powdered sugar, adding two cups in at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract and milk. Divide the frosting into 4 medium-sized bowls. Add the food coloring gel. Sprinkle edible glitter silver stars to the frosting. Scoop the different colored frosting into a frosting pipe. Serve. Combine the milk and icing sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Scoop a spoonful of the icing in a separate bowl. Add 2-3 drops of each food coloring gel into the base. Drizzle the white glaze over the colored glaze. Sprinkle the edible glitter to the glaze. Serve. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Barbie-Clothes	How to Make Barbie Clothes	To make a Barbie dress, start by cutting a shirt sleeve off a garment along the diagonal line connecting the sleeve to the body. Next, fold the sleeve inside out at the cut end so you're left with an overlap that will be the top of the dress. Then, wrap a piece of elastic taught around the top of the dress, cut it to size, and glue both ends together. Finally, fold the fabric over and sew the elastic in place.	Find an old shirt sleeve. This will be the fabric of the dress, so choose whatever pattern/fabric you want. Cut the sleeve off of the shirt where it meets the body. Make the dress form. Starting at the top where the diagonal cut has been made (because of the way the sleeve connected to the body of the shirt), turn the sleeve inside out and fold it on top of the rest of the sleeve so that there is approximately one inch of overlap on one side and 2-3 inches of overlap on the other side (because of the diagonal cut). Create the elastic band at the top of the dress. Place a piece of elastic about 1/2 inch from the top of the dress. Pull it taut around the circumference of the dress and cut it at the desired length, gluing the two ends of the elastic together with fabric glue. Fold the extra fabric at the top over the elastic band and sew in a straight line below the elastic to create a casing for the elastic band. You can also try shirring the fabric on the top part of the dress for an added fashion statement. Add the finishing touches. The diagonal cut of the dress (because of the original shape of the shirt sleeve) will create a hip maxi dress look with a diagonal overlay. Add a cute necklace to complete the outfit. Make pants. These could work for both male and female barbie dolls, depending on the pattern of sock you use. Find an old sock (mid-calf height socks work best) and cut the foot portion off. Discard the foot part and turn the remaining section inside out. Starting at the bottom, cut up the middle until about 1.5 inches from the top. Sew up the two seams from the incision you just made. To keep the fabric from fraying or splitting, use the zigzag pattern of sewing called serging. This will make two separate pant legs. Turn the pants back inside out for nice, sewn pants for your barbie doll. There will be a natural elastic waist created by the band at the top of the sock. Make a shirt or dress. This method works for both articles of clothing (both shirts and dresses); the difference between the two is simply the length of the sock. Choose your sock (use a child's sock instead of an adult sock) and cut it to fit your design. If you're making a dress, simply cut off the sock several inches above where the foot portion begins. If you're making a shirt, cut 3-4 inches from the top. Make the arm holes by cutting a small V-shaped hole into each side of the sock, just under the elastic band of the sock. Make a skirt. This activity is perfect for quickly and easily replacing missing barbie clothes in a pinch. This is an incredibly simple method to make a quick skirt for your barbies when needed. Find an old child or toddler's sock and cut it to the desired length. The length will obviously depend on how long or short you want your skirt to be (anywhere from 2-4 inches). The elastic material in the sock will allow the skirt to fit snugly to your Barbie's body with no extra steps necessary. Cut the fabric. Choose whether you want to use a single piece of fabric or two pieces for a more diverse look. All together, the fabric (one single piece or both pieces combined) should be between two and four inches for the height, depending on how long you ultimately want the skirt to be, and approximately 7-8 inches long (to go around the barbie). Measure the fabric around the barbie and cut off any excess. Here is an informative tutorial on how to complete these steps. Sew the fabric pieces together. If you chose to use two pieces of fabric, lay both pieces good side down and sew the pieces together. You can use a sewing machine or just sew a straight line with a needle and thread for this step. Make the elastic band. Lay the piece of elastic down on the back side of the fabric about 1/2 inch from the top of the skirt. Fold the top of the fabric over the elastic band and sew it in place. This will make the elastic waistband of the skirt. Cut off any excess elastic from the sides. Sew the skirt's seam. Turn your fabric good side down and fold it in half so that the skirt will appear inside out and you can sew the edge seam (use the serging method here). Then turn the skirt right side out and you will be finished! Finished.	Find an old shirt sleeve. Make the dress form. Create the elastic band at the top of the dress. Add the finishing touches. Make pants. Make a shirt or dress. Make a skirt. Cut the fabric. Sew the fabric pieces together. Make the elastic band. Sew the skirt's seam. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.health/Sleep-Well-During-Pregnancy	How to Sleep Well During Pregnancy	To sleep better while you're pregnant, do something relaxing right before bed every night, like yoga, reading a book, or meditating, which will help prepare your body for sleep. Once you're in bed, try lying on your side, which is usually more comfortable when you're pregnant. You can also put a cushion between your legs or prop your legs up on a couple of pillows to make yourself more comfortable. Being pregnant can also make you hotter than usual, so you might want to turn down the temperature or set up a fan in your room so it's cooler while you sleep.	Watch what you eat. When you are pregnant, you need to watch the foods that you eat carefully, especially any that you consume shortly before going to bed. It is never a good idea to eat fatty spicy foods in the evening. These foods can increase your risk of being kept awake with heartburn. It is generally a good idea to avoid eating anything within an hour or two of your bedtime. This includes liquids too, which can cause you to have to urinate a lot at night as well. Eat smaller meals. In order to cut down on issues with food, such as indigestion and constipation, try splitting up your meals. Instead of eating three large meals, break them up into five or six smaller meals. This should definitely be the case with your dinner time meals, which should be smaller. If you happen to get hungry at night, eat a small snack with protein and good carbs. Eat something like a few crackers and low fat cheese or a whole-grain granola bar and a glass of skim milk. Drink non-caffeinated beverages. Avoid caffeinated beverages after noon. If you need to drink something, drink water or something relaxing, like a cup of decaffeinated hot tea. It is very important to keep yourself hydrated to avoid headaches and other problems that can be caused by dehydration. Exercise as much as you can. You should not neglect your exercise routine just because you are pregnant. Keeping a regular exercise routine can help to make you tired enough to fall asleep as soon as your head touches the pillow. It is important, however, not to exercise immediately before you go to bed. The adrenaline rush that comes with exercise can have the opposite effect of keeping you awake instead of tiring you out. Women often experience leg cramps during their pregnancy. Exercise can be helpful in working out those leg muscles and keeping them from waking you up during the night. Always listen to your doctor if he or she tells you to avoid strenuous exercise. If you are worried about what exercises are appropriate for you, talk to your doctor to get some suggestions. Unwind at night. Instead of doing stressful or strenuous activities in the afternoon and at night, try to do more calming activities. This doesn't mean you can't do anything, it just means that you should take the two to three hours before bedtime to do something fun and relaxing. Don't stress about work or the future. This will only make you anxious and make it harder for you to go to sleep at night. Instead, read, meditate, or watch your favorite show. You can also try yoga a few hours before you go to bed. This can help relax you as well as be counted as your daily exercise. Make sure you find a good prenatal routine that works for you. Ask your partner to give you a massage to ease your shoulders, neck, back, or feet. This may help you relax and begin to feel sleepy. In the half hour to hour before bed, steer clear of too much mental stimulation and light. The light from electronics can decrease the production of melatonin, a hormone your body produces to help you sleep. Try reading or listening to music instead of playing on your phone or computer or watching TV. In the few minutes right before bed, just take a minute and relax with no stimulation at all. Stop reading, turn off the music, and just let your body finish unwinding for a good night's sleep. Make sure that you keep up a regular daily routine. If you try to force yourself to go to bed at the same time each night, it will help your body develop a regular sleep pattern routine. By doing so, your body will become tired at the same time every night, thus making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. It is also okay to add a nap to your regular sleep routine, but only short ones. Napping for a short time during the day, around 30 minutes, can actually help you sleep better at night by making sure that you are not overly tired. Sometimes it can be hard to get to sleep when you are exhausted. Just make sure you don't sleep too long and substitute restful nighttime sleep for daytime napping. Use your bed only for bedtime activities. Don't use your bed for work, paying bills, or any other activity that could make you associate your bed with stress or discomfort. Instead, only do those activities in your bed that belong there, such as sleep and sex. This way, your body will be conditioned to do associate your bed with restful, good things instead of stress. It shouldn't be a problem if you read before bed while in your bed. Just make sure it's pleasure reading and not anything for work or class that might stress you out. Get some comfortable pajamas. You buy maternity clothes for day wear, so you should also buy them for nighttime wear. If you are sleeping in pajamas that don't fit right or are too tight, this can hinder your good night's sleep. Invest in some comfortable maternity pajamas to help you sleep more comfortably. Make a comfy bed. If you experienced discomfort on your mattress before you became pregnant, it is only going to get worse when you are pregnant. It may be a good time to invest in a new mattress that provides you with some good support. This can make all the difference in the world when it comes to getting a good night's sleep. If you can't afford a new mattress, try a mattress pad. This could help your back and legs when you sleep without much added expense. Make sure your sheets and comforter are also comfortable. You don't want to have a great mattress ruined with bad bed covers. Make sure you get a fabric you like and a comforter or blanket that matches your temperature needs at night. Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature. Pregnant women generate a lot of extra heat, so try to keep your room at a cooler temperature to accommodate this factor. Keep an extra blanket near you so that you can cover up if you get cooler during the night because of the cooler temperature. It is better to be a little cold than too hot when it comes to sleeping. It is very hard to sleep comfortably when you are too hot. This temperature may vary depending on your personal body temperature. Keep working at it to find the right temperature for you. 68–69°F (20–20.6°C) seems to work for most people Find a sleep position that works for you. If you are used to sleeping on your back or stomach, you are going to have to adjust to a new sleeping position while you are pregnant, which can be very difficult at first. When you are pregnant, it is best to sleep on your left side, according to the American Pregnancy Association. This position helps increase blood and nutrient flow to the developing baby and it is comfortable for you. It can also help to sleep with a cushion between your legs or with your legs propped up on a cushion or a couple of pillows. This can help to keep your blood circulating to you and the baby and help you sleep better. Consider purchasing a body pillow designed especially for pregnant women. Sleep in an upright position. If you tend to have heartburn no matter what you do, try to sleep in an upright position by using pillows to prop yourself up — just make sure you still sleep on your side. Also, keeping some TUMS close by during the night can help get heartburn under control if and when it strikes. You can also try keeping a light snack like crackers near your bed so that you can snack on them if you are prone to waking up and feeling nausea during the night. Taking TUMS is safe while pregnant. However, ask your doctor before taking other antacids that include sodium bicarbonate, such as Alka-Seltzer and Zegerid.	Watch what you eat. Eat smaller meals. Drink non-caffeinated beverages. Exercise as much as you can. Unwind at night. Make sure that you keep up a regular daily routine. Use your bed only for bedtime activities. Get some comfortable pajamas. Make a comfy bed. Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature. Find a sleep position that works for you. Sleep in an upright position.