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https://www.wikihow.com/Put-Down-a-Hangi	How to Put Down a Hangi	Putting down a hangi will let you cook food underground in a few hours. First, you'll need to dig a hole in the ground. Then, on the ground near the hole, stack wood with stones on top. Light the wood in a few places and leave it for 3 to 5 hours to heat up the stones. In the meantime, line metal baskets with foil and fill them with food. You'll also need to soak a sheet and sacks in water. When the stones are hot enough, use a shovel to move the stones into your hole, place your food baskets on top, cover them with your wet sheet and sacks, and cover the pit with dirt. After 3 hours, uncover the baskets and your food should be cooked and ready to eat.	Gather volcanic stones for the hangi. A hangi for 25 people will require enough volcanic stones to fill a 1 m (3.3 ft) in diameter hole, around 0.5 m (1.6 ft) deep. Non-volcanic stones will crack and explode when heated, which can be dangerous. Use a search engine to find where you can collect volcanic rocks in your area. Collect pieces of hardwood for the hangi. Wood for a hangi must be untreated, and you will need 45 pieces that are 1 m (3.3 ft) long and 5-8 cm (2-3 in) wide. A slow burning wood such as mānuka or macrocarpa works well. A hangi will only be successful if the wood used takes a long time to burn, which is why hardwoods are necessary. Get 3 food baskets. Food baskets for hangi are usually wire trays with sides, but they can be made out of a variety of different materials. Baskets that are made from small chicken mesh, or welded perforated steel containers are common. The number of baskets that you will need will depend on how many people you are feeding. Three baskets will be enough for 25 people. Typically the food is divided into the three baskets, one of red meat, the next poultry, and the last for vegetables. Dig the hole slightly bigger that the stacked food baskets. 200-300mm (7.9-11.8 in) deeper and 200mm (7.9 in) wider and longer than the baskets works well. The hole will need to be slightly larger than the food baskets when they are stacked, so that there is enough room for sacks to be placed on the sides which will protect the food from the embers and dirt. A hole that's too deep or big will make it difficult to retrieve the food safely when it's ready. Overall the hole will be big enough to hold the food baskets, sacks, and stones. Pile the wood and volcanic stones on the ground to make a fire stack. There is no particular order to stack the wood and stones, and all that matters is that there is enough room beneath the stack to start a fire, and that the stones are evenly distributed throughout the stack. The fire stack should be located next to the pit, so that you can easily transfer the hot stones. If you stack the wood and stones the day before you plan to have the hangi, make sure that you cover the stack with a tarpaulin overnight to prevent it getting wet. Light the wood in the fire stack in 3-4 places. Light a match and set alight 3-4 corners of the fire stack. If the wood doesn't show flames immediately, blow gently on the smouldering area to help it along. The fire will spread throughout the stack of wood and stones. Let the fire burn for 3-5 hours before you start cooking. This lets the stones gather enough heat to be able to eventually cook the food. You will know that the stones are ready to use when they are visibly white. While the fire is burning, make sure that somebody is watching it at all times. This will ensure the safety of everyone, and someone can also make sure that the stones are placed back into the fire if they fall out. Watch out for a changing wind direction, as this could blow the stack over. If the stones are particularly large and are having trouble heating evenly, rotate them during this process. Peel and cut the vegetables while the fire is burning. Peel the potatoes, carrots, and kumara, and then chop them into pieces around 13 cm (5 in) in length, or the size of your palm. Aim to have 1 potato, 1 carrot, and 1 kumara per person. Pieces that are too big won't cook properly, but pieces that are too small will turn mushy. If you want to add a seasoning to your hangi, sprinkle some garlic powder or dried herbs generously over the vegetables. Get the meat for the hangi. Common meats that are used are pork, chicken, and lamb. Aim for around 400g (0.88 lb) of meat per person. Make sure that all frozen meats are fully thawed. You can use many types of meat for a hangi. Chicken thighs or whole chickens are commonly cooked, and you can also use whole roast sized pieces of other types of meat. As long as the pieces aren't tiny and won't cook too fast, they will be fine inside the hangi. You can season your meat at this stage if you prefer. Generous salt and pepper sprinklings are common, but garlic with herbs like rosemary and sage are also common. Line the food baskets with foil or banana leaves. Place a thin layer on the bottom of the food baskets, which will help to protect the vegetables and meat from the dirt. Modern hangi is generally lined with tin foil, but for a more traditional approach try cabbage or banana leaves. Place the meat and vegetables in the lined food baskets. Usually separate baskets are used for meat and vegetables, but you can put them together if you wish. Place the meat and vegetables pieces into the food baskets, with a single layer in each. Using only a single layer in each will help the food to cook thoroughly. Use long shovels to transport the hot rocks from the fire into the hangi. When the volcanic stones have turned white, move them carefully to the base of the hangi pit. Remove any remaining leftover wood pieces before you put the rocks into the pit. Place the stones side by side in the pit, with as few gaps between the stones as possible. This part of the hangi process needs to be done as quickly as possible to prevent the rocks from cooling. Rotate people for transporting the rocks as it is a tiring process. Soak 5 sacks and 1 sheet of material in water. Do this while the rocks are being moved from the fire and into the pit. Make sure that the sacks are thoroughly wet. This will help to create the steam that is necessary for the hangi to cook. Mutton cloth, a table cloth, or a bed sheet are ideal types of material to use for the sheet. The size and material of the sacks doesn't matter. As long as you have enough sacks to cover the stacked food baskets, then this is all that matters. Make sure that the sheet and sacks that you use are clean. Slap the hot rocks with the wet sacks gently a few times. This will help to create steam for the hangi. Make sure not to leave the wet sacks on the hot rocks for too long, as only momentarily is best. Put the food baskets on the hot rocks. Place the red meat and poultry in the pit first, closest to the rocks. Then place the vegetable basket on last, so that it is closest to the surface. This order is necessary because the meat requires being closer to the heat than the vegetables. Place a wet sheet of material over the food baskets. Make sure that the sheet is wide enough to fully cover the stack of food baskets. The sheet needs to drape far enough down to cover the bottom basket almost fully, but without touching the hot rocks. Make sure that the sheet is still wet and hasn't dried before you had a chance to put it on the food baskets. Soak it again if necessary. Cover the food baskets and wet sheet with the wet sacks. Place the wet sacks over the food, making sure that as much of the area is covered as possible. Make sure that the first sack covers the very top of the food, as this will be the last one that is removed. Then place the rest of the sacks covering the sides of the baskets until all of the food is protected from the dirt. Cover the pit with dirt. Start covering the pit from the edges, and work your way evenly over the food baskets.When the pit is fully covered, gently smooth down the dirt on top of the hangi. If any steam is released through the top, place more dirt on this area to prevent the steam from being released. This will ensure that the dirt doesn't cave in onto the food. Scrape the dirt off slowly after 3 hours. Use a spade to carefully scrape the dirt off the top of the hangi. Continue this until you see the sacks. Peel the sacks off the hangi. Start with the outermost sack, and remove each layer until you reach the initial sack. Although the sacks will be hot, you will be able to remove them with your bare hands. When removing the final few sacks, be careful not to let any dirt fall onto the food. Remove the 3 baskets of food. Two people are required for each basket, as it will be very heavy and warm. Use gloves or towels to lift the hangi basket out, and carry it away from the dirt to a table to serve. Take the food out of the baskets and serve it. Carve out the meat into slices or portions. Serve the different types of meat on a plate with a few pieces of the vegetables.	Gather volcanic stones for the hangi. Collect pieces of hardwood for the hangi. Get 3 food baskets. Dig the hole slightly bigger that the stacked food baskets. Pile the wood and volcanic stones on the ground to make a fire stack. Light the wood in the fire stack in 3-4 places. Let the fire burn for 3-5 hours before you start cooking. Peel and cut the vegetables while the fire is burning. Get the meat for the hangi. Line the food baskets with foil or banana leaves. Place the meat and vegetables in the lined food baskets. Use long shovels to transport the hot rocks from the fire into the hangi. Soak 5 sacks and 1 sheet of material in water. Slap the hot rocks with the wet sacks gently a few times. Put the food baskets on the hot rocks. Place a wet sheet of material over the food baskets. Cover the food baskets and wet sheet with the wet sacks. Cover the pit with dirt. Scrape the dirt off slowly after 3 hours. Peel the sacks off the hangi. Remove the 3 baskets of food. Take the food out of the baskets and serve it.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-with-LEGOs	How to Play with LEGOs	To play with LEGOs, try building a famous landmark or structure, like the Colosseum or the Eiffel Tower. You can also use your imagination to build landscapes using LEGOs, like a beach, forest, or city. Or, you can build your favorite animals and fictional characters, like dinosaurs or a king and his court. If you're playing with LEGOs with a friend, have a competition to see who can build the highest tower in the shortest amount of time.	Build a local landmark or a famous structure with your LEGOs. Think about some of your favorite places to go, whether it's a museum, someone's house , or a national landmark. Look up a picture of this place online and plan out how you can use your LEGOs to create it on your own, and start building! You can also find instructions online for how to build a lot of well-known structures, like the Colosseum in Rome and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Use a themed set to create a new world to use your imagination. Building themed sets is a lot of fun, but you can also use those sets to reimagine something you've made before. For example, if you have a themed pirate set with a boat and a beach, try changing the landscape and creating a forest instead. Then you can create a new pirate story to go along with the new landscape. This activity is also really good for exercising your ability to “think outside the box” and imagine new solutions to familiar problems. You could even mix together some elements from different sets to merge worlds, like Star Wars and Hobbits. Learn about physics by building the tallest tower that won’t fall over. Each time your structure falls, think about how you can strengthen its base or composition so that it can go higher and higher. Start by creating a wide base, and build up from there. Use square and rectangle bricks, and make sure to keep each new level of the tower even. Taper the bricks as you make it taller, so that it eventually comes to a point. You could even have a competition between yourself and a friend to see who can make the tallest one! The tallest LEGO tower today is 118 feet (36 m) tall. Craft your favorite characters or animals out of LEGOs. Minions, cats, dinosaurs, Star Wars characters, Harry Potter characters, princesses, and unicorns—you can make almost anything out of LEGOs. Find an image you want to recreate and pick out your LEGO pieces. Make sure to match the right colors as much as you can, or go off book and make a differently color-themed character. You could even craft a LEGO world around the new character you built. For example, if you build a dinosaur you could make several more and create a jungle with trees, rivers, and huts for them to walk around in. Freestyle your LEGO play to create something new. Part of the fun of playing with LEGOs is spreading them out all around you and letting your imagination run wild. Start building with something in mind, or simply start stacking and see what happens. Freestyling can also be a great way to clear your mind. While your hands are busy, your mind is free to problem-solve. Lots of companies use LEGOs to help get their employees thinking. Host a LEGO-themed party for a special event. Whether it's for a birthday or just a fun gathering of friends, plan an event focused around LEGOs. Set up LEGO stations around the house—for example, you could have Star Wars LEGOs in the living room, nature-themed LEGOs on the patio, and regular LEGO sets in the kitchen so that people can move from room to room. You could also make LEGO themed foods—like a cake decorated to look like LEGOs, pizza cut into different sized shapes, and cake pops decorated to look like mini-figure heads. Create a game using your LEGOs and mini-figures. Mimic your favorite board game, like Chutes and Ladders or Candy Land , and create a board out of your LEGOs, then use your mini-figures and other items to play the game. Or you could make up a game of your own, with a unique board and rules, that you can teach to your friends and family. Write down the rules of the game if you create one of your own—you never know if you might want to play it again later. Race a friend in a blind-build to see who can make the highest tower. All you need for this game is a friend (or two, or three), blindfolds, a LEGO platform, and a container of loose building blocks. Set a timer for five minutes, put on the blindfolds, and then try and feel your way around the LEGOs and make the highest tower you can (that doesn't fall over). You could also challenge each other to build other structures, like a house or a car. Take turns taking apart a treasure tower to win a prize. For this game, you will need to have someone create the treasure tower by building a structure around a secret prize (for example, fill an easter egg with candy or other toys, and then build a large fortress around it so it's completely covered. To play, have each person spend 10 seconds taking off as many LEGO pieces as they can. After 10 seconds, it's the next person's turn. Whoever uncovers the prize wins! Use flat bricks as well as regular ones, and make the tower as large as possible so that everyone gets several turns. Separate your LEGOs by theme to keep the pieces organized. Depending on what kind of a builder you are, you may want to keep your different sets apart from one another so they're easier to build when you want to. If they were all mixed together, it would be harder to find the pieces you need. Try some of these different storage methods: Keep them in the original boxes if they're still in good shape. Use a plastic, resealable bag. Use shoeboxes or see-through plastic containers. Use a large, see-through container to store un-themed LEGOs. If you have younger kids who don't care about following instructions to create specific worlds, combine everything together in one place so that they can access all the LEGO pieces when they want to create something new. Preferably, use a container that has a lid so that pieces don't spill out if it gets knocked over accidentally. You can even buy long, flat plastic containers that can easily slide underneath beds for an out-of-the-way storage option. Sort LEGOs by element for easy-to-find access when you go to build. If you're a more advanced LEGO builder, you may have upward of several thousand pieces. If so, consider separating out your blocks by elements. Generally, LEGO experts advise against organizing by color because it can make it difficult to find the piece you need. Here are the common LEGO elements: Bricks Plates Tiles SNOTs (studs not on top) Slopes Technics Choose storage boxes with lids to take LEGOs out of the house. If you or your kids frequently take the LEGOs outside, consider choosing smaller, portable boxes. Lots of plastic containers are stackable, so you could have a series of those which would make it easy to grab whatever you need when you need it. Create a “go bag” for LEGOs that holds a handful of the basic building blocks for long car trips. Your kids can add their favorite mini-figures before you leave the house. Use a plastic drawers set for compact storage. These normally come with five or six drawers stacked on top of each other. You can label each drawer depending on how you decide to organize your LEGOs (by element or by set). Drawers are great because they can easily fit in a closet or under a desk, and you can add more as your collection grows. Opt for drawer cabinets to organize by element and by color. Drawer cabinets are plastic containers made up of dozens of small drawers. Label each drawer with the contents (“green tiles”, “red plates”), and keep your drawer cabinets in a closet or on top of a designated LEGO work station for easy access to all your pieces. Tackle boxes provide a similar experience because they have multiple small storage sections.	Build a local landmark or a famous structure with your LEGOs. Use a themed set to create a new world to use your imagination. Learn about physics by building the tallest tower that won’t fall over. Craft your favorite characters or animals out of LEGOs. Freestyle your LEGO play to create something new. Host a LEGO-themed party for a special event. Create a game using your LEGOs and mini-figures. Race a friend in a blind-build to see who can make the highest tower. Take turns taking apart a treasure tower to win a prize. Separate your LEGOs by theme to keep the pieces organized. Use a large, see-through container to store un-themed LEGOs. Sort LEGOs by element for easy-to-find access when you go to build. Choose storage boxes with lids to take LEGOs out of the house. Use a plastic drawers set for compact storage. Opt for drawer cabinets to organize by element and by color.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Simple-Homemade-Incubator-for-Chicks	How to Make a Simple Homemade Incubator for Chicks	If you want to raise chicks at home with an incubator, purchase a styrofoam cooler and cut a hole in one end. Then, slide the socket of a lamp and a 25 watt light bulb through the hole, and duct tape around the hole on the inside and outside of the container. Use chicken wire to divide the container in half, with the bulb on one side of the container to prevent the chicks from getting burned. Next, place a digital thermometer and humidity gauge in the box along with a bowl of water, and turn the light on to test the incubator.	Cut out a hole at one end of a styrofoam cooler. The hole will contain the light bulb and its socket. Insert the socket from any lamp and put in a 25 watt bulb. Place duct tape around the hole and the socket from inside and outside the cooler. This is very important in order to reduce the risk of fire. You can also use a small box, but a styrofoam cooler works well because it is insulated. Divide the cooler in two sides. Using chicken mesh or some other hard wire mesh, partition off the side of the cooler where the light bulb sits. Doing this is important to protect the chicks from getting burned. Optional: Create a false bottom using chicken mesh a little above the floor of the cooler. This will make cleaning out the chicken poop easier once the chicks hatch. Add your digital thermometer and humidity gauge. Place it on the side where the eggs will be. Since the main function of an incubator is to keep the temperature and humidity inside it at an optimal level, be sure that the thermometer/gauge has a high rate of accuracy.. Add in a bowl of water. This will be your humidity source. Put in a sponge, too, so that you can adjust the amount of water easily. Cut a viewing portal in the cooler's lid. Using the glass from a picture frame, determine how big the opening needs to be. It should be a little smaller than the dimensions of the glass. Then secure the glass by using duct tape to fasten it in the opening. Optional: Make a hinge for the cooler's lid by attaching it to one side of the top with duct tape. Test the incubator. Before putting in the eggs, turn on the light and monitor the temperature and the humidity for a day or so. Make adjustments to the heat and humidity until they are at optimal levels. The temperature should be kept at 99.5 degrees through-out the incubation. Optimal humidity varies: it should be between 40 to 50 percent for the first 18 days and 65 to 75 percent during the last four. To reduce the temperature, punch holes in the sides of the cooler. If it gets too low after you do that, tape up some of the holes with duct tape. For the humidity, sponge up some of the water to reduce it and squeeze out more water to increase it. Put in your chicken eggs. It's important to find fertilized eggs: store-bought eggs will not work. If you don't have any chickens and a rooster yourself, a good way to find fertilized eggs is to contact local farmers. Once you have your eggs, cluster them close together, as this helps them maintain a constant temperature. The quality of the eggs depends on the health of the chickens they came from. Therefore, before purchasing eggs from a farm, ask the manager if you can inspect the facility. Free-range hens are almost always healthier than caged hens. An optimal hatching rate is between 50 and 85 percent. Laying hens are usually smaller in size and are bred to produce eggs. Meat hens, on the other hand, are bred for size. They tend to be larger birds that grow relatively quickly. However, there are chickens that are bred as dual-purpose birds. Ask the farmers you contact which variety they breed. Keep track of time and vital statistics. Chicken eggs take 21 days to hatch, so it's important to know the exact day you put them in the incubator. Also, keep track of the humidity and temperature readings. Rotate the eggs. Turn the eggs one quarter to half a turn three times daily for the first 18 days. You want to turn then so that one side faces down and the other up. Mark one side of each egg with "X" and the other side with an "O" to keep track of which side is facing up. Candle the eggs after the first week. Candling allows you to detect infertile and bad eggs. It involves holding an egg against a bright light in a dark room to see inside. You can purchase a candling device, but for most situations, a small, bright flashlight will do. If you find any bad or infertile eggs, remove them from the incubator. If you use a flashlight, its lens should be the small enough so that the light is directed at the egg. Another way to make a homemade candler is to insert a desk lamp inside a cardboard box with a small round hole cut at the top. Put the egg in this hole to candle it. You may have to gently turn the egg up and down or from side to side to better see its contents. A living embryo appears as a dark spot with blood vessels radiating out from it. A dead embryo can show up as a ring or a streak of blood inside the shell. Infertile eggs light up bright and even since there is no embryo inside. Listen for the sounds of the chicks starting to hatch. On the 21st day, the chicks will "pip" their shells in order to breathe after bursting the air sacks. Watch them carefully after this point. It can take up to twelve hours after "pipping" for a chick to fully emerge from its shell. If some of the chicks haven't concluded their hatching after twelve hours, go ahead and remove the tops of those eggs.	Cut out a hole at one end of a styrofoam cooler. Divide the cooler in two sides. Add your digital thermometer and humidity gauge. Add in a bowl of water. Cut a viewing portal in the cooler's lid. Test the incubator. Put in your chicken eggs. Keep track of time and vital statistics. Rotate the eggs. Candle the eggs after the first week. Listen for the sounds of the chicks starting to hatch.
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-and-Treat-the-Cause-of-Deformed-Cat-Nails	How to Diagnose and Treat the Cause of Deformed Cat Nails	To tell if your cat has nail deformities, look around the nail bed for signs of trauma, like swelling, redness, blood, pus, or sensitivity to touch. Check to see if the nails have curled and grown into the paw pad, which might mean your cat's nails aren't being trimmed often enough. Be on the lookout for signs of a possible underlying condition. For example, rough, scaly nails might be caused by a ringworm infection. If you see any of these nail deformities or notice your cat limping, take it to the vet to be clinically diagnosed. If the deformed nail is an ingrown nail that has been infected, the vet may have to cut or remove the nail. Then, your cat will probably be put on antibiotics to treat the infection.	Look for thicker nails. The nails of cats should be thin and sharp, not thick. If your cat's nails become thicker and harder, this may be a symptom of an underlying health problem. Older cats can develop thicker nails as they age. Thickening of the nails sometimes occurs with an increase thirst. If this happens, take your cat to the vet. Notice any trauma to the nail bed. Sometimes, cats may wound their nail bed somehow. This could occur in a fight or if they get it caught on something and tear it. If the nail experiences trauma, the claw may grow in deformed. To spot trauma to the nail, look for missing or broken nails, blood, or pus. You may also check around the nail bed to see if there is any swelling or redness. Your cat may also limp or feel pain if that paw is touched. This happens most often to the dew claw. Check for scaly nails. Your cat may develop deformed claws that are infected, rough, and scaly at the base. The nail may also be pitted. This deformity is caused from an infection related to ringworm. Monitor for embedded nails. If a cat's nails aren't trimmed often enough, they can get so long that they curl and grow into the paw pad. This can be painful and cause nail deformities. This commonly occurs in older or inactive cats. Look for changes in behavior. If the cat's nails are bothering them, they may not be as active as usual. They may limp as they walk. You may also notice that they are licking their paws more than usual. Notice any abnormalities. Any abnormality of the claw or deformed nail may indicate a problem. The nail should be white or clear with a pink cuticle underneath. If there is any discoloration, swelling, pus, or foul odors, there may be a problem. Take your cat to the vet. Getting your vet to do a physical exam on your cat can get the nail checked out so they can properly diagnose the problem. They may ask you for a medical history of your cat and if they are experiencing any other odd symptoms. Don't hesitate to have your pet's nails checked out. Anything that looks odd, different, or abnormal could indicate a bigger problem. If you wait too long, the infection may get worse or the cat may lose their nail. Undergo tests. Depending on what the vet thinks the underlying problem is for the deformed nail, they will probably do tests. For example, if the vet believes the deformity is due to an infection, they will take a bacterial and fungal culture. Your vet may draw a blood sample to test for parasites or infection. If the vet suspects ringworm, they will perform a test where they examine the cat with a special lamp that will indicate ringworm. Get a biopsy. For some causes of deformed nails, like autoimmune skin diseases, a biopsy may be needed. The vet will do a skin scrape and analyze it to determine what condition is causing the deformed nails. Get the vet to cut the nail. If the deformed nail is an ingrown nail that has been infected, the vet may have to cut or remove the nail. Even just cutting the nail can be very painful for your cat. The vet may have to put them under anesthesia so they do not experience too much pain. If there are other problems with the nail, the vet may cut away part of the nail before treating it in another way. In some cases, your cat may need to be sedated before they can have the nail removed. Treat an infection with antibiotics. If the deformed nail is due to an infection or ringworm, your vet will prescribe antibiotics or other medications to treat the infection. If the infection is due to a fungus, antifungals will be prescribed. They may be in the form of an oral tablet, a soak, or a topical ointment. This treatment may last up to three months after a healthy nail has replaced the deformed one. Monitor the nail during recovery. Most reasons for nail deformities are treatable with medication or minor nail surgery. Most cats recover quickly. However, you should still monitor the nail to make sure it heals and doesn't develop any additional problems or get worse.	Look for thicker nails. Notice any trauma to the nail bed. Check for scaly nails. Monitor for embedded nails. Look for changes in behavior. Notice any abnormalities. Take your cat to the vet. Undergo tests. Get a biopsy. Get the vet to cut the nail. Treat an infection with antibiotics. Monitor the nail during recovery.
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Aloe-Vera	How to Use Aloe Vera	A great way to use aloe is to apply it to soothe sunburns or rashes on your face and body. You can also incorporate it into your beauty routine by using aloe gel as a makeup remover or by making a face mask with 1 tablespoon of aloe gel and 1 tablespoon of honey that will help moisturize dry skin and reduce acne. If your hair is dry and tangled, use aloe as a conditioner by applying it directly to your hair in the shower and allowing it to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.	Treat sunburns with aloe. Place a cold damp towel on your skin to cool the sunburn and then rub it liberally with either aloe gel or a lotion that contains aloe. Let the aloe gel dry on your skin for 15 minutes. Apply aloe gel twice a day—in the morning and at night, or after you shower. You do not need to wash the dried gel off. It will wash away during your next shower. Alternatively, you can put aloe gel in an ice cube tray, freeze it to make aloe ice cubes and rub the ice cubes on your sunburnt skin. Apply aloe vera to itchy rashes. Aloe gel works great on mild heat and allergic rashes. If you suffer from a mild rash, wash the rash in cold or lukewarm water and then apply a thin layer of aloe gel over the affected area. There's evidence that aloe may help with chronic skin conditions like eczema. While aloe has been shown to soothe itchy rashes, it has not been proven to cure them. Consult with your doctor if the rash spreads or becomes increasingly uncomfortable. If you experience any difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical treatment, as you could be suffering from a serious allergic reaction. Apply pure aloe gel to help mild burns heal. Evaluate if you have a mild burn that's treatable with aloe by making sure that the burn is not covered in blisters and does not appear leathery, dry, black, brown, yellow, or white. If your burn lacks these characteristics, then you can treat it with aloe. Clean the burn with soap and water, dry it with a clean towel or gauze, and apply antibiotic cream like Neosporin. Cover the area with aloe gel and then apply a gauze bandage. If your burn is severely blistered or discolored, seek emergency medical care immediately and do not apply aloe. Do not use an aloe lotion on a burn. Only use pure aloe from the plant itself or from an additive-free gel. Prevent and heal blisters with aloe. Spread a little aloe on a blister or on a region that frequently develops blisters. Cover the area with a bandage or leave it uncovered. The aloe creates a barrier between your skin and the bandage, which prevents additional rubbing and irritation. Fight athlete’s foot by spreading aloe on your toes. Aloe has been shown to have antifungal properties, which may help to treat the condition that causes athlete's foot. If you suffer from this condition, consider applying aloe to the affected areas. Even though aloe's effectiveness for treating athlete's foot has not been proven, it poses no risks when used in this way and can soothe and protect the area from irritation. Remove makeup with aloe gel. Purchase a pure aloe gel that does not contain any additives. Squeeze an almond-sized amount of gel onto a tissue or facecloth and gently rub your face to remove any makeup. Wash your face with warm water. You can buy additive-free aloe gel at a health food store or online. Exfoliate your skin with an aloe scrub. Put 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of aloe gel into a small bowl and mix it with 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of white or brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of fresh lemon juice. Rub your exfoliant in small, circular motions on your face and neck before washing with soap and warm water. Make more exfoliant if you plan on exfoliating your body as well as your face and neck. However, this mixture doesn't keep well, so only make as much as you will use that day. Rejuvenate your skin with an aloe face mask. Mix 1 tablespoon of aloe gel (15 mL) with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of raw honey. Apply the mixture to your face and neck. Leave the mask on for 20-25 minutes and then wash your face with warm water. Use this mask to hydrate dry skin or to help treat acne-prone skin. Wash your face with an aloe cleanser. Combine 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of aloe gel with 1 teaspoon (15 mL) of raw, organic coconut oil. Massage the cleanser into your face and rinse with warm water. Because this cleanser is totally free of harsh chemicals, it should work great for someone with sensitive skin. Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties, so using this mask can help eliminate redness or irritation. Moisturize your skin with aloe lotion. Aloe's soothing, and it helps skin retain moisture. Create an aloe moisturizer by heating aloe gel together with oil and beeswax. To treat dry and cracked feet, coat them in aloe lotion and then put them in socks to moisturize overnight. If your hands need a moisturizing treatment, rub them with aloe lotion and then wear a pair of washable cotton gloves or mittens overnight. If making this lotion is too much work, you can purchase a moisturizing cream that contains aloe or simply apply aloe gel directly to your skin. Shampoo your hair with aloe. Make your own shampoo by mixing aloe gel, castile soap, jojoba oil, and distilled water together. Using an aloe shampoo will help restore dry and damaged hair while also thoroughly cleaning hair. There is some evidence that aloe's antifungal properties help to prevent and treat the build-up of dandruff. Because a homemade aloe shampoo contains no harsh chemicals, it may help to prevent scalp irritation and hair loss. Create your own aloe conditioner. In addition to shampooing your hair, you can also condition it with aloe. Apply aloe gel directly to your hair and rinse in the shower, or create an aloe conditioner by mixing aloe gel with coconut oil, allowing it to sit in hair for 10 minutes, and then rinsing it out. Make an aloe hair gel to sculpt locks or tame eyebrows. Remove the pulp from the aloe plant and whisk it before refrigerating. Or mix the pulp with gelatin and refrigerate. Apply the gel to your hair with your hands. Use a cotton swap or an eyebrow brush to apply gel to brows. Wear the gel in your hair all day to hold it in place. Create an aloe-based shaving cream. Mix 1/3 cup (2.8 oz.) with ¼ cup (2.1 oz.) castile soap, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) almond oil, 1 teaspoon (5 mL) vitamin E oil, and ¼ cup (2.1 oz.) of distilled warm water in a medium sized bowl. Lather the cream between your hands and apply to your legs or face before shaving. You can store the cream for up to 6 months in the refrigerator. Consider transferring it to a clean pump bottle, such as repurposed hand soap bottle, for easy access when you're in the shower. If you're in a rush, just apply aloe gel directly to the skin for a smooth shave. Drink aloe juice to alleviate constipation. Aloe juice has powerful laxative effects. Mix 2 tablespoons (29.6 mL) of aloe gel into 2 cups (16 oz.) of water or your favorite juice and drink twice daily. Recent research suggests that some patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience relief after consuming this amount of aloe daily. While aloe's laxative properties are well known, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet determined what are safe limits of aloe consumption, so do not consume aloe in large quantities and talk to your doctor if you're drinking it daily. Consume aloe juice to lower blood sugar. If you have diabetes or need to lower your blood sugar, talk to your doctor about using aloe juice. Dissolve 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of aloe gel in water or juice and drink it twice a day. Do not drink aloe juice regularly if you already have low blood sugar or are taking medications that can lower blood sugar levels. Boil water containing aloe gel to alleviate asthma symptoms. Mix aloe gel into a pot of water and boil it. Stand near the boiling aloe water and breathe normally. While this practice is used widely in some regions of the world, it has not been scientifically verified to be safe and effective. Turn off the stove and open a window if you experience any discomfort. Treat frostbite with aloe. Always seek medical treatment for frostbite. Follow your doctor's instructions, as you recover from frostbite. Applying aloe gel to the affected region twice daily may be part of your recovery routine. Fight dental plaque with an aloe mouth rinse. The anti-bacterial properties of aloe make it an excellent addition to your dental hygiene regimen since it can kill germs, soothe inflamed gums, and freshen breath. Dissolve ¼ cup (2.1 oz.) aloe gel in ½ cup (4.2 oz.) distilled water. Swish the solution around your mouth for 30 seconds and spit. Use the mouth rinse once daily.	Treat sunburns with aloe. Apply aloe vera to itchy rashes. Apply pure aloe gel to help mild burns heal. Prevent and heal blisters with aloe. Fight athlete’s foot by spreading aloe on your toes. Remove makeup with aloe gel. Exfoliate your skin with an aloe scrub. Rejuvenate your skin with an aloe face mask. Wash your face with an aloe cleanser. Moisturize your skin with aloe lotion. Shampoo your hair with aloe. Create your own aloe conditioner. Make an aloe hair gel to sculpt locks or tame eyebrows. Create an aloe-based shaving cream. Drink aloe juice to alleviate constipation. Consume aloe juice to lower blood sugar. Boil water containing aloe gel to alleviate asthma symptoms. Treat frostbite with aloe. Fight dental plaque with an aloe mouth rinse.