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Broken-Capillaries-on-Your-Face	How to Get Rid of Broken Capillaries on Your Face	If you've got red spots from broken capillaries on your face, there are ways you can get rid of them. One way is to get laser treatment. This generally takes 3-5 sessions and will remove your broken capillaries. Intense pulsed light therapy is similar but the light targets a broader area than lasers. Talk to a dermatologist about which option is best for you. Although there is limited evidence, you may be able to reduce the appearance of your broken capillaries through home remedies. Try taking vitamin C, Vitamin E, and lysine supplements. You can also try applying grapeseed oil to your face, which may help soothe your skin and reduce red spots.	Talk with a dermatologist about different types of treatment. Laser treatment uses a concentrated beam of energy to heat the capillaries under the skin, targeting each one individually to successfully remove them. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is similar, but targets a broader area. Your dermatologist will work with you to decide which treatment (or combination of both) will be most effective in your situation. When you meet with the dermatologist, ask a lot of questions. Make sure the person has conducted the procedure before with satisfactory results. It's best to choose the dermatologist you go with on someone else's recommendation. Make sure you trust the person to use the procedure that's right for you. Prepare your skin for treatment. You should not receive these treatments while you have a tan or if your skin is irritated; lasers and IPL target the pigment in capillaries and brown spots, and if your skin is dark in color, they won't be able to "see" the places they're supposed to target. In addition to making sure your skin is as pigment-free as possible, follow any other instructions from your dermatologist leading up to the day of the appointment. Generally speaking, in the days leading up to treatment you should also avoid chemical peels, harsh or abrasive exfoliants, and products with retin-A. Take note of potential side effects. Both laser and IPL treatments can lead to minor redness and swelling of the skin for several days after treatment. You'll want to schedule your appointment several weeks in advance of important social events so your face has time to return to its normal state. In rare cases, laser and IPL treatments can lead to skin damage and hyperpigmentation. This is more common in people with darker skin than those with fair skin. Be sure to discuss all the possible side effects with your dermatologist before proceeding with the treatments. Stay out of the sun after you've undergone the treatment. Your skin needs time to heal after treatment, so you should stay out of the sun for several days. Closely follow the after-care instructions given to you by your dermatologist to ensure your skin heals properly. Be sure to have sunscreen ready at home. Sunscreen should be applied daily and you should avoid excess sun exposure after treatment. Generally, during the first two weeks you want to limit your exposure to around 10 minutes. Examine your skin for more broken capillaries. It generally takes three to five treatments to get rid of all of the broken capillaries. If the blood supply to the previous broken capillaries wasn't cut off, or if your skin is especially prone to getting broken capillaries, you may have to get laser treatments every once in a while to clear things up. Try taking vitamin C and lysine supplements. There are no conclusive studies stating that vitamin C and lysine get rid of broken capillaries, but some people report seeing a reduction after incorporating these supplements into their daily routine. Before you start taking supplements, consult with your doctor to make sure it's a healthy choice for you. Too much vitamin C can be problematic. If you decide to take supplements, make sure you don't exceed the daily recommended dose. Rub your face with grapeseed oil. This is a common household product that may help to sooth broken capillaries. The treatment probably won't get rid of the capillaries, but it will sooth dry, thin skin and could reduce them in the long run. Keep in mind, though, that this treatment isn't recommended for oily or acne-prone skin. Take some vitamin E oil. Vitamin E oil is known to be nourishing to skin. It helps the skin replenish itself, reducing the occurrence of broken capillaries and other signs of damage. Taking vitamin E supplements may help make your broken capillaries less noticeable. Hydrate your skin with aloe. Aloe soothes sunburn, of course, but it can also help to ease other types of skin inflammation. Be sure to put some aloe on your face after spending time outside in the sun to moisturize your skin and help heal the damage the sun may have caused. Try a cream with horse chestnut seed extract. This substance is known to help with circulation and improve vascular health. Using a cream that contains it on your face will moisturize your face and improve circulation, reducing the number of broken capillaries you find there. There are no conclusive studies to prove it works, but many have reported seeing results after using this extract. Protect your skin from sun damage. If your skin is fair, thin, or aging, it's especially prone to sun damage. When your skin is weak, capillaries are more likely to become dilated and visible on the surface of your skin. Be sure to wear sunscreen each time you go out in the sun. In strong sun, wear a hat and sunglasses for extra protection. The sun's UV rays can cause damage in the winter, not just the summer. Wear sunscreen all year round. Avoid windburn as well. Wear a scarf around your face if you know you'll be exposed to high winds. Consume less alcohol. Many have reported that consuming alcohol increases the number of broken capillaries on the skin. The alcohol causes the skin to become red and to swell slightly, leading to a higher instance of damage. Be sure not to overindulge in alcohol, and switch drinks if you notice one in particular causing unflattering results. Red wine, in particular, is said to cause inflammation. If you are particularly prone to broken capillaries, even moderate drinking may cause problems. Avoid extreme temperatures. The circulatory system is quite responsive to temperature changes. Your capillaries constrict and expand depending on the temperature, and extreme temperatures can cause more broken capillaries to occur. When you must be exposed to extreme heat or cold, be sure to protect your face so it doesn't come into direct contact with freezing cold or very hot air. At home, keep the thermostat steady so the temperature in your house doesn't rise or fall too much. Use lukewarm water when you wash your face, rather than using very hot or very cold water. Stop smoking. Smoking weakens your blood vessels, which can quickly lead to broken capillaries. Avoid smoking tobacco products as a part of your daily preventative care. If you currently smoke, consider getting help or joining a support program to quit. Eat a balanced diet. Incorporate more healthy fruits and vegetables into your diet. Foods high in vitamins C and K are thought to be particularly beneficial to circulation and overall skin health. These include citrus fruit, leafy greens, broccoli, cucumbers, and other fresh fruits and veggies.	Talk with a dermatologist about different types of treatment. Prepare your skin for treatment. Take note of potential side effects. Stay out of the sun after you've undergone the treatment. Examine your skin for more broken capillaries. Try taking vitamin C and lysine supplements. Rub your face with grapeseed oil. Take some vitamin E oil. Hydrate your skin with aloe. Try a cream with horse chestnut seed extract. Protect your skin from sun damage. Consume less alcohol. Avoid extreme temperatures. Stop smoking. Eat a balanced diet.
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Fire-Belly-Newt	How to Buy a Fire Belly Newt	To buy a fire belly newt, look for signs that the newt is healthy, including an orange underbelly, and no cuts or fungal growth on the skin. Since cloudy eyes are a sign of a sick newt, check if its eyes are a clear brown or black color. If you're selecting a newt from a group, choose one that's larger, since smaller, poorly fed newts can be at risk of disease and early death. Before making a purchase, look for physical signs of poor health, such as a bloated belly, difficulty breathing, or lethargy. Once you've made your decision, purchase a tank for the newt, which should contain mostly water with a dry area made of moss or mulch.	Visit a pet store. While there are specialty stores for amphibians in some areas, many standard pet stores carry fire bellied newts. Call around to local pet shops to see if they offer newts for sale. Compare prices at multiple shops. You will pay a higher price for newts from a more reputable source, but regardless you probably do not need to spend more than $30 for your newt. Ask the pet shop, “How do you get your newts?” You want the store to know where your newt is from so that you can look into the supplier's background and reputation. Newts live 6-10 years. If you find through reviews that your pet store sells newts that have a reputation for shorter lives, look elsewhere. Check out online stores. A number of places sell fire bellied newts through online shops. Look for a shop with humane shipping policies and guaranteed arrival. Check the online provider's shipping policy. Make sure they use a lined box that is especially made for shipping reptiles, as well as heating or cooling packs to ensure the newt's safety. Check to ensure that your provider will overnight or next-day ship the newt. Slower shipping may cause undue stress on the newts, impacting their health. Newts left too long without care may also die. If shipping policy is not specified on the site, call or email the provider to ask, “How do you ship your newts?” Do not buy from a provider that does not use proper shipping equipment, or that will not ship overnight. Look in local pet advertisements. Consider finding a seller through advertising amphibian magazines or local newspapers. You may also be able to connect with local sellers through community posting sites such as Craigslist. Consider using local advertising as a means to rescue newts that are no longer wanted by their current owners. Check with current owners to see if they are willing to include the newt habitat and care equipment for an additional fee. This is often an easy way to get a full habitat at a good price. Look for healthy skin. If you are buying a newt online, ask for pictures and written verification of the newt's condition. Otherwise, inspect the newt for: A bright orange underbelly No visible cuts or abrasions on the skin No fungi or films growing on the newt's skin No bubbling or bloating under the surface of the skin Check for healthy eyes. Cloudy eyes can be a sign of a sick newt. A healthy newt should have clear eyes that are black-brown in color. Clouding and discoloration in the eyes are signs of a sick newt. Do not purchase a newt with clouded eyes, and return any that are shipped with signs of illness. Find a larger newt. You want a newt that is well-fed from the beginning. Avoid small, lethargic newts, as they may be at greater risk of disease and early death. The average Chinese fire bellied newt is 2-4 inches long as an adult, and should look thick with its belly almost touching the floor. The average Japanese fire bellied newt can reach 4-6 inches as an adult, though young newts may be as small as 2 inches. Japanese newts are more slender but should still be as thick by their hind legs as they are near their head. Look for behavioral signs of illness. You may notice signs of illness at the pet store, or during the first few days of having a newt. Talk to the pet store about their return policy to see if it covers animals that show signs of illness soon after purchase. Rapid weight loss, distressed breathing, lethargy, diarrhea, a bloated abdomen, and poor balance are all signs of illness in newts. Find a tank. Your newt is going to need a habitat as soon as it arrives. Use a glass or acrylic tank as a terrarium. Ten gallons is the minimum size you need for one newt. For more newts, you will need more space. 1-2 newts: 10 gallon (37.9 L) 3-5 newts: 20 gallon (75.7 L) Get a good substrate. Newts prefer a mostly aquatic habitat, with a small land area. Try smooth slate or gravel for the water area, and a land area with a moss or mulch-type soil. Plant the land area with decorative plants that have large, broad leaves, as well as stacked rocks for basking. Fire bellied newts often appreciate underwater vegetation, as well. Set up climate control. Newts need a consistent climate of 58-68°F or 14-20°C. Letting a newt get too hot or too cold could be damaging to its health. Use heat lamps in cold climates to keep your newts warm. If your newt habitat is getting too warm, air conditioning is often the best option. If that is not available, some newt owners have successfully cooled their pets using fans above the tank, or ice packs against the outer walls of the habitat. Provide good lighting. Newts need 10-12 hours of full spectrum UVA lighting a day. Purchase lamps and proper bulbs that fit over the edge of your terrarium. You may be able to provide proper lighting and heating with the same bulb. Check packaging to see if your heat bulbs also offer UV. Feed your newt. Purchase food at the same time as purchasing your newt. Live and packaged foods both provide good nutrition for your newt if used properly. Frozen mosquito larvae, canned snails, and freeze-dried shrimp are all regular staples in a domestic newt diet. Adding live food, such as blackworms, bloodworms, earthworms, and crickets helps keep your newt's diet balanced while hunting them keeps your newt active.	Visit a pet store. Check out online stores. Look in local pet advertisements. Look for healthy skin. Check for healthy eyes. Find a larger newt. Look for behavioral signs of illness. Find a tank. Get a good substrate. Set up climate control. Provide good lighting. Feed your newt.
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Cat-Age-Well	How to Help Your Cat Age Well	To help your cat age well, feed it age-appropriate food that meets its specific dietary needs. For example, if your cat has kidney disease, then you might want to give it canned food that's low in phosphorous. You should also make sure it always has access to clean drinking water so it can stay well-hydrated, which helps its kidney function. Additionally, you can give your cat puzzle toys to keep its mind and body active. Remember to schedule checkups at the vet more often since older cats are more vulnerable to illness.	Be on the lookout for signs of illness. In order to help your cat age well, you should be on the lookout for common signs of illness. This will allow you to get veterinary treatment started quickly. Some common signs of illness that you should look for include: Weight loss Lack of appetite Increased water consumption Lack of usual grooming or self care Lumps, bumps, or swellings Coughing Difficulty breathing Bouts of weakness Difficulty moving Disorientation Vomiting Diarrhea Changes to urination Schedule veterinary checkups more often. As your cat ages, it should have veterinary exams more often because it is more vulnerable to illness. It is recommended that a senior cat (over 10 years) be seen every six months, instead of every year. This allows your veterinarian to catch diseases and injuries quickly and to start treatment for any developing problems immediately. When you get your cat regular veterinary exams it also assures that your cat's vaccinations are always up to date. Your vet may want to run tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), a biochemistry profile, a urinalysis, and thyroid hormone testing to see how well your cat is doing. Provide dental care. Your cat is likely to have more dental problems as it ages but you can prevent many problems with regular dental checks and dental cleanings. Look at your cat's teeth regularly to spot signs of decay or injuries. Also, brushing your cat's teeth at least a few times a week can remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can prevent dental decay. Proper dental care is key for preventing the need for tooth extraction or other dental procedures in old age. If you are having your cat get regular veterinary exams, the veterinarian should also be assessing your cat's teeth and giving you recommendations for proper dental care. Get potential health problems treated right away. As your cat ages, it's important to get injuries and diseases treated quickly. Your cat's ability to fight off illnesses decreases as it ages, so getting veterinary care as soon as possible will increase your cat's likelihood of recovering from a health problem. If you think that your cat might be sick but you're not sure, give your veterinary office a call. Describe the cat's symptoms and ask if they think you should bring it in. Feed your cat quality, age-appropriate food. As your cat ages, its nutritional needs will change. For instance, it may need to eat fewer calories because it is less active during the day. If you have a senior cat, it should be given food that is designed to provide for its specific dietary needs. For example, cats with hyperthyroidism may need to eat food low in iodine. Cats with kidney disease may do better with canned foods that are low in phosphorous. Discuss changes to your cat's diet with your veterinarian. Ask them if they think that your cat would benefit from a senior diet and ask them for recommendations of what specifically to feed to your cat. When switching your cat's food , be sure to do it gradually. Switching a cat's food all of a sudden can cause stomach upset and illness. Make sure your cat has access to clean drinking water. All cats should have unlimited access to clean drinking water but it is especially important for older cats. Older cats are more at risk for problems with their kidney function and having access to drinking water can help to keep them hydrated. If your cat isn't interested in drinking water, and you are afraid it is getting dehydrated, consider switching the cat's food to wet food. The moisture in wet food can help to keep an aging cat hydrated. Give your cat lots of love and affection. As your cat ages it may spend more time enjoying quiet time alone. However, that doesn't mean that it doesn't still need quality time with you. Be sure that you are giving all the love and attention that you always have, and maybe even a little more. Many older cats love curling up on their owner's laps and getting lots of petting and affection. If your cat is having a hard time moving around, go to where it is instead of waiting for it to come to you and give it some love. Provide stimulation for your cat's mind and body. As your cat ages it needs to continue to have lots of stimulation to keep both its mind and body active. Give your older cat puzzle toys to play with and play with it daily to keep it active. Even a few minutes of play each day can help an older cat to age well. Many cats love to play well into old age. They may not be able to play for as long, or as vigorously, but they still benefit from the exercise, attention, and brain stimulation. Make sure your cat has easy access to everything it needs. As your cat ages, it may not be as agile as it once was. This may make it difficult for the cat to access the items it needs on a daily basis. For example, a cat that has always eaten its food up on a high counter may have difficulty jumping up on that counter as it ages. With this in mind, think about all the things your cat uses on a daily basis and make sure they are easily accessible. Another example is your cat's litter box. If your aging cat has mobility issues, it may become difficult for the cat to jump in and out of a litter box with high sides. In this case, consider replacing your cat's old litter with a new one with low sides. Also, place it in a location that is easily accessible. You may also want to consider placing food, water, and litter boxes in multiple locations in your home. This will make it easier for your aging cat to access these essential items at any time, especially if your home has more than one floor. Add stairs or ramps to allow easy access around your home. As your cat ages it may need some help to get around your home with ease. Provide stairs, ramps, or other things to help your cat move onto high surfaces or to different levels of your home. For example, your cat may need help getting up to its sleeping spot on your bed if your bed is very high. Provide a piece of furniture as a halfway point for it to jump up to on its way up to the bed. Provide warm and comfortable spaces for the cat. Your cat may have been wild and active when it was young, but it is likely that it will slow down with age and spend more time napping. An aging cat usually benefits from having a warm and quiet spot that it all its own where it can go to get a cat nap. Provide your cat with such a space, preferably one that is warmed by the sun or a heating vent nearby. Your cat may pick a place that it likes to nap on its own. If your cat has a favorite spot, try to make that spot very comfy. Add a soft pillow or a heated cat bed to make the spot ideal.	Be on the lookout for signs of illness. Schedule veterinary checkups more often. Provide dental care. Get potential health problems treated right away. Feed your cat quality, age-appropriate food. Make sure your cat has access to clean drinking water. Give your cat lots of love and affection. Provide stimulation for your cat's mind and body. Make sure your cat has easy access to everything it needs. Add stairs or ramps to allow easy access around your home. Provide warm and comfortable spaces for the cat.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chilli-Paneer	How to Make Chilli Paneer	To make chilli paneer, mix maida, cornflour, and salt to make a thick batter. Next, dip the paneer cubes in the batter, deep fry them, and let them drain on a paper towel. Then, add 2 teaspoons of oil to a skillet and saute the onions, capsicum, green chillies, and crushed garlic until they're lightly browned. Finally, stir in the sauces, spices, lemon juice, and fried paneer cubes. Once the ingredients are heated through, plate the dish, pour the spicy sauce on top, and garnish with fresh coriander before serving it with rice.	Mix the maida and cornflour with salt to make a thick batter. The batter should be consistent enough to coat the paneer smoothly. Dip the paneer cubes in the batter. Deep fry the coated paneer cubes. After deep frying, drain on a paper towel. Cut the onions and capsicum into fine cubes. Slit the green chillies and crush the garlic cloves roughly. Heat a pan with 2 teaspoons of oil. Add the crushed garlic and green chillies. Give it a stir. Add the onions. Fry till they turn slight brown. Add the capsicums. Mix it on a high flame. Reduce the flame. Add the sauces, pepper and salt. Mix it well. Add the deep fried paneer cubes and lemon juice. Mix till all blends well. Place the fried paneer cubes on plates. Pour the spicy sauce over the top. Add the coriander leaves around the dish. Serve hot. Serve with tasty fried rice or use it as a starter dish.	Mix the maida and cornflour with salt to make a thick batter. Dip the paneer cubes in the batter. Deep fry the coated paneer cubes. Cut the onions and capsicum into fine cubes. Heat a pan with 2 teaspoons of oil. Add the onions. Add the capsicums. Reduce the flame. Add the deep fried paneer cubes and lemon juice. Place the fried paneer cubes on plates. Pour the spicy sauce over the top. Add the coriander leaves around the dish. Serve hot.
https://www.wikihow.com/Relieve-Sciatica-Pain-During-Pregnancy	How to Relieve Sciatica Pain During Pregnancy	To relieve sciatica pain during pregnancy, try lying on the side opposite to your pain to relieve the pressure from your joints and muscles. When sitting down, you can also place a small cushion or rolled up towel behind your lower back to support your spine and reduce the pressure on your sciatic nerve. If that doesn't help, try taking a warm shower or bath to ease your aches and pains. Alternatively, apply a warm heating pad to the painful area for 10 minutes.	Lie on your side, opposite of the pain. If you feel pain on the right side of your body, try lying down on the left side, or vice versa. Sometimes the discomfort experienced on one side will disappear if no additional pressure is applied to the area. Resting your body this way will also remove pressure from your joints and muscles. If possible, do this whenever you experience severe sciatic pain. Purchase a pregnancy wedge pillow to place behind your back while you sleep if you tend to toss and turn at night. Support your spine with a small cushion when sitting. Place a small lumbar cushion behind your lower back when sitting down. The cushion may help to ease your sciatic pain by supporting your spine and reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve. It will also ensure that you sit up straight, which will help reduce back pain. If you don't have a lumbar cushion, place a rolled up towel behind your lower back for the same effect. Purchase a pregnancy support belt to relieve the strain on your back. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a pregnancy support belt, which fits under your stomach and around your back to disperse the extra weight you are carrying. These garments come in different sizes, shapes, materials, and fits. Ask your doctor to recommend a type of support belt. You may need to adjust the belt or buy a larger size as your pregnancy progresses. Most pregnancy belts are made of cotton or nylon, and fasten with hooks or velcro. For a wide selection of pregnancy support belts, browse online medical supply stores. Wear shoes with a low or flat heel. If you are suffering from sciatica, avoid shoes with high heels, which direct your body weight backwards. This kind of pressure places tension on your lower back, aggravating the sciatic nerve. Wear flat shoes or shoes with small, low heels to keep your weight centered. If you have flat feet or back problems, you may actually need to wear a small heel instead. Consult a podiatrist for more advice. Avoid lifting heavy objects. If possible, avoid lifting any kind of heavy objects while you are pregnant. Strenuous lifting can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. If you have to lift heavy objects, make sure to keep your back straight and bend and lift with your knees. Ask others for help moving large items or carrying heavy bags, especially in the last trimester. As a general rule, avoid lifting anything over 25 pounds while you are pregnant. Maintain good posture. Slouching or slumping over can put undue pressure on your lower back, aggravating your sciatic nerve. Maintain good posture when sitting and standing and balance your body weight evenly. When sitting, aim to arch your back slightly to keep your body upright. Always keep your head straight and shoulders back. Apply a warm heating pad to the painful area for 10 minutes. Use an electric or reheatable heating pad to ease the discomfort of sciatica. Place the pad over the painful area and leave it there for 10 minutes. To prevent burning or irritation, avoid touching the heating pad directly to your skin. Make sure that the heating pad is warm, but not hot. You can purchase a heating pad or make your own. Avoid using a heating pad for more than 10 minutes per hour. Take a warm shower or bath. A warm shower or bath will help to ease aches and pains temporarily, including sciatica. Aim for water that is moderately warm, but not hot. Your body temperature should not be raised more than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 39 degrees Celsius) for more than 10 minutes. If the water is too hot, you may feel dizzy or weak. In this case, stop the bath or shower. Swim to relieve your sciatica pain. When submerged in water, the body experiences a feeling of weightlessness, which can reduce the pressure placed on your sciatic nerve. Swim leisurely for 30-60 minutes at a time to relax your body. Avoid rigorous swimming, which may exhaust or strain your muscles. Stop swimming if you experience dizziness or weakness. Ask your doctor about taking acetaminophen for the pain. If your sciatica pain is severe, consult your doctor to see if it is all right for you to take an over-the-counter medication. Your doctor will likely prescribe acetaminophen in a dose that is just high enough to take the edge off the pain. To ensure that you and your baby are safe, do not exceed the dose recommended by your doctor. If you're using over the counter medication, use a half dose first to see if that helps. This is usually 325 mg. If that doesn't help, take a full dose (650 mg) after 4 hours. Get a prenatal massage from a licensed massage therapist. Massage therapy can ease sciatica pain by treating the area around the sciatic nerve to relieve pressure. Look for a licensed massage therapist with experience in prenatal massage. Make sure that your massage therapist owns a special pregnancy massage table. To find a licensed massage therapist within the United States, visit the American Massage Therapy Assocation's website at https://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/index.html. Go to physical therapy to learn beneficial stretches and exercises. Ask your doctor if physical therapy is a viable option for you during your pregnancy. They may give you a referral for an evaluation with a physical therapist or chiropractor. In therapy, you will learn stretching and strengthening exercises that will help ease pressure on your sciatic nerve. Your doctor may not recommend physical therapy if you have a high-risk pregnancy. Get acupuncture treatments to minimize your pain. Acupuncture is a minimally invasive, risk-free therapy that can reduce many kinds of pain. It can help ease sciatic pain by increasing endorphins that make you more resistant to pain, and by reducing inflammation that may be contributing to pressure on your sciatic nerve. Look for a licensed acupuncturist and ask if they have any experience with patients who are pregnant. You should check with your doctor before booking an appointment to make sure that acupuncture is a good option for you. If you are looking for an acupuncturist in the United States, make sure they have the professional initials D.A.B.M.A. These initials signify that they've been certified by the American Board of Medical Acupuncture. Acupuncture can also treat pregnancy issues like morning sickness, depression, and sleep problems.	Lie on your side, opposite of the pain. Support your spine with a small cushion when sitting. Purchase a pregnancy support belt to relieve the strain on your back. Wear shoes with a low or flat heel. Avoid lifting heavy objects. Maintain good posture. Apply a warm heating pad to the painful area for 10 minutes. Take a warm shower or bath. Swim to relieve your sciatica pain. Ask your doctor about taking acetaminophen for the pain. Get a prenatal massage from a licensed massage therapist. Go to physical therapy to learn beneficial stretches and exercises. Get acupuncture treatments to minimize your pain.