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Your-Betta-Fish	How to Train Your Betta Fish	To train your betta fish, drag your finger across the front of the tank and reward your fish with a bloodworm treat when it follows your movements. Next, train your betta to jump by placing half a bloodworm on a feeding stick, moving the stick closer to the water's surface each time until the fish jumps for the treat above the water's surface. You can also train your betta to swim through a pipe cleaner hoop using treat rewards!	Get to know your betta. Although it might surprise you, betta fish can recognize you. They actually can become attached to their owners. If you spend time near your fish, she is more likely to recognize you. This will help in training. If you have just acquired your betta, give it at least a week to recognize you. You will know that your betta is ready if he or she starts swimming towards you if he/she sees you. Check your fish's well-being. Make sure your fish's color is bright and clear. Her fins should have no tears or holes. The scales should be smooth. Your fish should not move in a sluggish manner. Instead, she should swim quickly. Bubbles on the water's surface are a good sign that your betta is doing well. If you want to train your betta, she needs to be in top condition. Gather snacks for training. Purchase snacks like freeze-dried bloodworms for your pet. These are good training treats because they are breakable and small. Betta also eat tubifex worms, mosquito larvae, and daphnia (small crustaceans). While treats and food are great for training, overfeeding your betta is dangerous. A full-grown adult male betta should eat maximally two to three pellets or three to four bloodworms per feeding. He should be fed twice daily. If your fish's body is swollen, cutback feeding. She could be constipated. You can detect constipation by looking at the fish's digestive area from the side. If it is swollen, she likely is constipated. You also might notice a lack of defecation. If this happens, do not feed her for two days. Then feed her a piece of the inside of a pea (not the skin). The piece should be the size of her eyeball. Be sure to thaw frozen food before use. Wash your hands. Before you work with your fish or are near her tank, wash your hands. Use hot water but do not use soap. Soap can be toxic for fish. When you finish a training session, wash your hands with soap. Get your betta's attention. Softly tap on the glass and see if she looks at your hand. If not, give her half a worm or a treat to get her attention. Once she focuses on your hand and her gills move quickly, you can begin training. Do not tap very hard or hit the tank repeatedly. You will shock your fish. Teach your fish to follow your finger. Drag your finger across the front of the fish tank or bowl. If she moves towards it, reward her quickly with a treat. If she does not notice you, shake your finger until she notices. Move your finger in multiple directions. First, move your finger to opposite sides of the tank. Next, move your finger vertically up and down. Reward your fish each time she follows you. Train her for three to five minutes at a time over several days. Proceed to other tricks once she consistently follows your finger. Once your betta can follow your finger, teaching other tricks will be easier. Train your betta to flare on command. When a male betta sees another male in nature, he flares. Flaring consists of a betta stretching her fins and opening her gills as much as she can. Bettas then look twice their size. You can teach your male or female fish to do this pretty trick. Flaring provides exercise, prevents boredom, and promotes bubble nest building. Bubble nest building consists of male bettas methodically blowing small bubbles in clusters on the water's surface. Only perform the flare trick three to five minutes a day or you can overexert your betta. Follow these steps: Gather a small mirror and a red or black-capped pen. Use the same colored pen throughout training so your betta will recognize the pen. Place the mirror in front of the tank. Once your betta flares, place the pen next to the mirror. Repeat this process two to three more times. Sometimes your betta will get afraid, and may move away. Keep on trying. Once your betta instantly starts to flare, remove the mirror and leave only the pen. Give your betta food or a treat each time she flares. Continue until your betta flares each time you show the pen. Teach your betta to jump. Jumping is a natural habit for betta fish. To train your betta, use a feeding stick and place half a bloodworm on it. The food should be within reach of the fish. Starting with the stick underwater, have your betta come to you. With the next try, move the feeding stick closer to the water's surface. Have your betta swim to you. Then move the stick to the water's surface. Your betta should swim to you. Lastly, move your stick slightly above the water surface. Once your betta recognizes that she can get food from the stick, she will jump for it even if the stick is out of the water. After she nails the trick, you can substitute your fingers for the stick. By halving your bloodworms, you can avoid over-feeding your betta. Remember, she should have a maximum of three to four bloodworms in one sitting. You can train your betta to recognize a feeding stick, a thin stick with a curved end for attaching food, during her normal feeding times. Bettas naturally jump when excited or scared. Purchase a lid for your fish tank to prevent your betta from jumping from the tank. She can still jump when you remove the lid to feed her. Train your betta to swim through a hoop. Gather a pipe cleaner. Bend the pipe cleaner into a circle with a two inch diameter. Hang it on the side of the fish tank. The hoop should be perpendicular to the side of the aquarium and touching it. Move your finger along the outside of the tank in one direction through the hoop. Each time she swims through the hoop, give her a treat. Repeat this process until she regularly swims through the hoop. Gradually decrease the hoop size until it is slightly larger than one inch in diameter. After she is comfortable with the trick, move the hoop farther away from the tank's sides. Continue until she can swim through the hoop while you hold it in the center of the tank. This is one of the most difficult tricks so do not be discouraged if it takes a while. Be sure that your pipe cleaner is brand new and does not contain toxins that could harm your fish. Keep trying! Your betta will eventually figure out that if she does what you ask, you will reward her. Do a training session once per day. Be persistent. Do not overwork your betta, though. Make sure she has sufficient time to rest and relax. Do not force your fish to play if it doesn't want to. They don't exist just for entertainment.	Get to know your betta. Check your fish's well-being. Gather snacks for training. Wash your hands. Get your betta's attention. Teach your fish to follow your finger. Train your betta to flare on command. Teach your betta to jump. Train your betta to swim through a hoop. Keep trying!
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Love-Letter-to-a-Girl-You-Do-Not-Know	How to Write a Love Letter to a Girl You Do Not Know	Writing an anonymous love letter to a girl is a good way to express how you feel without revealing your identity. Be direct and upfront about why you admire her and what qualities about her you find intriguing. Be specific about what you like about her so she knows you're genuine. For example, if you really like the way she contributes to class discussion, tell her you admire her insight. It's also important that you reassure her by explaining why you haven't approached her in person. For instance, if you're just really shy, tell her so she understands. After you tell her how you feel, be honest about what your intentions are. If you hope to have a relationship with her, you could say something like, “I hope someday I can get to know you better.” End the letter by giving her a way to contact you, such as an email address or a phone number.	Brainstorm. Before you begin writing a love letter, you should spend some time brainstorming. This means gathering your thoughts so you can better express yourself when writing the physical letter. To start, ask yourself some questions. Who are you writing the letter to? Think about how you know this girl. Is she someone you admire from school who you've never spoken to? Is she a barista at a local coffee shop who you admire but are unsure how to approach? What do you like about this person? As you begin thinking about the letter's recipient, think about why you're infatuated with her. What about her do you admire and why? Go beyond mere physical beauty. For example, if you're writing about a barista you have a crush on you might admire her hairstyle and eyes. However, try to push beyond this. What about her personality is intriguing to you? Is she always particularly polite with customers? Does she always smile at people, even if they don't smile back? Can you think of any specific incidents? People are attracted to people who notice them. If you can think of a specific moment when you realized you had feelings for this person, that would be great to include in the letter. Try to jog your memory and think of a specific moment when you began to develop romantic feelings. Focus on the energy over the specific message. It can be hard to write to someone you do not know. Even if you admire this person very much, you will not have as much information at your disposal as you would writing to someone you have an existing relationship with. Therefore, focus on the energy over the message. Even if your feelings are vague, the fact you wrote a letter at all speaks volumes. Writing someone a love letter takes courage and commitment. You have to sit down and physically write out your feelings. Delivering the letter carries a risk of rejection, especially if the recipient is very much a stranger to you. Therefore, the effort you took to write the letter in and of itself may be seen as impressive by the recipient. Remember your intention if you feel nervous or frustrated when writing the letter. You want to let this stranger know you admire her. The energy behind that intention is more important than finding the perfect words and phrases. Allow your intent to guide you as you begin to express your feelings. Think about the past, present, and future. If you're still struggling to think of ideas, focus on the past, present, and future. This can get your creative juices flowing. When did you meet this person? What is your relationship now? What do you hope for in the future? Some details may be inexact when writing a love letter to a stranger but you may find some inspiration considering these factors. When did you first notice this person? Did she sit ahead of you in algebra class and you noticed the smell of her conditioner? Did you order a latte from her when you were having a bad day and notice she drew a smiley face on the side of your cup? While your meeting may have been brief, and while she may not remember, you might have noticed something you can include in your letter. How does this person affect you now? While you may not have a relationship in the present, you may still gain something valuable from day-to-day interactions with this person. For example, maybe it's nice to see her through the window as you pass by your local Starbucks. Maybe it's nice to overhear the music she's listening to before the bell rings for class. Finally, think of the future. Where do you want to go from here? Maybe you just wanted to express your feelings rather than bottling them up. However, maybe you're hoping you could meet this person and the two of you could get to know each other. Think about what you want from this letter when considering the future. State your intent first. When you feel ready to write the letter, begin by stating your intent. This can be brief, as short as a single sentence. However, it's an important sentence. You want the recipient to know this is a letter expressing some deep feelings so she'll pay attention to its content. For example, you could say something like, "We don't know each other, but I'm writing to tell you I've admired you for quite some time. We have an algebra class together in a lecture hall on campus, and I think your taste in music is amazing." State exactly how you feel. As you move forward in the letter, be upfront about your feelings. A love letter is not the place to be shy. Tell the girl why you admire her and what qualities about her most intrigue you. Go into specifics when possible. You may not know a lot about this person, but mention small things about her that you love. For example, maybe you think the buttons she has on her purse are hilarious. Maybe you notice she listens to a particular band on her headphones that you also enjoy. Be upfront about why you've never approached her in person. While many people enjoy anonymous love letters, there is always the risk of coming off the wrong way. You don't want the recipient to feel like she's being watched. It can help if you assure her, at some point, you're a relatively normal person who happens to feel more comfortable expressing feelings in writing. There are a variety of reasons you may prefer writing a love letter. You could be shy, for example, and find expressing yourself easier in words. Maybe you only see her when she's at work and don't want to bother her. Whatever you reason, make sure you state it early on. You want to make sure the recipient understands why you chose a letter over simply talking to her. This way, you can help avoid potential confusion or discomfort. Returning to the example of the girl you know in algebra class, you may hesitate to approach her because you're shy. You could write something like, "I always want to talk to you in person. However, I'm very shy by nature. Now that we're halfway through the semester, I'm worried I'll never get the courage together. So, I decided to write you a letter." Focus on the recipient. Oftentimes, people end up inadvertently talking about themselves in a love letter. While you should certainly talk about your own feelings, make sure to focus primarily on the recipient. As you write the letter, express what you like about this person. If you admire that she's always listening to Elliot Smith on her headphones, say so. However, do not go on a 3 paragraph anecdote about your own admiration for Smith. Use specifics when possible. If you're writing to a relative stranger, specifics may be hard. However, small things go a long way. Do you love the coconut-like smell of her shampoo? Do you enjoy how she laughs to herself during downtime at the coffee shop? Do you remember a comment she made in class that was particularly insightful? Let's return to the algebra class example. You could write something like, "I notice you're always listening to Elliot Smith. I am a big fan of his as well. I'm impressed by how drawn in you seem to the music. You seem to have an intense appreciation for art." Use your own voice. You don't have to write in a lofty, elevated style if it doesn't come naturally to you. The primary purpose of a love letter is to express your feelings in a way that makes the recipient feel good about herself. The best way to do this is to simply be yourself and use your own words. This will sound more authentic and sincere when expressed in a way that feels natural to you. Do not get hung up on inserting elaborate metaphors or dramatic declarations of your admiration into your writing. Instead, focus on simply being yourself and speaking in your own voice. Say how this person has affected you. As you near the end of your letter, tell the person how their presence has affected you. The girl you're writing to may be flattered to know she made an impact on your life. Talk about how she makes your days better and why you appreciate her. This may be something small, as you don't know this girl yet. However, even a small impact can be flattering. For example, maybe you always look forward to your 8AM British Literature seminar simply because you enjoy the contributions this girl makes to class. Returning to are example, you could write something like, "I know it sounds silly, but getting to see you each day makes me a bit more enthusiastic about going to algebra. I've never been a math person, but seeing you is a small treat that makes class more bearable." Reaffirm your feelings. As you begin to conclude your letter, reaffirm your feelings briefly. Say something like, "I will continue to look forward to my morning algebra class as it give me a chance to be close to you." You want the recipient to know you're feelings are serious and not fleeting. You can also briefly summarize what was said in the letter to help you reach your concluding thoughts. End on a single sentence summing up what's been said. It can be difficult to do, but you should try to end on a single sentence that sums up the gist of what you're saying. This is an elegant way to end a love letter. It can reiterate your feelings and leave a lasting impression on the recipient. It may take a few tries before you find the right sentence. You may want to grab a piece of scrap paper and write down a few sentences before settling on one to include in your letter. It's okay to be a little cheesy. Love letters are often somewhat overwrought but infatuation itself is often dramatic. Don't be afraid to use language that sounds somewhat hyperbolic or ridiculous. In our example, try something like, "You really do light up my mornings Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with your spark, passion, and enthusiastic nature." Give her information on how to contact you. If you want this letter to lead to a possible date, provide some contact information for yourself. You can say something like, "If you're interested, text or call the following number." You could also include your e-mail or a link to a social media profile Find a way to deliver the letter. Once you've finished your letter, find a way to deliver it. This can be tricky if you're writing to someone you don't know. If you know the person's name, it might be a good idea to write her name on a envelop and place the letter in there. Then, leave the envelop where she will see it. For example, if you're writing to someone who works at a coffee shop you could leave the letter on your table or where drinks are set down. If you have an e-mail address for the person, consider e-mailing your letter. If the two of you have a mutual friend, see if that friend can deliver the letter. Do not try to send the letter in the mail. Getting a letter in the mail from a stranger can be scary. You do not want to come off as creepy.	Brainstorm. Focus on the energy over the specific message. Think about the past, present, and future. State your intent first. State exactly how you feel. Focus on the recipient. Use your own voice. Say how this person has affected you. Reaffirm your feelings. End on a single sentence summing up what's been said. Give her information on how to contact you. Find a way to deliver the letter.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dark-Chocolate	How to Make Dark Chocolate	To make dark chocolate, start by melting 6 tablespoons of cocoa butter in a double boiler. Once you've melted the butter completely, lower the heat and combine 8 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract in a bowl. Then, gradually stir the cocoa powder mixture into the cocoa butter, and remove it from the heat once everything is evenly combined. Finally, pour your chocolate into a mold lined with wax paper and let it set until it's completely hardened.	Prepare a small mold or tin. Use a 6-inch by 6-inch (15-cm by 15-cm) tin and line it with wax paper or parchment paper. You could use candy molds instead of a tin. Most molds do not need to be prepared in any special manner. Just make sure that the molds are clean and dry before use. Heat water in a double boiler. Fill the bottom portion of a double boiler with roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. Place the double boiler on the stove and heat on medium until the water starts simmering. If you do not have an actual double boiler, place a heat-resistant bowl or pan over a saucepan. The lip of the bowl should be able to rest on the lip of the saucepan, and the bottom of the bowl should not extend low enough to touch the surface of the water in the saucepan. Melt the cocoa butter. Place the cocoa butter in the top part of your double boiler and heat it gently, stirring occasionally, until the block of butter completely melts. The cocoa butter should reach a temperature of 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius). Monitor the temperature using a candy thermometer. Consider breaking or cutting the cocoa butter into similarly sized pieces before adding it to the double boiler. Doing so ensures that the butter will melt quicker and at an even pace. Note that cocoa butter melts quickly and you should not allow it to overheat. In fact, you may want to turn the heat setting down from medium to low or medium-low. Chocolate that becomes too hot will develop a pale white coating known as "bloom." True dark chocolate uses cocoa butter. If you are searching for a slightly healthier alternative, however, you can swap out the cocoa butter for coconut oil. The coconut oil should be melted and treated in the same way throughout the recipe. Combine the cocoa powder, sweetener, and vanilla separately. Stir the three ingredients together in a medium bowl until evenly mixed. You can use any cocoa powder for this recipe. Refined cocoa powders have a great taste, are easier to find, and less expensive, but the refining process removes some of the antioxidants of the cocoa. Natural or unprocessed cocoa powder is packed with more antioxidants and is the healthiest option. Use sugar, honey, or maple syrup for your sweetener. Note that dark chocolate prepared with sugar can be stored at room temperature but chocolate prepared with honey or maple syrup will need to be refrigerated. The amount of sweetener you use will change the cacao percentage of the dark chocolate. Using 1 Tbsp (15 ml) produces 85% dark chocolate. Using 1-1/2 Tbsp (22.5 ml) produces 73% dark chocolate. Using 2 Tbsp (30 ml) produces 60% dark chocolate. Combine the two mixtures. Gradually pour the cocoa powder mixture into the saucepan of cocoa butter, mixing thoroughly until the new product is smooth. Remove the mixture from the heat when ready. Allow the entire mixture to return to a temperature of 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) before removing it from the heat. Pour a portion of the chocolate onto a marble slab. Carefully pour roughly three-fourths of the chocolate mixture onto a glass cutting board or marble slab with a low rim around the edges. Set aside the remaining mixture. This tempering process may seem like a lot of extra work, but it is strongly recommended that you follow through with it nonetheless. Tempering chocolate causes the cocoa butter to harden in a specific crystalline pattern, and as a result, the dark chocolate will have a more appealing sheen and texture. Note that untempered dark chocolate may have trouble setting, look blotchy, have a distorted inner texture, or be prone to developing white fat bloom on the surface. Spread the chocolate. Use a flexible plastic scraper or palette knife to spread the chocolate out into as thin and even a layer as possible. Scoop up the chocolate. Use the knife to scoop the edges of the chocolate into its center, working as quickly as possible. Repeat for 10 minutes. Quickly spread the chocolate out into a thin layer, then immediately scoop it back into its center. Repeat this process for the full amount of time, keeping the chocolate moving throughout the duration of that time limit. Allow this first portion of tempered chocolate to reach a temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) before moving onto the next step. Stir in the remaining chocolate. Add the chocolate still in the saucepan to the chocolate on the slab. Quickly mix it the two together with a single round of spreading and scooping. After adding the hot chocolate mixture to the tempered chocolate, the temperature should be about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). Test the consistency. To verify that the chocolate has been appropriately tempered, drop a small dab of the chocolate onto an empty space of the marble or glass. It should set very quickly. If the chocolate mixture does not set when tested, continue tempering it for another few minutes before trying again. Mix in your optional ingredients. If you are using nuts, dried fruit, or chia seeds, sprinkle them over the surface of the chocolate during this step and quickly fold or mix them in. Pour the chocolate into the prepared pan. Scoop the chocolate mixture up using a large serving spoon and transfer it into your lined pan. Once all the chocolate is in the pan, quickly smooth out the top using your scraper or palette knife. If you use molds instead of a square tin, spoon the chocolate mixture into a bottle or disposable decorating bag and squeeze it into the molds one by one. Once all the molds are filled, lightly tap the molds on your counter to pop any air bubbles that may have formed. If you want to make chocolate chips, spoon the chocolate mixture into a pastry bag with a narrow tip and pipe the chocolate chips out onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Set until hardened. Allow the chocolate to harden on its own. You can leave it out at room temperature as it sets, place it in the refrigerator, or place it in the freezer. If you cool the chocolate in the freezer, it should be ready within 30 minutes or so. In the refrigerator, the mixture may take a little over 1 hour. At room temperature, the mixture might take several hours to set. Note that dark chocolate made with honey or maple syrup may not set sufficiently at room temperature. Cool the candy in the refrigerator or freezer, instead. Remove the finished chocolate from the pan. Once the chocolate has completely hardened, remove it from the pan and peel away the wax or parchment paper. To remove dark chocolate from molds, turn the the mold upside-down over a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper. Tap on the bottom of the molds with your fingers or a butter knife, or carefully flex the mold to loosen the candies. The chocolate should fall out of the molds as you do this. Eat now or save it for later. Your dark chocolate bar is ready to enjoy at this point; eat it as a whole bar or snap it into smaller chunks. If you aren't quite ready to eat it yet, though, wrap the dark chocolate in a clean sheet of wax paper or place it in a resealable plastic bag to save it for another time. Dark chocolate made with sugar can be stored at room temperature. If you make it with honey or maple syrup, however, the chocolate should be stored in the refrigerator.	Prepare a small mold or tin. Heat water in a double boiler. Melt the cocoa butter. Combine the cocoa powder, sweetener, and vanilla separately. Combine the two mixtures. Pour a portion of the chocolate onto a marble slab. Spread the chocolate. Scoop up the chocolate. Repeat for 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining chocolate. Test the consistency. Mix in your optional ingredients. Pour the chocolate into the prepared pan. Set until hardened. Remove the finished chocolate from the pan. Eat now or save it for later.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Hip-Dysplasia-in-Dogs	How to Prevent Hip Dysplasia in Dogs	To prevent hip dysplasia in dogs, keep your dog at a healthy weight by feeding it a high-quality dog food that's full of nutrients and minerals and taking it on regular walks and runs. You can also give your dog dietary supplements so it gets the vitamins it needs to grow healthy bones, but always consult your vet first. Also, avoid activities that require your dog to jump a lot, like playing with a frisbee or leaping for a ball, since it can strain your dog's joints. If your dog is still a puppy, make sure it's not running or leaping a lot since that can lead to bone issues later on.	Give your dog high quality food full of nutrients and minerals. Most vets argue that extra weight on your dog's frame can lead to stress and pressure on his joints, especially his hip joints. A poor diet, lacking in nutrition, can also lead to poor bone growth and other joint and cartilage abnormalities in puppies and adult dogs. Manage your dog's weight to prevent obesity and avoid putting unnecessary stress on his joints. Look for high quality commercial dog food that is preserved with vitamin E or another natural preservative. These products will have no chemicals and contain high-quality meat instead of meat byproducts. You may have to pay more for higher quality dog food that is full of good sources of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. But it will be worth it if it keeps your dog healthy and ensures he does not end up overweight. You should also look at your dog's current physical state. Does he look bloated or overly round in his middle area? Research has proven that dogs who are kept very lean during their early, puppy years may have a reduced risk of developing hip problems. Keeping your dog thin and active can help prevent any issues associated with obesity. Consider giving your dog dietary supplements. You should ensure your dog is getting enough vitamins and minerals by giving him antioxidant vitamins C and E. You can also give him Perna supplements. These supplements contain 57 nutrients and are good for strengthening your dog's joints. Speak to your vet about the right supplements for your dog and the proper dosage for each supplement before you give any supplements to your dog. Often, supplements are crushed into your dog's food so they are easy for him to consume. Talk to your vet if you think your dog may be overweight. Your vet can help you develop a diet for your dog that can help to reduce his weight, or help him keep weight off. Many large breeds are susceptible to overeating, so your vet may be able to offer advice on how to better control your dog's diet. Your dog may also have certain allergies or other conditions that may be causing obesity. Ask your vet to check for other health issues that may be affecting your dog's weight. Do not allow your dog to run or leap when he is a puppy. Over-exercising your dog when he is young can lead to bone and joint issues that may lead to the development of hip dysplasia. Gentle, low impact exercises can be beneficial for puppies, but avoid letting your pup run, leap, or jump until he is physically mature. High impact sports like jumping and leaping can be hard on your puppy's developing joints, so avoid doing these activities with your puppy until he is fully developed. Take your dog on walks or runs when he is an adult. Keep your dog active to help him stay physically fit with moderate exercise like running, walking, and swimming. Dogs with large, strong leg muscle mass may be less likely to develop hip dysplasia than dogs with a smaller muscle mass. Avoid doing a lot of jumping activities with your dog. Activities that might apply too much force on your dog's joints, such as jumping for a Frisbee or leaping for a ball, can lead to development of hip issues. Consistent walking, running, and swimming can help your dog build muscle strength without putting too much stress on his body. Bring your dog to the vet for testing. Your dog may not show signs of hip dysplasia until he is between four month and one year old. There is a spectrum of symptoms, from no symptoms at all to wobbling, weaving, or an unsteady gait. Your dog may also bunny hop when he runs, or be averse to strenuous exercise or activity. If you suspect your dog might have hip dysplasia, it's best to bring him to your vet for testing. The earlier you get the diagnosis, the sooner you can treat your dog's condition and help to manage any pain or discomfort he may be experiencing. Allow your vet to do a physical exam and take x-rays of your dog. Your vet will examine and touch your dog's hips to feel for any looseness in the joints or any pain reactions from your dog when she flexes or extends his hip joints. X-rays will help your vet confirm your dog has hip dysplasia and determine how serious his condition is. Discuss treatment options with your vet. There are several different surgical procedures available to correct your dog's hip dysplasia. However, the surgery recommended for your dog will depend on his age, weight, and size. Your vet may recommend two different surgical options: Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, which is used on young puppies. Total Hip Replacement is recommended for dogs with degenerative arthritis or chronic hip dysplasia.	Give your dog high quality food full of nutrients and minerals. Consider giving your dog dietary supplements. Talk to your vet if you think your dog may be overweight. Do not allow your dog to run or leap when he is a puppy. Take your dog on walks or runs when he is an adult. Avoid doing a lot of jumping activities with your dog. Bring your dog to the vet for testing. Allow your vet to do a physical exam and take x-rays of your dog. Discuss treatment options with your vet.
https://www.wikihow.com/Glitter-Wine-Glasses	How to Glitter Wine Glasses	Before you glitter wine glasses, wipe them with alcohol to clean them completely and let them dry. Then cut thin strips of painter's tape and put them on your glasses where you don't want glitter. Next, use a paint brush to spread glass glue over the areas you want to decorate, and pour an even layer of glitter over the glue. When the glasses are dry, slowly peel off the tape and seal the glitter with a thin layer of glue or a sealing spray.	Gather your materials. Making glitter wine glasses is simple, but you will need some specials materials and tools to do it. Before you get started, you will need: glass glue, such as Mod Podge or similar wine glasses cardboard paper plate painter's tape large paint brush glitter scissors isopropyl alcohol cotton balls ribbon Consider sketching the design first. Drawing your design on a piece of paper will allow you to see what looks nice and what doesn't, and thus prevent you from making mistakes later on. While it is possible to clean off glitter and glue while they are still wet to change the design, it is better to get the design right the first time. Here are some popular design schemes for glitter wine glasses: Apply glitter only to the base of the wine glass, leaving the rest of the glass blank. The glitter can also extend ½ to 1 inches (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) up the stem of the glass. Apply glitter only to the stems of the wine glass, leaving the rest of the glass blank. Create an initial or number using glitter. Create stripes on the entire glass (or just the stem) using glitter. Apply glitter to the entire glass, except for the top ½ to 1 inches (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters of the rim. Create designs using two different colors of glitter. Create ombré designs by having two colors blend into one another. Set up your workstation. Find a flat table and cover it with some newspaper. You will be working with glue and glitter, which can be quite messy. You should also place a small piece of cardboard or cardstock on your workspace to use for glitter collection. This will make it easier to return the excess glitter to your glitter bottle for use in other projects. Clean the outside of the wine glasses with alcohol. To ensure that the glitter will stick to the glass, you need to clean the glass really well. Use some cotton balls dipped in isopropyl alcohol to wipe the outer surface of the glass where you plan to apply the glitter. After you have cleaned your glasses, set them aside for a few minutes and let the alcohol dry. Cut a thin strip of tape and apply it to your wine glasses. Next, take your painter's tape and cut it lengthwise to create a long thin strip. If you will be applying the glitter just onto the stem, then you can use a short strip. Place the tape around the area of the wine glass where you want your glitter to stop. Make sure that the tape is even and securely attached to the wine glass. Otherwise, you may end up with a crooked glitter line around your wine glass. To apply glitter to the base of the wine glass, tape off the stem of the glass and leave the base exposed. You may also leave ½ to 1 inches (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) of the stem exposed as well; the glitter will then extend onto part of the stem. To apply glitter to the stems of the wine glass, cover the base of the glass with tape. Then, cover the bottom portion of the bowl part with tape as well. To create an initial or number using glitter, you may use an glue stencil or apply the glue directly to the glass free-hand. To create stripes on the wine glass, simply wrap a long piece of tape around your glass in a spiral, creating a candy-cane effect. There should be spaces between the edges of the tape. To use two or more colors, tape off the areas your do not want covered in glitter and apply the glue to the area of the first color. One you have applied the glitter and let the glue dry, you will apply the glue and glitter for the next color. To create an ombré effect, simply tape off the bottom and top part of your design and work in the area between the pieces of tape. Pour glass glue onto your paper plate. You will need to be able to dip your paint brush in the glue, so pour a generous amount of glue onto a paper plate. Make sure that there is enough to coat each glass with a thick layer of glue to ensure that the glitter will stick. Paint the lower portion of the wine glass with glue. When your tape is secured, take your paint brush and dip it into the glue. Then, begin painting the glue onto the lower half of the wine glass. Make sure that you apply an even, thick layer of glue to the wine glass. You can also use a foam brush if you are worried about leaving streaks on the glass. A foam paintbrush may apply paint more evenly than a bristled paintbrush. Pour glitter onto the glue. After you have applied the glue to the wine glass, set aside the paint brush. Then, hold onto part of your wine glass that does not have any glue on it. Hold the glass over your piece of cardboard and begin pouring glitter over the glue-coated areas of your wine glass. Keep pouring glitter over the glass until all of the glue-coated areas are covered in an even layer of glitter. When you are finished, you can return the excess glitter to the bottle. Pick up the cardboard and bend it slightly to create a funnel and then pour the glitter into the glitter bottle. If you want to do multiple colors of glitter, then you will need to let the first layer dry and then apply more glue to the glass. Then, pour your second glitter color as you did with the first layer. Leave the wine glasses to dry. The wine glasses will need to dry for about an hour, but you may also leave them overnight to ensure that they are fully dry. The glasses will need to be completely dry before you can add the finishing touches. Remember that if you will be applying more layers of glitter, you can do that after the first layer has dried. Remove the tape. When the glasses are dry, slowly peel away the painter's tape. After you remove the tape, there should be a sharp line dividing the glitter-covered glass and the glitter-free glass. Discard the tape after you remove it. Seal the glitter. Next, you will need to seal the glitter with more glue or with a sealing spray, such as Krylon Crystal Clear. To seal the glass with more glue, use your large paintbrush to paint on another layer of glue over the glitter. Then, let the glass dry for at least an hour. If you plan to use a sealing spray, then you will need to go outside to seal your glass. Place the glass on a piece of newspaper on the ground outside and then spray the Krylon Crystal Clear onto the glittery areas of your glass. Then, allow the glass to dry for at least an hour. Tie a piece of ribbon around the stem. To add a cute finishing touch to your glass, take a piece of ribbon and tie it around the top of the stem on your glass. Tie the ribbon in a bow and adjust as needed. Now your glass is ready to use or to give as a gift! Use your glasses after they are completely dry. The glitter may smudge or come off easily if it is still a little wet. To ensure that the glitter is completely dry, you may want to leave your glasses out to dry overnight. Put them somewhere that is dry and out of the reach of children and pets. Wash your wine glasses by hand. The glitter surface on your wine glass will be fragile, so you will need to take extra precautions to ensure that the glitter does not chip off when you clean it. Wash your glitter wine glasses by hand and try to avoid the glitter areas as much as possible when you wash them. Focus on cleaning the inside of the goblet and the rim of the wine glass. Do not scrub the wine glasses. Instead, use a soft sponge and try to avoid the glittered areas. Do not put the wine glasses into the dishwasher. Dry your wine glasses right away. Do not let your glitter wine glasses sit in water. When you wash your wine glasses by hand, be sure to dry them off immediately afterwards with a soft towel. Otherwise, the excess moisture may cause the glitter to chip and flake off.	Gather your materials. Consider sketching the design first. Set up your workstation. Clean the outside of the wine glasses with alcohol. Cut a thin strip of tape and apply it to your wine glasses. Pour glass glue onto your paper plate. Paint the lower portion of the wine glass with glue. Pour glitter onto the glue. Leave the wine glasses to dry. Remove the tape. Seal the glitter. Tie a piece of ribbon around the stem. Use your glasses after they are completely dry. Wash your wine glasses by hand. Dry your wine glasses right away.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Product-Review	How to Write a Product Review	Before you write a product review, spend time using the product, and make notes about whether the product is easy to use, the pros and cons of the product, and whether it's worth the purchase price. When you're writing the product review, explain the functionality of the product and what all of the features are for. Include the brand name, model number, measurements, price, and any other relevant information.	Research the product. In order to demonstrate to your readers that your review is reliable, make sure to conduct as much research as possible before you begin writing. A thorough knowledge of the product, its evolution and its competition will allow you to write something approaching an expert review. Read the manufacturer's website, as well as any manufacturer information included with the product you are reviewing. Beware of publicity material released by manufacturers and retailers - readers will often stop reading if they sense that publicity material is being used rather than observations drawn from real-life experience. Look into the competition and research the benefits and flaws of products that consumers consider alternatives. This will allow you to compare and contrast the reviewed product with the often numerous alternative products on the market. Obtain the product. Buying or renting a product for review is the easiest way to get prepared for a review. However, you may be able to obtain a product directly from the manufacturer or retailer for free if you are persistent. If you have a blog and wish to post reviews, contact companies through e-mail, a phone call, or even traditional mail. Make sure to be upfront about the type of blog you write and the traffic it receives, and keep your message short and to the point. Larger companies may employ a marketing or sales representative. If this is the case, contact the appropriate representative and pitch your review directly to them. Use the product. Using and getting to know the product you are reviewing are perhaps the most important aspects of writing a product review. Readers will be looking for genuine knowledge of and experience with a product when they read your review. Fake reviews that are full of exaggerated praise or criticism are widespread on the internet, and most people will stop reading a review if they suspect it is written with ulterior motives. A genuine appraisal of a product is the best way to draw a reader's attention. Providing a photograph or video of your interaction with the product will demonstrate to your readers that you have actually used it, and will lend credibility to the review. Know what readers are looking for. There are several reasons why potential buyers read product reviews, and you should think about these as you research and use the product before writing your review. Common questions readers would like answered include: Is the product easy to use? Is it of high quality? Is it geared towards somebody like me? Have others had a good experience with the product? What are the pros and cons of the product? What alternatives are available, and how do they measure up? Is the product worth my money? Write the introduction. A good review introduction will not only hook the reader but also provide a clear picture of the product under review and the product's advertised benefits. For first-time users, dedicate some space to explaining the functionality of the product in some detail, treating the product as if all the features are new. Teaching new customers about a product is an important aspect of a product review. For experienced consumers, focus on the evolution of a product from one model to the next, as well as any common defects or problems users may have encountered in the past. Long-time users of a product will often read reviews for solutions to problems, giving you a chance to demonstrate your knowledge of a product. Describe the product under review. Provide the reader with the basic information a consumer likes to know before buying a product. This may include a brand name, model number, measurements, target demographic, price, and so on. Be balanced. Talk about what you liked AND what you didn't like about the product. The most helpful reviews are those that outline both the pros and cons of a product, while readers will most likely skip reviews full of effusive praise or bitter criticism. Make is sure to clearly explain how you arrived at your judgments, and specifically address why you believe certain features are beneficial and why you consider other's flaws. Most people will be looking for an unbiased review of a product, and thus a clearly explained, balanced review is more likely to be read than a review that focuses too much on the positive or negative aspects of a product (unless warranted, of course). Compare and contrast products. Discuss the product under review in light of similar products available to buyers, comparing the pros and cons of each. This will both demonstrate your research and knowledge, and provide the reader with a point of reference when making their next purchase. This is particularly important for first-time buyers who may require a point of reference before deciding to purchase. Pinpoint the target audience. Describe for the reader who you believe would benefit the most from the product, which will help them to decide whether the product is right for them. Points of interest may include how easy or difficult the product is to use, specific features that will appeal to particular audiences, as well as how the product relates to other products readers may have used in the past. Write the conclusion. A good conclusion will summarize the benefits and flaws of the product, evaluate whether the product lives up to the company's marketing, and communicate your opinion on whether the product offers good value. Publish the review. Choose the most appropriate forum for your review and post the it online. There are countless online venues for product reviews; some of the most popular include blogs, dedicated product review sites, and product retailers. Allow some time to pass between the release of a product and the publishing of your review. This will allow you time to properly test the product and arrive at an honest evaluation. Readers will more often trust a reviewer who can demonstrate that they have spent some time with a product before offering a review.	Research the product. Obtain the product. Use the product. Know what readers are looking for. Write the introduction. Describe the product under review. Be balanced. Compare and contrast products. Pinpoint the target audience. Write the conclusion. Publish the review.