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Korean-Citizen	How to Become a Korean Citizen	There are a few steps to becoming a citizen of the Republic of Korea, which can take up to 10 years. First, you'll need to get permanent residency. To qualify for residency, you need to be at least 20 and have lived in Korea for 5 years. Unless you have Korean family, you'll need to use the points system to gain eligibility for residency. You'll get points for your education level, income, language proficiency, and any volunteer work. The more points you have, the higher your chances of getting residency. Once you've got enough points, apply for permanent residency on the Korean visa website. Once you've held permanent residency for 5 years, you can then apply for full citizenship. You'll also need to be financially self-sufficient and hold a clean criminal record. Then, you'll take a test and have an interview to prove your understanding of Korean culture, language, and tradition.	Confirm your eligibility. If you are an adult over the age of 20 and have lived in the ROK for 5 consecutive years as a legal resident, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. You must be able to prove that you are capable of financially supporting yourself, that you have no criminal record, and that you have a strong understanding of Korean culture, language, and traditions. You can apply for permanent residency after 3 years of residency if you are an investor who has invested at least US$500,000 in Korean business and provided employment opportunities for at least 5 Korean nationals. Eligibility for permanent residency may also be granted by the Justice Minister in recognition of special contributions to Korea. Determine how many points you've accumulated. If you're not related by blood or marriage to a Korean national, you acquire permanent or long-term residency through the points system. If you accumulate at least 80 points out of a total of 120, you can get long-term or permanent residency – provided all other aspects of your application are in order. You get the most points for age if you are between the ages of 30 and 34 (25 points). The least points you can get for age is 15 (if you are 51 or older). If you have a doctorate degree in science or engineering, you get 35 points. The minimum points you can get for education is 15 (for a high school diploma). The most points you can get for Korean language proficiency is 20 (for grade 6 or higher, which represents advanced language skill). Grade 4, the minimum you need to be eligible for long-term or permanent residency, will get you 16 points. You also get points based on your annual income. If you make 100 million RWK or more in a year, you get the maximum of 10 points. You need to make at least 30 million RWK a year to be eligible for long-term or permanent residency. This would get you 3 points. You can also get extra points for volunteer work and for studying at Korean universities. Volunteer in your community. You can get up to 10 extra points for doing regular volunteer work in your community. Doing volunteer work is not only a relatively easy way to earn points, it also helps you forge connections with the people in your community. Talk to your neighbors about volunteer opportunities that are available. You can also ask around your workplace about community projects you could work with. Study the Korean language. To qualify for permanent residency, you must achieve at least a level 4 score on the Korean proficiency exam administered by Korean Immigration. In addition to being a basic requirement, a level 4 score also earns you 20 points on your application for permanent residency. You can learn more about the Korean proficiency exam, TOPIK, and review the schedule of exam dates and locations, by visiting http://www.topik.go.kr/usr/cmm/index.do#. Take the Social Integration course. This course is run by Korean Immigration. It was originally designed for foreign spouses, but it's open to anyone. Taking the course will earn you an additional 10 points on your application for permanent residency. To apply for the course, subscribe online to the Immigration & Social Integration Network. You can complete an online application from the network once you're registered. Completion of the program also may enable you to claim exemption from written tests for permanent residency, or for citizenship later on. Get a sponsor for your application. To obtain permanent residency, your application must have a sponsor. Your sponsor could be an individual Korean national, or the corporation where you work. There are 2 applications, one of which must be completed by your sponsor. Your sponsor can complete their application online at https://www.visa.go.kr/ , or by visiting the nearest immigration office. Your sponsor's application must be accompanied by a copy of their Korean passport and identity card to prove that they are a Korean national. Complete and submit your application. The application for permanent residency requires information about your current nationality, criminal history, and educational and employment background. You can complete and submit an application for permanent residency online at https://www.visa.go.kr/. You can also pay your application fees online with a major credit card. When you submit your application, you'll have to pay application fees ranging between 30,000 and 80,000 KRW depending on your home country and the type of permanent residency visa you're applying for. Gather supporting documentation. The specific documentation you need depends on the type of permanent residency visa you're applying for. All types require you to present your passport and residency card. You also need documents that support the statements you made in your application. You must also have bank and financial statements to prove that you make at least the national income average (about 20,000,000 KRW). You should also get originals and copies of your income statements and employment certificate. Get originals and copies of your real estate registration or lease contract to prove your residency. Attend your interview. Even if you complete and submit your application online, you'll still need to make a trip to the nearest immigration office for an interview with an immigration official. The official will ask you questions about your application, your background, and your reasons for seeking permanent residency. The official may also ask you questions to assess your knowledge and understanding of Korean culture and traditions, as well as your ability to speak and understand the Korean language. During your interview, the immigration official will also review your supporting documentation for your application. Make sure you bring originals and copies of all of these documents with you. Receive the decision from the Immigration Office. Generally, it takes 1 to 2 months from the time your application is received for Immigration to make a decision on whether to grant you permanent residency. The process may take longer if your application is incomplete, or if Immigration needs more information from you. If you currently have a temporary residence permit, make sure it will not expire while you are waiting for a decision on permanent residency. If your application was refused, you can submit a letter to appeal the decision, or you can reapply. Review your application carefully and correct any incomplete or inaccurate information – do not resubmit the exact same application. Register and pick up your visa. If your application is approved, you must register as a foreign resident. Provide your name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport information, place of work, and place of residence. If any of the information you've registered changes, you must report the change to the Immigration Office within 14 days of the change taking place. Live in Korea for 5 years as a permanent or long-term resident. Unless you have a family relationship with a Korean national, you must live in Korea for at least 5 years as a permanent resident before you can apply for citizenship. If you have a long-term residency permit rather than permanent residency, make sure your stay in Korea is continuous and that you don't allow your residency visa to lapse. Otherwise, the time period may start over. Continue studying the Korean language. Although you took a proficiency test for permanent residency, your language proficiency will be evaluated again for citizenship. Practice your Korean every chance you get, and take Korean language courses when you can. The official who evaluates your application for naturalization will likely want to see continued improvement in your language proficiency. Regardless, continued improvement will show your dedication towards becoming a Korean national. Maintain a clean criminal record. If you get charged with a crime while in Korea as a foreign resident, you will likely get deported. However, even if you are only charged for a minor infraction, it could ruin your chances of becoming a citizen. You're also expected to show good conduct and personal discipline. Acts that don't rise to the level of criminal activity, such as noise complaints, could still jeopardize your chances of gaining citizenship. Work continuously to financially support yourself. Not only are you expected to be continuously employed while a foreign resident of Korea, but you're also expected to save some of the money you earn. To be eligible for citizenship under the general naturalization process, you must present a certificate from your bank showing that you have an account balance of at least 30,000,000 KRW. When you apply for naturalization, you will need to provide a statement from your current employer, as well as any previous employers. If you switch jobs while a foreign resident, make sure you stay on good terms with your former employer. Participate in your local community. As with gaining permanent residency, continuing to be an active part of your community is important if you want to become a Korean citizen. This demonstrates that you care about Korea and want to improve the circumstances around you. During your naturalization interview, the immigration official will assess your attitude towards Korea and its culture. Being an active part of your community shows that you willingly give of yourself and your time to better the lives of those around you. Request recommendation letters from 2 qualified Korean nationals. Korean immigration law dictates the types of people who are qualified to write recommendation letters. Typically, at least one of your recommendation letters will be from a manager at the company where you work. Local government officials also are qualified to write recommendation letters. However, if you seek a recommendation letter from a government official, make sure they actually know you personally. Attorneys, judges, and other public officers are also qualified to write recommendation letters. Complete your naturalization application forms. To apply for citizenship, you will need a Naturalization Application Form, a Statement for Citizenship Application, and a Statement of Identity. You must attach a color photo to your Statement of Identity. These forms are only available in Korean. Necessary forms can also be downloaded at https://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/DownLoadTemplPopupR_en.pt. Scroll down to find links to naturalization-related forms. Gather supporting documentation. In addition to the application forms, you will need a copy of your passport, documents proving your financial stability, personal documents such as marriage or birth certificates, and your recommendation letters. Documents sufficient to prove your financial stability include bank or investment statements that show you have financial assets in excess of 60 million KRW, a certificate of income, or a certificate of real estate registration worth in excess of 60 million KRW. Have supporting documents translated, if necessary. If you have documents in a foreign language, they must be translated into Korean by a certified translator. The translated document must be notarized. Documents in Chinese or English are exempt from the notarization requirement. However, they still must be translated into Korean, and you must provide a name and contact information for the translator. Take the comprehensive assessment. The comprehensive assessment is a written and oral test that evaluates basic qualities necessary for naturalization, including Korean language ability and an understanding of Korean society, culture, and liberal democratic values. You can apply to take the comprehensive assessment at http://www.socinet.go.kr/soci/main/main.jsp?MENU_TYPE=S_TOP_SY. Submit your application materials to the nearest immigration office. Once you've completed your naturalization paperwork and gathered your supporting documents, make an appointment to have them reviewed at the immigration office. While you can walk in, reserving an appointment means you won't have to wait. To find the immigration office with jurisdiction over the area where you live, go to https://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt?categoryId=2&parentId=398&catSeq=453&showMenuId=377. When you submit your application, you must pay a fee of 300,000 KRW, as of 2018. Contact the Immigration Office or check the immigration website to get the most current statement of fees. Attend your naturalization interview. Before you will be granted citizenship, an interview with an immigration official is necessary. The official will ask questions about your application and background. They will also assess your understanding of the Korean language, culture, laws, and traditions. You can download an educational booklet at https://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt that will help prepare you for your interview. There are also sample interview questions available at https://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt. You will also be tested on your ability to sing the national anthem. Wait for notification from the Ministry of Justice. You can check the announcement page on www.immigration.go.kr or www.hikorea.go.kr for an estimate on how long you will have to wait for notification. The time frame varies among individual cases and depending on the number of outstanding applications. Apply for an identification certificate. If you are granted citizenship, go to the community centre nearest where you live for your identification certificate and register as a resident. When you become a Korean national, you are expected to turn over your foreign residence card. Renounce your foreign nationality within 1 year. After you are granted Korean citizenship, you are expected to renounce your citizenship in your home country. If you fail to renounce your foreign nationality after 1 year, you will lose your Korean nationality. Go to the nearest embassy or consulate for your home country to renounce your citizenship. Get written certification from a consular officer that you have officially renounced your citizenship. You'll need to submit this to the Immigration Office. If you acquired Korean nationality by marriage to a Korean national, you do not have to renounce your foreign nationality. However, you do have to make a declaration not to exercise it, such as by getting a passport issued by your home country. If you choose to make a declaration not to exercise your foreign nationality, you are only allowed to exercise your Korean nationality while in Korea.	Confirm your eligibility. Determine how many points you've accumulated. Volunteer in your community. Study the Korean language. Take the Social Integration course. Get a sponsor for your application. Complete and submit your application. Gather supporting documentation. Attend your interview. Receive the decision from the Immigration Office. Register and pick up your visa. Live in Korea for 5 years as a permanent or long-term resident. Continue studying the Korean language. Maintain a clean criminal record. Work continuously to financially support yourself. Participate in your local community. Request recommendation letters from 2 qualified Korean nationals. Complete your naturalization application forms. Gather supporting documentation. Have supporting documents translated, if necessary. Take the comprehensive assessment. Submit your application materials to the nearest immigration office. Attend your naturalization interview. Wait for notification from the Ministry of Justice. Apply for an identification certificate. Renounce your foreign nationality within 1 year.
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Stocks-(for-Beginners)	How to Buy Stocks (for Beginners)	To buy stocks, set a goal for your investing strategy, and look at a variety of different companies across various economic sectors. Decide how you would like to invest, whether it's through a diversifying, compounding, or trading strategy. Then, contact a licensed broker to learn about your purchasing options for the stocks and strategy that you're interested in. When you're ready, place your first order for a set amount of money, and watch your investments carefully!	Set your goals. Spend some time thinking about why you are considering investing in stocks. Are you investing to build an emergency fund for the future, to buy a home, or pay for college expenses? Are you investing for retirement? It's a good idea to write out your motivation. Try quantify it in dollars, considering how much money you need for your goals. For example, purchasing a home might require a down-payment and closing costs of $40,000. Retirement might cost $1 million or more. Most people have more than one investment goal. Those goals often vary in priority and timing. For example, you may want to buy a house in three years, pay for a child's education in fifteen years, and retire in thirty-five years. Documenting your investment goals will clarify your thinking and help you focus on the goal. Determine your time frame. Your investment goals will determine the time during which your investments will remain in place. The longer investments can stay in place, the greater the probability of positive returns. If your goal is to have money to buy a house in three years, your time frame, or "investment horizon" is relatively short. If you are investing to fund your retirement 30 years from now, your investment horizon is much longer. The S&P 500 is a collection of 500 of the most widely held stocks. There were only four ten year periods between 1926 and 2011 where the S&P 500 as a whole produced a loss. For holding periods of fifteen years or more, there were no losses. If you bought and held these stocks over the long term, you would have made money. By contrast, holding the S&P 500 for just a single year would have produced a loss 24 times in the 85-year period between 1926 and 2014. Over a short period, stock are extremely volatile. As a consequence, investing for short time periods is riskier than investing for longer time periods. You can gain more if you've invested well. You can lose everything if you've invested poorly. Understand your risk tolerance. All investments have risks because there is always a possibility that you will lose some of your money. Stocks are no different. How much risk you are willing to take is called your "risk tolerance." Before making any investment, ask yourself, "How much money am I willing to lose in the short-term in order to make more money over a long period of time?" In most cases, the more risk you take, the higher the potential return. But, there is also a greater likelihood of loss. One of the first rules of investing is to avoid losses when possible. Do not take on investment risk when it is unnecessary to reach your goals. When entering the investment world, be willing to ask yourself a lot of questions. You want to fully understand what your pain points are, what you're trying to accomplish, and what keeps you up at night so you can develop a portfolio commensurate with your goals and risk tolerance. Calculate the investments needed to reach your goals. Use one of the many free investment or retirement calculators found on the internet. Calculate the rate of return that you must earn and the investment needed to reach your goals. For example, imagine you need $30,000 in three years, but can only invest $500 per month. You will need to earn a whopping 38.2% on your investment each of the three years to reach this goal. This means that you must accept an extraordinary amount of risk. Most people would consider such investments a bad decision. A better choice would be to extend your time horizon to four and one-half years. This would require a much more achievable and safe return rate 0f 4.8%. You could also increase your monthly investment from $500 to $775. This would let you reach your $30,000 goal with a realistic rate of return of 5.037%. Or, you could reduce your financial goal of $30,000 in 3 years to $19,621 in three years while investing the same $500 a month. To reach this goal, your return would only need to be 6% each year. Understand different types of investments. The next task to select which investment is most appropriate for you. An important first step is to understand the different types of investments available. You can buy shares of specific companies. Buying shares of an individual company means that you are an owner of that company. As a result, your return will be like the owner of any other business. If the company sees increases in its sales, profits, and market share, the value of the company will normally increase. This is especially true over a long term. In the short term, the market price of the company depends on how people feel about the future of the company. Emotions, rumors, and perceptions will drive changes in value. The prices at which you buy and sell will determine whether you will make a profit. You can also invest in mutual funds. Mutual funds allow many people to invest together in many different stocks. The result is lower risk, but also lower return, especially in the short run. In recent years, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have become popular. Many people call these “index funds”. These are like mutual funds. They are portfolios of stocks that typically aren't overseen by a manager. Most seek to copy the price movement of an index, such as the S&P 500, Vanguard Total Stock Market, or the iShares Russell 2000. Like individual stocks, ETFs are traded on the market. The value of an ETF can change over the course of a single day. Some ETFs track specific industries, commodities, bonds, or currencies. One advantage of index funds is that they are diverse investments. They reflect the various holdings that make up the index. Some index funds are also available for little or no commission. This makes them an affordable way to invest. Understand key terms. Many people rely on financial news to understand the performance of different stocks or the market in general. To get the most out of these information sources, its important to understand several key terms. Earnings per share: the part of a company's profits that is paid out to stockholders. If you're hoping to earn dividends on your investment, this is important! Market capitalization ("market cap"): the total value of all a company's shares. It represents a company's overall value. Return on equity: the amount of income a company generates, relative to the amount invested by stockholders. This is useful for comparing firms in the same industry to determine which are most profitable. Beta: A measure of a stock's volatility, relative to the market as a whole. A useful measure for assessing risk. As a rule of thumb, beta numbers below 1 represent fairly low volatility. Numbers above 1 suggest higher volatility. Moving average: The average price per share of some company over a specific period of time. This can be useful in determining whether the current price of a stock is a good deal. Pay attention to analysts. Analyzing a stock can be time-consuming and confusing, especially for first-timers. As such, you may want to use research from stock analysts. Usually, an analyst watches specific companies closely to assess its performance. There are free, reputable websites that provide synopses of analysts' opinions on companies. Analysts often provide advice, in the form one or two word recommendations, for each specific stock. Some of these are quite obvious, such as "buy," "sell," or "hold." Others, such as "sector underperformer" are less intuitive. Different analysis firms use different words to make their recommendations. Financial websites often provide guides that explain the terms used by each firm. Determine your investing strategy. Once you've gathered your information, it's time to think about your investment strategy. Different investors have different approaches, and there are several factors to consider. Diversity of investments. Diversification is the degree to which you spread your dollars over different investments. Investing all your money in a small number of companies can lead to a big payoff if those companies perform well. But, this approach also exposes you to a lot more risk. The more diverse your investments, the lower the risk. The more diverse your investments, the lower the risk. Compounding. This is the result of consistent re-investment of any earnings you receive. If you reinvest your earnings, you will then generate more earnings on those original dividends. Some companies have programs that allow you to do this automatically. Investing versus trading. Investing is a long-term strategy that aims at earning money based on long-term growth rates. Prices rise and fall, but hopefully rise in the long run. Trading is a more active process. It involves trying to pick stocks that will rise in price over the short term, and then quickly selling them. This "buy low, sell high" approach can result in big returns, but requires constant attention ad higher risk. Traders try to gauge people's emotions about a company by interpreting historical price movements. Their goal is to buy while the stock price is rising and selling before the price begins to fall. Trading over short periods is high-risk and not for novice investors. Novice investors tend to trade more regularly by reacting to headline news or events, but investing is a long-term endeavor and isn't a reliable way to make a quick profit. Consider a full service broker. There are many ways you can make your stock purchases. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. If you have little or no stock buying experience then you may want to start with a full service firm. Full service brokerage firms are more expensive, but they come with expert advice. For instance, your broker's job is to guide you through the stock-buying process. He or she is there to answer questions. You may ask things like, “What stocks do you recommend based on my risk tolerance?” and “Do you have research reports on the stocks that I want to buy?” There are many full-service firms to choose from so you can ask around for a recommendation. For instance, a friend or family may have a broker whom they trust or have used for a long time. If not, then there are some larger, more reputable full service firms that you can explore. Some of these firms include Edward Jones, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Raymond James, and UBS. Keep in mind that if you do go with a full service broker, you are usually going to be paying larger commissions. Commissions are fees that you pay any time you buy or sell a stock. For example, if you buy $5,000 worth of Disney stock, your broker might charge a $150.00 commission for executing the trade. Consider a discount broker. If you don't want to pay higher commissions for your stock market activity, you can use a discount or online brokerage firm. The disadvantage of a discount broker is that you won't get the advice that you would from a full service brokerage firm. The advantage is that you will pay less and be able to buy your stocks online. Some reputable discount brokerage firms include Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, Interactive Brokers, and E*Trade. Look into direct purchase options. These plans allow investors to buy stock directly from the company of their choice. They come in two varieties: direct investment plans (DIPs) and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs). These plans allow you to buy stock without a broker. Both are inexpensive and easy ways for investors to buy stock with smaller amounts of money at regular intervals. Not all companies have these options. For example, John enrolls in a DRIP plan that allows him to invest $50.00 in Coca-Cola common stock every two weeks. At the end of the year, he will have invested $1200 in the stock and paid no commissions. A disadvantage of investing through a DRIP or DIP can be the paperwork. If you invest in many companies, you'll have to complete forms and review the statements for each one. For instance, if you invest in 20 DRIP or DIP programs, then that's 20 quarterly statements that you are going to receive. On the other hand, if you are investing $1000 every two weeks, that is a lot of commission saved. Open an account. Regardless of which option you choose, your next step will be to open an account. You'll need to fill out some forms and possibly deposit money. The specifics will vary based on which option you choose for making your purchases. If you use a full service firm, pick a broker you are comfortable sharing your private financial information with. If possible, meet face to face so you can explain your needs and goals in specific details. The more information he has, the more likely he will solve your needs. If you use a discount brokerage firm, you will need to complete some online paperwork. You may need to mail in other forms that need physical signatures. You may also need to make a deposit depending upon the dollar value of your initial trade. If you invest through a DRIP or DIP, you will need to complete online and physical documents before buying your first stock. You will also need to deposit cash for any transactions before they occur. Place an order. Once you've got an account set up, making first purchase should be quick and easy. Once again, though, the details will vary based on how you make your purchase. If you have chosen a full service firm, then you simply call your broker. He or she will buy the stock for you. Your account will already be open, so the broker will ask you for your account number. He or she will make sure that you are one of the account holders. Then the broker will confirm your order before he or she places it into the system. Listen carefully. Brokers are humans and can make mistakes when putting in an order. If you have chosen a discount firm, you will most likely place the trade online. When doing this make sure that you follow the directions carefully. Don't confuse stock price with the amount of money you want to invest. For example, if you want to invest $5,000.00 in a stock trading at $45 a share then you DO NOT want to put an order in for 5,000 shares of stock. This will cost you $225,000.00 as opposed to $5,000.00. If you are using a DRIP or DIP, you can find the enrollment paperwork on the company's website. Otherwise, you can call the company's shareholder division and request that they send the paperwork to you. Watch your investments. It is important to recognize that stocks and the stock market as a whole are volatile. Values move up and down, especially in the short term. If you see that one of your investments consistently performs poorly, it may be time to consider a change in your portfolio. Prices reflect human emotions. They will react to rumors, misinformation, expectations, and concerns, whether valid or not. There is little benefit to watching the price of your stock move during the day or week if you are investing for a time frame of a year or longer. Monitoring too closely encourages impulse decisions, which may exaggerate losses. Watch your stock performance over the long term. At the same time, recognize that something can go wrong with one of the companies that you own. For instance, if a company loses a major lawsuit or has to compete with a new entry into their market, prices may fall dramatically. In such cases, you need to consider selling.	Set your goals. Determine your time frame. Understand your risk tolerance. Calculate the investments needed to reach your goals. Understand different types of investments. Understand key terms. Pay attention to analysts. Determine your investing strategy. Consider a full service broker. Consider a discount broker. Look into direct purchase options. Open an account. Place an order. Watch your investments.
https://www.wikihow.com/Dance-Reggaeton	How to Dance Reggaeton	If you want to dance reggaeton, start by learning basic solo moves like the step touch, shoulder pop, heel touch, and body wave. Next, work on more advanced partner moves like the hair flick and lower body isolation. Be sure to practice to traditional reggaeton music, which features Puerto Rican songs with hip hop influences. You can find reggaeton music online or listen to reggaeton playlists through music apps!	Step side to side to do a step touch. A step touch is a popular beginner reggaeton dance move. Step out wide to the side with just 1 foot and then bring your second foot to touch the ground next to your first foot. Try to bounce a little on the spot as you step. Then step to the other side and repeat the movement. You can use your arms while you're doing a step touch too! Bend your elbows and spin your forearms around in small circles in front of your chest. Alternatively, you can take steps that are further apart so that you squat slightly. Jump and bounce your shoulders to do a shoulder pop. Start with your feet together and your hands on your hips. Then jump out so that your feet are wider apart than your shoulders. Bend your knees and your elbows, and then shift your weight from leg to leg. As you shift your weight to each leg, bring that arm up and bend the other arm down slightly. Move each shoulder up and down as you transfer your weight from leg to leg. As you're doing shoulder pops, you can also bring your hands to just in front of your chest and rotate them in circles to make this move more lively. Do alternating heel digs to perform a heel tap. Stand with your hands on your hips and your feet together. Extend 1 leg straight out in front of you and keep just your heel on the ground. Then bring your leg back to the starting position and swap to the other leg. Do another heel dig with your first leg again and then quickly draw that knee up to your hips and back down. Repeat this sequence to perform a heel tap! You can use your arms while you're doing a heel tap too. Swing your arm out in front of you that is opposite to the leg you've extended and then return your arm back to your side as you bring your feet together again. You can also use your arms to pretend to pull up your knee as you draw it towards your body. Do this move fast and try to roll your body in time with the heel digs. Roll downwards through your chest, ribs, and hips to do a body wave. Stand with your feet just further apart from your shoulders and angle your upper body slightly to one side from your hips. Begin by slowly pushing your chest outward and then your sternum in a smooth, rolling way. Gradually bring your chest and sternum back as you push out your ribs and hips in a rolling, wave-like formation. A body wave is an easy and flirty reggaeton move for beginners! When you have pushed your hips out in front of you, start from the top again at your chest and continue to roll your torso like a wave. Bend down slightly and dip your knees to the beat to get low. Stand with your feet slightly further apart than your shoulders and bend your knees. Angle your right knee in towards the center and then back out to the original position. Repeat this movement with your left leg. Then do this twice with each leg again, at double the speed. Try to roll your hips out as you move your legs so that your hip movements are exaggerated. You can also use your arms to make this move even more flirtatious! Girls can click their fingers and swing their arms slightly above their head to the beat of the music. Guys can clap their hands and bounce their shoulders as they move. This is not only a great dance move for a club, but it's also a good leg workout! Swing your hips in a circular motion to do a lower body isolation. Stand with your feet just wider apart than your shoulders and make sure that you bend your knees. Swing your hips back and then forth towards 1 of your legs. As you swing your hips, bend your elbows and swing your arms back and forth from your body, alternating with your hip movements. Then draw your hips in a circular motion behind you, beginning from the side that you were swinging your hips over towards the other side. Try to click your fingers to the beat of the music while you do lower body isolations. Alternatively, you can move your hips in front of you in a circular motion rather than behind you. Step side to side and dip your partner to do a hair flick. Hair flicks are also easy to do with a partner! Hold your partner's hands with 1 arm and wrap your other arm around their shoulders and upper back. Step from side to side with your partner in time with the music and when you feel ready, dip your partner down low so that they lean backward from their waist. Then help your partner sweep back up into an upright position as they flick their hair forwards. Make sure to support your partner's back while you dip them! Hold your partner and keep stepping out and in to do a fast, double-count move. Stand behind your partner with you both facing in the same direction. The person who is standing behind needs to wrap their arm around the waist of the person who is standing in front. Keep your right legs together but extend your left legs out to the side and then quickly back in to the beat of the music. Repeat this along to the song and make sure that you both move your legs at the same time. This move is best done fast at a double-count speed to the music. The guy usually stands behind with the girl in front. While performing this move, the person in front can twirl their hands above their head or run their fingers through their hair to make it even more sensual. Do lower body isolations with somebody else for an easy partner move. Stand facing your partner with the right sides of your bodies close together. Use 1 arm to place around each other's shoulders and your other arm to hold hands. Push your hips back and forth in the same direction, moving together in time to the beat. Then swing your hips around together in a circle, just like a regular lower body isolation, making sure that your hips are staying close together at all times. Then repeat the move but push your hips back and forth in the other direction instead. This move is easiest to do if you keep your hips close together as you dance but your upper bodies titled outward slightly so that each person has room to move. It can be helpful for both partners to click their fingers as they dance to make it easier to stay in time. Wear streetwear when you’re dancing reggaeton-style. Choose clothing for dancing reggaeton that's sexy, casual, and allows you to dance freely. For men, jeans, basketball shoes, and t-shirts are all popular. For women, look for skimpy or tight-fitting jeans, denim shorts, denim skirts, and crop tops. Ultimately, choose something that you feel comfortable and confident in! Both men and women who dance reggaeton tend to wear sneakers. Choose Puerto Rican songs for traditional reggaeton music. Reggaeton music is a specific genre which has Latin America, Caribbean, and hip hop influences. It often includes Spanish singing and rapping. Look for reggaeton music online or listen to reggaeton playlists through a music app. There are also many music videos online which feature reggaeton music and dancing. Popular reggaeton songs include Shaky Shaky by Daddy Yankee, Si Ella Quisiera by Justin Quiles, and Dancing Kizomba by Alex Veliz. Take classes or watch videos to learn more about dancing reggaeton. The best way to get better at dancing reggaeton and to improve your skills is to practice. Use a search engine to find local reggaeton dance classes in your area. You can also ask at your local dance studio if they offer reggaeton classes or if they can't, to recommend a studio that does. There are also plenty of free videos online that you can watch to learn basic reggaeton moves and to get inspired to keep dancing! The more you practice dancing reggaeton, the more you will improve and the more confident you will become.	Step side to side to do a step touch. Jump and bounce your shoulders to do a shoulder pop. Do alternating heel digs to perform a heel tap. Roll downwards through your chest, ribs, and hips to do a body wave. Bend down slightly and dip your knees to the beat to get low. Swing your hips in a circular motion to do a lower body isolation. Step side to side and dip your partner to do a hair flick. Hold your partner and keep stepping out and in to do a fast, double-count move. Do lower body isolations with somebody else for an easy partner move. Wear streetwear when you’re dancing reggaeton-style. Choose Puerto Rican songs for traditional reggaeton music. Take classes or watch videos to learn more about dancing reggaeton.