https://www.wikihow.com/Tickle-Feet	How to Tickle Feet	To tickle someone's feet, try using your fingers, a feather, or even a soft-bristled brush. Whichever tool you use, make sure you use a light touch since applying too much pressure might hurt the other person instead of making them laugh. Also, focus on the parts of their feet that are the most sensitive, like the pads of their toes, the arch of their foot, or in between their toes, which will make them laugh even more. If you can, sneak up on the person since they'll be more ticklish if they're not expecting it.	Choose your tickling tool. The fingers are very effective for tickling and have been used for this process for centuries. However, if you want to mix things up, a feather or a soft-bristle brush can also help you use some tickling tactics. It's up to you. Try the sneak tickle attack when your victim is lying down. The perfect time to tickle a person's feet is when the person is lying down, oblivious, and the feet are already exposed. If the person is on the couch, tanning on a fold-out chair, lying on a picnic blanket, or just hanging out in bed, try to come up to the person and be perfectly natural as you move closer to their feet. Alternately, you can just start tickling when the person isn't looking! This will definitely surprise the person and will make them shriek with delight. Do the sleeping tickle prank. If you really have no mercy and are at a sleepover or the person is taking a nap, wait until the person has drifted off to start lightly tickling the person's feet with your fingers or a feather. Keep doing this until the person wakes up, still confused about what's going on, and let the laughter ensue. Warning: the person is likely to be pretty annoyed, so make sure you didn't wake them out of a deep sleep! Put the feet in a "foot lock. " Instead of the headlock, get down by the person's feet and wrap your arms around them until the victim cannot get loose. You'll need one hand to hold down the feet and the other to do the tickling. You won't have very much time to get in this position, so quickly sit near the person's knees or calves to start getting control of them. You'll have to face away from the person, towards their feet. Face your victim. Alternatively, you can sit in the same position, near the person's calves or knees, face the victim, and wrap one arm under both feet, while reaching behind you to tickle the person's feet. This will be a bit unmanageable, but the plus side will be that you'll get to see your victim squirm and shriek! Tickle your victim while they are lying on their stomach. If your victim happens to be on their stomach because they are reading, resting, or tanning, then this is your perfect opportunity to tickle their feet. All you have to do is kneel over their legs, placing your knees and calves over the person's knees and calves, pinning their feet to the ground as you reach over and start tickling those feet. Consider crossing your victim's ankles. Since the arches of the feet can be the most ticklish spots, if you can get in the right position, you can try to cross your victim's legs or feet so you have more access to those arches. This can only be done if you have a lot of control over your victim, but it can really help the tickling Use a light touch. Whether you use your hands, a feather, or a brush, the best way to tickle a person is to use a light touch that causes a tingling sensation that makes people laugh. If you put in too much force, you'll just cause pain and won't be able to truly tickle the person. You can start with an extra light touch and tickle with a bit more force as the tickling ambush continues. Tickle the ends and the pads of the toes. This is a sensitive spot for many people, so you can try to delicately tickle this part of the feet first. Just remember that the softer the feet, the easier it is to tickle a person. If the person has rough or calloused feet, then they won't feel the pain here. Tickle underneath the joints of the toes. Though this may be a hard place to reach if your victim is writhing and kicking, if you get under here, one of the most sensitive parts of a person's feet, then you'll be able to do some real damage. Tickle between the toes. Try tickling the pad of the feet with one hand and tickling between the toes with another. Or try using one hand to hold the toes apart and tickling in between them with your other hand. Tickle the tops of the toes. This may be an unexpected place to tickle your victim — and all the better! This part of the feet is very sensitive to tickling as well. Tickle the arch of the foot. This is another very sensitive area of the feet and is perfect for being tickled, whether you're using your fingers, a feather, or a brush. Remember to use a light touch to heighten the tickling sensation and to avoid causing any pain to your victim. Find the person's sweet spot. Though these are the most common places to tickle, every person has their own sensitive spots, and your victim may be sensitive in a different part of the foot. Keep experimenting and trying different parts of the foot, to see what makes your victim shriek the most. Here are some other places to try: Just below the ankle The top of the person's foot, where the toes start The sides of the person's feet The top of the foot The middle of the sole Behind the heels Start a tickle fight. Who says that you can tickle someone without getting it back? If you're out to tickle a person's feet, then chances are that the person will want to get you back. This may lead to a full-on tickle fight, where you're rolling around, trying to pin each other, and tickling each other's sides, feet, neck, and other sensitive areas of the body. If this happens to you, then you better reading up on tickle fights so you can make sure to come out the winner. If you think the person may come back and tickle you, then be prepared. Cover up your feet, or even your sides and neck, wearing as much clothing as you can. The person won't be able to tickle you if they can barely feel your body. But then again, if you want to have more fun, then ditch the tickle insurance and have at it!	Choose your tickling tool. Try the sneak tickle attack when your victim is lying down. Do the sleeping tickle prank. Put the feet in a "foot lock. Face your victim. Tickle your victim while they are lying on their stomach. Consider crossing your victim's ankles. Use a light touch. Tickle the ends and the pads of the toes. Tickle underneath the joints of the toes. Tickle between the toes. Tickle the tops of the toes. Tickle the arch of the foot. Find the person's sweet spot. Start a tickle fight.
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-at-a-Buffet	How to Eat at a Buffet	To eat at a buffet, go for the expensive or gourmet dishes first, like steak or shrimp, so you're getting your money's worth before you fill up on other food. Try to avoid foods that are heavy or starchy, like pasta, until later in the meal so you don't get full too quickly. Also, eat slowly since eating fast can make you feel too full to keep eating. You should also try to limit yourself to water and juice for beverages since soda will make you feel fuller.	Wear loose clothing. Put on loose, comfortable clothing when going to a buffet. A pair of tight jeans or a form-fitting dress may get uncomfortable as you eat. Wear clothing that is made of a soft material that can easily expand and avoid pants with buttons if possible. Eat expensive foods first. Start with pricier foods, like steak or or shrimp. If you are vegetarian, start with gourmet foods or complicated dishes that you couldn't easily make for yourself. This way, you can ensure that you are getting what you paid for or even more than what you paid for. Use a salad or soup bowl for dessert. Dessert bowls are often small, so get more dessert by using a soup or salad bowl for desserts like ice cream. If you aren't getting ice cream, use a plate that is made for main courses to get a piece of pie or cake. Do not do this if it is forbidden by the buffet you are eating at. Drink water the day before going to the buffet. Staying hydrated will keep your stomach stretched, which will allow you to eat more food. However, don't drink a lot of water just before going into the buffet or you may feel full. Eat a snack before the buffet. Being too hungry can lead you to eating quickly at the beginning of your meal, which may make you feel full very fast. Eat a light snack about an hour before going to the buffet. A handful of peanuts, an apple, or a yogurt would be a good snack. Start with lighter foods. Don't load up on pasta or starchy foods when you begin eating. Start with lighter foods so that you will still have room in your stomach. Begin with a salad or shrimp as an appetizer before diving into heavier food. Eat slowly. Eating your food too fast will make you feel too full to eat as much as you would've been able to eat if you'd paced yourself. Chew slowly as you eat and take breaths between bites. Wait a minute or two before going back up for seconds. Avoid soda. The carbonation in soda may make you feel more full than water would. Instead, go for juice or water. If you want soda, wait to have it at the end of your meal. Avoid wasting food. Although you may want to get the most out of the buffet, try not to get more food than you can eat. It is better to get a lot of small plates and making multiple trips rather than wasting food. Also, keep in mind that some bargain buffets will charge for the price of the food you don't eat. Walk around before you eat. Do not choose the first thing that looks appetizing. Instead, take a walk around the entire buffet, and check out what is being offered. Take note of the things that look best to you. Exploring the contents of the buffet will also help you to avoid eating food that you don't really like or eating too much. Grab a tray, plate, and utensils. You can't get the food you want without having a plate to put it on. Get one smaller appetizer plate in the beginning. Remember, you can always go back for another plate when you want something else. Check to make sure the plate is actually clean before grabbing it. It shouldn't have any food particles or oily residues left on it. Get another plate if yours is dirty. Recognize lines. There may be lines in front of the serving stations. If you see multiple people lined up and they appear to be waiting, get behind the last person. If you aren't sure if it is a line, simple ask one of the people if they're waiting. Some buffets may be more formal than others so take a look around to see how other people are behaving before serving yourself. Get an appetizer. Start your meal with an appetizer. This could be a salad, soup, breadsticks, or whatever you'd like. Take a small portion of it to save room for the rest of your meal. Starting with an appetizer will also help you to pace yourself during the meal. If you don't want an appetizer, you can begin with the main course. Choose a main course and side. After finishing the appetizer, set aside your plate or put it in a bin for dirty dishes. Then, put a fresh plate on your tray. You do not have to replace your utensils. Get the main dish and side (or sides) of your choice. For example, you can get a chicken breast with mashed potatoes. Go back for seconds. If you're still hungry, go back for seconds. This is perfectly acceptable at a buffet. Just make sure to get a fresh plate each time you get a new food. You can even go up for thirds if you're still hungry. If you're at a buffet you haven't paid for, like at a party, be considerate of others before getting seconds or thirds. Leave some food for someone else that hasn't gotten any food yet. Eat dessert. Look at every dessert option before choosing one. You can try something new, but you should consider what you typically like and dislike before taking something. For example, don't get pumpkin pie if you don't typically like pumpkin dishes. If you can't decide, take a small amount of multiple desserts. Be cautious about how long the food has been sitting out. It's difficult to tell how long food has been out unless you ask, but there are ways to avoid eating food that has potentially gone bad. Often, it's a good idea to avoid foods that are sitting out in large vats. Foods that are in large vats are more likely to have been there for longer than other foods. Also, if the food appears to be discolored, a different texture than usual, or has an unusual smell, it is best to move on to another dish. Tell a staff member if you think any food has gone bad. You can ask how long a food has been out if you are unsure. Choose small portions. It's tempting to take a huge portion of the lasagna that looks delicious, but avoid this. Take a small portion of every food. It's even okay to get unhealthy foods you wouldn't normally eat as long as you take a small amount. If you decide you want more, you can always go back. Pick foods you wouldn't cook for yourself. Buffets often offer foods like toast and scrambled eggs. While these are tasty, look for healthy options you wouldn't normally cook for yourself so that the meal feels like a treat. For example, choose the smoked salmon or grilled trout if you don't normally make it at home. Avoid too many starchy foods. It's okay to have some starchy foods, but these foods are usually unhealthy and will fill you up quickly. Starchy foods are foods like potatoes, rice, and pasta. Take a small portion of these foods. Don't overeat. It's tempting to continue going back for food at a buffet simply because it's there. Avoid this temptation. Stop eating as soon as you feel full. Sit facing away from the buffet. This is thought to help you take fewer trips to the serving station. Skipping the tray will help you avoid overeating because you can not take as much food during one trip. Choose frozen yogurt or fruit as dessert. If it's your splurge meal, it's okay to go for a piece of cake or ice cream. But, if you want to stay healthy, choose a dessert that isn't so loaded in calories. Frozen yogurt or a bowl of fresh fruit would be a good idea.	Wear loose clothing. Eat expensive foods first. Use a salad or soup bowl for dessert. Drink water the day before going to the buffet. Eat a snack before the buffet. Start with lighter foods. Eat slowly. Avoid soda. Avoid wasting food. Walk around before you eat. Grab a tray, plate, and utensils. Recognize lines. Get an appetizer. Choose a main course and side. Go back for seconds. Eat dessert. Be cautious about how long the food has been sitting out. Choose small portions. Pick foods you wouldn't cook for yourself. Avoid too many starchy foods. Don't overeat. Choose frozen yogurt or fruit as dessert.
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-School-Counselor	How to Become a School Counselor	It can take a lot of work to become a school counselor, but if you love helping kids, it can be a very rewarding career. After high school, earn a bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or a related field, then pursue a master's degree in counselor education or school counseling. Once you graduate, you'll need to become certified in your state. The process can vary based on where you live, so you'll need to contact your state education department if you're not sure what credentials you'll need.	Know what the job entails. The role of a school counselor is to help children and adolescents succeed in school by developing their academic, career, college readiness, and personal/social competencies. They encourage all students to pursue their interests and support their learning, college/career, and personal/social needs and skill development. Their responsibilities include: Knowing, affirming, and supporting every student on their caseload including monitoring their academic, career/college readiness, and personal/social competency development through individual planning, school counseling core curriculum lessons, and through advising. They carefully monitor grades, ensure access to the strongest curriculum possible, work to lessen behavioral incidents, increase attendance, lessen tardies, and ensure appropriate supports for academic success and career and college readiness. Ensure every student is taking rigorous classes and getting the credits they need to graduate from school. Talking with every student about possible careers and career paths, the specific skills for college readiness (NOSCA's 8 College and Career Counseling Components: Aspirations, Academic Planning, Extracurricular Engagement/Enrichment, College/Career Exploration/Selection, College Affordability Planning, Assessments, and Transition from HS to College/Career). You can download these resources and other for free at the NOSCA website online: http://nosca.collegeboard.org. Ensuring all students get the prerequisite courses they need to attend some sort of post-secondary education after graduation including 2 and 4 year colleges and career/tech schools. Implement and evaluate a school counseling program with four key components: Foundation (mission, vision, goals, ethics), Delivery (school counseling core curriculum lessons, planning, group and individual counseling), Management (administrator agreement, use of data, small group action plans and results reports, school counseling curriculum action plans and results reports, closing achievement/opportunity gap action plans and results reports), School Counseling Program Advisory Council) Accountability (Program Assessment, School Counselor Evaluation) (ASCA Model; Hatch & Bowers, 2002; ASCA, 2012) Giving students and other stakeholders specific tools to ensure school safety and put an end to bullying, harassment, and other violence issues that detract from successful learning for all students. Advocacy, Leadership, Culturally Competent Counseling & Coordination, Teamwork and Collaboration, Equity Assessment Using Data and Systemic Change with all stakeholders Providing career and college fairs, multicultural awareness assemblies, and health education information sessions. Helping a child or adolescent work toward his or her dreams can be incredibly rewarding, and many students stay in touch with their school counselors after the students graduate. School counselors get summers and holidays off since they work as part of the school system. Reflect on whether you have the traits of a school counselor. School counselors are passionate about helping every student reach their academic, career, college readiness, and personal/social goals. They spend their days in the classroom delivering lessons, in advising and planning sessions with all students, and group and individual counseling with some students, and team and collaborate with all adult stakeholders using data to ensure that they can demonstrate how all students have improved based on their interventions. School counselors need to be: patient, trustworthy, ethical, able to keep confidentiality and know and share the exceptions to it (danger to self or others, court subpoenas, etc.), comfortable with data and using evidence-based practice, and focused on equity to ensure every student receives academic, career, college readiness, and personal/social competencies. A master's degree in counselor education/school counseling is required with 48-60 credits. CACREP is the Counselor Education accreditation board and you can locate accredited school counseling programs at (www.cacrep.org). Get certified. All US states require school counselors to obtain state certification. You can also get nationally certified through NBCC or NBPTS. Contact your state education department to find out what credentials you need to work in your state. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) also has information about each state's school counselor requirements. Maintain professional school and college counseling organization memberships at the national and state levels: ASCA and NACAC and their state branches for research literature, evidence-based practice, annual conferences, and regular electronic and written communications and professional development opportunities. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is found online at www.schoolcounselor.org and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is found online at www.nacacnet.org. Stay connected to the best free professional development resources for school counselors in the field from the National Office For School Counselor Advocacy (Sign up for their free Own the Turf Kit) [1]; the National Center for School Counseling Outcome Research & Evaluation (CSCORE) [www.cscore.org]; and the Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCAL) including their free flashlight-builder program for school counseling program development. Network, network network. It's often not how good you are that gets jobs in many cases--it's whom you know and being in the right place at the right time. Contact your professors and people with whom you worked at your practicum and internship to ask about employment opportunities. Sign up for regular communication with the career center at your college about when local districts are offering hiring fairs or jobs. Investigate employment opportunities at international schools abroad. Some international schools provide students with diplomas based on USA curriculum and the ASCA National Model/standards, and these schools employ school counselors to counsel students. Search education job boards and Craigslist. School counselor positions are usually listed with other education-related positions on sites advertising jobs at schools. Competition for school counselor jobs can be stiff in major metropolitan areas, so do a thorough search and make sure you put your best foot forward at every interview or consider moving to a rural area where job competition is not as strong. Get to know multiple building leaders as they have our profession in their hands in terms of hiring.	Know what the job entails. Implement and evaluate a school counseling program with four key components: Reflect on whether you have the traits of a school counselor. A master's degree in counselor education/school counseling is required with 48-60 credits. Get certified. Maintain professional school and college counseling organization memberships at the national and state levels: Stay connected to the best free professional development resources for school counselors in the field from the National Office For School Counselor Advocacy (Sign up for their free Own the Turf Kit) [1]; the National Center for School Counseling Outcome Research & Evaluation (CSCORE) [www.cscore.org]; and the Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCAL) including their free flashlight-builder program for school counseling program development. Network, network network. Sign up for regular communication with the career center at your college about when local districts are offering hiring fairs or jobs. Investigate employment opportunities at international schools abroad. Search education job boards and Craigslist. Get to know multiple building leaders as they have our profession in their hands in terms of hiring.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Spider-Bites-on-Kids	How to Treat Spider Bites on Kids	To treat a spider bite on your kid, start by washing the area with warm water and antibacterial soap. When the skin is clean, use a cotton swab to apply a pea-sized amount of antibiotic ointment, then cover it with some gauze. Spider bites can be scary, so keep your child calm by telling them everything will be fine. If there is any pain or swelling, apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean towel to reduce it. Only 2 types of spiders, the brown recluse and black widow, cause serious problems so watch for serious symptoms, like nausea, fever, or muscle cramps. Take your child to a doctor immediately if these signs show up.	Look for signs of a brown recluse bite, including swelling and redness. With this type of spider bite, you should be able to locate the area where your child was bitten by redness around the bite. They may also have a rash in other areas of the body, as well as fever, fatigue, or joint stiffness. Other conditions can mimic spider bites. For instance, a staph infection can look like a brown recluse bite. Watch for the symptoms of a black widow spider bite, including vomiting. With a black widow spider bite, you may not even be able to see the bite marks because the spider is so small. However, you should see a red, swollen area that is painful to your child. Other symptoms will include things like muscle cramps within 8 hours of the bite, belly pain, and trouble breathing. A black widow spider bite can seem like a stomach illness since it causes stomach problems and fever. However, you should be able to see the red area developing somewhere on their body. Pay attention to signs of an allergic reaction. These can include the child having trouble breathing or having tightness in their chest. They may also not be able to speak easily or swallow. An allergic reaction can cause swelling in the face and around the mouth. An allergic reaction like this one always warrants a trip to the emergency room. Clean the area using warm soap and water. Opt for an antibacterial soap if you have it, but if you don't, any hand soap is fine. Wash your hands with soap and water first before cleaning the child's spider bite. Get the area wet and gently rub soap into it. Rinse it off thoroughly when you're done. You can wear latex or nitrile gloves if you prefer. Apply a pea-sized amount of antibiotic ointment if you have it. Use a cotton swab to rub the antibiotic ointment gently into the area. You can cover it with a bit of gauze as needed to help keep it clean. Spiders can carry bacteria as well as venom. Applying antibiotic ointment can help prevent infection, though it won't do anything about the spider's venom. Help keep the child calm by assuring them it will be okay. A spider bite is a scary thing, even for an adult. Encourage the child to take deep breaths and let them know they will be fine. Tell them you will take care of them or take them to see a doctor who will help. You could say, "I know this is scary, but let's just try to take a few deep breaths. Breathe in.... and out.... and in... and out. I'm going to take care of you, and we're going to see a doctor who will help. You're going to be okay." Encourage the child to lift the bite above their heart. This works best if the bite was on a leg or arm. It discourages swelling around the bite, as the blood is flowing away from it. Your child may need to be laying down to lift their limb up. You can help by propping it up with a pillow. Plus, it can help keep your child focused on a task, which will calm them. Identify or capture the spider if you see one on the child. In the United States, only 2 spiders cause problems, the brown recluse and the black widow. The brown recluse spider is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter with long, skinny lets. It has a violin shape on its head. The black widow is smaller with shorter legs, and it will have a red mark on its abdomen or back. If you see the spider, try to take a picture of it or even capture it in a small container. To capture it, place the container over it upside down, then slide a paper underneath the top so you can flip it over. Avoid trying to touch the spider with your hands. Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to relieve pain and swelling. Spider bites can cause redness, swelling, and pain. Put ice in a bag and place a towel between the bag and the skin. The cold will help relieve some of the pain while you seek care. You can also use a cold, wet washcloth or a cold freezer pack with a cloth. Never put ice directly on the skin as it can cause damage. Take your child to the emergency room if you suspect a spider bite. If you see the spider on your child or you think your child may have been bitten, it's better to be safe than sorry. Both brown recluse spider and black widow spider bites can be serious. If you captured the spider, bring it with you in a sealed jar. If you took a picture but couldn't capture the spider, bring the picture instead. After your initial visit, you may need to return to the emergency room if your child develops a sudden rash after a bite. This can be a sign of an allergic reaction. You may also need to make a return trip to the ER if the bite looks infected or the child has pain or cramping. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, and pus. The area may be warm to the touch or you may see red streaking out from the bite. The child may experience pain at the bite, pain in nearby joints, muscle cramps, or stomach cramps. Expect a tetanus booster if your child hasn't had one in 5 years. While most children are up-to-date on tetanus shots, your doctor may recommend one if it's been a while. Spider bites can introduce bacteria to your child's bloodstream, including the bacteria that causes tetanus. To help calm your child about getting a shot, let them know it will only hurt for a moment. You could say, "Okay, you're going to feel a little prick, but it will be over in just a second. Can you look at me and focus on breathing in and out?" Discuss corticosteroids for some bites. Doctors may prescribe these medications, particularly for brown recluse bites. It can help the swelling go down and decrease the body's reaction to the bite. The doctor may give your child a shot or prescribe a medication to take home with you. Sometimes, this comes in a cream form instead of a shot or pill. To apply it, gently rub a pea-sized amount into the area as often as directed. Ask about muscle relaxants for a black widow bite. Because these bites can cause severe muscle cramps, muscle relaxants can help provide some relief. The doctor will likely give your child some at the ER and write you a prescription to take with you. Understand surgery and/or hospitalization may be necessary for some bites. If your child has a particularly bad reaction, they may need to have surgery on the area to remove dead or damaged tissue in the area. Alternatively, they may need to be hospitalized to help control the symptoms caused by the bite, particularly if they have a bad allergic reaction. In some cases, your child may need to be treated with antivenom, which may require a short hospital stint. Continue to apply cold compresses to the area every 20 minutes. Leave the compress on for 20 minutes, then take it off for 20 minutes. The coolness will help with the pain, swelling, and redness. You can apply compresses as long as your child has pain. Never leave cold compresses on for extended periods, as they can damage your child's skin. Follow the prescribed medication regimen at home. Your doctor may give your child medication to take at home, which can include steroids, muscle relaxants as needed, and/or antibiotics. These may be pills, oral liquids, or creams. Make sure to follow your doctor's directions carefully to help provide care for your child. Give your child a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. If your child is having pain at the site, muscle cramps, or other types of pain, over-the-counter children's acetaminophen (Tylenol) may help. Your doctor can advise you how much to give your child based on weight and age. Typically, you can give 10-15 mg per 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) of weight every 4-6 hours. Acetaminophen is known as paracetamol in the U.K. and other parts of the world. Ibuprofen can also help but avoid giving your child aspirin, as it can cause a rare condition known as Reye's syndrome. Use an over-the-counter antihistamine for itchiness. After washing your hands, apply a pea-sized amount of antihistamine cream to the area. Gently rub it into the spider bite and surrounding area. Alternatively, give the child the children's version of diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Talk to your doctor about an appropriate dose.	Look for signs of a brown recluse bite, including swelling and redness. Watch for the symptoms of a black widow spider bite, including vomiting. Pay attention to signs of an allergic reaction. Clean the area using warm soap and water. Apply a pea-sized amount of antibiotic ointment if you have it. Help keep the child calm by assuring them it will be okay. Encourage the child to lift the bite above their heart. Identify or capture the spider if you see one on the child. Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to relieve pain and swelling. Take your child to the emergency room if you suspect a spider bite. Expect a tetanus booster if your child hasn't had one in 5 years. Discuss corticosteroids for some bites. Ask about muscle relaxants for a black widow bite. Understand surgery and/or hospitalization may be necessary for some bites. Continue to apply cold compresses to the area every 20 minutes. Follow the prescribed medication regimen at home. Give your child a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Use an over-the-counter antihistamine for itchiness.
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Between-a-Cat-and-a-Dog	How to Choose Between a Cat and a Dog	If you're trying to choose between a cat and a dog as a pet, consider your lifestyle. A cat may be best if you're busy or away from home often, since they require less companionship and attention. If you have lots of free time and crave constant companionship, a dog is a great option. Cats and small dogs are typically less expensive and do well in most environments. Large dogs need more space and its best if you have a yard or outdoor area for them.	Evaluate how busy you are. If you aren't home very often and are often busy with work, a cat might be a better option for you. Most cats don't depend on you that much for companionship and are fine with alone time. Plus, they use a litter box, which means you don't have to worry about them messing up the house when you aren't at home. Dogs require more time. Dogs need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. If not, they will learn bad habits such as excessive barking, destructive tendencies, hyperactivity, scratching, or biting. They also need to be taken out a few times a day. This doesn't mean that you should get a cat if you are at home only to sleep. This would be cruel for your cat, who will need some interaction and care from you, such as fresh water daily and nail and fur care. They are just more low maintenance on a daily basis than dogs. Think about your free time. If you have a lot of free time and want to spend it with an animal, a dog is a better option. In fact, most dogs crave attention and don't like being left alone for too long. If you want a pet that you can go outside and run with, go swimming with, or just one that is more adventurous, get a dog. If you prefer a more sedentary lifestyle, think about a small lap dog who is less prone to excessive exercise. This kind of lifestyle is also good for a cat. If you travel from home a lot, you will need to arrange for pet care. If you leave your dog at home, she will need a pet watcher to come to your home at least twice a day to let her out and feed her. However, a cat can go for a day or two without being checked on as long as he has enough food and water available to him. Look at your finances. Dogs and cats are not cheap. Both pets need basic things, such as food, water, and consistent veterinary care. Cats need litter, a litter box, scratching posts, and toys to remain happy, healthy pets. Dogs need more food, toys, and carriers for traveling. It is generally easier to take a cat with you or find a cat sitter, but often dogs have to be kenneled, which is an extra expense. Some cats, especially those with long or thick fur, will need regular grooming or a daily brushing. You may pay to have this done, or you may have to take time to do it yourself. The average cat costs $1035 the first year to own. For dogs, a small dog averages $1314 in the first year and a large dog averages $1843. This includes daily care as well as vaccinations and neuter or spaying. This doesn't take into account any emergency care. Consider the size of your home. Where you live can also impact which animal you have. Cats do fine in most environments, whether you live in a small house or a mansion with a huge yard. Dogs, depending on how large they are, require more space. It also helps to have a yard if you have a dog, which means you can just let her out to play and do her business in the back yard sometimes. If you live in an apartment, think about a small dog or a cat. In these cases, many landlords will demand an extra deposit to cover any potential damage done to their property by your pet. Think about those who live with you. When deciding if you want a pet, you have to think about the people who live with you. If the people are your family or your significant other, the decision to have a pet will likely be one you make together. You have to figure out everyone's preferences and what they feel about the different kinds of cats and dogs. If you live with a roommate, you will need to take into consideration their needs and desires about getting a pet. Can they handle a rambunctious puppy, a roaming cat, or a large dog in your home? You have to consider their quality of life when deciding to get a pet. You also need to establish whether the people in your house are willing to help take care of the animal while you are away at work, school, or traveling. Look for allergies. Before you get a pet, you have to check to see if your family members or roommates have cat or dog allergies. You don't want a roommate or family member to be miserable or to get attached to a pet you can't keep. To check before getting a pet, visit friends or family that have cats and dogs separately, so you can decide which one a person might be allergic to. If you don't have friends with pets, visit the humane society to play with their animals. Nothing is more heartbreaking than having to give up a loved pet because someone in the family has allergies, so always be sure before adopting or buying a pet. Research different breeds. Before you can get a pet, you need to find the right breed of animal for you. Think about the kinds of breeds you think you'd like and then research them. You can do this online, through your vet, or by talking to knowledgeable people. This applies to both species. Some cats need more attention than others. Some dogs are more vocal than others. Some breeds tend to have worse tempers than others. All these details are important if you want to find a pet that will suit you. If you aren't sure, try the American Kennel Club's online dog breed selector program or the American Humane Society's online checklist on cat breed selection. Check the temperament. The kind of animal you want may depend on their temperament or physical capabilities. You might want a rambunctious puppy that will turn into a big dog in need of a lot of exercise, especially if you are a very active person. If you are more a walk in the park kind of person, consider a small dog breed that enjoys slower activity. Cat's can be very temperamental. If you want a pet to hold, pet, and snuggle with all the time whenever you want, you may need to get a small dog. If you want an animal that will snuggle with you and love on you when he wants but not all the time, a cat might work better for you. Get a pet. Once you have examined all the factors and know you can handle a pet, live in the right place for a pet, and know which kind you want, you need to choose a pet. Spend time searching for the perfect pet for you. Search the internet or classified sections to find pets for sell. This is a good method if you want a particular purebred animal. Also visit your local humane or rescue society to consider adopting a fine, healthy pet. If you find one you like, contact the owner or shelter people to let them know you're interested in the animal. Then, return to the place every day for a few days to spend time with the animal. This will help you both adapt before you take her home. Some shelters and owners will let you take the animal as a foster pet for a while until you become familiar with what she is like and decide you want to keep her.	Evaluate how busy you are. Think about your free time. Look at your finances. Consider the size of your home. Think about those who live with you. Look for allergies. Research different breeds. Check the temperament. Get a pet.