https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-the-Line-on-a-Black-and-Decker-Trimmer	How to Replace the Line on a Black and Decker Trimmer	If you want to replace the line on a Black and Decker trimmer, start by turning off the trimmer, unplugging it, and setting it down on a table or chair. Next, remove the cap on the trimmer head by pressing in the tabs on either side. Once the cap is removed, pull the spool from the cap and unwind the old line from the spool. To add your new line, thread it into the holes on your spool and wrap it around the spool evenly with 6 inches of slack to spare. Put the excess line through the eyelets on the spool, then thread and wind the other side. Finally, set the spool into the cap, lace the line through the eyelets on the cap, and press the cap back into the trimmer head.	Turn off all power to your trimmer. To safely replace the line on your power trimmer, it's important that it doesn't turn on while you work on it. Unplug the trimmer or remove the ion battery that came with it. This will ensure that you won't accidentally turn on the trimmer and injure yourself. Sit the trimmer on a table or chair. To more easily work with your Black and Decker trimmer, set it on top of a table or a chair so that you don't have to bend over constantly to work with it. Choose a table or desk that comes up to your waist so you can easily replace the parts. Remove the cap on the trimmer head. There will be a cap that covers your line on your Black and Decker trimmer. To remove this, use your fingers to press in the tabs that are on both sides of the cap. Once the tabs are pressed, simply lift up on the trimmer cap to remove it and expose the spool underneath. Pull the spool from the cap. Turn over your cap to reveal the line and spool. There will be two indentations or eyelets on the side of your cap that helps hold the line in place. Pull your line free from the holes on the cap, then grab onto the spool and carefully wiggle it free from the cap. Remove the old line from the spool. To remove the old line, lift it from the eyelets that hold it in place and pull the free end of the line. This will result in removing the old string. Repeat the process on the other side of the spool to remove all of the old lines. Wear gloves when working with your trimmer. Thread your new line into the holes designated on your spool. Purchase a.080 inch (2.0 mm) diameter round monofilament line from a hardware store. Do not use a serrated or heavier line because it can overload the motor and cause overheating. You can also buy pre-threaded spools from Black and Decker's website or at some hardware stores. Wind the line around the spool, following the arrows on the spool. Feed the line through the hole and begin to wrap it around the spool. The more you overlap your spool, the more likely it is to get tangled when you start working with it. Instead, wrap the spool so that the line is wrapped next to itself, not over itself. Most Black and Decker models will have you wrap the string counter-clockwise. Secure the line to the spool and cut the line. Allow for 6 inches (15.24 cm) of slack on the end of your line after you're done wrapping it around the spool. Cut the thread with gardening shears or sharp scissors and put the excess line through the eyelets on the spool to hold them in place. Thread and wind the other side of the spool. Repeat the steps to wind up and secure the other line on your spool. Again, follow the arrows when you are winding up the line. Set the spool into the cap. Make sure that the eyelets on the cap and the spool are also lined up. Line up the hole in the center of the spool with the center of the cap and gently press the spool back into the cap. Once you hear a click, turn the cap over and shake it to make sure that the spool is secure. Lace the line through the eyelets on the cap. Pull the excess line out of the eyelets on the spool and push them into the eyelets on the cap. Your spool is now ready to go back into your trimmer. Line up the tabs on the cap and trimmer head and press down. Press down on the side tabs on your cap to fit it into the trimmer head. Lightly press on the cap until you hear a click. Your spool is now replaced.	Turn off all power to your trimmer. Sit the trimmer on a table or chair. Remove the cap on the trimmer head. Pull the spool from the cap. Remove the old line from the spool. Thread your new line into the holes designated on your spool. Wind the line around the spool, following the arrows on the spool. Secure the line to the spool and cut the line. Thread and wind the other side of the spool. Set the spool into the cap. Lace the line through the eyelets on the cap. Line up the tabs on the cap and trimmer head and press down.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-of-Complaint-to-Human-Resources	How to Write a Letter of Complaint to Human Resources	To write a letter of complaint to human resources, start off by explaining what your complaint is about. Then, provide details, facts, and evidence that support the claim you're making. You should also explain any attempts you've made to solve the problem yourself. Conclude your letter with a request for help, like asking for an investigation or a mediated meeting. When you're writing your letter, try to be as specific as possible by including people's names and also the dates you spoke with them. Before you submit your letter, save a copy for your records.	Identify workplace harassment. Sexual harassment is one form of workplace harassment, but it isn't the only form. You can be harassed on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, or genetic information. Consider the following behaviors, which might qualify as harassment: derogatory remarks or slurs based on the protected characteristic intimidation threats and physical assaults telling offensive jokes Write down details about the harassment. You'll want to give Human Resources as much information as possible. Accordingly, you should sit down and write down the following: Who harassed you and their relationship to you. You can be harassed by a supervisor or by a co-worker. Also, the harassment can come from someone as the same sex as you. When each harassing act occurred—date, time, and location. Also write down what the person said or did, and how you responded. Who witnessed the harassment. Write down their names and job titles. What tangible evidence you have of the harassment. For example, you may have harassing emails, voice mails, or notes. Format your letter. Set up your letter like a standard business letter. If you know the name of the contact in Human Resources, then include that in the salutation. Call and ask if you don't know. Introduce yourself and your purpose. In the first paragraph, you should give HR some idea why you are writing to them. For example, you should state that you want to lodge a complaint about harassment and identify your harasser. Lay out the facts of the harassment. Be clear and get to the point. You want to provide enough information that HR can see there is a harassment problem that needs investigation. Explain where and when the harassment occurred, as well as who witnessed it. Describe the incidents in chronological order, which is the easiest for people to understand. In some larger organizations, HR might not know everyone, such as a coworker. You should identify who they are, e.g., “Jason Jones, who works in the cubicle next to me, saw our boss make the obscene gesture.” Stick to the facts. You shouldn't make any kind of allegation or charge that you can't back up with proof, such as your written memories or a witness. For example, don't speculate about your boss or coworker's motivation for what they said or did. You don't know that. Explain how you responded. This is legally important. Harassment is only illegal if it is unwelcome. If you welcomed the harassing behavior, then you haven't been harassed according to the law. You should state what you did or said in response. For example, you might have told someone not to touch you. Also explain if you tried to resolve the issue. For example, you might have met with your harasser to ask them to stop making sexually-explicit jokes. Remember to explain how the harassment made you feel. For example, you might have had trouble working in a team with the person who was harassing you, which caused you to skip work or perform below your usual standards. Propose a solution. At the end of the letter, you should state what you want from HR. For example, you might want to be transferred to a different department. You can also request that HR investigate and punish your harasser. However, you should probably avoid telling HR to “fire” your harasser. That's their judgment to make. Remember to end the letter by thanking HR for their time. Insert “Best” or “Sincerely,” and then sign the letter. Avoid using offensive language. Although you may be angry, you should try not to show it. Using foul language can only undermine your ability to get help. In fact, the person reading the letter might become angry at you. Instead of writing, “I'm so pissed right now,” write “I am angry.” Instead of “my boss is a bigot,” write “Mr. Jones intimidates me by repeatedly yelling at me using racial slurs.” Send the letter to HR. After you sign your letter, make a copy before sending it. Also hold onto any supporting documentation, such as emails, voicemails, notes, or witness statements. You may need to share them if HR opens an investigation. Identify why you want to complain. There are many issues you should bring to the attention of Human Resources. For example, you might want to complain about the following: You haven't been paid properly: your company might be withholding pay, not calculating it properly, etc. You have not received what you have been promised under your employment contract. Your boss or coworkers are bullying you. Some abuse doesn't qualify as workplace harassment. Legally, harassment must be based on a protected characteristic, such as race, gender, religion, age, etc. Nevertheless, someone might bully you simply because they don't like you, and you should report them. For example, a coworker might say something that makes you uncomfortable. A random sexually-charged joke might not qualify as sexual harassment. However, there's no reason to put up with it. You can report inappropriate behavior that makes you uncomfortable. Gather facts. You have to imagine the HR employee who reads your letter. They might not even know who you are, and they have no reason to believe you. For these reasons, you'll need to fill your complaint letter with facts. Gather the following: What happened, when and where. If you've been bullied, write down the details. Who is involved (your immediate supervisor, coworker, employee in a different part of the organization, etc.) How you attempted to resolve the issue. Did you talk to a supervisor? Ask HR for help already? Write down the dates and the names of who you spoke with. Also summarize any responses you received. Set up your letter. You'll want to write using a business letter format. Properly format your word processing document by choosing a legible font size and style (Times New Roman 12 point works well). Also use block paragraphing. Contact HR and ask who to address your letter to. Your salutation should read “Dear Mr. Jones” or something equivalent. Begin the letter. It's best to get right to the point. State that you want to make a complaint and identify the substance of the complaint. If you work in a large organization, you should probably identify yourself as well. For example, you can begin with something like the following: “I am a data processing clerk in our accounting office. I'm writing to complain that my total pay has been inaccurate for two months now.” Provide details. Give the reader enough information so that they can effectively investigate. If you haven't been paid properly, identify the pay periods. If you're being bullied, provide a chronological discussion of the major bullying incidents. You can provide more detail later. You can write something like the following: “There have been three major bullying incidents” and then write “Additionally, there has been low-level bullying, which I am happy to discuss in person with you.” Explain how you have handled the issue. Let HR know what attempts you have made to fix the problem and why you are unsatisfied with the results. If you've spoken to a supervisor, state so. Remember to provide dates. For example, you can write, “On January 12, I told my supervisor, Kevin Jones, about my pay being wrong. Although he said he would investigate, my pay hasn't changed and he doesn't seem too worried about it. We are now approaching the two-month mark and I am still not being paid properly.” Also let HR know how you have been feeling. For example, if you are being bullied, briefly explain how it has affected your health. Identify if you had to take time off or had to see a doctor. End the letter with a request for help. Ask HR to investigate and to contact you if they have questions. Sign your letter beneath the word “Sincerely” and keep a copy of the letter for your records. If you don't think HR has your phone number, you can include that as well. Meet with an HR investigator. Depending on the severity of your complaint, HR might appoint an investigator to gather more information. You may need to sit down for an interview. Also provide supporting documentation promptly. Although you may be told that the interview is confidential, you should expect many other people in the organization to know what you have written. You may be disappointed with the resolution HR reaches. For example, don't be surprised if management is let off the hook with only a slap on the wrist. Participate in mediation. Human Resources might have a mediation program you can use to resolve disputes. In mediation, you and the person you are having problems with will meet with the mediator, who is a neutral third party. The mediator isn't a judge. However, they can help each side talk and listen to each other. The purpose of mediation is to resolve the dispute voluntarily so that each side can walk away feeling good. If the harassment has been severe, you shouldn't feel compelled to mediate a dispute with your employer. Instead, you should find an attorney and discuss next steps. Your employer might offer “conciliation,” which is like mediation. However, the conciliator is more involved in decision-making than a mediator, who lets the parties decide a proper resolution. File a harassment charge with the EEOC. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigates claims of workplace harassment. You can file a complaint (“charge”) with them. You may also complain to a state agency that investigates harassment. Avoid delay. You have 180 days from the date of the harassment to file a discrimination charge with the EEOC. Your state agency may give you more time. Generally, federal EEOC law cover most employers. But some smaller employers might only be covered by state law. If your employer has 15 or fewer employees, you may need to complain to your state agency. Use the Assessment System at the EEOC website to check whether you should direct your complaint to a state agency: https://egov.eeoc.gov/eas/. Hire an attorney. You need expert assistance to protect your rights. A lawyer can help you if your employer retaliates against you, continues to harass you, or refuses to pay owed wages. Contact your local or state bar association and ask for a referral. Visit the American Bar Association to find your nearest bar association. Ask for an employment lawyer. When you call to set up a consultation, ask how much the lawyer charges. Prepare for your consultation by gathering helpful documents, such as a copy of your complaint letter to HR. At the consultation, you will discuss whether you have a legal case. Not all harassing conduct rises to the level of legal harassment. For example, one off-color joke probably doesn't qualify.	