https://www.wikihow.tech/Get-the-Hostname-from-an-IP-Address	How to Get the Hostname from an IP Address	Mobile: 1. Go to http://www.hostip.info. 2. Enter the IP. 3. Tap Go. Computer: 1. Open the terminal or command prompt. 2. Type "ping -a xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" (replace the X's with the IP). 3. Press Enter or Return.	Open a web browser. If you're using a phone or tablet, the easiest way to find the host name connected to an address is to use a free IP lookup website. Navigate to an IP lookup website. Some free options are WhatIsMyIPAddress and HostIP. Type or paste the URL into the blank. It's near the top of the page on both websites. Tap Lookup Hostname or Go. The site will now ping the IP address and report the host name in the results. Open the Windows search bar. If the search bar does not already appear in the taskbar, click the circle or magnifying glass to the right of the Start menu to open it. Type cmd into the search bar. A list of matching search results will appear. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. A confirmation message will appear. Click Yes. This opens the command prompt. Type ping -a xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. Replace ″xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx″ with the IP address of the computer or server. Press ↵ Enter. You will see the text ″Pinging″ on the next line, followed by the host name of the IP address. Open Finder . You'll find it on the Dock, which is usually at the bottom of the screen. Click the Go menu. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Utilities. It's near the bottom of the menu. Double-click Terminal. This opens the command prompt. Type ping -a xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. Replace ″xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx″ with the IP address of the computer or server. Press ⏎ Return. You will see the text ″Pinging″ on the next line, followed by the host name of the IP address.	Open a web browser. Navigate to an IP lookup website. Type or paste the URL into the blank. Tap Lookup Hostname or Go. Open the Windows search bar. Type cmd into the search bar. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Click Yes. Type ping -a xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. Press ↵ Enter. Open Finder . Click the Go menu. Click Utilities. Double-click Terminal. Type ping -a xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. Press ⏎ Return.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clear-a-Clogged-Drain-with-Vinegar	How to Clear a Clogged Drain with Vinegar	To clear a clogged drain with vinegar, allow all of the water to drain from the sink, then pour vinegar and baking soda, lemon juice, borax, or salt down the drain. This will create a foaming chemical reaction in your pipes that can help break up the clog. Use the tub stopper or a steaming hot cloth to cover the drain for about 30 minutes, then plunge the sink until the clog is removed. Flush the sink with hot water and repeat if necessary.	Drain any water from the sink or tub. If it's really slow-draining, this may take a while, but if you remove the water, your drain-clearing mixture will be able to unclog faster. Gather household cleaning/kitchen items. You have several options for creating a non-commercial drain opener. Most involve vinegar and another substance that create a chemical reaction when combined. See if you have any of these drain-opening agents on hand: Vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar work) is the acidic base for creating the foaming reaction. Lemon juice is acidic like vinegar, but smells refreshing. This makes lemon juice a good option for clearing out clogged kitchen sinks. Baking soda is frequently used as a multipurpose cleanser. Salt will help eat away at the clog. Borax is frequently used as a multipurpose cleanser. Pour vinegar and another drain-opening agent down the drain. No mixing is needed before pouring down the drain. The mixture will foam up on its own as the chemical reaction occurs. For a vinegar and baking soda combination: use 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar. For a lemon juice and baking soda combination: use 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of lemon juice. For a salt, borax, and vinegar combination: use 1/4 cup of borax, 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Cover and let the mixture sit. Either use the tub stopper to close the drain or cover it with a steaming hot cloth. Keep the drain closed for 30 minutes. During this time, the foam will be working on wearing down the clog. Plunge the drain. Use a small, sink size plunger to agitate the clogged-up material. Create a seal and push up and down on the rubber base of the plunger. Plunging works best if you fill the tub or sink with water. The added pressure from the water will help force open the clog. Use a hanger to pull out the clog. If the drain is clogged with hair, take a metal hanger and twist it till you have a long piece of metal with a small hook at one end. Carefully feed the hook end of the wire down the drain. Twist the wire around and try to snag the clog. Gently pull the wire back out once you've caught the clog. Take care not to scratch your sink or tub with the exposed metal. Also, use caution when untwisting the hanger. The metal may be sharp. Use a drain snake. A drain snake looks like a long metal rope. You'll need to carefully feed the snake into the drain. When the snake gets stuck, you'll want to turn the cable. This will make it catch onto the clog. When you slowly pull the snake back out, the clog should clear. Flush with water and repeat. Wear work gloves since the metal snake can be sharp. You should also have an old towel and bucket handy to set the clogged material. Flush the drain with hot water. Boil at least 6 cups of hot water or several kettles full of water. Uncover the drain and slowly pour the hot water down. If you have plastic piping, just use very hot water. Avoid pouring boiling water in the drain. Repeat. If the water is still draining slowly, repeat the process again until the drain becomes clear. If the clog still stubbornly resists draining, you may have a hairball stuck. This may require manually removing the clog. Consider calling a plumber, especially if the drain completely stops up. Use gravity and pressure to flush the drain. This works best on a clogged tub, since you can fill the tub with gallons of water. Fill the tub with hot water. Then, open the drain and let the pressure of all that water help break up the clog.	Drain any water from the sink or tub. Gather household cleaning/kitchen items. Pour vinegar and another drain-opening agent down the drain. Cover and let the mixture sit. Plunge the drain. Use a hanger to pull out the clog. Use a drain snake. Flush the drain with hot water. Repeat. Use gravity and pressure to flush the drain.
https://www.wikihow.health/Prevent-Motion-Sickness	How to Prevent Motion Sickness	To prevent motion sickness, try opening the car window or plane air vent to get some fresh air and combat your nausea. At the same time, try looking at something stable, like the horizon, since this will enable your brain to match the small movements to the feeling of being in a swaying vehicle and reduce your symptoms. If you usually read or play games when travelling, avoid these activities as they can worsen your symptoms and instead just sit with your eyes closed. When your eyes are closed, try to relax by breathing deeply or taking a 10 minute nap, since worrying about feeling ill may make your symptoms worse.	Look out the window frequently. Look at a stable object, such as the horizon. The visual cues of movement will enable your brain to synchronize the visual and physical cues of the swaying vehicle. If you are in a car, focusing on an object that is too close for you to clearly see, like trees by the side of the road, may make you feel worse. If you can't see the horizon (you are on a winding road, etc.), then close your eyes instead. Don't read or play games — these things may actually worsen your symptoms. Reduce the feelings of movement. This lessens the conflict between the physical sensations of movement and the visual signals indicating that you are sitting still. Things to try include: Sitting in the front seat when you are riding in car. Choosing a seat towards the front of the plane and over the wings. Selecting a cabin on a boat that is level with the water and in the middle of the boat. This will help reduce the amount of swaying you experience. Avoid heavy foods while traveling. Don't eat foods that will be difficult to digest. This includes: Spicy foods Greasy, fatty foods. This may mean avoiding heavy fatty meals at rest stops, airport cafes, or at the ship's bar. Alcohol and caffeine. If you are offered a complimentary drink on the plane or boat, you may want to consider turning it down. Ask for water instead. Eat lightly to settle your stomach. These snacks are easy to digest and may help settle your stomach and lessen your feelings of nausea: Munching on dry crackers or other carb-heavy snacks Sucking on hard candies. Mint is a popular flavor which will also freshen your breath. Slowly drinking carbonated soda Get some air. Fresh air will help combat nausea. You can usually control air flow in whatever vehicle you are in: Open a window if you are in a car. Chances are the air blowing into your face will give you instant relief. If it is raining and you can't open the window all the way, try cracking it slightly. Go up on deck if you are on a boat. On deck you will get fresh air and be able to see the horizon. Even if the boat is rocking, the wind and cool air should help. Open an air vent if you are on a plane. Each passenger usually has access to an air vent overhead. Reach up, open yours, and aim the air flow at you. You should feel a cool breeze and reduction in your nausea. Smoking, or being exposed to smoke, or other strong scents from air fresheners or perfumes may also aggravate motion sickness. Don't worry. If you are nervous about feeling ill, worrying will make you more vulnerable to it. Use relaxation techniques before you even start feeling ill. You can try: Meditation Listening to music Deep breathing Progressively tensing and relaxing each muscle group in your body Visualizing a calming landscape Closing your eyes and taking a brief nap. Even if you are only asleep for 10 or 20 minutes, you may find that you wake up feeling much better. Try acupressure bands. These are cloth bands that fit snugly around your wrists. They have a button or knob that should press on the inside of your wrist between the two tendons running down the middle of your forearm. They should not be so tight that they hurt. If your fingers tingle or the blood flow is reduced, they are too tight. Acupressure bands have not been demonstrated to be clearly successful in clinical trials treating motion sickness; however, some people feel they help. Take ginger. Ginger is a common natural remedy for nausea, and many people use it for motion sickness. Consult your doctor before taking ginger if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking other medications with which it might interfere. If your doctor approves of you taking ginger, there are many tasty ways to do so: Ginger chews, lozenges, or candy, now widely available. A warm cup of fresh decaffeinated ginger tea. This will both help settle your stomach and keep you hydrated. You can sip it slowly over the course of your travels. You can bring it with you if you are traveling by car or by boat. If you are traveling by plane, you may need to bring freshly sliced ginger and then ask for a cup of hot water on the plane. Airports generally do not permit you to carry liquids on board. Ginger soda. You can bring ginger soda or ginger ale with you on a boat or in the car. If you are traveling by plane, check to see if you can purchase it in the airport cafes where drinks are often sold after people have gone through security. Ginger cookies or breads. These are always tasty snacks. Ginger supplements. Contact your doctor or the manufacturer's instructions to determine the dosage that would be right for you. Use over-the-counter antihistamine medications. If you will also be driving, however, you should not take these medications because they may cause you to be too drowsy to drive. Follow the instructions on the packaging. Consult your doctor before taking them if you are pregnant, nursing, taking other medications, or treating a child. Possible medications to try are: Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Gravol) Meclizine (Antivert) Ask your doctor for a prescription medications. If you have severe motion sickness and are planning a cross country car trip, a transoceanic boat trip, or several days of air travel, you may need medicine to manage your motion sickness. As with all medications, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, or on other medications. Your doctor may prescribe a scopolamine or hyoscine adhesive patch (Transderm Scop). This treatment may not be possible for people with asthma, glaucoma, urine retention, epilepsy, heart, kidney, or liver problems. However, scopolamine has no effect on people under the age of 12. If this medication is available over-the-counter, consult a doctor before treating a child or an elderly person. The patch is generally worn behind the ear. It is usually effective for about 72 hours. Side effects include sleepiness, dizziness, and blurred vision.	Look out the window frequently. Reduce the feelings of movement. Avoid heavy foods while traveling. Eat lightly to settle your stomach. Get some air. Don't worry. Try acupressure bands. Take ginger. Use over-the-counter antihistamine medications. Ask your doctor for a prescription medications.
https://www.wikihow.com/Address-a-Letter-to-a-Government-Official	How to Address a Letter to a Government Official	To address a letter to a government official, first you need to find the official's name and titles, which help to demonstrate respect when addressing your letter. Then, find their address by searching online for their name and the phrase “mailing address,” or check USA.gov for a list of addresses for many officials. When writing the envelope, include their full name, titles, and official address clearly and legibly on the front, and be sure to write your return address in the top left corner. Simply place the stamp in the top right and drop the letter in the mail.	Learn the official's name. Make sure that you know exactly who this person is, and that he or she is the appropriate person to contact about your case. Clarify why you are writing a letter to this particular official. Find the mailing address of the official. Run a web search for "[government official] mailing address." If a web search doesn't turn up the answer, then visit the website for the relevant department of the local, state, or national government. If you're in the US, you can find a comprehensive list of contact information for national, state, and local administrators at https://www.usa.gov/. If you're not sure who to address, look for the address of the relevant department. For instance, you could write your local DMV office or the Department of Homeland Security. Address the letter. Include the official's title and full name (e.g. President Barack Obama) along with his or her official mailing address. Write the words clearly and legibly in the center of an envelope, and then seal the letter inside the envelope. Stick a stamp in the top-right corner of the envelope. If you are hoping for a response from this government official, make sure to write your full name and return address in the top-left corner of the envelope! Show due respect. Open your letter with a formal salutation, and end it with an appropriate closing statement. Depending on the level of government, this official may employ a team of secretaries to read through his or her mailbox for important letters. A polite, thoughtful, and well-written letter will almost always be more likely to make it through this filtration system. If writing to an embassy or ambassador, read How to Address Ambassadors. Use the proper title. If there is only ever one person in a given post at a time (e,g, the President, the Mayor, or the Speaker of the House,) then you can address the person by his or her title alone: Mr. President or Ms. Mayor. If multiple people hold a given office at one time (e.g. Senator, Justice, Representative,) then you need to use the last name to clarify whom, exactly, you're addressing. It never hurts to include the official's name, even if he or she is the only person holding the position. A personally-addressed letter lends a certain degree of humanity to your message. Read sample letters, or send a form letter. Do your research to find out how other people have addressed letters to this particular government official. Some activism groups and petition websites will actually provide specific information about contacting the officials relevant to a certain cause. You may also be able to simply email the official. If you're unsure of what to write, try looking up a form letter and a clear subject line that gets your point across. Some elected officials receive hundreds of letters a day, and oftentimes don't read them all closely. Ask for something doable. Before you send the letter, consider whether this government official will be able to meaningfully act on your letter. Avoid asking for unrealistic things. Do not ask the government official to do more than his/her job allows. Take a step back and consider whether there is a better channel for your complaint. Petitions and form letters are usually well-written and actionable. Make sure, however, that the demanded actions fall within the scope of this official's duties. Get your letter to the top of the stack. Depending on rank, government officials may receive dozens to hundreds of letters each day. He or she may even employ professional letter-sorters to determine which select few messages actually wind up in the hands of the official. Make your letter polite, concise, and topical. In the first sentence or subject line, reference an issue that is at the top of the official's agenda. The letters that wind up at the top of the stack will be readable, relevant, and easy for the official to understand. Be sure to include your qualifications and explain why the official should listen to you. For example, if you're a Ph.D., you live in the town that's been in the news lately, or you recently met the official, they may take note of your opinion. Make sure that your letter is appropriate. Is it necessary, or are you just venting? Send a request that is polite, concise, and realistic. Do not swear or drop insults. Respect begets respect. Do not threaten a government official. The letter can be traced back to you. Beyond any risk, your threats will not necessarily inspire productive action.	Learn the official's name. Find the mailing address of the official. Address the letter. Show due respect. Use the proper title. Read sample letters, or send a form letter. Ask for something doable. Get your letter to the top of the stack. Make sure that your letter is appropriate.
https://www.wikihow.com/Zest-a-Lime	How to Zest a Lime	To zest a lime, start by washing it with cool water. Then, hold a grater above a cutting board so it's at a 45-degree angle and gently drag the lime across it. Go from the top of the grater to the bottom. Rotate the lime after each stroke before dragging it across the grater again. Once you've grated off all of the green peel, scrape the pile of zest on the cutting board into a bowl and add it to your recipe.	Wash the lime under cool, running water. Rub the limes gently with your fingers to remove grime or waxy substances, even if there is no visible dirt on the lime. Pat dry with a clean towel to clean the lime further and make it easier to grip. Place your microplane above a cutting board at a 45-degree angle. A microplane grater is a flat or curved metal kitchen tool with tiny, sharp holes across its surface. It can be used to produce finely grated lime zest with little effort. If you have a grater with several sizes of holes, use the smallest size. It may or may not be a microplane, but can be used as a zester nonetheless. Gently push the lime across the surface of the microplane. Rest your lime on top of the microplane, near the base. Push the lime gently across the blades. This should shave the skin into a fine zest, which will fall onto the cutting board for you to collect. Notice that the blades are angled in one direction. Pushing the lime against the cutting edges of the blades will produce zest, while pushing it in the opposite direction will have no effect. The cutting edges of the blades should be facing up toward the ceiling. If you are using a fine grater instead of a microplane, push as gently as possible to avoid digging into the bitter, white pith beneath the skin. Rotate the lime to zest the rest of the fruit. Zest the first area until the colored skin has been removed. Once the white pith beneath the skin is revealed, rotate the lime to rub a new section of the colored skin over the microplane in the same way. Be careful not to remove the bitter white pith beneath the skin. Collect the zest and place it in a small bowl. Once the whole lime has been zested, or you have as much zest as you need, set aside the lime for later use. Use a knife to scrape the zest off the cutting board and into a small bowl, or directly into the dish you are cooking as instructed by the recipe. You don't need to spend the effort getting every last piece of zest out of the lime. The ends of the lime may be difficult to zest, for instance. Rinse the microplane immediately or leave it in a warm location to dry out. If you allow the zest residue to dry in the tiny holes of the microplane, it can be difficult to clean out later. Use running water to wash it out immediately, scrubbing with a thick-bristled brush. Alternatively, try using no water at all and setting the microplane near a stove or on a sunny windowsill. The heat may be enough to dry out the stuck pieces until they can be easily brushed off. Wash and dry the lime. Hold the lime under a stream of cool water and rub gently. Pat dry with a towel. Get out your cutting board and zester. A zester is a kitchen tool with several tiny blades or sharp holes, which creates long, curling ribbons of lime zest, perfect for garnishing. Alternatively, these strips can then be chopped finely for use in cooking. Some refer to this tool as a "traditional zester" and call microplanes "microplane zesters." Pull the zester along the surface of the lime. If you are creating a garnish for a cocktail or dish, remove part of the white pith along with the colored zest in order to keep the curl intact. If you are using the zest for cooking, try to only remove thin strips of the colored zest. Rotate the lime and repeat the process. Once the strips have been removed and the white pith beneath is exposed, rotate to an untouched section of the lime. Continue to pull the zester over the lime until you have the amount of zest you need for your recipe. The thickness of lime skin varies more than most citrus fruit, so it is difficult to predict how much zest is produced by one lime. If the recipe calls for "zest from one lime" without specifying the variety of lime, use approximately two tsp (10 mL) of zest. Chop the strips of zest finely (optional). If you are using the zest as a decorative garnish, skip this step. If you are using them in a recipe, use a sharp knife to cut the zest into fine pieces. Use this method only if you don't have other tools. When you don't have a microplane or a zester, then a vegetable peeler or paring knife will get the job done. This process isn't recommended if you want uniform curls or a very fine zest. Rinse and dry the lime. Hold the lime under running water and rub off grime with your fingers. Pat dry with a clean towel. Place the lime on a cutting board and hold it with your non-dominant hand. Set a clean cutting board on a stable surface. Place the lime on top of the cutting board and hold it firmly in place near the base. If you are right-handed, hold the lime with your left hand. If you are left-handed, hold it with your right hand. Position the vegetable peeler or paring knife. Hold the peeler or knife against the top of the lime, with the blade facing you. Do not try to point the blade away from you, as zesting this way provides less control and increases the odds of cutting yourself. Methodically peel the zest from the lime. Pull the peeler or knife toward you, pressing lightly into the lime's skin. Ideally, only remove the colored zest portion of the peel, not the white pith underneath. However, press deeper into the pith if it helps keep the knife steady and controlled. Trim the white pith from the zest unless using strips for garnish. Use your paring knife or any sharp, small knife to remove large pieces of white, fleshy pith from the underside of the peeled zest. This is highly recommended if using the zest in recipes, as the pith adds a bitter taste. However, if you are using the zest strips as garnish or in a cocktail, you do not need to remove the pith. Chop the zest into small pieces (optional). Use the same knife to chop the zest into fine pieces. It is now ready to be added to recipes. As for the rest of the lime, wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for later use.	Wash the lime under cool, running water. Place your microplane above a cutting board at a 45-degree angle. Gently push the lime across the surface of the microplane. Rotate the lime to zest the rest of the fruit. Collect the zest and place it in a small bowl. Rinse the microplane immediately or leave it in a warm location to dry out. Wash and dry the lime. Get out your cutting board and zester. Pull the zester along the surface of the lime. Rotate the lime and repeat the process. Chop the strips of zest finely (optional). Use this method only if you don't have other tools. Rinse and dry the lime. Place the lime on a cutting board and hold it with your non-dominant hand. Position the vegetable peeler or paring knife. Methodically peel the zest from the lime. Trim the white pith from the zest unless using strips for garnish. Chop the zest into small pieces (optional).
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Egomaniacs	How to Deal With Egomaniacs	Egomaniacs are the kind of people who always have to be right and only want to talk about themselves. While dealing with this kind of personality can be challenging, you can use a few psychological tricks to keep yourself sane. If you have to deal with an egomaniac at work, stay focused on your job by remaining calm and diplomatic when they take all the credit. This will help you maintain your own dignity and remain reasonable. You'll also want to avoid feeding their ego with compliments and validation. Instead, remind yourself that you're capable and successful and have no reason to feel threatened or upset. On the other hand, if you're dealing with an egomaniac in your personal relationships, try to let them know that their behavior is hurting you, and you'd like to make more space in your relationship for your needs and feelings. If your friend dismisses your concerns and is truly a negative presence in your life, don't be afraid to cut ties with them.	Change your perspective. You do not need to constantly engage with this person. The situation can be tricky when the egomaniac is your colleague, but by remaining calm and diplomatic, you can stay reasonable and active. When you feel an avalanche of self-praise coming on, subtly stop the conversation by avoiding eye contact, withdrawing verbal affirmation, and acting disinterested or bored. Maintain your sense of confidence. Remember, just because the egomaniac claims (s)he can walk on water, that doesn't mean it's true. You will have an easier time dealing with their self-apprasal if you remind yourself that you are capable and successful. If your boss is the egotist, (s)he will probably have a hard time giving you the support and encouragement you need, so look elsewhere for a mentor. Avoid feeding their ego with compliments and validation. The egomaniac is actually very insecure and craves affirmation and attention. Don't be the person (s)he relies on for proof of their worth. Instead make a slight pitiful pat on the shoulder, let them know its okay, this should take them a step back and confirm your confidence. Check your own ego. When confronted with another person's constant assertion of self-worth, your own insecurities or pride can get the best of you. Is this person really worth your time and energy? Don't let them lure you into an argument or long-winded conversation about their latest deeds. Manage your employee’s need for control. If you are the boss, and one of your employees is the egomaniac, offering your subordinate options might mitigate their need to assert herself or challenge you. Focus on the positive, and keep them focused on solutions. You might try killing them with kindness, so to speak. Strategic use of praise and compliments can be a great motivator for a narcissistic employee. Recognize toxic friendships. If you've been friends for a long time, it might be hard to see that the egomaniac isn't really an exciting, larger than life personality. (S)he is just obsessed with themself. Egomaniacs can often be the life of the party, so many people are, at least initially, drawn to them. If your friend isn't interested in you, or never gives you a chance to talk, it might be time for a change. Talk to an egomaniac friend calmly about how you feel. Let the know that their behavior is hurting you and that you'd like to make some space in the relationship for your needs and feelings. You might say, “I care about you and our friendship, but I feel like we spend a lot of time talking about your feelings. I would like to share some of my experiences with you, but I'll need you to listen.” There is a range of egotistical personalities, some more fixable than others, so pointing out a friend's bad behavior might fix the problem. Cut ties with your self-centered friend if (s)he dismisses your concerns or is a negative presence in your life. You are not required to maintain friendships that are detrimental to your happiness and well being. If the relationship seems truly toxic, cut ties and try not to feel guilty. Flip the script and focus on yourself when you find yourself married to an egomaniac. Narcissism in intimate relationships can be especially difficult. Egomaniacs lack empathy, so a romantic partner can feel unloved and lonely. Think about what needs you are fulfilling by partnering with an egoist. Often, it is a lack of self-worth or co-dependency. Review your own childhood. A narcissistic parent might have trained you to deny your own needs in favor of someone else. Take control of the situation by respecting yourself and working on your own sense of self-esteem. Do some activities that you are interested in, whether it's reading, gardening, or watching your favorite movie. Remember that you matter, too. When your partner begins another self-centered outburst, calmly say something like, "I understand that that you are really excited about your idea, but I've been listening to you talk for a while. I'd like you listen to some things that I have to share." Or, "It makes me feel like you don't care about me when you talk over me and ignore the things that I say. I need you to listen more." Approach your partner as an equal, not a superior. Couples counseling might be a good option. Get help if you find yourself in a controlling, manipulative, or physically abusive relationship. Some egoism amounts to selfishness or arrogance, which is annoying and obnoxious. But a small number of people are extreme in their narcissism and actually have a personality disorder (called narcissistic personality disorder, NPD). True narcissism can be part of an overall abusive personality. It's important to recognize this for what it is and get help. Create a healthy sense of self within a narcissistic family. An egomaniac affects everyone around them, particularly within a household. Spouses suffer, and children grow up feeling inadequate, and often end up narcissistic themselves. Counseling might be appropriate when an egotistical parent is wreaking havoc on the self-worth of the rest of the family. While it may be difficult to get the offender onto the therapist's couch, other family members can get help. Work to establish healthy boundaries for yourself and your children. Don't expect the egomaniac to change without professional help, so set realistic expectations. Offer sincere positive recognition when appropriate. Focus on the characteristics that you truly admire.	Change your perspective. Maintain your sense of confidence. Avoid feeding their ego with compliments and validation. Check your own ego. Manage your employee’s need for control. Recognize toxic friendships. Talk to an egomaniac friend calmly about how you feel. Cut ties with your self-centered friend if (s)he dismisses your concerns or is a negative presence in your life. Flip the script and focus on yourself when you find yourself married to an egomaniac. Get help if you find yourself in a controlling, manipulative, or physically abusive relationship. Create a healthy sense of self within a narcissistic family.
https://www.wikihow.com/Shorten-a-Dress	How to Shorten a Dress	To shorten a dress, start by putting it on and using a measuring tape to measure the length you want it to be. Use chalk to mark your desired length in a few different places and draw a straight line around the dress to connect the marks. Draw a second line an inch below the first to give you an allowance for the seam. Once you've marked your hem on the dress, cut along the second line with a pair of scissors. After you've cut the new hem, fold the fabric about ½ inch under so that the raw edge lines up with the first chalk line you made, and pin it in place. When you've pinned the new hem, sew a straight stitch along the folded edge to finish your dress.	Get a dress that is already the length you want. Using a dress that is already the length that you would like to shorten your dress to is an easy way to ensure that you will get a good result. Check your closet for dresses that are the ideal length to use as a guide. Try to find a dress with a similar cut to your dress as well. For example, if your dress has an A-line skirt, then try to find another dress with an A-line skirt that you can use as a guide. Measure the length if you do not have a dress to use as a guide. If you do not have a dress that is the length you want, then you can also try on the dress and use a measuring tape to find the length you want. Do this while you are standing up. Extend the measuring tape from your natural waist to the place you want the hem to end and mark the length using a piece of chalk. Then, repeat this all the way around using the same measurement. If you have a friend who can help you, then you might also ask them to do this for you. It can be difficult to get the measurements while you are also wearing the dress. Trace the hemline. When you have identified the length you want, you will need to trace the new hemline onto your dress. If you are using a dress as a guide, then lay it over the top of your longer dress and use a piece of chalk to trace the hemline of the shorter dress. If you are using the chalk marks you made while wearing the dress, then you can just connect these marks. If you are using another dress as a guide, then make sure that the two dresses are lined up at the shoulders. This will help to ensure that your new hem will be the same length as the one on your other dress. Measure 1” (2.5cm) from the line for seam allowance. You will need to cut your new hem a little lower than the chalk line you made on your dress. This is because you will be folding the fabric up and sewing to cover the raw edges of the fabric. To make room for the hem fold, measure 1” (2.5 cm) from the line you marked on the dress and draw a new chalk line that is parallel to it. Mark the distance from the line in a few different places to ensure that you get an even line. Cut along the second line with a pair of scissors. After you have marked the fabric, cut along the seam allowance to remove the excess fabric. Make sure to cut right along the line you have marked, and not inside or outside of it. Cut as evenly as possible with the scissors. Fold the fabric under and pin it in place. Next, you will need to secure the hem fabric under the dress using pins. Fold about ½” (1.3 cm) of the fabric under so that the raw edges of the dress are lined up with the first chalk line that you made along the hem. Pin the edges under all the way around the dress. Sew around the edges. After you have pinned the edges in place, you will need to sew around the edges of the fabric to secure the hem. Sew a straight stitch along the folded edge to secure the hem. Make sure that you sew through both layers of fabric to secure the raw edge of the fabric to the underside of the dress. Remove the pins as you sew. After you finish sewing the hem, cut the excess threads and try on your new shortened dress! Consider the difficulty of the project. You can probably hem most dresses on your own as long as the dress is a simple design with fabric that is easy to work with. However, some dresses may be difficult to hem on your own. Dresses that are made from delicate fabrics, include beaded embellishments, flare out significantly, or have multiple layers may be difficult to hem. For dresses that pose these kinds of challenges, consider hiring a seamstress. You may also consider using a rolled hem for delicate fabrics or flared skirts. Ask a friend to help you. If you are using an existing dress, then you do not have to worry about putting the dress on. However, if you want to ensure that the dress is going to end at a certain place on your body, then you will need to put it on and measure it. Getting the measurements just right for shortening your dress will be easier if you have someone to help you, so ask a friend to help you. your hem before you sew it. Iron To ensure that your hem will be flat and straight, you may want to flatten it with an iron. To iron your hem, pin it in place, and then remove a few pins at a time to iron the hem in sections. Replace the pins after you finish ironing each section. Keep going until you have ironed all the way around your hem, and then sew your hem.	Get a dress that is already the length you want. Measure the length if you do not have a dress to use as a guide. Trace the hemline. Measure 1” (2.5cm) from the line for seam allowance. Cut along the second line with a pair of scissors. Fold the fabric under and pin it in place. Sew around the edges. Consider the difficulty of the project. Ask a friend to help you. your hem before you sew it.
https://www.wikihow.com/Hang-a-Hammock-Chair	How to Hang a Hammock Chair	You can hang your hammock chair either indoors or outdoors as long as you have enough space and a sturdy support. If you're hanging it outside, you'll need a tree branch at least 6 inches in diameter and at least 6 feet off the ground to ensure it can hold your weight. You'll need to wrap a rope a few times around the branch and attach it to your chair's hanging mechanism. To hang it indoors, you'll need to use a stud finder or magnet to locate a ceiling joist. Alternatively, you can hang your chair from an exposed beam. Screw an eye screw into your joist or beam and hang your chair with rope or chains. It's important to always test the weight of your chair before you sit in it. Try pulling on the seat, then sitting carefully in it while keeping your feet planted to make sure it's safe.	Pick a spot with at least 6 feet (1.8 m) of space from ground to hanging point. The most common spot will be a strong tree branch that can withstand significant weight (at least 250 pounds (110 kg)). A hardwood tree with healthy horizontal branches will provide the best support. Be sure your location offers 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) of vertical clearance. Oak or maple trees are great hardwood trees to use. Check branches for any splitting or weak and worn points near the trunk. You can use a tape measure to figure out the diameter of your tree branch. Between 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) around should hold your hammock chair. Use a meter or yard stick to measure the distance between the ground and the tree branch. It won't be exact, but it'll give you a solid estimate. You can also hang your chair on an overhead beam in a gazebo or on your porch. Throw your rope over the branch or beam at least twice. Spread the rope on the branch to distribute weight. This prevents tension from settling at a single point, weakening that spot and increasing the risk of a break later. Make sure you have enough rope to accommodate height and the knots you'll tie. With a 15 ft (4.6 m) rope, you'll have plenty of slack for height adjustments, and you can cut off the excess. However, you can probably get by with 7 feet (2.1 m) of rope. Thread the rope ends through the hammock hanging mechanism. Your hammock chair might already have a reinforced loop, either directly on the chair, or at the end of a long rope or cord connected to it. Hold the rope ends in one hand and use the other to grasp the hammock loop. Slide the loop up, keeping the rope taut. The hammock loop should sit right under the branch or beam. Knot the rope below the branch or beam with two half-hitch knots. Wrap the rope line on your left behind the rope line on your right. This forms a small loop beneath the branch. Insert the left rope line through this loop. Pull tight on the left rope. Then repeat, passing the left rope behind the right, then pushing through the new loop created. Pull the knots tight for a strong, tight hold. This ensures the hammock doesn't fall when used. Use more knots for added security. Test the weight of the chair gradually. Pull on the hammock chair; use plenty of force to test its strength. If it holds, add more weight, like a stack of hefty books or several hand weights. Try to put about 50 pounds (23 kg) on the chair. After that, try lightly sitting on it yourself - or have someone else try. Slowly ease onto the chair until you're fully seated. If it holds still, the chair is solid. Choose an area with at least 6 feet (1.8 m) of vertical clearance and 3 feet (0.91 m) behind the chair. With 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) of space from floor to ceiling, you'll ensure there's room for your chair to hang properly. The space behind the chair offers room for it to spin or sway. You can measure your space with a meter or yard stick. A tape measure also works. Survey the area so the hammock chair isn't blocking or hitting anything nearby. Use rope for a classic way to hang your hammock chair. Rope is a popular choice, and with indoor use, it'll last a long time. Rope also offers a beachy aesthetic that adds to the relaxing feeling of the hammock chair. Rope requires secure knots. Failing to use them risks damage to your home and could cause injury to whoever is using the hammock chair. If knots are tricky, chains might be a better choice. Use rope with a working load of at least 200 to 250 pounds (91 to 113 kg) to ensure it can hold enough weight. Use chains to hang your chair with security. Chains provide enhanced sturdiness for your chair. Depending on the style of the chair or your home, they might not be as nice to look at. But you'll know that chain won't fray or break easily. Pre-measure your rope or chain so you have enough to attain the desired height. At least 7 feet (2.1 m) of rope will be sufficient for most needs, but if in doubt, it's better to have more rope than less. Locate a ceiling joist with a stud finder. These tend to be installed 16 or 24 inches (41 or 61 cm) apart, so once you've found one, you can easily find more should that initial location not work. Use a stud finder, then mark both sides of the joist to find the center where you'll drill. You can also use a magnet to find the ceiling joist. If you're hanging your hammock chair to exposed wooden beams, you can simply install your hooks to the center of the beam. Use a power drill to drill a pilot hole for the eye screw. The drill bit should be smaller than the eye screw's width. The pilot hole should be roughly 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) deep and placed at your center mark. You're in the right spot if you see wood shavings on the bit. That means you've hit solid wood. Install the eye screw into the pilot hole. These screws should be long enough to twist at least 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) into the ceiling joists. Insert the eye screw, then turn it clockwise until it's screwed in tightly. When it's inserted fully, you shouldn't see any visible threading on the screw. Ideally, the eye screw's ring should touch the ceiling. Use a screwdriver to help tighten, if needed. Assemble your hanging chair with an S-hook. Link an S-hook to the eye screw. Next, attach your rope to the S-hook, knotting firmly with two half-hitch knots. At the chair's attachment mechanism, knot again. Chains can be hooked directly onto an S-hook, but you might need another hook or a locking carabiner at the chair's attachment. Hang your hammock chair by attaching rope directly to eye hooks. Loop your rope through the eye screw. Tie tightly with two or more half-hitch knots. Weave the other end of the rope through the chair's attachment and use another strong knot or two. Test the weight little by little. Pull firmly on the hammock chair. If it holds, add more weight, like a few heavy jugs or some thick books. Next, try lightly sitting on the chair yourself. Keep most of your weight on your legs as you squat over the chair, then slowly ease into the seat until you're fully supported by it.	Pick a spot with at least 6 feet (1.8 m) of space from ground to hanging point. Throw your rope over the branch or beam at least twice. Thread the rope ends through the hammock hanging mechanism. Knot the rope below the branch or beam with two half-hitch knots. Test the weight of the chair gradually. Choose an area with at least 6 feet (1.8 m) of vertical clearance and 3 feet (0.91 m) behind the chair. Use rope for a classic way to hang your hammock chair. Use chains to hang your chair with security. Locate a ceiling joist with a stud finder. Use a power drill to drill a pilot hole for the eye screw. Install the eye screw into the pilot hole. Assemble your hanging chair with an S-hook. Hang your hammock chair by attaching rope directly to eye hooks. Test the weight little by little.
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Your-Mustache-(for-Girls)	How to Remove Your Mustache (for Girls)	If you're a girl and you want to get rid of your mustache, try using depilatory cream. Depilatory cream is a cream that you apply to your upper lip to dissolve your hairs. Once you've rubbed the cream on, leave it for 3-6 minutes before rinsing off. Alternatively, use a waxing kit to tear out your hair, which is a little painful but keeps your hair from growing back for longer than other methods. You can also hide your moustache hairs by bleaching them with a cream bleach made for facial hair, which works best for hairs that are too short to wax. If you want to get rid of your mustache hair permanently, consider electrolysis or laser removal. These are the most expensive options, but they'll save you lots of time in the long run if you're constantly waxing your mustache!	Choose a depilatory cream for a painless option. Depilatory creams dissolve the hair at the surface of your skin. If used correctly, these creams are painless, so choose this method if you want to avoid the pain caused by waxing or epilators. Find a depilatory cream that is appropriate for facial hair. Because the chemicals involved in this process are harsh, select a cream designed for delicate facial skin. Visit a beauty supply store, and search for a product that specifically states it's for facial hair. If you're unsure, ask an associate to point one out for you. Spot-test the cream. Apply a small dab to a sensitive but safe area (such as the skin of your inner wrist) to make sure your skin doesn't react. Leave it on for the recommended amount of time, which will likely be around five minutes, and then wash it away thoroughly. Wait at least another 10 or 15 minutes to make sure your skin doesn't begin to itch or turn red. Spread a thick coat of the paste over your upper lip. Put on disposable gloves and squeeze a pea-sized amount onto your finger. Start directly under your nose and wipe out in both directions across your upper lip. Make sure there's a thick coat of the product covering the entire area. If you wipe the product too far out and it reaches your cheek, immediately wipe it off that area with a damp cloth. If your product came with a small spatula, you can also use that to apply the cream. Leave the cream on for three to six minutes. Follow the instructions on the product carefully. They will likely tell you to let the cream sit on your skin for three to six minutes, but it's better to err on the side of less time if it's your first application. If you begin to feel a tingle on your upper lip, wipe the product away immediately. Rub a small section of skin to see if hair comes off. Using your fingertip or a Q-tip, gently rub a tiny portion of your upper lip to see if the hair wipes away. If so, go ahead and remove the cream. If not, wait until you've reached the maximum amount of application time. Never leave the product on for longer than the recommended amount of time. Your skin can get irritated or burned. Wipe away the cream using a damp cloth. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe the cream off your skin. You can also get in the shower and simply rub the cream off with your fingers. Rinse your skin thoroughly with soap and water. Lather your fingers with soap and water and then gently rub your upper lip to remove any of the product residue. Then rub or splash water on your upper lip to give it a final rinse. Apply a gentle cream afterwards. If the area feels dry after this process, apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizing cream or lotion. Reapply the cream or lotion as needed over the next day or two. Repeat this process every three to five days. Depilatory creams are only a temporary solution, and the hair will grow back in three to five days. You can use the product again after three days, but stop using it if you get irritated, itchy, or red skin. Choose waxing if you want a longer-lasting solution. Waxing removes the hair from the root, and can give you two or more weeks of hairlessness. It can be painful, however, so visit a beauty salon to have it done for you if you don't think you can do it yourself. Wait until hair has grown to a quarter of an inch (0.6 cm). Waxing is only effective if the wax can stick to the hairs, so wait until the hairs on your upper lip have grown to a quarter of an inch (0.6 cm). If you aren't willing to let your hairs grow long enough to do this, use another method, such as bleaching. Find a wax that is appropriate for facial hair. Visit a beauty supply store or drugstore and purchase a home waxing kit. Make sure it specifically states it can be used on facial hair. You can either get spreadable wax or ready-made strips that already have wax applied. The ready-made strips are the tidier option, though they are sometimes less effective. Wash your face with an exfoliating cleanser to minimize pain. Cleaning out your pores and removing built-up dead skin cells will make it easier for the wax to pull the hair from the follicle. Scrub your face with an exfoliating wash, or use a normal face wash and scrub with a washcloth. Other ways to minimize pain include applying numbing creams, taking a hot shower beforehand, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol on waxing day. Heat up the wax in the microwave if necessary. Most waxes must be warmed up, but wax strips are sometimes the exception. Place the container of wax in the microwave and heat it for the recommended amount of time. Follow the instructions on your product carefully to avoid overheating it and burning yourself. Apply spreadable wax over the mustache area. If you purchased spreadable wax, use the applicator that came with the kit to spread it carefully along your upper lip. Apply it in the same direction that the hair grows. The wax should cover your mustache area in a thick layer, but be sure to avoid the delicate skin on your lips and in your nose. Apply a waxing strip over your upper lip. Whether you just spread wax over your upper lip, or you purchased strips with wax already on them, apply a strip across your mustache area. Start on one side of your upper lip and move across the middle as you apply it. Pull it taut as you smooth it over the area with your fingers, making sure no air bubbles get trapped under the strip. Wait the recommended time. Follow the product instructions for how long you should leave the wax on. Removing it too early may render it ineffective, and waiting too long is unlikely to make it more effective. Tear off the strip in one quick motion. Hold the skin next to your upper lip taut with one hand, and grasp one end of the strip with the other. Yank it off quickly in one smooth motion, pulling it in the opposite direction that the hair grows. Don't rip it off slowly or in several motions; this will make the pain worse. Rinse your skin thoroughly with soap and water. Lather up your fingers with soap and water and then gently rub your upper lip. If you feel any residue left behind, dampen a washcloth and gently wipe the area until it's gone. Apply a cortizone cream to reduce redness. Visit a drugstore and pick up some cortizone cream to apply to your upper lip after waxing. Use it for the first 24 hours after waxing to reduce redness and irritation. You can also use a soothing oil, such as azulene oil. Bleach your mustache if you don’t want to let it grow out. Bleaching is an effective method for hiding mustache hairs that are too short to wax. If you don't want to wait for your upper lip hair to grow out to a quarter of an inch (0.6 cm), bleach the hair to make it less visible. Bleaching is best used on fine hair and is often ineffective on very coarse hair. Choose a cream bleach for facial hair. Visit a beauty supply store to pick out a cream bleach. Be sure to only choose bleach that is recommended for use on the face, or your skin may become irritated. If possible, choose a bleach that's appropriate for your skin type (i.e. oily, dry, etc.). Mix the bleach according to product instructions. The bleach should come with a cream and an activating powder. Mix these two ingredients together according to the package instructions immediately before you plan to use the bleach. You'll need to throw the remainder of the mixed product away as soon as you're done using it, so try to only mix as much as you'll use. Spot-test the cream. Apply a small dab to a sensitive but safe area (such as the skin of your inner wrist) to make sure you don't react. Leave on for the recommended amount of time on the box, and then wash it off. Wait at least another 10 or 15 minutes to make sure you don't itch or turn red. Wash the skin on your upper lip with a gentle cleanser. Before applying the bleach, make sure your skin is clean by washing it with soap and water, or use your regular face wash to cleanse the area. Avoid exfoliating facial cleansers since applying bleach right after it may irritate your skin. Apply the bleach to your mustache area. The cream should come with an applicator, but if it doesn't, use a popsicle stick or put on gloves and use a finger. Start under your nose and move outward in the direction that your hair grows. Be very careful not to get it on your lip itself or near the skin in your nostrils. Dispose of your application instrument or gloves in a plastic bag, since you could get bleach on your garbage can. Wait the recommended amount of time. Follow the instructions on the product packaging and do not exceed the recommended amount of time. Your skin could become irritated or damaged if you do. Generally, bleaching cream should not be used on the skin for more than ten minutes at a time. Wipe away a small amount to test if it has worked. Use a Q-tip or cotton pad to wipe a small section of the cream away. Wipe the cream away from your nose and mouth, rather than toward them, and check to see if the hair is light. If not, wait another minute, but do not exceed the maximum recommended amount of time. Wipe away the remaining cream with a cotton pad. Use cotton pads or paper towels to wipe up the remaining cream. Be careful not to get it on any sensitive areas as you wipe, and dispose of the pads in a plastic bag. Rinse your skin thoroughly with soap and cold water. Lather your fingers with soap and cold water, and then gently rub your upper lip to wash away the rest of the bleach residue. Pat your face dry with a paper towel rather than a nice hand towel, just in case there's any bleach remaining on your face. Repeat when the hair grows in dark again. After several weeks, bleach the hair again when you see it starting to grow in dark again. Stop using the bleach, or use it more intermittently, if your skin turns red or gets itchy or irritated. Choose electrolysis or laser removal for a permanent solution. Both electrolysis and laser removal have the potential to be permanent solutions after enough treatments. They are far more expensive than the other methods of hair removal, but they can save you a lot of time in the long run if you're constantly waxing or bleaching your mustache. Choose laser hair removal if you have dark hair and light skin. During laser-hair removal, a laser is used to zap many hair follicles at once and kill hair at the root. Because the lasers are best at targeting dark hairs that stand out against light skin, it's not ideal for dark-skinned or light-haired people. Skin and hair color are less important for electrolysis, when a tiny needle is inserted into the hair follicle and creates a current that kills the root of the hair. Research locations and practitioners carefully. Some places have better machines, more qualified specialists (always make sure they're licensed), and happier customer reviews than others. Look online for reviews, but never choose a location based on the testimonials on their company website. Call a few clinics to interview practitioners. Call your top two or three choices for clinics and ask them questions about their services, equipment, and training. Some things to ask include how long they've been in business, how old their equipment is, whether their equipment is FDA approved, and whether their practitioners are licensed. Also ask about the total price, whether they'll let you do a patch test, what the possible side effects will be. Ask practitioners about their expectations for your hair type. While laser hair removal and electrolysis can have permanent effects and work wonders for some people, they are not guaranteed for everyone. Moreover, the treatments can be painful and expensive. Ask a couple of different practitioners what they expect your results to be. If they promise results that sound too good to be true, consider going somewhere that offers more realistic expectations.	Choose a depilatory cream for a painless option. Find a depilatory cream that is appropriate for facial hair. Spot-test the cream. Spread a thick coat of the paste over your upper lip. Leave the cream on for three to six minutes. Rub a small section of skin to see if hair comes off. Wipe away the cream using a damp cloth. Rinse your skin thoroughly with soap and water. Apply a gentle cream afterwards. Repeat this process every three to five days. Choose waxing if you want a longer-lasting solution. Wait until hair has grown to a quarter of an inch (0.6 cm). Find a wax that is appropriate for facial hair. Wash your face with an exfoliating cleanser to minimize pain. Heat up the wax in the microwave if necessary. Apply spreadable wax over the mustache area. Apply a waxing strip over your upper lip. Wait the recommended time. Tear off the strip in one quick motion. Rinse your skin thoroughly with soap and water. Apply a cortizone cream to reduce redness. Bleach your mustache if you don’t want to let it grow out. Choose a cream bleach for facial hair. Mix the bleach according to product instructions. Spot-test the cream. Wash the skin on your upper lip with a gentle cleanser. Apply the bleach to your mustache area. Wait the recommended amount of time. Wipe away a small amount to test if it has worked. Wipe away the remaining cream with a cotton pad. Rinse your skin thoroughly with soap and cold water. Repeat when the hair grows in dark again. Choose electrolysis or laser removal for a permanent solution. Choose laser hair removal if you have dark hair and light skin. Research locations and practitioners carefully. Call a few clinics to interview practitioners. Ask practitioners about their expectations for your hair type.
https://www.wikihow.com/Discipline-an-Autistic-Child	How to Discipline an Autistic Child	Disciplining your autistic child involves rewarding good behavior and punishing them appropriately. When your child does something good, praise them and give them a reward, like a new book or toy, or a day out. If they start to get angry or upset, help them calm down by taking deep breaths or counting. You can also redirect their attention to a new activity to distract them. When they misbehave, give them a calm reminder the first time, like, "Be gentle with the cat, please." If they continue, give them a warning. For example, say something like, "You need to be gentle. If you don't stop, I will take your toy away." Then, if they still don't stop, punish them with a loss of privileges or a time out.	Don't forget that, above all else, an autistic child is a child. Any given child has their own preferences, quirks, behaviors, and reactions. Any child has things they don't like, and things they do. Being autistic doesn't change this. Any discipline techniques you use should approach difficult behavioural situations with understanding. Focus on providing your child the support they need to control themselves and turn "naughty" behaviour into more constructive actions. All kids misbehave sometimes. They may break rules (accidentally or on purpose), and have trouble controlling themselves when they're upset. It's important to be understanding but firm in teaching them how to behave better. Remember to be fair. It's not right to punish a child for "acting autistic" (like stimming or avoiding eye contact), nor is it fair to punish an autistic child for breaking rules that other kids can get away with breaking. Be patient. While at times you may become frustrated when trying to understand your child's behavior, it is important to remember that patience is key. With time, with use of the strategies covered below, your autistic child will learn better ways to behave. This won't happen overnight. Remember that autistic children experience extra challenges. Sensory issues, communication difficulties, strong emotions, and other issues can be very frustrating to handle. Keep in mind that autistic children's listening body language may look different from the listening body language of non-autistic children. Stimming , looking in other directions, and not appearing to respond doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't listening. Stay positively focused. Discipline should be focused more on encouragement and praise, not punishment. Your job is to teach them how to behave well, and then praise them as they learn it. Try talking to a therapist if your techniques don't seem to be working. Handle meltdowns with care. A lot of what you might think of as "bad behaviour" in autistic children comes in the form of meltdowns. This can be particularly difficult to react to with younger children or others who don't use verbal communication to express when they're upset. What may look like a "bad behaviour" tantrum in some can actually be an attempt to express their needs, deal with unsettling sensory experiences, or handle stress. Ideally, you want to create a plan to help teach the child to avoid meltdowns themselves. Classic "disciplinary" tactics that focus on punishment, like time-outs, can make things worse by upsetting the child further and removing any sense that they have control over their decisions. Instead, teaching a child to take a “break” and introduce self-calming techniques empowers the child to manage their time and emotions and encourage the child to self-regulate. Our articles on How to Deal with Autistic Children's Meltdowns and How to Reduce Meltdowns and Tantrums in Autistic Children can offer more detailed advice on helping reduce and manage meltdowns. Keep a calm voice and demeanor. Shouting and power struggles can make children anxious and confused. Anxiety can make children become even more agitated, and they may act out by crying, screaming, shouting, or self injuring. Your goal is to calm the child down. Keep an even and low voice, even if you feel frustrated. It is okay to buy yourself time. Try saying "I'm really frustrated. I need some time to figure out what I'm going to do about this." Set a predictable routine and structure. Autistic kids often feel more secure when they can predict the day's activities and make sense of the world. Create set places where activities occur. This can help the child stay calm and feel in control of things. Routines also make it easier to narrow down why the child might be acting out. For example, if they always cry when you ask them to do homework after school, it might be that school tires them out too much and they need to relax first, or that homework is a source of major stress for them. Use "picture schedules" to create order. Picture schedules help to explain which activity the child will do next. Picture schedules are wonderful tools parents can use to help guide some autistic children through different activities they will undertake during the day. It helps improve structure in a child's life particularly because autistic children often have difficulty keeping an overview of their daily activities. Some ideas for ways to use picture schedules include: You and your child can keep track of tasks by “ticking off” completed activities. You and your child can keep a clock or a light-up timer near the activities to determine the time frame for each activity (if this helps the child). Help your child to design and draw these pictures so they feel more of a connection with the images. Keep the images in a book or on a board or wall so that your child can refer to them whenever they please. Be consistent with the schedule. This helps the child feel secure. If a change needs to be made, give the child warning and an explanation, so it feels less jarring. Work together with other caretakers (such as teachers and therapists) to create a consistent system. Adapt the schedule in small ways as your child grows. While the schedule should remain relatively consistent, this does not mean there is no room for development of your child's activities and discipline as your child makes their natural progression in development and growth as an individual. For example, bath time may turn into shower time once your child learns to shower independently. Make changes to help fix issues as needed. For example, if you schedule exercise time after lunch, and the child often gets a stomachache during exercise, it might be that they need time for the food to settle. Talk to the child about the schedule issue, and brainstorm how to rearrange things (like exercising before eating, or having 30 minutes of free time in between). Plan lots of time for your child to relax. Autistic children can be especially vulnerable to stress, so it's critical for them to get enough "down time." Down time is particularly relevant when your child feels there is too much going on and their senses have been overloaded. When your child becomes distressed or upset because of this over-stimulation, this indicative of the need for down time. Simply take your child to a safe, quiet place and allow your child to 'relax' in a simple environment under casual supervision. Try to plan relaxation time after activities that tend to be stressful. For example, if the child usually comes home from school stressed or tired, then they should have at least half an hour of free time to unwind. If the child isn't old enough to go unsupervised, you can offer casual supervision. For example, the child could rock back and forth and draw pictures in a corner, while you read a book or do something on your phone. Schedule plenty of time for fun. Autistic children, just like other children, need time to play and enjoy activities of their own choosing. Since stress can be a problem for autistic kids, relaxation time is especially critical. Self-directed play helps the child stay happy and emotionally balanced. Keep in mind that your idea of "fun" might be different from the child's idea. For example, a noisy party might be stressful for an autistic child. And lining up toys or walking in circles might be an enjoyable way for an autistic kid to spend time. If the child likes it, then it counts as fun, even if you don't understand it. Being bossed around by an adult usually doesn't count as fun, even if the adult is telling the child to play. If you play with the child, let them take the lead. Plan some outlets for energy, especially if the child has hyperactive tendencies. Some kids can't stay sitting or doing the same thing for very long. If this is the case for your child, make sure to schedule plenty of time for them to "blow off steam" and use some of their excess energy. Sports and playing outside are often good for active kids. You can also announce unscheduled breaks if you see the child getting antsy. For example, you could say "I can see you're having a hard time focusing. Let's run around for 15 minutes, and then come back." Resolve any sleep or medical problems. If your child is not getting sufficient sleep or is suffering pain or ill health, it would be natural for them to express their distress which may be misconstrued as “problematic behaviour”. If you notice behavior focused on a particular area, try having a doctor check that area. For example, a boy who hits his head might be suffering from a toothache or lice. Hitting a body part can indicate that something is wrong there. Be a good example. Children look at adult role models to help them understand how to behave. Demonstrate good behavior in your actions, even when you aren't sure the child is watching. Make sure to give your child plenty of positive attention. If kids feel neglected, they may act out in the hopes you'll pay attention. You can reduce the chances of this happening by making sure that they get positive attention without needing to resort to bad behavior. If you think that the child is seeking attention, work on teaching them assertiveness skills. Teach them phrases like "I'm lonely," "I want attention," or "Will you hang out with me?" Reward this behavior by paying attention when they say this. That way, they learn that asking for attention is more effective than acting out. Talk to the child about ways to handle emotions. Kids may not know how to recognize and cope with their feelings. Autistic kids may need extra guidance. Talk about characters. Feel free to ask questions like "What do you think he should have done to handle his anger, instead of yelling?" Remove a child from a stressful situation if you can tell they are struggling. If you can tell that the child is reaching their boiling point, get them out of the situation. You might suggest that they leave, or you could assign them a solitary task that you know is very easy or enjoyable for them. This way, they can take time to calm down and re-center themselves. "You look stressed. Why don't you go to your corner for a while? We can finish your homework in half an hour from now." "It's a nice day. Ella, will you go get the mail for me?" "The dog hasn't been walked yet. Will you please go walk him?" "Justin, I think we might be running low on toilet paper. Will you go to the bathroom and count how many rolls there are? Here's a post-it and a pencil so you can write things down if you want." "I can see you getting frustrated. Let's take a 10 minute break and then come back to this. Sound good?" Try redirecting an antsy or agitated child. Kids get restless sometimes, and that can lead to less-than-ideal behavior. Here are some examples of things you could say: "Are you bored? Would you like to draw some pictures with me?" "We have 3 more aisles left in the store. Will you count them with me?" "I can tell you have lots of energy right now. I'm going to start running! I bet you can't catch me!" Don't stress about the small things. Autistic kids are going to be quirky, and that's okay. And all kids have bad moods and bad days, just like adults do. You don't need to turn every instance of unusual or imperfect behavior into a battle. Make peace with imperfection. Make sure your expectations are reasonable. Autistic kids have developmental delays, and that means they'll be slower to learn certain things sometimes. If they're repeatedly failing to meet your expectations, it may be that your expectations are too high, or that something else is getting in their way. Try talking about the issue with... The child (e.g. "Why do you think chores are so hard for you?") Other caregivers (of your child, and of autistic/disabled kids in general) Teachers Therapists Autistic adults Praise the child for positive behavior. Offer praise when the child does something well. This makes the child feel like you notice their efforts, and makes them feel proud of themselves and eager to keep behaving. Praise can be a strong motivator. Try to find something good to praise at least twice a day, if not more. Say things like... "Thank you for putting away your toys so quickly! I'm really impressed." "Good job being so gentle with your baby brother! You're such a good big sister." "Thank you for listening to me on the first try. That was really cool." "Wow, you are studying really hard! That's a sign of a good student." "I'm proud of you for being so assertive with me today." Explain the relationship between good behavior and its positive consequences. This helps motivate the child, and teaches them why the behavior matters. If you want, you can also explain a reward that is linked to the good behavior. "When you pick up your toys, your floor is a clean place to play. Everyone can walk and move around easily, and your room can be a fun place to hang out." "When you're gentle with the dog, it makes her enjoy spending time with you. She might even come to you more often, because she knows you will treat her gently." "It makes me happy when you listen to me on the first time I give you a reminder. It lets me know that you do listen to me, and it means I don't have to think of a punishment for you. I like it when that happens." "When you use your inside voice, it makes it easy for your brother to study and your mom to get work done. People enjoy having a quiet house. It is nice for all of us." Work on calming the child first, if needed. If the child is screaming, crying, or otherwise acting upset, then calm them down. You can administer discipline once they are clear-headed enough to listen to you. Don't give up when a child misbehaves. Clearly explain that it is counterproductive. For example, "I can't understand you when you shout. You can take some deep breaths, and then use your inside voice to tell me why you're upset." Patiently remind the child of self-calming strategies to use, such as taking deep breaths and counting. Offer to use the strategies together. Try validating their feelings and letting them know that you care (even if you can't honor their requests). Children can calm down quickly once they know that you are willing to listen and empathize. Give positively-worded reminders when you see a child acting out. Kids, especially little kids, have limited memory and impulse control. This means that they might forget to follow the rules sometimes. A reminder may be enough to correct them, without punishment being necessary. Tell them what you expect them to do. For example, "Walking feet, please" is more helpful than "No running," because it encourages the child to visualize good behavior. Here are some examples: "Please slow down so you don't slip and fall." "Inside voices, please. Mommy is trying to read." "Be assertive, please. I can't help you unless you tell me what's wrong. You can talk to me, or use your tablet to show me." "Hands to yourself. You can grab a fidget toy if you want to fidget." "Be gentle with the cat." Give a warning if they don't listen to your reminder. If the child refuses to correct their behavior after your reminder, then warn them that there will be consequences if they continue. This gives them a final chance to stop and follow the rules. "You need to be gentle. If you don't stop, I will take the toy away." "I'm going to count to 3. By the time I reach 3, your hands need to be out of her hair. One..." "Inside voices are important. If you cannot watch TV quietly, then I will turn off the TV." "Video games come after your homework. If you don't do your homework, then there will be no video games." Give immediate consequences if they refuse to adjust their behavior. If a reminder and a warning don't work, then you may need to follow through with a punishment. Administer the consequences right away. (Waiting can make it less effective.) If you wait too long to administer the punishment, it won't be effective, because the child may not connect the punishment to the misbehavior. In that case, it's better to just let it go this time. If your child learns well through visual tactics, create a series of pictures that explains how their bad behavior leads to punishment and good behavior leads to rewards. Doing this will help your child understand the relationship between misbehavior and discipline. Tailor the punishment to the infraction. Do not rely on one single punishment or type of punishments. Minor misbehavior should only result in a minor punishment (or just a warning), while major misbehavior might need to result in a more serious punishment. Figure out what works best for the child. Give a verbal warning to give them a chance to correct themselves. (If they listen, then you don't need to punish them.) Try natural consequences—if the child throws their toys, they must pick up the toys or lose access to the toys for a few minutes. Consider loss of rewards or privileges, such as no TV time. (Make sure that this does not interfere with their special interests, as this may cause too much distress to be effective.) Stay consistent. The child needs to understand that bad behavior will have consequences, and that it won't change based on who is misbehaving or who is supervising them. Give the same punishment for the same infraction every time. Apply the same rules to all the members of the family, including the child, siblings, and even the adults. (If you break a family rule, then you might have to punish yourself.) Avoid punishments that cause physical pain, such as spanking, slapping, or exposure to intense stimuli. Responding to violence with more violence can reinforce in your child that it is okay to become violent when feeling upset. If you are very angry with your child, perform the same self-calming strategies that you would like your child to use. This encourages the child to mimic you when they feel angry or frustrated. While spanking may alleviate stress for the parent, research shows that it stresses out the child and causes them to act out more and listen to you less. It can also lead to other issues later on, such as mental health problems, impaired cognitive development, and worse relationship skills. Parents can learn more effective techniques to make life easier for both parent and child. Criticize the behavior, not the child. Avoid labeling the child as “bad' or “wrong”. Point out the incorrect behaviour to the child in an encouraging way to promote corrective action. For example, say to them: “I can see you're really upset about that. Yelling won't help. Would you like to do some deep breathing with me?" “Why did you throw yourself on the ground? Were you upset about the grocery store?” “Hitting other people is never okay. If you're angry, use your words, tell an adult, or take a break to cool off.” "I love you, but I'm not happy with how you handled that situation. You need to do better next time. Let's talk about this." Create a reward system that directly relates to good behavior. Similar to punishment, your child needs to have an understanding that as a direct result of their appropriate behaviour, they receive a reward (such as praise or gold stars). This, over time, creates behaviour modification and can help discipline a child. Try using activities as rewards from time to time. Write a list of things that the child loves to do. You can suggest these rewards when your child behaves well, or when they stop doing a bad habit. Though this may initially sound like a “bribe”, it is in fact not so when applied correctly. The application of the reward system needs to be based on rewarding the correct behaviour, not for stopping bad behavior. Use this technique casually and sparingly. For example, "I'm really proud of how you handled yourself in that noisy store. We have some free time this afternoon. Would you like to read picture books with me?" Be open to new ideas about disciplining and rewarding your child. Each child is different and each autistic child is different. What may be considered a punishment or “boring” for one child could be the ultimate reward for an autistic child, and vice versa. Therefore, it is essential to be creative and open to new ideas about both punishment and reward concepts in the area of discipline. Qualification: always think carefully about discipline before implementing it. Would you be comfortable doing the same thing to a non-autistic child? If not, then that discipline practice may do more harm than good. Set up a reward system. There are several ways you can do this, but two of the top reward systems include: Creating a behaviour chart in which good behaviour is rewarded through a sticker or mark on the chart. If the child receives enough marks on the chart they get a reward. Offer to involve your child by letting them place the sticker. Token reward systems are a very common system that is implemented. Essentially, good behaviour is rewarded with a token (sticker, a chip etc.). These tokens can then be changed at a later time for rewards. This system is often designed through a contract with the child as to their behaviour and as such can be difficult to implement for much younger children. Praise your child. Speak clearly in a quieter tone when rewarding your child. Being too loud can overstimulate or upset them. Praise the effort as oppose to the outcome. This includes praising them for working towards achieving a goal. Recognising your child's persistence and efforts is of more value to your autistic child than the result. If your child doesn't understand spoken words, add a small reward with your praise. Showing sincerity and delight in your child's correct behaviours increases the frequency of those behaviours. Give your child sensory rewards. These are sometimes more difficult to administer as rewards, but a great reward includes one that also correctly promotes sensory activity. However, be careful not to overstimulate your child, as this may upset them. Rewards could include: Sight: Something the child likes to look at e.g. a new library book, a water fountain, animals (fish especially are good), or watching a model airplane fly. Sound: soft calm soothing music of simple gentle instruments e.g. piano, or singing a song. Taste: This reward is more than just eating. It includes tasting different foods they like--an assortment of sweet fruits, something salty and any variety of something which your child views as pleasurable. Smell: have different smells for your child to distinguish: eucalyptus, lavender, orange, or different flowers. Touch: Sand, ball pit, water, food packaging e.g. chip packet, bubble wrap, jelly or play dough. Practice moderation in your rewards system. Rewards can be misused and overused. Access to the child's favorite things shouldn't be dependent on their behavior. For example, the child should be able to get their favorite stuffed animal anytime, even if they're having a bad day. Rewards should be special bonuses. Don't overuse food as a reward. This can lead to unhealthy habits as the child grows up. Overuse of physical rewards can decrease the child's internal motivation. Be cautious about turning the child's life into a series of tokens and exchanges. They should also learn to like being good for its own sake. Use praise, and phase out physical rewards so they are less common as the child gets older. Keep in mind that autistic children think ‘concretely’. This means they often take things literally and as such you need to be careful how you speak to them. Before you can discipline your child, you must understand why your child is acting out. If you don't understand the cause, you may discipline them in a way that, to them, actually reinforces the bad behavior. For example, if your child is acting out at bedtime and you are not sure why, you may choose to put her in time out. However, a “time out” could in fact be rewarding the child if her goal is to put off going to bed for as long as possible. Through discipline without understanding the cause, you are actually showing her that if she misbehaves at bedtime, she will get to stay up later. Sometimes children act out because of an external stressor that they don't know how to handle (e.g. screaming and crying because of loud music that hurts their ears). In these cases, it's best to remove the stressor, discuss coping and communication strategies, and forego punishment. Understand the purpose behind your child’s behavior. When an autistic child displays a bad behavior, that behavior is actually serving a purpose. By understanding your child's purpose, you can figure out how to prevent the unwanted behaviour and work towards replacing it with more appropriate actions. For example, your child may want to avoid something or a situation so they may “act out” to avoid the situation. Or, they may be trying to get attention or gain something else. Sometimes it can be hard to tell which is your child's end goal--you will have to observe your child to fully understand. Sometimes children act out without any particular goal; they simply don't understand how to handle their stress. Sensory issues, hunger, sleepiness, not enough down time, etc. may be the cause of this. Figure out what specifically is causing the bad behavior. One key clue to figure out which your child is doing (avoiding a situation or seeking attention) is if your child consistently “misbehaves” given a particular scenario. If the child is behaving 'unusually' for an activity they typically enjoy, then this could be indicative they're seeking more attention. For instance, your child may “act out” when it is time for a bath. If she does this right before or during bath time, you can conclude that she is acting badly because she does not want to take a bath.	Don't forget that, above all else, an autistic child is a child. Be patient. Stay positively focused. Handle meltdowns with care. Keep a calm voice and demeanor. Set a predictable routine and structure. Use "picture schedules" to create order. Be consistent with the schedule. Adapt the schedule in small ways as your child grows. Plan lots of time for your child to relax. Schedule plenty of time for fun. Plan some outlets for energy, especially if the child has hyperactive tendencies. Resolve any sleep or medical problems. Be a good example. Make sure to give your child plenty of positive attention. Talk to the child about ways to handle emotions. Remove a child from a stressful situation if you can tell they are struggling. Try redirecting an antsy or agitated child. Don't stress about the small things. Make sure your expectations are reasonable. Praise the child for positive behavior. Explain the relationship between good behavior and its positive consequences. Work on calming the child first, if needed. Give positively-worded reminders when you see a child acting out. Give a warning if they don't listen to your reminder. Give immediate consequences if they refuse to adjust their behavior. Tailor the punishment to the infraction. Stay consistent. Avoid punishments that cause physical pain, such as spanking, slapping, or exposure to intense stimuli. Criticize the behavior, not the child. Create a reward system that directly relates to good behavior. Try using activities as rewards from time to time. Be open to new ideas about disciplining and rewarding your child. Set up a reward system. Praise your child. Give your child sensory rewards. Practice moderation in your rewards system. Keep in mind that autistic children think ‘concretely’. Understand the purpose behind your child’s behavior. Figure out what specifically is causing the bad behavior.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Cat-from-Pulling-Its-Hair-Out	How to Stop a Cat from Pulling Its Hair Out	To stop a cat from pulling its hair out, remove possible allergens and irritants, as they can cause itchy skin that leads to over-grooming. Vacuum daily to reduce dust and pollen, which are potential allergens. A vet prescribed anti-inflammatory can also decrease irritation to the skin. However, if the cat's skin begins to glisten or produce a moist discharge, it is likely infected. Ask your vet about antibiotics and bathe the area twice a day with a salt water solution.	Understand pet allergies. If humans have an allergy, say for instance hay fever, we tend to get sore eyes, a runny nose, and sneeze. Cats, however, react differently. The commonest manifestation of an allergy in cats is itchy skin, which in turn results in excessive grooming and pulling hair out. In much the same way that some people have a peanut allergy, or a seafood allergy, or get hay fever, a cat may be allergic to one substance and be fine with another. Explore possible environmental allergens. Potentially anything in the environment can be an allergen if the cat is sensitive to it. Common allergens include house dust mites, grass pollens, tree pollens, and flea bites. If your cat has an allergy to pollen, you may notice their over-grooming becomes worse in the seasons when that pollen is around, such as in the spring for trees, or summer for grasses. There is also a wide overlap in reaction to many pollens and so it might be the cat only gets relief in the winter, when there are very few pollens around to trigger the reaction. Other substances act as irritants (subtly different from an allergy, but producing the same effect). This might be things like spray deodorants, perfumes, or hairspray that are used near the cat and land on its coat, causing irritation. Eliminating possible environmental causes. Unfortunately, it is notoriously difficult to diagnose the exact allergen which the cat is reacting against. Blood tests or skin prick tests that can be run on dogs, yield almost random (and very unreliable) results in the cat. This means your veterinarian will reach a diagnosis by eliminating other possible causes of skin irritation (such as parasites, food allergy, and behavioral causes) and then seeing if the over-grooming settles with treatment. Minimize exposure to suspected allergens. Remove as many possible causes of allergy or irritation as possible. Do not spray aerosols near the cat, stop using scented candles (the odor clings to fur and can trigger grooming to get rid of it), air fresheners, and vacuum daily to decrease house dust mite numbers. The effectiveness of this approach may be limited if the cat reacts to pollens, in which case drug therapy may be required. Use anti-inflammatories to decrease irritation. The vet will first make a judgement call as to whether treatment is necessary or not. The drugs used to decrease itch can have side effects and your vet should make an educated decision about whether the benefits outweigh the risks. If the cat is pulling its fur out and making the skin inflamed, red, infected, or ulcerated, then drug therapy is indicated. If it's a case of a few shorter furred areas, then it probably isn't. The decision to treat or not is one for you to decide in consultation with your vet. The drugs commonly used are anti-inflammatories. Corticosteroids such as prednisolone are cheap and effective. An average-sized cat is usually given a 5 mg tablet once daily with or after food for 5 to 10 days (depending on how itchy he is) and the dose reduced to one tablet every other day for the duration of the pollen season. Where possible, medication is stopped over the winter. Whilst cats are relatively resistant to the side effects of steroids, when compared to people or dogs, the risk includes increased thirst and appetite (leading to weight gain), and an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). You should discuss your cat's individual risk of side effects with your veterinarian. Treat your cat with antibiotics if its skin becomes infected. Antibiotics may be necessary if your cat has pulled the fur out and made the skin sore or infected. In this case, the skin may glisten, or appear moist, there may be a sticky discharge or the area smells. You can help at home by gently bathing the infected area twice a day with a saltwater solution and then patting the skin dry. To make up a saltwater solution, boil the kettle, then dissolve one teaspoon of regular table salt into one pint of previously boiled water. Keep this solution in a clean container and soak a clean ball of cotton wool each time. Explore the possibility that your cat has a food allergy. Another common cause of skin irritation, which results in pulling out fur, is a food allergy. When the cat eats a food they are allergic to, this triggers a mechanism that makes the skin intensely itchy. These allergies are usually to a particular protein in the diet (like a nut allergy in people). Put your cat on a new diet if a food allergy is indicated. The good news about food allergy is that by avoiding the food allergen the cat can be 'cured' and stops being itchy. However, once again, there is no reliable lab test for food allergy. A diagnosis is made by putting the cat onto a low allergy or hypoallergenic diet. The easiest way to put your cat on a hypoallergenic diet is to speak to your vet about a prescription diet. Diets such as Hills DD, Hills ZD, Hills ZD ultra, or Purina HA are made in such a way that the protein molecules it contains are too small to physically bridge receptors in the gut wall that trigger an allergic reaction. The alternative is to analyze all the food your cat eats and then find a food that contains NONE of those previous ingredients. It can take up to 8 weeks for the previous allergen to clear the system and the symptoms subside, so don't expect a quick result. Whilst on the dietary trial, you must feed the hypoallergenic diet exclusively, so that you don't accidentally give a treat containing an allergen. If the cat does have a food allergy, your choices are either to continue feeding the hypoallergenic diet or to add in one new food every fortnight and wait to see if the itching restarts, before declaring that food is OK for your cat. Assess whether your cat has a flea allergy. A common cause of skin irritation are parasites, especially fleas. When a flea bites it injects saliva into the cat's skin, which acts as a potent allergen. If your cat pulls its hair out, it is a basic requirement to treat the cat monthly against fleas, and use an environmental spray to eliminate flea eggs and larvae in the house. Examples of effective products are fipronil, available without a prescription, and selamectin, which is called Revolution in the US and Stronghold in the UK, and is available with a prescription only. Use a treatment regardless of whether you see evidence of fleas or not. This is because it only takes one flea bite to trigger the reaction, and since the flea doesn't live on the pet, he may be long gone and yet the cat is still itchy. Identify the possible causes of a behavioral problem. When a cat grooms the body releases endorphins, which are a natural form of morphine. This makes the cat feel good and many cats over-groom specifically because they get hooked on the endorphins. This is especially true if the cat feels stressed for some reason because the licking offers a form of stress relief. Try to identify why the cat is stressed. Perhaps there has been an intruder cat in the house, or you've recently got a new pet. Addressing the underlying cause is likely to be the answer. In addition, you can use Feliway, which is a synthetic version of the feline pheromone (chemical messenger) which makes the cat feel safe and secure. Feliway comes as a spray and a room diffuser, and the later is the best option because it works constantly in the background.	Understand pet allergies. Explore possible environmental allergens. Eliminating possible environmental causes. Minimize exposure to suspected allergens. Use anti-inflammatories to decrease irritation. Treat your cat with antibiotics if its skin becomes infected. Explore the possibility that your cat has a food allergy. Put your cat on a new diet if a food allergy is indicated. Assess whether your cat has a flea allergy. Identify the possible causes of a behavioral problem.