Identify workplace harassment. Write down details about the harassment. Format your letter. Introduce yourself and your purpose. Lay out the facts of the harassment. Explain how you responded. Propose a solution. Avoid using offensive language. Send the letter to HR. Identify why you want to complain. Gather facts. Set up your letter. Begin the letter. Provide details. Explain how you have handled the issue. End the letter with a request for help. Meet with an HR investigator. Participate in mediation. File a harassment charge with the EEOC. Hire an attorney.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Character-Letter-to-a-Judge	How to Write a Character Letter to a Judge	Before you write a character letter to a judge, make sure you're able to vouch for the defendant's character, since you'll need to convince the judge that they're worthy of a lenient sentence. You'll also need to state your relationship to the defendant, and how long you've known them. Once you've identified yourself, give your reasons for why you think the person deserves leniency by mentioning specific examples of their good character. For example, talk about a time when the defendant went out of their way to help someone in need. If it applies, mention how serving a long sentence will negatively impact their family or job. When you've finished your letter, contact the defendant's attorney so they can review the letter before submitting it to the judge.	Choose your materials. A professional-looking letter should by typed on high quality paper and signed with an ink pen. A clean sheet of white 8.5"x11" printer paper is acceptable. You can also find "business" or "résumé" paper, which is usually thicker, and cream or off-white in color. When typing your letter, choose a professional looking font that is legible and large enough to be easily read. If you are handwriting your letter, avoid using lined or binder-style paper. Use a ruler or other straightedge to keep your handwriting straight as your write across the page. Make your handwriting as legible as possible. Write the letter on letterhead, if you can. If you have access to letterhead (official stationery with the name and address of a person, business, or organization at the top), use it. The letterhead could be the official stationery of your workplace. By using a business's letterhead, you imply that you have authority to communicate on behalf of the business, which conveys a level of responsibility and trust. If you are an employee, get permission to use your employer's letterhead for a personal matter before you write your letter. Give your personal information. If you are not using letterhead, provide your personal information to identify yourself. In the top left, write your: Name Address City, state, and zip code Telephone number and/or email address Date the letter. Leave a blank line after your personal information, then type the date on which you are writing the letter. Write out the date rather than abbreviating it, as in "September 21, 2015" instead of "9/21/15." Write the inside address. The inside address (the address written on the letter itself, as opposed to the "outside address" written on the envelope) should include the recipient's full name, title, and mailing address. Leave a blank line below the date, then write the judge's name and address. Use the judge's professional address, which is usually the courthouse in which he or she works. For example: The Honorable [Full Name], Judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Chatsworth Courthouse, 9425 Penfield Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Indicate what case you are writing about. Beneath the inside address, let the judge know the subject of your letter. Use "Re:" (an abbreviation for "regarding" or "with reference to"), followed by a brief identifying phrase. For example, "Re: Sentencing of Jane Doe, Case No. W017344" Begin with a salutation. Write "Dear Judge (last name)," to start the message of your letter. Note that you should use "the Honorable" when referring to the judge, but use "Judge" addressing him or her directly. The titles are still used even if the judge has retired. The word "Dear" is always appropriate in a business context, and does not necessarily mean that the person is dear to you. It is simply a proper opening salutation. Identify yourself and state your profession. In the first paragraph of the letter, begin by introducing yourself and stating what type of work you do. Do not be modest about your credentials, especially if your career places you in a position of high esteem in your community. You want to show that the defendant has a positive relationship with you, a productive and respective member of the community. For example you might write: "I am a local small business owner, and have served this community for fifteen years." Acknowledge the trouble the defendant is in. By letting the judge know that you are aware of what charges the defendant faces, you communicate to the judge that you are still willing to offer your support in spite of the defendant's trouble with the law. For example, you might write, "Mr. Smith has informed me that he faces charges related to possession of narcotics. In light of these circumstances, I am happy to offer an endorsement of Mr. Smith's good character." State how you know the defendant. Your next sentence should specify how you know the defendant, and for how long you have known him or her. Tell the judge whether the defendant is a family member, friend, business associate, member of your church, etc. Give reasons why you support the defendant. You will need to persuade the judge that the defendant deserves leniency. Explain why you believe he or she deserves a second chance, and how the defendant can continue to have a positive impact on his or her family and community. Mention why the defendant is needed at home or work, and how his or her family and community will be negatively impacted while he or she serves a jail or prison term. Use specific examples of when you observed the defendant's good character. Describe a time you saw the defendant go out of his way to help someone in need. For example, "One afternoon, Mr. Smith noticed that one of our neighbors was struggling to make some repairs to his home. I observed Mr. Smith offer his assistance, as well as his own tools and supplies. This instance, among many others, is indicative of Mr. Smith's reputation for helpfulness and generosity in our neighborhood." Take as much space as you need for this section, but no more than you need. Judges' schedules are very busy, so your judge will appreciate a letter that are carefully edited. Put your most powerful arguments first, and phrase your reasoning as succinctly as you can. Proofread the letter. Once you have finished writing it, re-read your letter several times and have someone else read it for you. Make sure your letter is easy to understand and free from errors spelling and grammatical. Once your letter is as straightforward, to-the-point, and error-free as you can make it, it is ready to send. Contact the defendant's defense attorney. Do not send your letter directly to the judge. Defense attorneys prefer that their clients' friends and relatives give the letter to the attorney first so that the attorney review the letter and verify that there is no information in the letter that may be damaging to the defendant's case. If you know someone else who might be willing to write a good character letter for the defendant, let the defendant's attorney know. The attorney may be looking for as many people as he or she can find to write character letters on behalf of the client.	Choose your materials. Write the letter on letterhead, if you can. Give your personal information. Date the letter. Write the inside address. Indicate what case you are writing about. Begin with a salutation. Identify yourself and state your profession. Acknowledge the trouble the defendant is in. State how you know the defendant. Give reasons why you support the defendant. Proofread the letter. Contact the defendant's defense attorney.
https://www.wikihow.com/Harvest-Wheat	How to Harvest Wheat	If you're growing wheat, you should harvest it when the moisture level is between 14-20%, which you can measure with a moisture meter. Once you've inspected your combine to ensure it's working properly and adjusted it to the height of the wheat, drive it slowly through the wheat field to collect the wheat. When the combine is full, dump the wheat into a truck, then dry the wheat completely before storing it.	Measure the wheat’s moisture level. Moisture level will determine when wheat is ready to harvest. Wheat is harvested in the summer months, after being sown in the spring or winter. The moisture content of the wheat is the most critical factor for determining when your wheat is ready for harvest. To measure moisture level, use a moisture meter. They are available at agricultural and farming stores. Grain is ready to harvest between 20% and 14% moisture. Perform necessary maintenance on your combine. This will help to ensure optimum performance. Use the owner's manual to be sure of your combine's specific requirements. Check the sickle to make sure it is sharp, for best performance. Check height and contour controls of the headers. Grease everything, in accordance with the manual, to ensure smooth operation. Inspect the feeder house of the combine to ensure it is working properly. It may seem durable, but it can break if not properly maintained. Check the slats and chains and replace those that are broken, bent, or worn. Examine the drive belt to ensure it is not cracking. Replace the belt if it is damaged. Inspect your equipment each time you use it. Getting in the habit of checking your equipment will make you less likely to miss something. Check air pressure in your combine's tires at least once per week. Remember to gas up your combine before heading out. Check the oil and radiator levels often. Clean the machine of dust, debris, dirt and anything else that may cause problems during operation. Remember to inspect your lights and flashers, especially if you will be traveling on public roads at any time. Adjust the combine header. The combine header will need to be adjusted in relation to the height of the wheat for cutting. The header should be set to get the most wheat with the least amount of straw. Try to ensure 8 to 12 inches of wheat stubble remains. This will help the soil keep its moisture. Be prepared to constantly adjust the height of the combine header as the height of the wheat in the field changes. The header height determines at what point the wheat is being cut, and will therefore have to vary with the height of the wheat. If you see that a lot of straw is being taken in, raise the header slightly. Adjust the reel speed relative to the ground speed. It is important to do this so you do not lose any wheat in the process. Going too fast will either knock the wheat down or cut it poorly. Going too slow can cause the wheat to fall to the ground or not enter the combine correctly. Check behind the the combine to ensure you are not losing grain. If you are losing grain, you are likely going too slow relative to your reel speed. Check your combine's manual for optimal settings to reduce grain loss. Set the rotor or cylinder speed to the minimum level for good threshing. This will minimize damage to seeds. This will need to be adjusted as the wheat crops change. This process is where the grain is separated from the straw. Lower speeds will do less damage to the wheat. Finding proper cylinder speed will take some trial and error. Be prepared to adjust in the field. Set the concave at the widest setting possible to help with separating. Setting the correct rotor or cylinder speed will also ensure no grain is lost through separation. The concave clearance must be set in order that it does not crack the grain. This will depend on the particular crop. If the grain is cracking, widen the concave. The combine will automatically separate and take the grain to grain tank. Adjust the cleaning shoe. The cleaning shoe consists of the chaffer and cleaning sieve. Adjust it so that it is neither set too narrow or too wide. Consult the owner's manual for manufacturer's settings. Higher volumes of grain require a wider setting on the sieve. Set the fan. Be sure it is not set too low, or else the wheat will never make it to the back of the chaffer for it to drop through. Setting the fan too high will blow the light wheat right out of the shoe altogether. Fast fan speeds help clean wet chaff, but can cause you to lose grain at the same time. It is better to start the fan speed off high, and lower if necessary. Be attentive to the conditions around you. Successful harvest requires that you be aware of how the machine is interacting with the wheat. Be prepared to change settings, such as fan speed, as you go. If a lot of wheat is on the ground as you go, it is a good sign that you need to adjust your settings. Dump the grain. When the combine is full, dump the grain into a truck using the combine's unloader. Specific operation will depend on your combine model. Refer to the owner's manual if unsure. You or someone else can drive the truck to your storage facility. There, he or she can empty the truck by dumping it onto a grain elevator, where it can be moved by conveyor belt to storage. It helps if you have a separate person driving the truck. The driver can take a shipment of grain back to he storage facility, while you going the harvest. This increases your efficiency. Clean your storage facility. In order to help prevent your grain from spoiling, ensure that the storage area is clean. Clean your storage facility before and after each use. Sweep away old or spoiled grain. This will help prevent disease and pests from spreading. Spray insecticide inside and outside of bins. Use only approved pesticides; check local regulations. Dry the wheat. You will need to dry your grain after the harvest to ensure it can be safely stored. Air drying leads to the highest quality wheat. You dry the wheat in bins, but be sure not to fill the bins completely. Dry wheat at no more than 60 C. Maintain a temperature of 5 C to 15 C where grain is stored. The higher the temperature, the faster the grain will spoil. For high moisture grain, aerate in order to cool the grain quickly. Monitor the temperature and moisture using a thermometer and moisture meter to ensure proper levels are maintained.	Measure the wheat’s moisture level. Perform necessary maintenance on your combine. Inspect the feeder house of the combine to ensure it is working properly. Inspect your equipment each time you use it. Adjust the combine header. Adjust the reel speed relative to the ground speed. Set the rotor or cylinder speed to the minimum level for good threshing. Set the concave at the widest setting possible to help with separating. Adjust the cleaning shoe. Set the fan. Be attentive to the conditions around you. Dump the grain. Clean your storage facility. Dry the wheat. Maintain a temperature of 5 C to 15 C where grain is stored.