https://www.wikihow.com/Win-His-Heart	How to Win His Heart	To win a boy's heart, first try shooting a little smile and eye contact his way, and try to casually cross paths with him when you can. Remember not to overwhelm him with your interest by complimenting him all the time, because your confidence will win his heart faster! As you get to know him, try to crack a few jokes or tell an embarrassing story, because sharing your humor with somebody is a great predictor of how you might do in a relationship with them.	Be confident. The most important way you can attract the guy of your dreams is to be confident and content in your own self. You can do this by wearing a cute outfit, doing something new with your hair, trying a new makeup style, or simply just thinking positively, because confidence is one of the most attractive traits a person can possibly have and it will make you less anxious about failure, which makes it hard to take the leap and into a potential relationship. Don't judge yourself or others harshly. When you focus on all your flaws that is all that you'll think you have to offer and when you focus on the flaws of others, you are making your own brain toxic with negative thoughts. Don't compare yourself to other people. Someone is always going to be more attractive than you, more successful than you, and have more romantic partners than you. Focus on the things that you have rather than the things that other people have. Smile. If you want people to notice you, especially that guy of your dreams, you should send a little smile in his direction and cultivate a positive attitude. Even better make eye contact with your chosen sweetheart and give him a little smile. It'll signal your interest in a non-threatening way and, perhaps, intrigue him. Place yourself in his path. Now this doesn't mean that you should go around stalking him wherever he goes, but if you know that he likes to frequent a particular coffee shop or book store, feel free to spend some time there and "bump" into him. It'll give you a little chance to talk to one another without a bunch of people around like at a party. Don't do this all the time, or he'll think that you're stalking him. Once or twice is the ticket, before it becomes obvious what you're up to. (There is nothing wrong with straightforwardly asking him out, but if you're not feeling bold enough this is a good way to work up the nerve to winning him over). Play it cool. You don't want to be super overt and clingy about trying to win your guy's heart, because you won't come off very well. However, this doesn't mean that you need to hide your interest or pretend not to be interested. You simply want to make it so that you are interested but not overwhelming. You could try dropping a compliment or two; something that isn't overwhelming (overwhelming would be "you're the most gorgeous guy I've ever met") like "hey that shirt is really awesome" or "I really like your new haircut." Show that you have a life outside of thinking about him. When the two of you do talk, just casually mention some of the fun things you've done that week (even if it's things like the awesome book you read, or video game tournament you participated in, or the soccer game you won). It shows that you have interests and a life of your own. When you run into him, after chatting for a bit, say that you have to run to meet a friend or that you have to be somewhere. That way you'll come across as having things to do and people to see, rather than someone who is waiting around to bump into him. Make him laugh. Oftentimes the key to a person's heart is through their humor. The saying goes "the couple that laughs together, stays together." If you get him laughing at things you're saying you'll make him enjoy your company more and want to be around you more often. A good way to do this is to mention something that is slightly embarrassing or humbling that happened to you. Mention the time you mistook a stranger for your best friend and slapped them on the butt, or how on the way to the date you missed a step on the bus and fell out the door in front of everyone. It shows that you don't take yourself too seriously and that you can laugh at yourself. You don't need to belittle yourself or talk about how stupid you are. A confident person doesn't need to belittle themselves, because they know that they are awesome! And confidence is attractive! Be nice to his friends. He will listen to his friends' advice about whether or not to date you, so you'll want to make sure that you're number one their list. This doesn't mean that you need to agree with everything they say or that you should let them walk all over you (if his friends are that bad, though, you should rethink the guy you're wanting to attract), but it does mean that you're nice to them. When you're out with him and his friends, really listen to what they say and show that you have interest in their interests. You don't have to pretend to be an expert in what they're talking about if you're not. Simply ask some questions and listen. Don't feel like you should sit on the sidelines when you're around him and his friends. Participate in activities and introduce them to things that you like and you think they might like. It'll show that you have respect for them and that you're interested in getting to know them better. Use the "3 strikes and you're out" rule. This rule allows you to avoid committing yourself to a courtship that is basically going nowhere, because who has the energy for that? It means that if you've given him opportunities to try to get to know you better and he hasn't jumped at the chance after 3 tries, then he's probably not worth further effort. If you think that maybe he is interested but simply shy, there is no reason that you shouldn't ask him out instead. That way, even if he does say "no," you will have a firm answer and won't be left wondering. The reason this is a good rule to follow is that you don't really want to be after him like a lovesick, desperate puppy. If he hasn't shown interest after awhile, he's not going to, or he's only going to show interest in having sex with you because he knows that you're desperate (stay as far away from guys like that as you possibly can). Unless you're only interested in sex, you'll end up hurt by this arrangement. An example of this in action might be you meeting him at a party and chatting with him, then popping in by his favorite coffee shop and running into him there and then chatting with him in class later. If you've given him openings to ask you on a date (or even for coffee), and he hasn't gone for it after those 3 times, stop trying and move on. Have a successful first date. Now that you've gotten past the flirting stage, you'll need to have that first date. A good way to win his heart is to have a successful first date that you both enjoy. It'll will make him want to spend more time with you. Make sure that you have topics to talk about, because it can be awkward during a first date not to blurt out something that is more appropriate for a closer relationship (probably not a good time to go into your anxiety problems). Some conversation starters might be: what are your typical Sunday activities, what is a band or album that you loved, what was the last movie that you saw and what did you think about it, what is the funniest thing you've ever seen in public. Dress appropriately. This means that you wear something that you feel comfortable in, but which also suits the occasion. So if you're off to a 4-star restaurant, something a little fancier is in order (a dress, or nice slacks and a nice button-up or blouse). If you're going to a coffee shop, dress just a little nicer than your usual attire (button down instead of t-shirt, no ratty jeans, etc.). Remember that you want to be yourself for the date. You don't want your guy to be expecting you to be someone you're not further in the relationship. That's not fair to either of you. You don't have to bring all your quirks out into the open right away, but you shouldn't be hiding things. Pay attention to his interests. A good way to let someone know that you're interested in them and care about them is to take an interest in their interests and in their opinions about things. You don't have to understand those interests and you don't even necessarily have to enjoy them, but being interested enough to talk with your guy about them, will show him that you are interested in him. For example, if your guy is super into skiing and you're more the bookish type, that's okay! Make sure to ask him about his ski trips and even offer to go a few rounds yourself. Pick up on some of the terminology so that you're able to converse more freely. Make sure that he's also respecting and interested in your interests and hobbies. If he isn't, that's a pretty good sign that he's either a narcissist or not very committed to having a relationship with you. Don't take him for granted. There is nothing that makes someone feel good and cared about than by showing them that they are not being taken for granted. Find ways to demonstrate to him that you notice what he does for you and that you appreciate him in your life. Flat out saying "I am so glad you're in my life" is a good and easy way to make sure he knows that you value him. Do some little things that show you appreciate him. If you're crafty you could make him something (knit a hat, carve a special little box, paint a picture). Also, you could do something thoughtful for him, especially if he's having a really busy or difficult time. Bring him some special cookies, or help him by editing his resume or essay, offer to drive his sister to the airport so he can get some extra studying in. Maintain some space. This step is important for both of you. You don't want to enter into a co-dependent, can't-breath-without-you kind of a relationship, as much as the movies make it look nice. Make sure that you're both getting some space from each other and from the relationship. Maintain your relationships with your friends. Hang out with them. Have sleepovers and movie watching parties that are just with your friends, no significant others allowed. Pursue your hobbies and interests. Go on ski trips by yourself or with your family, go to knitting workshops, learn karate. This way, when the two of you are together again, you'll have so much to talk about! Decide if he's truly worth it. Maybe in the beginning he seemed like such a great guy, but it's a good idea to check in with the relationship before you start doing a bunch of stuff to win his heart. You want to make sure that his heart is actually what you want, or even if it's possible to win his heart. Obviously if he's emotionally, physically, or sexually abusive, you should get away now. If he isolates you from friends and family, if he demeans you or tears you down either in private or in front of people, if he manipulates you or forces you to have sex when you don't want to, if he says he'll kill himself if you ever leave him, any of these signs mean that you should get out. Some questions to ask yourself about your relationship: are the two of you open and honest with each other? Do you feel better with him, or do you feel like you're walking on eggshells? Does he respect you? Do you feel like you're the best version of your self when you're with him? Does he? You shouldn't ever feel like you need to "fix him" or "make him better." You should be in a relationship with someone who doesn't need you to be their therapist or their mother. Tell him how you feel. Sometimes the absolute best way to get what you want in a guy is to tell him how you feel and ask him if he feels the same way. Often you can hint and hint for ages and do everything you're "supposed" to do and still you won't know whether you've won his heart. Be open and direct. Tell him that you really like him and that you want to see how he feels about you, or how he might feel about you in the future. Be ready to hear the answer, even if it isn't one that you want to hear. He might not feel the same way about you that you feel about him and that's okay. Remember, it's his loss not yours.	Be confident. Smile. Place yourself in his path. Play it cool. Make him laugh. Be nice to his friends. Use the "3 strikes and you're out" rule. Have a successful first date. Pay attention to his interests. Don't take him for granted. Maintain some space. Decide if he's truly worth it. Tell him how you feel.
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Clouds	How to Paint Clouds	To paint clouds in acrylic, start by dipping a clean, dry brush in white acrylic paint. Next, brush the paint onto your canvas in light, gentle strokes where you want your clouds to be. Then, push out the edges of the clouds with your brush for a soft, feathery effect. After letting the paint dry, dip another clean brush in grey paint to add shading to your clouds and make them look more realistic.	Create the background first. Whether you are creating a graduated blue sky or a sunrise, create the background before adding in the clouds. Start with a clean, dry brush. That is, don't add any water to the brush before you use it. Pour out white paint on your palette. Add a little bit of white to the brush. Decide where you want your clouds to go. You can do a landscaped painting with clouds just at the top. Alternatively, you can have the clouds be the whole painting. Brush the white on in light strokes. In gentle curving motions, brush the white onto the canvas. Keep the pressure light. Expand the edges. Push the edges of the cloud out with your brush. Try to create the edges when you're running out of paint. That technique will give the clouds softer, feathery edges. Wait for the white to dry. It will make it easier to add the shading underneath. Add shading. Create a grey for the shading. You can create a dark purple to use for grey with a deep blue, a rosy color, and a brown-red color. You can also create your own grey combination. Use a different dry brush. Add a tiny bit of the grey to the brush. Wipe off any excess. Gently brush the underside of the clouds to give them depth. Make the clouds smaller near the horizon. Things off in the distance look smaller, so make your clouds smaller and fuzzier as you approach the horizon. To make them fuzzier, add even less paint to your brush when you create them. Make sure you have enough paint in your mix. The paint will dry about half as light as it first looks on the paper. So it should look a little brighter than is natural when you're first painting. Lightly dampen the paper. Paint clean water across the paper, making it slightly damp. Add a bit of yellow ocher at the bottom. Gently paint in a light coating of yellow ocher near the bottom of the sky. Fill your brush with ultramarine and water. Make it fairly dark. Paint across the top of the canvas with it. Paint a lighter swath underneath the first. Add more water to your brush. Add more of the ultramarine. Paint underneath the top color, slightly overlapping. Make it lighter than the first layer. Keep adding lighter layers. You want to create a fading effect towards the bottom layer. The bottom layer should be a mix of pale yellow and a light bit of blue, as you already painted the bottom yellow ocher. Dry off your brush. Wash the brush in the water, then dry it out on a paper towel. Roll the brush across the sky. The dry brush will pick up the pigment and color from the page, leaving white areas for clouds. As you roll, you can curve the brush slightly to create the look of clouds. Dry the brush again. Between clouds, you will need to dry off the brush again. Otherwise, the brush will leave paint rather than absorbing it. Add some grey. Using a strong grey (such as a purely mix of red and ultramarine), brush it on the underside of one part of the cloud. Leave the other side in white to show where the light is hitting it. Remember to work quickly. Watercolors dry quickly, so you must work fast to create this effect. Create a background. Depending on the time of day, you could choose a light blue or a dark greyish purple. Paint the whole background in broad, even strokes. Let the oil paint dry. If you don't let it dry, you'll pick up the background paint in the clouds. Sketch out the clouds. Using a dry brush, add some white and black to the background color you used. Sketch out the basic areas where the clouds will go with the brush. Layer over the clouds in lighter colors. Create shapes in the lighter colors. Work in circles to create cloud effects. To create lighter colors, add white to the original paint color as you go. Add in patches of the background color. If you want to outline the clouds, you can add in areas of the background color. Add highlights in a cream color. You don't want the final highlights to be too stark against the other colors, so use an off-white or cream. Brush it around the shapes you created earlier, highlighting the tops of the clouds.	Create the background first. Start with a clean, dry brush. Decide where you want your clouds to go. Brush the white on in light strokes. Expand the edges. Wait for the white to dry. Add shading. Use a different dry brush. Make the clouds smaller near the horizon. Make sure you have enough paint in your mix. Lightly dampen the paper. Add a bit of yellow ocher at the bottom. Fill your brush with ultramarine and water. Paint a lighter swath underneath the first. Keep adding lighter layers. Dry off your brush. Roll the brush across the sky. Dry the brush again. Add some grey. Remember to work quickly. Create a background. Let the oil paint dry. Sketch out the clouds. Layer over the clouds in lighter colors. Add in patches of the background color. Add highlights in a cream color.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Up-Puppy-Accidents	How to Clean Up Puppy Accidents	To clean up puppy accidents, start by soaking up as much urine as you can and picking up any waste with paper towels. Then, clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner, which will eliminate any odors and stains so your puppy is less likely to have an accident in the same spot. If you don't have an enzymatic cleaner, you can use equal parts white vinegar and water instead. You can also remove odors by sprinkling baking soda over the area and letting it sit for 2-3 hours.	Soak up a urine puddle with a thick wad of dry paper towels. Do your best to wipe up an accident as soon as you spot it. If you can get to a puddle while it's still wet, absorb as much liquid as possible with paper towels. When your first wad of paper towels gets saturated, swap it out with fresh ones. If a puddle on a bare floor has already dried, skip ahead and wipe down the area with a cleaner. Scoop up fecal matter with paper towels or cardboard. If you're dealing with feces, scoop it up carefully to avoid spreading it, especially if it's on the mushy side. Remove solid pieces with paper towels, 2 pieces of cardboard, or a sturdy plastic bag. If there's any wet residue left behind, wipe it up with paper towels. It's a good idea to wear a pair of disposable gloves when you're cleaning up your pup's accidents, especially if you're picking up fecal matter. Wipe down the area with an enzymatic cleaner labelled for pet messes. Once you've absorbed a urine puddle or removed feces, spray the soiled area with the cleaner. Let it sit for 2 or 3 minutes if the mess was fresh, or for about 10 minutes if some time passed before you could attack it. Then wipe the area thoroughly with paper towels until it's dry. An enzymatic cleaner breaks down the substances in pet messes that cause odors and stains. Since dogs like to go in the same spot repeatedly, eliminating all traces of the mess will help lower the chances of future accidents in the same area. Find an enzymatic cleaner anywhere household cleaning products are sold. Read your product's instructions, and use it as directed so you don't damage the fabric. If you have hardwood floors, go with a product that's labeled safe for wood. Use a vinegar solution if you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner. If you don't have a product labeled for pet messes handy, several household products make good substitutes. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water, and add a heavy splash of lemon juice to cut the vinegar smell. Transfer the vinegar solution to a clean spray bottle, or apply it using a sponge or paper towels. Let the vinegar solution sit, then wipe it up with a dry cloth or paper towels. Diluted vinegar should be safe for most floors. If you're concerned, double the solution's water content and test it on an inconspicuous area, such as under a rug or sofa. In addition to covering up the vinegar smell, adding lemon can help deter your dog from pottying in that spot in the future. You can also find lemon-scented vinegar in the cleaning products aisle. Remove lingering odors with baking soda. If you don't have a pet mess cleaner or vinegar, or if the area still smells foul, sprinkle about ¼ cup (130 g) of baking soda over the spot. Let the baking soda sit for at least 2 or 3 hours, then vacuum the area thoroughly. If leaving the baking soda on the spot for a few hours didn't work, sprinkle a fresh layer over the area and let it sit overnight. Be sure to keep your puppy away from the baking soda when you let it sit. Blot a urine puddle to absorb it from the carpet fibers. Using springy, up-and-down blotting motions, soak up the urine with a wad of paper towels. Do not rub the carpet with side-to-side or circular motions. Once a paper towel becomes saturated, swap it out with a fresh one. If you're wiping up a fresh urine puddle on a hard surface, you don't have to worry too much about the floor absorbing the mess. With carpet, on the other hand, you need to use a careful, nuanced touch to avoid rubbing the mess into the pile. Remove fecal matter carefully to avoid pushing it into the carpet. Scoop up feces with paper towels, a plastic bag, or 2 pieces of cardboard. Take care not to spread the waste into the carpet fibers, especially if it's soft. If there's any dampness left behind, carefully blot it up with paper towels. As with urine, do your best to avoid rubbing the residue into the carpet. Dampen a dried stain with wet paper towels. Carefully blot dried or caked carpet stains with paper towels soaked in cool or lukewarm water. If you're cleaning fecal matter, remove as much solid waste as possible before you blot. Once the area is damp, dab the area with fresh, dry paper towels to soak up waste. After you've soaked up residual urine or feces, you can attack the area with a cleaning product. Use a toothbrush and enzymatic cleaner to reach into the pile. Spray the soiled area with an enzymatic cleaner until it's saturated. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and use a toothbrush to penetrate deeply into carpet fibers. Then blot the area with paper towels until it's dry. Remember to brush and blot the fibers with upward motions to avoid pressing the stain into the carpet. When you're finished, sanitize the toothbrush with bleach or rubbing alcohol, and use it only for cleaning jobs in the future. If you're concerned the cleaner may discolor your carpet, test it first in an inconspicuous area. Go with detergent or dish soap if you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner. In a pinch, dilute 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of laundry detergent or dish soap with 1 cup (240 mL) of lukewarm water. Apply it to the soiled spot with the toothbrush, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it more with the toothbrush. Blot the spot with damp paper towels if it's sudsy, then dab it with paper towels until the area is dry. Laundry pretreatment products will also work, as they contain enzymes that break down the substances in urine and feces. Rent a vacuum-based carpet cleaner if other methods didn’t work. If you can't remove stubborn odors or stains, head to the hardware store and rent a carpet cleaner. Add warm water to the fill tank and cleaner to the solution compartment as directed. Squeeze the trigger as you pass the machine over a spot forward and backward, then go over the area once more without holding the trigger. Holding the trigger as you pass over an area forward and backward injects cleaning solution into the carpet. Then going over the same spot without squeezing the trigger sucks up water and cleaning solution. Specific instructions vary, so check your product's manual and use it as directed. Clear out furniture from the room and clean the entire carpet. If you only clean the accident spot, the rest of the carpet may look dingy in comparison. Check your upholstery’s tag for cleaning instructions. You should see “S,” “W,” “SW,” or “X” on your furniture's tag. “S” means you can only use water-free, solvent-based upholstery cleaners, which you can purchase wherever cleaning products are sold. “W” stands for water only, and “SW” means both water and solvents are safe. If your tag is labeled “S,” head to the store and purchase a specialty upholstery cleaner instead of taking a chance with other cleaning products. You can also find upholstery and carpet cleaners specially made for “W” upholstery. “X” means the upholstery should only be professionally cleaned. Start by blotting up urine or removing feces. If the accident occurred on a removable cushion, take it off before waste can soak through to the furniture's body. Carefully blot urine or scoop up feces, and do your best to avoid rubbing the waste into the upholstery. If the spot has dried, remove any solid waste, gently blot the area with damp paper towels, then soak up waste with dry paper towels. Be sure not to use water if your upholstered item is labeled “S.” Just spray it with a solvent-based upholstery cleaner. Treat the stain with a cleaner that's labeled safe for your upholstery. Use a solvent-based or enzymatic cleaner, and make sure the product you use is labeled for your upholstered item's letter code. Spray the soiled area, let the cleaner sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then blot the area thoroughly with dry paper towels. If you're cleaning a mattress, or if water is safe to use on your upholstered furniture, you can also blot the area with 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of dish detergent mixed with 1 cup (240 mL) of lukewarm water. Neutralize odors with baking soda. After treating the stain and blotting the area dry, sprinkle about ¼ cup (130 mg) of baking soda over the accident spot. Let it sit for at least 2 to 3 hours, then vacuum it up using the bristled hand attachment. Pet odors can sink deep into soft, upholstered surfaces. The baking soda will help absorb and neutralize foul odors. Baking soda is safe for most types of upholstery, but it's always wise to test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first.	Soak up a urine puddle with a thick wad of dry paper towels. Scoop up fecal matter with paper towels or cardboard. Wipe down the area with an enzymatic cleaner labelled for pet messes. Use a vinegar solution if you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner. Remove lingering odors with baking soda. Blot a urine puddle to absorb it from the carpet fibers. Remove fecal matter carefully to avoid pushing it into the carpet. Dampen a dried stain with wet paper towels. Use a toothbrush and enzymatic cleaner to reach into the pile. Go with detergent or dish soap if you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner. Rent a vacuum-based carpet cleaner if other methods didn’t work. Check your upholstery’s tag for cleaning instructions. Start by blotting up urine or removing feces. Treat the stain with a cleaner that's labeled safe for your upholstery. Neutralize odors with baking soda.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Shy-Guy-to-Open-Up-to-You	How to Get a Shy Guy to Open Up to You	If you want to get a shy guy to open up to you, break the ice by approaching him in a casual way and asking him an open-ended question about what's going on around you. That way, he can't answer with just a “Yes” or “No.” For example, if you're taking a science course together, you can ask him “What project did you come up with for class?” and follow up with questions that will let him explain it to you. To show your interest physically, try matching his intensity and mirroring subtle movements, like leaning in or crossing your legs. Just make sure not to mimic him too closely, or he might think you're making fun of him.	Make the first move. Shy people want social interaction, but are often anxious or afraid. Thus, they are not likely to initiate conversation, so be prepared to get the conversation started. Approach him casually. A formal introduction may make him nervous and more self-conscious. If you are in an unfamiliar place, try approaching him and telling him you're glad to see someone familiar there. If you haven't had much contact in the past, explain where you know him from. Ask a question about the surroundings, request help, or make a general statement about the immediate situation. Focus on thoughts and/or actions, rather than feelings. This will ease him into conversation. Ask open-ended questions to prevent him from slipping into a pattern of providing yes or no answers and provide opportunity for follow up questions. It will make keeping the conversation going easier. For example, you might ask him, "What project did you come up with for class?" After he answers, you can ask him to explain it to you and ask follow up questions. Match his intensity and adopt a similar posture. This will demonstrate your interest without being perceived as aggressive. Mirroring also increases the sense of connection and helps to speed the development of rapport. While mirroring involves mimicking behavior, focus more on mimicking his mood and subtle movements. Outright copying may be received negatively. For example, if he leans in, you should lean in but don't directly copy every large movement. Watch his body language. If your guy is really shy, he may not even feel comfortable telling you if he's not comfortable with the conversation. Watch his body language to see if he seems comfortable and relaxed, or nervous and tense. If his arms are crossed in front of him or his hands are in his pockets, he probably feels uncomfortable. If his arms are relaxed and hang by his sides, he probably feels pretty chill. If his body is angled away from you, it's a sign he'd probably like to get away from the conversation. If his body is angled toward you (including his feet), he's probably interested in staying put. If his movements are jerky or tense, he's probably not comfortable. If his movements are fairly smooth and fluid, he's probably feeling all right. If he's making consistent eye contact, he's likely interested in continuing the conversation. If his glance darts away or seems unfocused, he's probably feeling uncomfortable. Transition the conversation to the personal, slowly. The conversation should start superficially and gradually become more personal to allow him to manage his discomfort. Asking questions about what he thinks or feels about the topic of conversation is an easy way to ease into the personal, without becoming too intimate. To subtly shift the conversation to the personal, ask "what interested you about the project?" or "why did you choose that project?" Focus on the external. Shy people tend to focus on the self and feelings of inadequacy. By diverting attention to the external, he may become less guarded and communicate more freely. Feelings of shame will increase shyness. Discussing events or subjects related to the environment decrease the likelihood of unintentionally shaming him. Keep the focus on the external until the conversation feels natural, and he becomes more animated. Shy people are very self-aware and often avoid making large hand motions and facial expressions in uncomfortable conversations. Increased use of gestures and facial expressions may be an indication of decreased self-awareness. Getting too personal too quickly may cause him to become overwhelmed and emotionally detach. Engage him in activity. This is particularly useful when the conversation doesn't feel very natural. Working on something together will establish a structured flow of communication, reducing the pressure of figuring out what to say and when. Playing a game is a great way to focus attention externally. For example, you might ask, "Do you want to play a game to help pass the time?" He will likely ask what game, so be prepared to answer. If he recommends a different game, don't worry about not knowing how to play. Instructing you how to play the game is a great opportunity for him to become comfortable with the dialogue. Transition the conversation to the personal. Only attempt this after the communication becomes more natural and maintaining conversation requires less effort. You'll know you've reached this point when you realize the conversation has been flowing for several minutes without thinking about how to keep him talking. A good question to get him talking about himself is "How do you like to spend your free time?" You can then follow this up with questions about what he enjoys about his pastimes. If he seems resistant, revert to the external and try to transition again after he appears comfortable again. If you haven't been able to make the transition after a few attempts, tell him you've really enjoyed the activity and schedule another a time to play again. This will give him additional time to become comfortable with your interactions. Share increasingly personal information about yourself. By demonstrating you trust him enough to make yourself vulnerable, he may begin to feel safe in the conversation. Share your interests or thoughts, at first. You might start by sharing how you spend your free time. After you've shared factual information, you should move to disclosing emotional information to establishing an emotional connection. Don't move too fast. If he still seems nervous or uncomfortable, don't rush into talking about your emotions too quickly. You can start small, with something positive, such as "I saw this great movie the other week and it left me feeling happy for days." Disclose your nervousness in the situation. In addition to being an emotional disclosure, this will reduce his worry he is the only person to experience social anxiety. This also increases the intimate nature of the conversation, as it is a self-disclosure about your feelings for him. For example, you can tell him, "I was really nervous to come talk to you." He will likely follow this up by asking why. If you get the sense a compliment might embarrass him, you can explain sometimes you feel anxious approaching people. Avoid jumping into an admission of your undying affection; it will likely be too much too soon. He may become so uncomfortable he withdraws. Ask for appropriate levels of disclosure on his part. Always respect his boundaries and don't expect too much. The goal is to get him to start disclosing; you likely won't get him to reveal his deepest darkest secrets in a day, but this will help to progress levels of intimacy. Try asking for disclosures about how he feels in the situation. This is a less serious question than asking how he feels about you or the friendship. A good way to get him to connect with his feelings, without overwhelming him, is to ask "How comfortable are you right now?" You can then ask him further open-ended questions: for example, you could start off with "What is it about this situation that makes you feel....?" If he starts to withdraw, revert back to more superficial questions. Connect with him via email or social networking. Shy people sometimes feel more comfortable exploring social connections on the internet. The ability to self edit and manage impressions may increase his sense of control, thus reducing anxiety. Social networking sites allow shy people to explore relationships, without the pressure to immediately respond often inherent in face to face communication. When the nature of the conversation is personal, be sure to private message him. He may be uncomfortable having sensitive, personal information available to all of his connections. Share an interest to start the conversation. This both breaks the ice online and provides a topic to help externalize. Being online provides the perfect opportunity to share videos, photos, games, or general knowledge. Avoid beginning any conversation, even those online, with deeply personal information or questions. Even online, he may withdraw if he becomes too uncomfortable. Self-disclose to transition the conversation to the personal. Making yourself increasingly vulnerable will help him feel safe to do the same. Ask him to also share, if he doesn't open up on his own. It is appropriate to ask for reciprocation, but it doesn't need to be measured by a standard definition of equal. Take his boundaries and limitations into consideration. What may be a minor disclosure to you may have taken him well outside his comfort zone. Take your own vulnerabilities into account. If you don't think he's really going to reciprocate, you don't have to completely lay yourself bare. Differentiate between shyness and introversion. Often, when people are labeled "shy," they're actually introverts. Shyness and introversion share some similar traits, but they aren't the same. Shyness happens when you're afraid or anxious about interacting with others socially. This fear or anxiety can lead you to avoid social situations even when you really want to interact in them. It can often be helped with some behavioral and thought changes. Introversion is a personality characteristic. It tends to remain fairly stable over time. Introverts don't usually initiate much socializing because they are generally satisfied with a lower level of interaction than extroverts. They don't tend to avoid social situations because of fear or anxiety, but because they simply don't need as much socializing. Research has shown that shyness and introversion aren't strongly correlated. You can be shy but really want to interact with people, or introverted but comfortable hanging out with your closest friends. You can find a shyness scale and quiz based on this research at Wellesley College's website. Look for introverted traits. Most people fall somewhere between "introvert" and "extrovert." It can even change depending on circumstance. However, if you think your shy guy might actually be an introvert, have a look for some of the following characteristics: He likes to be alone. In many cases, introverts like to be alone. They don't feel lonely on their own, and they need that alone time to recharge. They aren't anti-social, they just have a lower need to socialize. He seems to get overstimulated easily. This can apply to social stimulation, but also to physical stimulation! Introverts' biological responses to things like noise, bright lights, and crowds tend to be stronger than those of extroverts. For this reason, they usually try to avoid hyperstimulating environments like nightclubs or carnivals. He hates group projects. Introverts usually would prefer to work on their own, or with just one or two other people. They prefer to work out problems and solutions without outside help. He likes quiet socializing. Introverts often enjoy people's company, but even fun social interactions tend to leave them feeling tired and needing to "recharge" on their own. They'd usually prefer a quiet party with a couple of close friends to a house party with your whole neighborhood. He likes routine. Extroverts thrive on novelty, but introverts are the opposite. They tend to like predictability and stability. They may plan out things well in advance, do the same thing every day, and spend a lot of time reflecting before taking action. Recognize that some personality elements are "hardwired. " If your shy guy is an introvert, you may be tempted to ask him to change. While it's possible for introverted people to be more outgoing, research has shown that there are actually some biological differences between the brains of introverted and extroverted people. This suggests that some elements of the personality aren't going anywhere. For example, extroverts tend to have stronger responses to dopamine -- a chemical "reward" generated by your brain -- than introverts to. Extroverts' amygdalas, or the area of the brain associated with processing emotion, respond to stimuli differently than introverts' do. Take a quiz with your shy guy. It can be fun to learn a little more about your personalities together. The Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory is one of the most popular tests to examine the introvert/extrovert characteristics. It has to be administered by a mental health professional. However, there are plenty of informal versions of the MBTI you can take online. They aren't completely comprehensive or foolproof, but they can give you a good idea. 16Personalities is a popular MBTI-type test. It also tells you some common strengths and weaknesses associated with your "type."	Make the first move. Ask a question about the surroundings, request help, or make a general statement about the immediate situation. Match his intensity and adopt a similar posture. Watch his body language. Transition the conversation to the personal, slowly. Focus on the external. Keep the focus on the external until the conversation feels natural, and he becomes more animated. Engage him in activity. Transition the conversation to the personal. Share increasingly personal information about yourself. Disclose your nervousness in the situation. Ask for appropriate levels of disclosure on his part. Connect with him via email or social networking. Share an interest to start the conversation. Self-disclose to transition the conversation to the personal. Differentiate between shyness and introversion. Look for introverted traits. Recognize that some personality elements are "hardwired. Take a quiz with your shy guy.
https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Your-Carbon-Footprint	How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint	If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, first make your home more energy efficient by replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs, unplugging your electronics when you aren't using them, and putting weather stripping around your windows and doors to insulate your home. Try taking shorter showers and only running the washing machine when it's full, too. Then, to make your eating habits more environmentally friendly, buy local products that don't have to be transported far or even start your own garden.	Replace your standard (incandescent) light bulbs with more efficient alternatives. LEDs and CFL light bulbs release less waste heat energy and while more expensive, last longer. Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs will also significantly reduce your electricity costs. Incandescent bulbs will last for an average of 1,000 hours compared to LEDs at 25,000 hours. Some fluorescent (CFL) bulbs contain mercury. When you are buying fluorescent bulbs, look for ones with a label that says low-mercury. You can easily avoid this problem by buying LEDs as they do not contain mercury and last longer. Weatherproof your home. Another great way to save energy is to minimize the amount of air leaking out of your home. Make sure that your walls are insulated. You could also consider double and triple pane/glazed windows reduce heat lost—this can be rather costly, but it will save you money in the long run when you do end up heating or cooling your home. You should also add some caulking or weather stripping around old windows and doors. This will help you to eliminate drafts, thus making your heating and cooling systems more energy efficient. Be mindful of your electronics. This means both buying electronics with a good energy rating, and making sure that you unplug your electronics when you are not using them. Look for an Energy Star label on any appliance you consider buying. Energy Star is a certification given to appliance companies by the United States government. It signifies that the appliance is highly energy efficient. Regardless of how energy efficient your appliance might be, however, it is always good to unplug your appliances when you are not using them. If you have a hard time remembering to unplug your electronics, consider buying a power strip. You can plug your electronics into it, and shut them all off just by hitting the 'off' button on the power strip. Consider alternative forms of energy. Solar, hydro, and wind power are all excellent forms of alternative energy. Some utilities companies will give you the option of choosing green energy through the use of solar or wind power. If your utilities company doesn't offer a green option, don't give up! You can set up your own solar panels, and even build your own turbines. Dry your clothes outside. Instead of running the dryer every time you do a load of laundry, hang your clothes to dry in the sun instead. Set up your own clothesline. You can also air dry clothes on a rack indoors. Buy local products. One of the greenhouse gas contributors is the food industry. If you really want to lower your carbon footprint, prefer products that don't have to be transported very far. Shop at farmer's markets and natural food stores that carry products by local growers. You should also make a point of only buying products that are in season. If you find that you are craving blueberries in the middle of winter, think about the fact that the only blueberries available to you will have been shipped from Chile. Instead, try to purchase seasonal items. Start a garden of your own. Its hard to get more local than your own backyard. If you have the time and space to do so, you should really consider planting a garden. Think about planting things you know you will eat. If you use basil a lot, why not grow it? Any extra food that you grow but can't eat can be donated to a local food charity. Don't eat as much red meat. You should particularly avoid beef that has been shipped from far away. As crazy as this may sound, the livestock industry is actually accountable for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, methane is a big problem when it comes to cattle raising. You don't have to stop eating beef entirely, but consider saving it for special occasions. When you do eat beef, make sure that it is free-range and grass-fed, as this has both lower emissions and is better for the animal. Purchase food that has less packaging. Doing this will help you to reduce the amount of waste you are left with after your meal. If you have an option between several apples on a tray, wrapped in plastic wrap, and simply selecting unwrapped apples that you can put in your reusable bag--choose the unwrapped apples. Find greener means of transportation. When you can, take public transit or carpool with your coworkers. If you are traveling close enough to home, ride your bike (you'll get in shape too!) or walk. Learn to Get Back on a Bicycle As an Adult if it has been awhile. You can carry a lot of cargo by bicycle, too. Drive less. Whether you get there some other way, or skip trips by doing business online or by phone, you can probably figure out ways to put fewer miles on your vehicle than you do. Reduce your carbon footprint when you do drive your car. Your driving habits actually how much CO 2 your car emits. Accelerating smoothly and slowly, maintaining a steady, moderate speed while you drive, and anticipating your stops and starts will actually help you to save one ton of CO 2 in a year. If you know you are going to be driving a lot, and have the funds to do so, you should consider purchasing an all-electric car. Remember, though, that much electricity also has a carbon cost (mitigate this by charging your car with renewables—e.g. solar panels on the roof of your house), and that electric cars don't cut down on traffic congestion. Get your car serviced regularly. This means making sure your fuel, air, and oil filters are replaced when they need to be. When your car is running efficiently, your emission control systems should be working at the top of their game. To maximize your gas mileage , make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Travel by train or bus rather than flying. If you are traveling a relatively long distance, and have the time to do so, go by a train or bus, rather than by airplane. Airplanes pump out a lot of CO 2 emissions. You can reduce your carbon footprint by trying other means of long-distance transportation. If you do have to take a plane, look for a nonstop flight, rather than switching planes during a layover. This will not only reduce your air travel footprint, it will also be much more convenient for you. Buy new items only when you really need to. This goes for clothing, food products, household items—anything. Energy is used every time a new cotton shirt is made, or a bundle of bananas gets shipped. For durable items, look around at garage sales and thrift stores, or check your local classified or Freecycle listing. Many people discard or sell serviceable items they were no longer using. When you do have to buy new items, try to buy locally. Shipping products increases your carbon footprint. A five pound package shipped via air across the United States will produce 12 pounds of CO 2 emissions. Try finding that item locally next time you hover your mouse over purchase while online shopping. Buy for durability. How long will this item last you? Will it be obsolete in two years? Five? Will it be out of fashion? Will it break? Re-purpose old materials and furniture. Instead of throwing things out that could end up in a landfill creating methane gas, reuse everything you can. Reupholster old chairs , rather than sending them to the dump. You can also reuse old clothes or sell them. Understand your recycling system for your area. It's important to know what can and cannot be recycled. This varies from county to county, so run an online search to find out what rules govern your individual recycling system. Always remember to wash recyclables before putting them in the recycling bin. Remember to recycle your glass, aluminium, and paper. Start a compost pile. Food waste can be used to feed your garden. Compost enriches soil and cleans up contaminated soil. It also reduces the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and even water. Know how to dispose of items like batteries. Your town or county should have a hazardous waste facility located near you. Search online to find out where yours is located. These facilities will have drop off days or locations for single-use batteries. Rechargeable batteries can be dropped off at many different locations, including Staples and Radio Shack, which will properly dispose of them for you. You can also drop your old cell phones off along with your rechargeable batteries. Many electronics stores have partnered with Call2Recycle, a rechargeable battery and cell phone collection organization that recycles your old cells and batteries for you. Know where to dispose of other electronics. Sadly, old electronics can't just be placed in the recycle bin with your other recyclables. You can, however, take your electronics to a recycling center near you. Run an online search for recycling centers in your area. Take shorter showers. Not only do short showers save water , they also save the energy that it takes to heat that water up. You should also keep in mind that baths consume a lot more water than short showers do. Choose water-conserving shower heads. According to National Geographic, if you use a low-flow showerhead, you can actually save 15 gallons (56.8 L) of water if you take a ten minute shower. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full. Roughly 22% of home water consumption comes from laundry. Always make sure to put them on the right setting too. If you do wash a smaller load of laundry, make sure to activate the 'small' or 'medium' load setting. (Some washers, especially front-loading machines, automatically adjust the water level.) Check for leaks regularly. A lot of the water we consume is actually wasted because of leaks we may have in our systems. Do regular maintenance on your pipes, checking to make sure that you don't have any leaks. If you do--repair them immediately so that less water gets wasted. Take your climate into consideration when landscaping. It's important to remember that not all climates are meant to have green grass in them. To really conserve water, fill your yard with plants that naturally thrive in your climate. You will find that you have relatively little landscaping work to do, which means you will be saving both water and energy. Don't wash your car that often. Washing a standard-sized vehicle generally takes about 150 gallons (567.8 L) of water. That is a lot of water. Try to reduce the number of times you wash your car. Consider bringing your car to a professional car wash. They generally use less water than a person washing their car at home. Commercial car washes are also required to drain their used water into the sewage system (rather than storm drains) so they have less of an impact on the marine environment.	Replace your standard (incandescent) light bulbs with more efficient alternatives. Weatherproof your home. Be mindful of your electronics. Consider alternative forms of energy. Dry your clothes outside. Buy local products. Start a garden of your own. Don't eat as much red meat. Purchase food that has less packaging. Find greener means of transportation. Drive less. Reduce your carbon footprint when you do drive your car. Get your car serviced regularly. Travel by train or bus rather than flying. Buy new items only when you really need to. Buy for durability. Understand your recycling system for your area. Start a compost pile. Know how to dispose of items like batteries. Know where to dispose of other electronics. Take shorter showers. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full. Check for leaks regularly. Take your climate into consideration when landscaping. Don't wash your car that often.
https://www.wikihow.com/Entertain-a-Quaker-Parrot	How to Entertain a Quaker Parrot	To entertain a quaker parrot, put a variety of toys, like ladders, swings, and bells, in its cage so it has things to play with when you're not around. Then, swap the toys out with new toys every once in a while so your parrot doesn't get bored with them. You can also place a shallow dish of water in the cage so your parrot can bathe itself, which can provide a lot of stimulation as well. In addition to giving your parrot things to do, you should spend at least 30 minutes a day talking to it and feeding it treats so it doesn't get lonely. Additionally, if you don't already have one, consider getting another quaker parrot so your bird has a friend to share its cage with.	Put toys in your Quaker's cage. In order for your Quaker to be entertained when you are not around, you need to supply it with toys. There are a wide variety of toys that are available for Quaker parrots, including rope toys they can climb, ladders, swings, bells, and chewable toys, such as colorful hanging wood blocks. Supply a variety of different toys in your bird's cage at once. This will give your bird options for what it wants to play with. Any toys that are advertised as appropriate for parakeets, parrots, or conures are appropriate for Quakers. Switch out toys often. Even if you supply great toys for your Quaker, it is likely to get bored with them over time. Switch out toys on a regular basis so that your bird can be entertained with new things in its cage. Have a variety of toys that you can rotate in and out of your bird's cage. Just be sure to thoroughly clean toys when they come out of the cage so they are clean when you want to put them back in. When supplying brand new toys for your Quaker, try giving it new types of toys, not just different versions of the same type of toy. Puzzle toys are especially good for Quaker parrots, as they are mechanically inclined and love to pull things apart. Give your bird new and exciting foods to eat. One really good way to entertain your Quaker is to give a new type of food. Place a type of fruit or vegetable that your bird has never tried before in the Quaker's cage and watch as it explores the new flavors and textures you have supplied. Remember, there are a wide variety of foods that a Quaker can eat. However, never give them avocado, alcohol, chocolate, or caffeine. Have your bird forage for snacks. If your Quaker has a snack that it really loves, you can entertain the bird by making it forage for that snack. Place the snack in a cardboard box and surround it with bedding or shredding paper. Seal the box and poke a few holes in the surface of the box. Then, place the box in your bird's cage, and watch as your bird tears open the box to find the treat. You can also use commercial foraging and puzzle toys for this type of entertainment. Unlike homemade foraging boxes, these can typically be used repeatedly. There are foraging boxes sold commercially but you can easily make 1 yourself. Just make sure that you only use materials that are safe for your Quaker. Supply a bird bath. Quaker parrots need to bathe regularly and this activity can provide a lot of stimulation as well. The easiest way to provide a bath for your bird is to put a shallow dish of lukewarm or room temperature water in the bird's cage. The dish should be heavy, so that the bird doesn't tip it over while they are bathing in it. Make sure that you only give the bird a shallow dish of water. They should be able to stand in the dish and only have their legs wet. Give the bird the bird bath early in the day, so that the bird can dry off completely throughout the day. Remove the dish of water once your bird is done bathing. Consider getting more than 1 bird. If your Quaker is especially bored, you might want to consider getting another bird to occupy it. Another bird can provide stimulation that its toys cannot. Having another bird in the same room or same cage will likely entertain your bird endlessly. Signs that your bird is bored or lonely include listlessness, lack of appetite, feather plucking, and unusual behavior, such as aggression towards you. However, these can also be symptoms of illness, so have you bird looked at by a vet if it has any of these problems. If you get a different type of bird, don't house it in the same cage as your Quaker. Quakers can be quite territorial when it comes to their cage, so they don't tend to do well living with other types of birds. Introducing another bird into your home requires that you quarantine the new bird for several weeks. This will ensure that it doesn't get your existing bird sick and that you can make introductions between the birds gradually. Interact with your Quaker daily. One way to keep your bird entertained is to interact with it every day. Spending time means that you can simply talk to it, sing to it, or whistle to it softly. You can also offer it treats from your hand and wait for the bird to come and eat them. Try to spend at least a half hour interacting directly with your bird every day. Spending time in the company of your bird will both entertain the bird and build the relationship you have with your bird. Clicker-train your bird. Clicker training encourages your bird to complete actions or activities to earn a treat. It is a reward-based training method that teaches the bird to connect the sound of a clicker with a certain desirable action. When teaching it to follow your cues, the training sessions can be a bonding process for you and your bird. This process can also be great for entertaining and stimulating your Quaker's mind. The first thing you can teach your bird is to " step up " onto your finger. This allows you to avoid grabbing the bird if you need to move it out of its cage and it allows the bird to make the decision to be held instead of being forced into it. Teach your Quaker to talk. Quaker parrots are great talkers that can be taught a wide variety of words and tunes. Teaching your bird new sounds will entertain it and stimulate its mind as it figures out how to mimic your noises. Say words that you want your bird to say over and over again in front of your Quaker and it should eventually repeat them back to you. Begin teaching your Quaker to talk by saying 1 short word to the bird repeatedly. Over time, the bird will learn the sounds you are saying and it will likely repeat them back to you. Place your Quaker's cage in a high-traffic area. Even if you can't focus all your time interacting with your bird, just placing it in an area that you frequent a lot can entertain it tremendously. Placing your Quaker in your living room or dining room, for instance, exposes it to a variety of activities and noises that can stimulate and entertain the bird even when you are not directly paying attention to it. However, if you have an exceptionally busy and active household, you may want to put the bird in a corner where it is set apart from the activity just a bit. Make sure to put the cage in an area that does not get drafty or cold. Also, the cage should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as this can easily overheat your bird. Do not put your Quaker in an out of the way room that people rarely spend time in. This will cause the bird to become lonely. Keep your bird's cage out of the kitchen. There can be too many temperature, humidity, and smell changes in a kitchen for a Quaker. Also, there is the potential to expose the bird to toxic fumes. Consider limiting your time away from home. Since your Quaker needs regular attention and entertainment, it is a good idea to limit the amount of time you leave it alone. They should not be left alone for long stretches of time, as this can lead to loneliness and boredom. If you are gone all day, it is especially important to give your bird some undivided attention when you come home. The bird has not had any stimulation all day and needs you to provide some companionship and entertainment. If you are traveling and you plan to be gone for several days, you should have someone check in on your bird and interact with it for awhile. Provide visual and sound stimulation. If you are going to be gone, consider providing video or audio recordings of yourself when you are gone. This will allow the bird to continue to be able to react to your voice and to get the stimulation it needs. You can use a video camera to record you talking to the bird and then you can play it back on a computer or TV. You could also just record your voice on a voice recorder and play it back to the bird on the same device. You can record a wide variety of things for your bird. Consider saying the bird's favorite words repeatedly, singing it a song, or just praising it in a nice tone.	Put toys in your Quaker's cage. Switch out toys often. Give your bird new and exciting foods to eat. Have your bird forage for snacks. Supply a bird bath. Consider getting more than 1 bird. Interact with your Quaker daily. Clicker-train your bird. Teach your Quaker to talk. Place your Quaker's cage in a high-traffic area. Consider limiting your time away from home. Provide visual and sound stimulation.
https://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-Social-Skills-in-Older-Dogs	How to Maintain Social Skills in Older Dogs	To help your older dog maintain social skills, the best thing to do is take it for walks in different places so it can experience new people and environments. You can also let it interact with different people who come to your home so it can stay social as it ages. In addition to exposing your dog to new people, you should also regularly take it to parks to meet other dogs. If you know someone with a friendly dog, you can arrange a play date so yours can spend more intimate time with another dog.	Take your dog to the dog park. A great way to socialize your older dog is to take them to the dog park. At the dog park, they will have an opportunity to interact with other dogs and people. They also can run around and play for their exercise. If you are worried your dog won't feel comfortable around the dogs at first, consider keeping them on a leash until they get used to the people and dogs. You should only take them off-leash if they are not aggressive with other dogs or people. You should also only let them off the leash if they come to you when you call, if they don't run off randomly, and if they will stay with you when commanded. This ensures you can control your dog and avoid any incidents. Walk your dog. Another way you can socialize your dog is to take them for a walk. Walking around a park, neighborhood, or trails with people and other dogs helps socialize your dog. Exposing your dog to these areas puts them in contact with a lot of different people and dogs. After your dog gets used to just being around people, try introducing him to people. Notice the people who pass you. If someone smiles and comments on your dog, ask them, "Would you like to meet him? He's learning how to interact with people." Avoid people who look aggressive or who are walking aggressive dogs. Arrange playdates with other dogs. Dogs are social animals that need to be around other people and dogs. One way to help with this is to let your dog play with other dogs. You can arrange a playdate for your dog and the dog of a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbor. This helps your dog be around other dogs and people. Start with dogs that your dog knows. This may be a neighbor's dog or a family members dog. You may also ask for a playdate with a dog your dog knows from the dog park. You may say, "My dog is learning social skills and really gets along with your dog. Could we arrange a playdate for our dogs?" If you are arranging a playdate with a neighborhood or family dog, ask for the playdate to happen in your yard. Explain to the owner that you are teaching your dog social skills and you think being in your dog's yard will help. Stick to dogs that your dog knows or are familiar with at the beginning. Even if your dog and a dog at the dog park don't know each other well, if they have been around each other and interacted, this makes them familiar enough to interact. Your playdate can be as simple as letting the dogs run around the yard together. You may want to bring out some toys and have them chase balls or frisbees. Introduce new dogs to your home slowly. If you are adopting a dog to help your dog learn social skills, you want to go slow and use caution. This can be a great way to get your dog social with at least one other dog, but this can also end in disaster if your dog never warms up to the new dog. Ask yourself whether or not you believe forcing a new dog into your home is a good way for your dog to become social. If you decide to do this, make sure to introduce the dogs slowly. Put them both on leashes and let them be around each other, sniff each other, and get to know each other. If either dog starts to get aggressive, remove them and try again later. When adopting a new dog, make sure to get a dog who is not dog-aggressive. This will cause problems with your current dog. It may take awhile for your dog to adjust to the new dog. As long as the two dogs are not aggressive towards one another, they may eventually come around to each other, no matter if they are young or old. Let your dog interact with different kinds of people. You may want to make a point to introduce your dog to different types of people. This helps your dog to get used to everyone. Start with your friends and family, then try to walk by different people while out. For example, you may want to let your dog interact with people of different ages. Let your dog see people who use canes or wheelchairs. Let them be around people with facial hair and different color hair. Introduce them to people of different ethnicities. Bring your dog around people who are engaging in different activities, like running, playing sports, singing, or laughing loudly. You may want to let them be around people wearing different clothes. Invite people over. Another way to socialize your older dog is to let them interact with people who come to your home. By letting your dog be around people, they can stay social or increase their social skills as they age. You can ask visitors to give your dog a treat when they come in to help them react positively. Socialize your dog slowly. If your older dog has social anxiety, aggressive behavior problems, or reacts negatively when around others, take it slow. Don't force your dog to interact with too many people or dogs at once. Instead, let them get used to others one by one. For example, let them interact with family or friends one at a time. As they get used to one new person, introduce two, then three. Take your dog to places where they will see a few dogs one on one. You may try walking around a city park or your neighborhood. Don't take them to a dog park until they are used to many dogs. Find ways for your dog to meet new people and dogs. To stay social, your dog needs to interact with new people and dogs. Seeing dogs or people they are familiar with doesn't help them socialize more. Look for ways to increase your dog's interactions. This may include going to parks, finding new walking routes, taking your dog with you on vacation, taking your dog for a hike, or bringing your dog to a family gathering. Help your dog overcome any social fears. Some dogs end up scared of some people, like men or people wearing hats. If this is the case for your dog, you need to help socialize them with whatever scares them so they can get over the fear. However, you may need to tell people that your dog is fearful and to take caution around them. For example, if your dog is afraid of men, invite men over to interact with your dog. Give them treats to give your dog, and encourage them to give lots of praise and positive reinforcement. You may have to tell children to be quiet or gentle with your dog because they get upset around loud screaming or when handled too harshly. Do this slowly. Start with one man, then a few, then more to help your dog get over their fear. Touch your dog often. Sometimes, older dogs get antisocial because of reduced contact. To help prevent this from happening, touch your dog. Go beyond simple petting. Touch all parts of the dog to make them feel comfortable with physical interaction. Make sure to praise the dog and give treats for good behavior. Touch the dog's legs, back, tummy, head, muzzle, and tail. This helps keep your dog comfortable with touch. Take your dog to obedience classes. Your dog is never too old for obedience classes. Plus, they are a great way to help your dog socialize. They will be around other dogs and people, which can help them become more comfortable. The trainer may be able to help you figure out ways to socialize your dog. Keep socializing your dog. Even if your dog doesn't immediately warm up to others, don't quit. Be patient and keep at it. The best way to socialize your dog is to keep giving your dog contact with others. Don't give up. Eventually, your dog will learn. If your dog is hesitant, then keep the socializing small. But keep letting them interact with people. Isolating your dog is one of the worst things you can do. Use positive reinforcement. If your dog growls at people or other dogs, try using positive reinforcement to adjust their behavior. Instead of yelling at your dog or punishing them for barking, tell them in a firm voice, "No." If you have to, move them away from the source. When the dog stops growling, provide treats and praise for them to associate with the new dog. You can also associate new dogs and people with treats and positive reinforcement. For example, if a dog starts to approach you and your dog, give your dog a treat before they start growling. This helps them start to associate new people and dogs in a positive way. When your dog acts in the way you want them to with another dog, give them a treat. Pet or praise your dog when another dog walks by. Use a happy tone of voice when talking to the dog. Consult a vet about changes in your dog's behavior. An aging dog can develop problems with its senses, memory, and awareness of its surroundings. This can make the dog irritated, restless, anxious, and sometimes even aggressive. In many cases, there is an underlying disease or health problem making this worse. If your elderly dog has worse social skills than it did before, it's worth a visit to the vet. Make life easier on your dog. Once you've identified some of the issues your dog is having, whether through observation or a vet checkup, try to reduce the animal's stress however you can. If the dog is experiencing less pain or confusion, it will have an easier time in social interactions. Here are a few examples: If your dog bumps into things or whines at night, its vision or spatial senses may have declined. See if its behavior improves if you leave dim lights on. If your dog has trouble reaching its usual spots, help it out. Maybe it needs a step stool to reach the couch, or a wider pathway between its bed and its food bowl. Many older dogs develop different sleep schedules and energy levels, and may be restless at night or slow to move during the day. In both cases, it helps to spend more time on activities that are not physically taxing, such as longer walks, indoor games, and food puzzle toys. Consult an animal behavior expert. If the vet rules out a medical cause or the dog's social skills do not improve after treatment, visit an animal behavior therapist for advice and training. This is especially useful if you think your dog might have one of these behavior problems: Separation anxiety, leading to destructive behavior or panic when you leave the dog alone Excessive howling and barking New fear responses to certain sounds or objects Aggression	Take your dog to the dog park. Walk your dog. Arrange playdates with other dogs. Introduce new dogs to your home slowly. Let your dog interact with different kinds of people. Invite people over. Socialize your dog slowly. Find ways for your dog to meet new people and dogs. Help your dog overcome any social fears. Touch your dog often. Take your dog to obedience classes. Keep socializing your dog. Use positive reinforcement. Consult a vet about changes in your dog's behavior. Make life easier on your dog. Consult an animal behavior expert.
https://www.wikihow.com/Ace-a-Test	10+ Proven Tips to Help You Ace a Test	To ace a test, even if you're not prepared, start by glancing over the test before you get started to get an idea of how long it is so you can manage your time better. Then, read through each question twice and try to answer it. If you can't answer a question, skip it and come back to it later if you can, which will save you from wasting all of your time on one question. If your test is multiple choice and you don't know the answer, eliminate 2 answers so you're left with just 2 options. Then, guess if necessary since you'll have a 50-percent chance of being right.	Your instructor will usually cover test material during class time, so pay close attention to what they’re saying. Get a good notebook that you'll only use for that class, and jot down important dates or facts your teacher mentions by hand. If your teacher repeats something, writes it on the board, or gives a subject special emphasis, be sure to put it in your notes since it's going to be important to remember. Use bullet points and symbols to help take notes faster so you don't miss any information, and write as neatly as you can. You don't want to struggle to read your own writing later on! Try writing your notes in a flowchart or concept map so you can keep similar ideas and subjects together. If you miss something in your notes, ask another classmate or your instructor after class to go over what you missed. If you still aren’t sure what you the test covers, wait until after class and talk to your teacher. Let them know that you're a little confused and ask what topics you should study. You can also ask what types of questions will be on the test so you can find similar practice questions. Your teacher wants to see you succeed in class, so they'll point you in the right direction. Your teacher may even hand out study guides or practice exams so you can see questions that are similar to the ones on the actual test. While it may seem like overkill, you’ll retain a lot more information if you study every day. Set aside time where you won't get distracted so you can organize your notes and go over the test material. Read through your class notes so you can refresh your memory on key terms or formulas. If you have required readings, take notes on the text so you remember it better. Look through your notes and write down everything you’re still confused by on a different piece of paper. As you're studying, skim through your textbook or lectures to find the information on the topics that you're the least familiar with. As you find the topics, be sure to write down dates, names, and other important concepts that could appear on your test. Write down all the exam topics on flashcards and go through them every day. When you get confused by a topic, put the cards on the top of the stack so you know you need to focus on those areas first. As you get more familiar with a topic, try taking a 1- to 2-day break from reviewing it. When you come back to it, see if you still remember all of the information. Your teacher may already give you practice tests, but if not, you’re bound to find some online. Treat the practice test as if it were the real thing. Don't use your notes and set a timer so you can get used to answering the questions. After you finish the practice test, check your answers to see what you got incorrect. Review your notes for any topics or questions you struggled with. Practice exams are a great way to eliminate stress from the actual test since you'll get used to the time crunch and topics covered. If you can't find a practice exam, make one of your own. Check your textbook for questions at the end of the chapter and write your own questions based on your notes or class discussions. Rewriting helps you think critically and remember information better. Choose a topic from your notes or textbook and write it on the top of a new page. Take a few minutes writing down all of the information you remember about the topic so you can see how well you understand it. If you struggled coming up with anything, go back to your textbook, lectures, and notes to review the info. Be sure to check what you wrote for accuracy as well. Even if you think you remember something well, make sure it's the right information. Try writing the information as if you were teaching it to someone else. That way, you can get a better, more simplified understanding of it as well. Studying in a group lets you compare notes, ask questions, and discuss confusing concepts so you can see what you should focus on. Pick somewhere quiet and free of distractions, such as the library or someone's home, to host your study session. Talk about what subjects you all are struggling with and prioritize those first while you're studying. Make a study guide for the group with sample questions from the book or online. Try taking turns explaining topics to one another so you don't need to read as much on your own. Take a few 10-minute breaks while you're studying so you have some time to relax and have fun with your classmates. Your brain needs rest before a big test, and sleep can even help you remember the concepts you just studied. Try to avoid eating or having caffeine right before you go to bed so you have an easier time falling asleep. Limit using your phone or other electronics since bright screens could keep you awake. Make your room as dark as possible before climbing into bed and getting some rest. If you still have a lot on your mind before you go to bed, try meditating or reading a book to help calm down and feel relaxed. You may have heard it called the most important meal of the day, but it’s even more so when you have a test to focus on. Try having some oatmeal since it can help give you the mental energy to get through the morning. You can also try almonds, yogurt, and fruit to keep you energized. Even just an apple 30 minutes before your test can help you stay alert and ready for the exam. Eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables since it can help you pay better attention while you're taking the test. If you keep telling yourself that you won’t do well on the test, you can put yourself in a negative mindset. Instead, say things like “I prepared a lot for this test and I'm going to do well on it,” or, “I know I'm smart and I'll be able to pass this.” By building yourself up, you'll feel more confident and won't be as nervous while you're taking the test. Try to avoid talking negatively to other students as well. For example, don't tell your classmates that you're nervous or that you don't think you studied enough. You may not know how to budget your time for each question if you don’t know what’s on the test. Scan through all of the material on the test so you can see the types of questions and subjects it covers. Make note of any essay or free-writing questions since they'll take up more time. Once you get an idea of how long the test is, you'll know where to focus your attention. Make sure you have a full understanding of the question so you don’t accidentally misread it and make a mistake. Once you read the question, guess what you think the answer might be before looking at any options. Then look at your choices to see if any of them align with what you think the answer may be. If you're confused by a question on the test, ask your teacher for clarification. Chances are another one of your classmates might also be confused. Look for keywords or terms in the questions and answers to see if you’re familiar with the concept. If you see any that you positively know, fill in the answer right away so you don't have to come back to it later. If you get confused or you don't know the answer, don't worry. Just skip the question for now and come back to it at the end when you have more time to focus on it. The right answers on a multiple-choice exam are usually grammatically correct or have similar words as the question. Words like “no,” “never,” “always,” and “only” in true-or-false questions are usually false. It can be really easy to make a silly mistake when you’re stressing over a test. Once you've completed your test, go back through your answers if you have time to make sure they still look correct. If you notice a mistake or something incorrect, fix it before handing the test in. When you think you've answered everything correctly, then turn your test in. Even if you don't get the right answer, you may still get partial credit if you show your work and thought process.	Your instructor will usually cover test material during class time, so pay close attention to what they’re saying. If you still aren’t sure what you the test covers, wait until after class and talk to your teacher. While it may seem like overkill, you’ll retain a lot more information if you study every day. Look through your notes and write down everything you’re still confused by on a different piece of paper. Your teacher may already give you practice tests, but if not, you’re bound to find some online. Rewriting helps you think critically and remember information better. Studying in a group lets you compare notes, ask questions, and discuss confusing concepts so you can see what you should focus on. Your brain needs rest before a big test, and sleep can even help you remember the concepts you just studied. You may have heard it called the most important meal of the day, but it’s even more so when you have a test to focus on. If you keep telling yourself that you won’t do well on the test, you can put yourself in a negative mindset. You may not know how to budget your time for each question if you don’t know what’s on the test. Make sure you have a full understanding of the question so you don’t accidentally misread it and make a mistake. Look for keywords or terms in the questions and answers to see if you’re familiar with the concept. It can be really easy to make a silly mistake when you’re stressing over a test.
https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Fonts-to-Photoshop	How to Add Fonts to Photoshop	If you're using Windows, right-click the font file, then select Install. If you're using macOS, double-click the font file, then click Install Font.	Download your fonts from the internet. You can search online for "free fonts," then simply click on "download" to get the ones you want. There are hundreds of sites that offer fonts online, and usually the first page of your search should have safe, plentiful options. You can also buy CDs of fonts at any computer store. It is usually easiest to save all your fonts onto a folder on your desktop for easy organization. However, as long as you know where you downloaded the fonts to, it doesn't matter. Open a window to view the fonts. It doesn't matter what version you're using. Even Windows XP, which is no longer supported or receives updates, can install fonts. If they are in a.ZIP file, right-click and choose extract. Then find the font itself by looking at the extension (the. after the file). Photoshop fonts come with the following extensions:.otf.ttf.pbf.pfm Right click on the font and select "Install. " If this option is available you're in luck: everything is installed! You can even Ctr-Click or Shift-Click to select and install more than one at once. Use the Control Panel to add fonts if you have no "Install" option. Some computers will not allow the easy install, but it is still simple to add a new font. Click on the Start Menu, then click on Control Panel. From there: Click on "Appearance and Personalization" ( Note: You skip this step in Windows XP ). Click on "Fonts." Right-click in the list of fonts and select "Install New Font." ( Note: In Windows XP, this is under "File" ). Select the fonts you want and hit "OK" when done. Find and download your new fonts. Search online for "Free Photoshop Fonts Mac." This will bring up hundreds of options, all of which can be easily downloaded and added. Save them to a new folder on your desktop, such as "Temporary Fonts," for safe-keeping. Close all active applications. Most applications have font support, which means they will be checking your Mac for fonts to use. You want to install the fonts before the programs go looking for them, so make sure everything is closed before you begin working. Double click on the actual font to bring up Font Book. The fonts may be in a ZIP folder, which you can double-click to open. From there, simply double click on the actual font to open it in your Font Book. Fonts have the following extensions at the end:.ttf.otf Click "Install Font" when the Font Book appears. Your new.ttf or.otf file should open in Font Book. From there, simply click "Install Font" in the lower left corner to install it to your Mac. Photoshop will then find it and take care of the rest. Alternatively, navigate to your font libraries in Finder and place the fonts manually. There are two places you can put your fonts, both of which are incredibly easy to find. You can even input the following string directly into the search bar substituting your own username for <username>, of course. Find one of these two locations, using the first one if you have Administrative Privileges. Both, however, will work. /Library/Fonts/ /Users/<username>/Library/Fonts/ Click and drag the new fonts into the folder to activate them. Once they're in, you're good to go. Reopen you applications to start using your new fonts in Photoshop.	Download your fonts from the internet. Open a window to view the fonts. Right click on the font and select "Install. Use the Control Panel to add fonts if you have no "Install" option. Find and download your new fonts. Close all active applications. Double click on the actual font to bring up Font Book. Click "Install Font" when the Font Book appears. Alternatively, navigate to your font libraries in Finder and place the fonts manually. Click and drag the new fonts into the folder to activate them.