https://www.wikihow.com/Attract-Deer	How to Attract Deer	To attract deer, plant trees and shrubs around your yard that they like to eat, such as elderberry bushes, juniper, or flowering dogwood. Additionally, let your grass grow longer around the edges of your property, since deer prefer tall grass. You can also put out buckets of sweet apples or corn, because deer love the smell and will come to feed on them. Alternatively, draw deer to your yard by putting commercial deer urine lure in the area you want deer, especially around breeding season.	Check local laws before establishing a feeding area. In many states, feeding deer at certain times of the year is illegal and is discouraged. Deer that are fed may become nuisances to people. Make sure that you locate your food plot away from roadways. Deer might not come close if there is a lot of traffic nearby, and luring deer into the path of traffic can have serious consequences. Plant a food plot. A food plot is an area of land that you clear and seed with plants that deer like to eat. You could also plant several food plots throughout your property. Deer are drawn to crops that are high in protein, such as kale, turnips, soybeans, peas, and alfalfa. A mix of plants that include clover and grasses, like wheat, oats and rye, will attract deer. Experts suggest that you plant 60 percent cool-season perennials like clovers, 20 percent cool-season annuals like turnip and kale, and 20 percent warm-season annuals, like corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Deer also like nuts such as chestnuts and acorns. While it may be a long wait for results, planting mast trees such as these will eventually offer deer some of their favorite foods when the trees begin to bear nuts. Other trees that produce fruit deer like are persimmons, pears, and apples. Determine which trees will succeed in your location. Choose food for your plot that is not already plentiful in your area. Thus, if there are cornfields nearby, planting corn might not be as productive. Some hunting stores sell seed mixes that are created specifically for deer food plots. Local seed stores also can sell bulk seed to allow you to create your own blend, with winter peas, fescue, vetch, and sun hemp. Choose a location that is fairly well drained and not subject to erosion or flooding for your food plot. Planting on steep terrain or in a flood plain isn't a good idea. Clear away brush and trees from the plot. Depending on the plot size and the density of the existing vegetation, you may find you need a tractor with suitable implements to clear and prepare the ground for planting. Test the soil for ph and nutrients, matching these to the crop you are going to plant. As a general rule, a ph between 6.0 and 7.5 will support plant growth, beyond this range and you may need to add amendments to modify the soil chemistry. Spread fertilizer in the area to spur plant growth. You will need to try to incorporate the fertilizer into the top 4 inches of soil so it doesn't run off during rain. Spread the seeds according to package instructions. Usually, grains like oats and rye are applied at about 40-50 pounds per acre, and once the seed is spread you will want to rake or disc it in to improve germination. Keep the food plot away from other plants or gardens if you don't want deer to eat those too. Place the food plot away from areas that could flood. Food plots for deer can range from 1,000 square feet to several acres. Provide the deer with a water source. Deer will be drawn to water. This could come in the form of a watering hole or a tank. Make sure you maintain trees on either side of rivers or other waterways to stop erosion and reduce the risk of polluting these streams. Deer also like the cover from the trees. Deer might be drawn to water in a plastic kiddie poll or a pedestal birdbath too. Choose deer urine as a lure. This can be one of the most effective scents for drawing deer to an area. Hunters often use deer lure, but they can also be used to attract the animals for the simple pleasure of viewing them. Put the deer urine lure around the area of your property where you want to draw deer. Apply doe scent on grass or trees if you want to lure bucks. Deer will be most drawn to the scent about 10 weeks before the height of the local deer's breeding season. Hang scent wicks. If you are in a hunting stand, hang scent wicks around your tree stand. The scent wicks are often saturated with buck urine. Put the scent wicks about 20 yards in front of the stand and make sure they are about four or five feet off the ground so the wind will disperse the scent. Minimize human scent on the lure. Deer will be less attracted to the lure if they also smell human scent. So be careful when handling the lure. You can find deer scent in sporting or hunting goods stores. Try using sweet apples. Some deer may love the smell of sweet apples, so you could draw them with the fruit or its scent. This will be on the condition that apples are part of your local deer populations food supply. Plant an apple or crab apple tree around the edge of your yard. Deer will like the cover, the tender leaves, and the fruit produced by these trees. You could also put apples in a tub or bucket in addition to grain or deer feed and see if that will draw the deer. You could also fill barrels or buckets with corn. Try using 5-gallon pails, and put them throughout your property. Use a salt block. Deer may be drawn to salt and mineral blocks, as well as blocks made of cider and apple salt. Feed stores and hunting goods stores should have these for sale. Place the salt blocks at the edge of your property. If you have a food plot, you may want to locate the salt block there instead. Or you could put the salt block near a feeder. You could also bury the salt block in the ground, and sprinkle salt on top of it. It could take several weeks or even months for the deer to find the salt block, so be patient. Buy commercial lures. You can find many different deer scents packaged for sale at sporting goods stores. They include some creative scent combinations said to increase the chances you will attract deer. For example, some stores sell scented deer corn, such as orange-flavored corn. Products flavored with apples, such as corn, liquids and other attractants are known to draw deer, who love apple scent. Use a game/trail camera to monitor your food plot. This will show you what animals are visiting your plot, and help you establish what foods the deer are feeding on, as well as what food other animals may be stealing. Keep pets, especially dogs away from any area you want to attract deer to. Even the scent of a dog can frighten away deer. Grow taller grass. Deer prefer tall grass. So if you want a lot of deer in your yard, you could grow your grass longer. However, they also like a mixture of plant density. Perhaps you could just grow the grass longer around the property's perimeter. Deer enjoy a mixture of cleared areas, young trees and shrubs that provide cover and aid their diets and mature hardwood forests. They like to be on the edges of forests with a lot of different plants and densities. They often forage in clearings, especially at night, but they like to hide in the daylight in thicker foliage. Remove fences that will deter deer. If you have fences around your yard, deer may not be able to move around your property. If removing a fence is not possible, you could create an opening within the fence for the deer to pass through. Reduce bright lights and sounds. These things can scare deer, and make them stay away from your property. A lot of human activity on your property also might keep deer away. Plant trees and shrubs that deer like. Deer will be drawn to certain trees and shrubs. If you plant them throughout your property, they will be a natural draw. Blackberry trees, elderberry, juniper, red cedar, Douglas fir, and flowering dogwood are enjoyed by deer. Plant flowering plants. Deer will like blooming plans and legumes. Pay attention to the edges of your property. Deer often hang out around the edges of properties especially if there is foliage that provides them cover.	Check local laws before establishing a feeding area. Make sure that you locate your food plot away from roadways. Plant a food plot. Choose food for your plot that is not already plentiful in your area. Choose a location that is fairly well drained and not subject to erosion or flooding for your food plot. Clear away brush and trees from the plot. Test the soil for ph and nutrients, matching these to the crop you are going to plant. Spread fertilizer in the area to spur plant growth. Spread the seeds according to package instructions. Keep the food plot away from other plants or gardens if you don't want deer to eat those too. Provide the deer with a water source. Choose deer urine as a lure. Hang scent wicks. Try using sweet apples. Use a salt block. Buy commercial lures. Use a game/trail camera to monitor your food plot. Keep pets, especially dogs away from any area you want to attract deer to. Grow taller grass. Remove fences that will deter deer. Plant trees and shrubs that deer like.
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-a-Ginger-Plant	How to Grow a Ginger Plant	To grow your own ginger plant, look for a plump ginger root that is free of wrinkles, with visible buds, or eyes. After the danger of frost has passed, plant each piece of ginger 2-4 inches deep in a mixture of potting soil and rich compost, with the eyes pointing upward, then place it in a warm, shady spot. Once the ginger has sprouted, keep the soil moist and fertilize it once a month. Let the soil dry out as the stems die back in late summer or early fall, then harvest the ginger or bring it indoors for the winter.	Start in early spring. Ginger is a tropical plant that does not survive frost. Plant after the last spring frost, or at the start of the wet season if you live in the tropics. If you live in a climate with a short growing season, you can grow the plant indoors. Choose your ginger plant. There are many species of ginger. To grow the most common edible variety, Zingiber officinale , all you need is ginger root from the grocery store. You can find ornamental ginger plants with vibrant flowers at a plant nursery, but these are often inedible. Choose ginger roots (technically rhizomes) that are plump and free of wrinkles, with visible eyes (small points) at the end of the "fingers." Eyes that have started to turn green are ideal, but not required. Buy organic ginger if you can. Non-organic ginger may have been treated with a growth inhibitor. Some gardeners find that soaking in warm water overnight will help stimulate inhibited plants. This guide covers Zingiber officinale. Most Zingiber species will grow under similar conditions, but for best results follow the nursery instructions. Cut the rhizome into pieces (optional). If you'd like to grow more than one plant, cut the ginger with a sanitized knife or shears. Any piece at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide with one or more eyes can grow into a separate plant. After cutting, leave the pieces in a dry location for a few days to allow them to heal. They will form a protective callus over the cut surface, which reduces the risk of infection. Each piece of ginger requires 8 inches (20 cm) of space. Use larger pieces if you need to save space. A piece with three or more eyes is more likely to sprout. Prepare the soil. Ginger thrives on high-quality, well-draining soil. Mixing garden soil with an equal amount of well-rotted compost should do the trick. If your soil is poor quality or heavy in clay, purchase rich potting soil instead. If you want to keep a closer eye on the ginger, you can begin with a starting tray full of sphagnum moss or coconut fiber. These materials drain very well, preventing rot in young plants. You will need to transplant the ginger to soil once leaves and roots form, which can be traumatic for the plant. The ideal temperature for sprouting ginger is 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may need to use a heat mat or other heat source to keep the soil a the right temperature. Like most garden plants, ginger prefers mildly acidic soils. If soil in your area is alkaline, adjust it to between 6.1 and 6.5 pH using a garden store pH kit. Choose a location. Ginger prefers partial shade or areas with morning sun only, away from large roots. The growing location should be sheltered from wind and moist, but not swampy. If the ginger plant has not yet germinated, soil temperatures must be warm — ideally between 71 and 77ºF (22–25ºC). If growing the ginger in pots, choose a pot at least 12 inches (30cm) deep. A plastic pot is better than terra cotta, as long as you poke plenty of drainage holes in the base. Ginger can grow in full shade in the tropics, but these locations may be too cool at other latitudes. Try to plant the ginger at a place that gets two to five hours of direct sunlight per day. Plant the ginger. Plant each piece of ginger 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) below loose soil, with the buds pointing upward. If planting in rows, keep each piece 8 inches (20 cm) apart. If planting in pots, plant one piece per large pot (14 in./35 cm diameter). Keep the soil damp. Water lightly right after planting. Check the soil daily and water just before it dries out completely. Soggy soil will quickly rot your plants, so reduce watering or improve drainage if water does not drain quickly. Watch for germination. Ginger grows slowly, especially outside of the tropics. A sprout might appear within a few days if you're lucky, but continue to water for at least a couple weeks before giving up on the plant. Stick to the same watering treatment after germination. Fertilize monthly (optional). Fertilization is not required if the ginger is in rich soil, especially if you've mixed in compost. Have the soil tested first and fertilize accordingly. If soil is poor or you'd like to improve yield, fertilize with a small amount of complete liquid fertilizer each month. Mulch outdoor ginger (optional). Once the ginger has sprouted, mulch will keep it warm and fight weeds, which can easily out compete slow-growing ginger. A thick layer of mulch is mandatory if soil temperatures fall below 50ºF (10ºC) during the growing season. Let soil dry as the stems die back. The stems of the ginger plant will turn yellow in late summer or early fall, as temperatures drop. Reduce water as this happens, and stop watering entirely once the stems die. The ginger plant might not flower the first year or two after planting, or if the growing season is short. Let the plant mature before harvesting. Ginger develops a much stronger flavor if allowed to develop in the ground. After the stems die, and at least 8 months after planting, dig up the ginger rhizome. Cutting off pieces for cooking will not kill the plant as long as you leave some eyes behind. Young ginger is sometimes harvested 3–4 months after planting, usually intended for pickling. Young ginger must be harvested carefully due to its thinner, easily bruised skin. Use a sanitized knife to cut the plant. Prepare for cold weather. Unless you live in the tropics, bringing the ginger indoors for the winter is recommended. Store in a warm, dry location. If you leave the ginger outdoors, cover it with a thick layer of mulch as soon as the temperature drops below 50ºF (10ºC). Ginger is a perennial plant in warm climates, but will rarely survive frost.	Start in early spring. Choose your ginger plant. Cut the rhizome into pieces (optional). Prepare the soil. Choose a location. Plant the ginger. Keep the soil damp. Watch for germination. Fertilize monthly (optional). Mulch outdoor ginger (optional). Let soil dry as the stems die back. Let the plant mature before harvesting. Prepare for cold weather.