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-a-Timex-Expedition	How to Set a Timex Expedition	To set a Timex Expedition, first press the Mode button on the lower left side of the watch face until you enter Time mode. Press and hold the Set button, which is at the top left of the watch face, until “Time Zone” flashes on-screen. Select your current time zone by pressing the Plus or Minus buttons, which are at the top and bottom of the right side of the watch. Hit the Mode button and the “hour” digits will begin flashing on-screen. Now press the Plus or Minus button to select the correct hour. Once you've set the hour correctly, press the Mode button, which will make the “minute” digits flash. Use the Plus or Minus button to select the right time.	Enter time mode. Press the Mode button until you enter Time mode. The Mode button is located on the lower left side of the watch face. If you're in the stopwatch or alarm mode you won't be able to set the time. Keep pressing mode until the four numbers indicating the time of day show up. The time you see in Time Mode may not be correct – you are trying to set your watch after all. However, you can ensure that it is time mode by checking to see if there are seconds ticking by on the right hand side of the watch. Press Set. Press and hold the Set button until “Time Zone” flashes on-screen. The Set button is located at the top left side of the watch face. At this point you'll also be able to choose if you're in daylight savings time or not. Choose accordingly. Select your time zone. Press either the Plus or Minus buttons to select your current time zone. The Plus and Minus buttons are located at the top and bottom of the right side of the watch face , respectively. Set the correct hour. Press the Mode button and the “hour” digits will begin flashing on-screen. Now press either the Plus or Minus button to select the correct hour of the day. Set the correct minutes and seconds. Once you've set the hour correctly press the Mode button. You'll notice that the “minute” digits will begin flashing on-screen now. Press the Plus or Minus button to select the correct time in minutes. If you want to be really exact you can press the Mode button again to set the seconds exactly. Once you press mode the “seconds” digits will begin flashing just like everything else has. Press the Plus or Minus button to set the seconds to zero or to match them up with another clock. Set the month and date. Press the Mode button once you're done setting the seconds if you want to set the month and date. The day of week will begin flashing. Set that, press Mode again, and the month will start flashing. Press Mode one more time and the year will start flashing. Be careful not to press Mode too many times or might skip a step. If that happens you'll have to pass through all the previous instructions again. Press the Set button to finish setting your watch. Once you have pressed the Set button you'll be returned to You can press the Set button at any time if you don't want to set the seconds, month, or date. Locate the crown on your analog expedition watch. To set the time and date of your analog expedition watch you will first need to locate the crown. The crown will appear as a small circular disc on the edge of your watch. You will be pulling this disc out and away from the body of the watch to set both the time and date. Pulling the crown all the way out will allow you to adjust the time. Pulling the crown half way out to the middle position will allow you to adjust the date. Pushing the crown back in will restart the watch, starting from the time and date you have set it to. Set your watch to the correct time. Once you've located the crown you can use it to adjust the time. Using the crown to adjust the time is a simple process that involves pulling it out fully and twisting it until the hands of the watch are at the right time. Follow these steps to set your watch using the crown: Pull the crown out to its outer position, pulling as far as it will extend. Once extended you can twist the crown to adjust where the arms of the watch are positioned. Twist the crown until the arms are set to the right time. Push the crown back down into the watch to start it up once again. Set the date and day on your watch. To set the date and day on your watch you will need to first find the crown. The crown will need to be pulled out and away from the watch and then twisted until the correct date is shown. Follow these few steps to use the crown when setting the date: Find the crown and pull it out of the watch to the middle position. This will be half of its length. Turn the crown clockwise until you see the correct date. If the date isn't changing, pull the crown to the outer position and turn ahead by 24 hours. Put the crown back into its neutral position, fully pressed down into the watch.	Enter time mode. Press Set. Select your time zone. Set the correct hour. Set the correct minutes and seconds. Set the month and date. Press the Set button to finish setting your watch. Locate the crown on your analog expedition watch. Set your watch to the correct time. Set the date and day on your watch.
https://www.wikihow.com/End-a-Legal-Guardianship	How to End a Legal Guardianship	Giving up the rights to someone you care for can be stressful, but if you follow the proper steps it should go smoothly. You can legally give up guardianship rights if the person turns 18, gets married, the biological parents request it, or if the child applies for emancipation. If everyone's in agreement, you can do the paperwork yourself. Otherwise, you may want to hire an attorney for legal advice. You'll need to visit the courthouse to file a petition to terminate the guardianship. Then, you'll need to attend a court hearing.	Demonstrate automatic termination of guardianship. One of the simplest ways to terminate a guardianship of a child is to show that they meet one of the requirements for automatic termination of guardianship. While each state has its own laws regarding termination of guardianship, generally guardianship will terminate automatically for one of the following reasons: Death of the ward. While the guardian may be legally required to provide a final accounting of the ward's finances at a court hearing, the guardian's obligations terminate with the death of the ward (the child for whom the guardian was responsible). The ward turns 18. Once a ward turns 18 and is considered an adult, a guardianship will be terminated. The ward is adopted, marries or enters the military service. In most states, any one of these circumstances is grounds for termination of the guardianship. The court emancipates the ward. If the child applies for emancipation, which means he or she petitions the court to be ruled an adult, and the court grants the petition, a guardianship will be terminated. Request by parents for termination. Parents of a minor under guardianship can seek termination of the guardianship if they want the child to live with them again. Generally, in order for a parent to successfully terminate a guardianship in court, they must show: That they can provide the child with a stable place to live. That they have a source of income that can provide support for the child. That they are “fit” to resume care-giving responsibility for the child. Fitness may mean that they have successfully completed rehabilitation. That they can provide a good home for the child. If the guardianship is contested, the parent may have to provide evidence that the guardian is unfit to perform his or her obligations. This may include evidence that the guardian: misused the child's funds; was abusive; or can no longer act as a guardian because of substance abuse or incapacitation. Resign as guardian. A guardian can also request to terminate a guardianship by resigning as guardian. Generally, a guardian must petition the court before resigning. The court may terminate the guardianship, appoint another guardian, or, if no replacement is available, the child may be placed in foster care or become a dependent in juvenile court. In order to show the court that the resignation is in the best interest of the child, a guardian may argue the following: One or both of the parents are able to resume their parental responsibilities. The guardian can no longer serve because of age, illness or infirmity. There was an increase in the burden of the guardianship that should have been discussed or planned for during the original appointment. The guardian and the minor disagree with respect to the care of the minor and the conflict is detrimental to the minor. The resignation will permit financial gain for the minor. The resignation will not disadvantage the minor. Request for termination by ward. In some states like California, a child 12 years old or older may also petition the court for termination of a guardianship. They will have to present evidence that shows that guardianship is not in his or her best interest. A minor may seek termination of a guardianship for the following reasons: The minor's biological parents can resume their parental responsibilities. The minor was adopted. The guardian has not made him or herself accessible to the minor. The guardian is no longer qualified to act in the minor's best interest because of age or infirmity. The guardian misused the minor's property or funds for something other than care of the minor. Hire an attorney. If you believe that the termination of guardianship is going to be contested, it may be in your best interest to hire an experienced family law attorney. A family law attorney can: Help you assess the strengths and weaknesses in your case. Gather evidence to strengthen your arguments. Write and argue persuasively for the termination of guardianship. Know the proper forms and documents to file with the court. Seek court termination of guardianship. In most cases, a guardianship does not terminate unless a court approves the termination, even in the case of a guardian attempting to resign. Therefore, those seeking termination of a guardianship must seek court assistance from the probate or family court where the minor child lives. In order to determine what court has jurisdiction over the guardian case, conduct an internet search for the name of the county and state where the child resides and “termination of guardianship.” This should direct you to the appropriate court that hears termination of guardianship cases. File a Petition to terminate the guardianship. Each county has its own rules for filing a Petition to Terminate Guardianship. As mentioned above, you can locate the appropriate court with an internet search. Often, these courts will also have form petitions for you to use. Generally, a Petition for Termination of Guardianship will include the following information: The name of the court where the petition is being filed. The name and contact information for the petitioner (the person filing the petition) and their relationship to the child. The reasons the petitioner is requesting termination. The names and contact information for any person who should be notified of the petition and hearing, including the minor, and the minor's parents. Whether the petition is related to an estate or guardianship of a person. Whether there is consent among the interested parties that termination should occur. The petition must be filed in the appropriate court, usually in person. You should check with the court to see whether there are any fees associated with the filing. Provide appropriate documentation. As part of your petition or during the court hearing, you may be asked to provide evidence to support your request for termination. Depending on why you are seeking termination, this evidence may include: A guardian's final accounting of the ward's estate to the court. You may need to provide this if the ward died, if you are a guardian of property and the ward's assets are used up, or if you are a guardian seeking to resign your position. Parents who want their children to live with them may need to submit a financial disclosure form to show that they are financially stable. A disclosure form may include information such as: current and previous employment information; yearly and monthly income; sources of income; a detailed list of expenses; the number of children living in the home; and an accounting of all personal assets and debts. Parents may also present evidence of drug or alcohol rehabilitation. To see a sample disclosure form visit: http://www.familylawselfhelpcenter.org/images/forms/misc/financial-disclosure-form-pdf-fillable.pdf. You must serve the petition on all interested parties and provide a certificate of service to the court showing that you mailed or served the petition in accordance with local court rules. Attend court hearing. After your petition is filed, the court will notify you of the date of the hearing to determine whether guardianship should be terminated. The person who filed the petition must present evidence that supports termination for guardianship. In a petition by parents, a court will want them to show that they can provide a stable place to live and a good home, that they have a source of income, that they are fit to be caregivers and that the child has an emotional bond with the parents. If a child is 12 years old or older, the court will take into account where the child wants to live. The judge will make his or her decision based on what he or she believes is in the best interest of the child. If the court grant's the petition, the judge will issue an Order Terminating Guardianship. Appeal the court’s decision. In most states, you have the right to appeal a family law court's decision. You must check with the court clerk to determine how long you have to file the petition, any fees that are required and the format of the petition. You will also have to show one of the following: The court failed to make adequate findings of fact; The court did not follow the law properly; The court abused its discretion. Seek restoration of rights. In the case of an adult, guardianships are meant to protect incapacitated adults' interests. Guardians have control over the person's financial assets and have the power to make medical decision for the person. If a previously incapacitated adult regains capacity, the adult may seek a restoration of his or her rights. While state laws regarding guardianship differ, a person seeking restoration of his or her rights may have the following rights afforded to him or her during the process of restoration: The right to legal notice of any hearings regarding the guardianship. The right to attend hearings. The right to an attorney or guardian ad litem, a guardian assigned to ensure that the ward's rights are protected during the hearing. The right to examine witnesses. The right to appeal. Request an attorney. If the guardian is contesting the restoration of rights, it is in the best interest of the person seeking restoration to request that the court appoint an attorney to represent his or her interests during the hearing. Courts should appoint an attorney or another guardian to ensure that the ward's rights are being protected. File Petition for Restoration. Every state has its own laws regarding guardianship that also address the restoration of rights and most state's will have sample petition forms. Generally, a Petition for Restoration will include the following information: The name and contact information of the person filing the petition, either the ward or someone on behalf of the ward. A sworn affidavit by a medical professional, possibly a psychiatrist, that the ward was examined and that the ward is no longer in need of guardian. The doctor will have to present evidence to support this claim. The petition may also include a notice that must be sent to all relevant parties including the current guardian and a certificate of service, which is a document where the petitioner shows that the petition was properly sent to all relevant parties. To view a list of state-specific guardian laws that address restoration of rights visit: http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/law_aging/2013_CassidyRestorationofRightsChart7-13.authcheckdam.pdf. To locate the petition forms, conduct an internet search for the county and state where the ward resides and “restoration of rights” and “adult.” This should direct you to the appropriate county court. You can also call the county court where the ward resides and request the petition form. Attend hearing. If the court finds that there is sufficient evidence in the petition to support that the ward should have his or her rights restored, the court will hold a hearing on the matter. In order to restore a person's rights and terminate guardianship, the ward will have to show the following: That he or she has the ability to manage his or her personal care and/or property. The person does not need to show total control of all functions but rather that they have functional ability, even with some assistance, to handle their care and property interests. A person can show functional ability even if they still have some mental impairment. Restore rights and terminate guardianship. After the hearing, a court may rule that the person's rights are restored and that the guardianship is terminated. Once a person's rights are restored, this becomes the grounds that the court uses to terminate guardianship. The termination of guardianship ends all rights and obligations of the guardian for the ward, except for any obligations as to financial accounting. Appeal denial of restoration. If the court denies the petition to terminate guardianship, the ward has the right to appeal the decision. You must check with the local court to find out how long you have to final your appeal and the format of your appeal. Generally, you will need to file a notice of appeal and provide evidence and argument that shows one or the following: The court failed to make a adequate findings of fact; The court did not follow the law properly; The court abused its discretion.	Demonstrate automatic termination of guardianship. Request by parents for termination. Resign as guardian. Request for termination by ward. Hire an attorney. Seek court termination of guardianship. File a Petition to terminate the guardianship. Provide appropriate documentation. Attend court hearing. Appeal the court’s decision. Seek restoration of rights. Request an attorney. File Petition for Restoration. Attend hearing. Restore rights and terminate guardianship. Appeal denial of restoration.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Prank-Call-and-Not-Be-Caught	How to Make a Prank Call and Not Be Caught	If you're thinking about making a prank call, make sure to avoid calling police stations or emergency services, which is a criminal offense. Also, plan what you'll say before you place the call, since you'll be caught right away if you laugh or stutter. When you're ready, press *67 before dialing the other person's number to stop your own number from appearing on their display. Avoid making physical or verbal threats during the call so they don't report you to the police. Additionally, keep your tone light-hearted and silly so the other person feels relaxed and sees the funny side of the prank. If you feel you have to laugh during the call, press your phone's mute button so your victim can't hear you. However, try to laugh as your prank comes to a conclusion to show the person you're just having a bit of fun.	Dial 67 before making the call. Using this code will keep your phone number from appearing on a caller ID display. This code works best when you are making one harmless prank call from a cell phone or home phone. The protection that 67 provides can be destroyed pretty quickly if it needs to be. This code is fairly useless if the police get involved because they can bypass that code easily to get your information. It usually won't help you when you prank a toll-free number because those organizations typically use a different phone system. Most internet-based services, such as Skype and Google Voice, won't let you dial *67 from their lines. Use a prepaid cell phone. Prepaid cell phones, also known as burners, are sold at most gas stations and no personal information from you is required to buy them or use them. Keep in mind that they are equipped with GPS, so if you are using one while you're at home, you can be traced that way. Buying these cell phones can quickly turn into an expensive habit, since they aren't cheap. If you're a frequent prankster, burners aren't an ideal solution. It's entirely possible that your friends and family may begin to suspect that you're a drug dealer if they see you with burners frequently. This is a common stereotype created mostly by crime-related television shows. Download a "burner" app. There are now phone apps that allow you to generate disposable phone numbers to make calls with, essentially keeping your real information hidden and your personal phone number clean. These apps provide the anonymity of a prepaid cell phone at a fraction of the cost, making them a very effective, convenient and cheap solution. The most infamous app of this kind is called Burner, but there are a handful of others in existence. Use internet phone services like Skype and Google Voice. These services are a great way to make prank calls because they aren't tied to any location, making them really hard to trace. However, they aren't impossible to trace by the police, especially if you give them a reason to do it, and you can be arrested. Follow the same guidelines that you use for pranking with a cell phone or landline. These internet services are usually free to use or have a very nominal monthly fee, making them financially feasible choices for pranking. Use someone else’s phone. This won't prevent trouble for the actual owner of the phone, but it will keep you from being caught. Try to be stealthy if you're attempting this, especially if you're a frequent prankster and your friends know it. They'll probably identify you as the culprit right away and start hiding their cell phones when you're around. If you are caught, prepare yourself to face a furious phone owner. Stay away from local calls. This is especially true if you live in a small town, but it's an excellent general rule that all pranksters should follow. When you make local prank calls, especially to multiple local numbers, and your victims end up calling the police, it's incredibly easy for them to use a local phone company to discover the caller's identity. If you are prank calling someone who lives in another part of the country, it's nearly impossible to trace because your victims aren't able to call the local police to show up at your residence and give you a lecture. Call from a pay phone. Pay phones still exist, although they are getting increasingly harder to find these days. If you're a serious prankster, it would benefit you to track down the locations of payphones in your area. Skip around so that you never make a prank call from the same pay phone twice in a row. If you are making prank calls that are bothersome or upsetting enough for the person on the other end to contact the police, they will definitely start checking security camera footage from the surrounding areas and they'll probably attempt to lift your fingerprints from the pay phone. Keep emergency services, police stations and fire departments off-limits. Prank calling any of these organizations is never wise and not recommended. If you do it, you will be traced and legal action will be taken against you. "Swatting" is a relatively new trend that involves reporting a fake crime to the police that could result in a SWAT team being sent out. Never engage in this behavior. It can be punishable by prison and has been referred to as an act of terrorism. There are so many other people and businesses out there to prank call – there is never any acceptable reason for pranking any of these organizations. Do not impersonate a police officer or FBI agent in a prank call. Your chances of getting traced increase substantially if you impersonate law enforcement, and you can get in big trouble for doing it. Most people who impersonate law enforcement are doing so in order to commit a crime, so if you get caught doing this, you'll be assumed to be a criminal until proven otherwise and you will be arrested. Avoid calling emergency and crisis hotlines. It's not funny to prank call a suicide hotline and pretend you're on the verge of killing yourself, and it's been done a million times before anyway. In fact, you should avoid calling any kind of hotlines designed to help people. It may seem like the perfect set up for hilarious pranks, but people can and do get arrested for this. Within the past few years the DJ of a prank call radio show was arrested for pranking an anger management hotline. The police were at his house within 15 minutes. Do not make threats or engage in hostile behavior. Threats of all kinds should be off-limits during prank calls, including bomb threats and physical threats. Even insinuating a threat is risky. When people feel threatened, emergency services and police officers usually get involved pretty quickly. Avoid asking for any personal information. Surprisingly, it's not that difficult to trick people out of their personal information, even their credit card numbers and other account numbers, by pretending to be someone's bank or a legitimate sounding bill collector. Even if you never intend to use any of this information and didn't even write it down, your victim will probably realize their mistake not long after the phone call and assume you're an identity thief. They will call to the police to report attempted identify theft and you'll be found out pretty quickly. Do not record your prank calls. Doing so may seem harmless to you, but law enforcement considers it to be wiretapping. Currently, federal law on the subject states that it's not illegal if one or both parties have consented to the call. However, the state laws vary. Some of them are far stricter than the federal law, considering it to be illegal without written authorization from your victim. Since many pranksters make out-of-state prank calls, this can be a problem. If you want to share a prank call recording publicly, such as on social media, the law requires that a “Recording Release and License” be signed by all participants on the call. If you have a collection of recordings that you want to release and sell, things become even more complicated. Not only do you need the above-mentioned license, but doing this may also be considered copyright infringement, since the recorded call is a "joint work" and your victim technically owns half of this enterprise. Essentially, you would then owe them royalties. Because of the extreme amounts of legal red tape surrounding the recording of prank calls, the best thing to do is avoid it completely. Prepare in advance. Plan out your prank and what you want to say before you make the call. If you don't sound sure of yourself when the victim answers, or if you stutter or hesitate, you'll give yourself away. At the very least, have your opening line prepared. If you are planning an elaborate prank, script it out before you call. Keep it short. Long prank calls are hard to pull off, and the longer you have the other person on the line, the more suspicious they become. Keep your pranks short, sweet and silly. 5 minutes or less is a good goal for the length of a prank call. Avoid calling the same number twice. Calling the same person over and over, no matter how hilarious it is to you, is harassment. If your victim feels harassed, the police will get involved and you'll be caught. Try to keep your pranks limited to one call per victim, or at the most, two. Prank them, laugh, and move on from that phone number forever. Stifle your laughter. Find your phone's mute button and if you absolutely have to laugh, use it. Laughing at the very beginning of the call will give you away immediately, so try to hold it together. It's okay to start laughing at the end, when the prank is starting to disintegrate and becoming obvious to the other person. In fact, giggling at the end can actually benefit you, since it will show the person that it was just a harmless prank and not a big deal. Keep your tone silly and lighthearted instead of serious. Serious pranks that upset other people are usually not very funny at all. They also escalate your chances of being caught by stressing your victim out so much that they feel the need to call the police. Keeping your prank calls on the silly side not only protects you from getting in trouble, but the calls are more fun to make and usually funnier, too. Try to craft your pranks so that, by the end, the other person is laughing with you. Occasionally your victim will outfox you and call you out on your prank, and then both of you will get a good laugh. Don't take yourself too seriously!	Dial *67 before making the call. Use a prepaid cell phone. Download a "burner" app. Use internet phone services like Skype and Google Voice. Use someone else’s phone. Stay away from local calls. Call from a pay phone. Keep emergency services, police stations and fire departments off-limits. Do not impersonate a police officer or FBI agent in a prank call. Avoid calling emergency and crisis hotlines. Do not make threats or engage in hostile behavior. Avoid asking for any personal information. Do not record your prank calls. Prepare in advance. Keep it short. Avoid calling the same number twice. Stifle your laughter. Keep your tone silly and lighthearted instead of serious.
https://www.wikihow.com/Vacation-at-Home-During-Coronavirus	How to Vacation at Home During Coronavirus	If you're feeling cooped up or sad about a missed vacation because of the coronavirus, you can enjoy an impromptu vacation right at home. To get out of the house, try camping in your backyard, enjoying a fancy dinner on your porch or patio, or playing outdoor games like croquet or bocce ball. If you're more in the mood to just relax, try unwinding with a luxurious bubble bath, making delicious cocktails, or putting on some good music and lounging on a lawn chair in your backyard. You can even still do some sightseeing on your computer. Check out virtual museum tours, digital zoo safaris, aquarium live cams, or virtual tours of national parks.	Camp out in the backyard if you’re starved for fresh air. Nothing says “vacation” like sleeping under the stars. If you have a tent and some yard space, set up a little camp on your own lawn. If the weather is nice, you could even skip the tent and sleep in a hammock. You could also build a campfire if you really want to feel like you're roughing it! Backyard camping can be especially fun if you have kids at home. Have a hotdog or marshmallow roast for a summer camp vibe. Build a fire or crank up the grill and cook some classic campfire treats in your yard! If you have chocolates and graham crackers on hand, take your marshmallow roast to the next level with some tasty s'mores. If you have a campfire kettle, you could even make some old-fashioned hot cocoa over the fire. Dine al fresco on your porch or patio to make meals more fun. Sitting outside can transform any dining experience into a vacation-worthy event. If you have a porch or balcony, set up a dining area there and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the fresh air. You could also spread out a picnic blanket on your lawn and enjoy a backyard picnic. If you live with your significant other, invite them to a romantic outdoor dinner date. Set a table outdoors with your fanciest dinnerware and a couple of candles, turn on some mood music, and serve a delicious home-cooked meal! Play an outdoor game like croquet or bocce to get moving. You may not be able to play squash at the gym or even kick a ball around at your local park, but you can still have outdoor fun with some lawn space and a few supplies. If you have the gear, put together a game of croquet, bocce ball, or Giant Jenga in your yard. Even a simple game of catch or frisbee can be a fun way to pass the time and get some exercise. If you're feeling really ambitious, combine crafting with sports and make some DIY lawn games, like ring toss with bottles and wooden craft hoops. Splash around in an inflatable pool to cool off. If you've got warm weather and no place to go, relax by climbing into a backyard pool. If you don't have a pool, you can order an inflatable one online and set it up in minutes. All you need is an electric air pump and a water hose! Toss in some inflatable beach balls or a Shoot ball hoop for extra fun. Walk a local hiking trail if any are open. While some of the more crowded parks and trails have closed down due to the epidemic, you may still be able to find open trails and walking paths in your area. Head out for a nature walk if you're feeling cooped up and want to get out of the house—just make sure to stay at least 6 feet (1.8 m) away from any other hikers! When you get home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, just in case you came into contact with any contaminated surfaces during your trek. Since trailside services will be more limited due to the virus, make sure to bring any essentials you need, like food, water, and first aid supplies. You might not even be able to find an open outdoor restroom along the trail. Catch some rays in your backyard if you feel cooped up. Getting out in the sun can boost your mood, help you relax, and give you a healthy dose of vitamin D. When the weather is nice, stretch out on a lawn chair, hammock, or beach towel and soak up some sunlight! Listen to some relaxing music, read a good book, or just lie quietly and listen to the sounds of the outdoors. If you're concerned about sunburn or skin damage, put on some sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 if you plan to be out for more than 10-15 minutes. Unwind with a luxurious bubble bath if you’re tense. There's something magical about taking a warm bath. It's a great way to relieve stress and take a mental break. Fill your tub with warm water and throw in some bubble bath, bath oils, or soothing Epsom salts. Then climb in, lie back, and relax! Enhance the experience by lighting some candles and turning on some peaceful music or a relaxing audiobook. You could even order a bathtub tray so you can easily get cozy with a glass of wine, a snack, or a favorite book in the tub. If you don't have a tub, you can still unwind with a relaxing shower. Order some aromatherapy shower fizzies online to give your shower a soothing scent, or lather up with your favorite fancy shower gel on a soft pouf or loofah. Drink a cocktail on the porch or patio to get into vacation mode. Having a drink outside is a fun way to get that “relaxing at a fancy resort” feeling. Mix up your favorite cocktail or keep it simple and just grab a beer or a glass of wine. Then, head onto your porch, patio, or balcony to drink it and enjoy the fresh air. If you don't drink, try an alcohol-free mocktail, like a virgin mojito or a Shirley Temple. Some bars are currently selling to-go drinks or cocktail kits to make it easier for customers to mix up a fancy drink. Set the mood by playing some relaxing music. Good music can help you unwind and take you on a mental or emotional journey. Listen to some tunes you love or create a playlist that evokes whatever place you'd most like to be right now. Play it while you're relaxing outdoors, unwinding in the bath, having dinner, or even just stretching out on your couch. For example, you could make a playlist of Hawaiian music to help you feel like you're on an island vacation. Listening to nature sounds is also a great way to unwind and set a peaceful mood. Relieve stress and tension with a little light yoga. A good vacation is relaxing for both your mind and your body. Try unwinding with some simple yoga poses, like the Extended Puppy or Child's Pose, the Cat Cow, or the Reclining Bound Angle pose. Look for yoga routines online or sign up for a virtual yoga class if you need a little guidance. You can also try meditating or doing progressive muscle relaxation to relax your body and mind. Take a virtual walk through a museum if you’re an art lover. If you've always dreamed of visiting the Louvre, you're in luck! It's one of several museums that are offering virtual tours of their collections during the coronavirus pandemic. Visit your favorite museum's website to see if they're offering tours or other special online content, or explore material from 500 museums all over the world with the Google Arts and Culture app! If you've got kids at home, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's MetKids website is a great way for them to explore the museum's collection and learn about art history: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/. If you love museums but you're more into the sciences, try taking a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour. Visit your favorite zoo online for a digital safari experience. If you love wildlife, check out some of the virtual tours and animal cams that have popped up at zoos around the world! You might even get some behind-the-scenes and up close glimpses at your favorite animals that you wouldn't experience during a regular zoo visit. For example, the Cincinnati Zoo offers a daily virtual safari on their Facebook page. The San Diego Zoo has live cams of several of their animals, including their elephants, polar bears, penguins, tigers, and burrowing owls. Visit Explore.org to see live cams of animals in the wild or at rescues and sanctuaries around the world! Have an underwater adventure with a reef or aquarium live cam. Even if you're missing out on a tropical diving expedition right now, you can still visit the reef virtually from the comfort of your home. Check out live cams from the Monterey or Georgia Aquariums, or visit a wild reef cam at Explore.org. Some aquariums, like the New England Aquarium, also have live presentations from their researchers and staff! Stroll around a national park via Google Arts & Culture if you love nature. If you're longing to go hiking in the wilderness, try exploring some of the world's natural wonders in 360° on Google Arts & Culture. You can get started by visiting the National Park Service page: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/national-park-service. Some of the parks you can explore include Yosemite National Park, the Redwood National and State Parks, and the Grand Canyon. You can find other parks to visit online at https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/take-virtual-visit-national-park. Go into orbit using the International Space Station livestream. Don't feel restricted to visiting places you can see on Earth. Take a virtual trip to space with NASA's ISS live stream: https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/iss_ustream.html. You can see stunning views of Earth from space using the ISS's Earth Views from the Space Station channel or the ISS HD Earth Viewing Experiment. If you have kids, let them join an astronaut on the space station for Story Time from Space: https://storytimefromspace.com/. Tidy up and decorate your space to help it feel more luxurious. Want to make your home feel like a luxury resort? Start by doing a little tidying up. Put away any messes, make your bed neatly, organize your closets, and set out some nice décor to help set the mood. For example, if you want to feel like you're vacationing in a cabin in the mountains, put out some rustic decorations, like some distressed wood wall plaques or galvanized tin vases. Freshen up your rooms with some nice scents. The right smells can really set the mood and help you get into a vacation mindset. Use candles, diffusers, incense, or even fresh flower buds to make your home smell like a spa, a rustic cabin, or a tropical resort. For example, you could use subtle scents of plumeria or coconut in your living room to evoke a tropical paradise, or put fresh roses or lavender around your kitchen to make it feel like a country cottage. Turn your bathroom into a relaxing spa. Put out some fresh, soft towels, set out a luxurious scented soap, and stock your linen closet with robes and fuzzy slippers. If you want, you can even do a little toilet paper origami to make it feel extra fancy! Taking a nice bath can be a great way to unwind and get into the vacation mindset. Get some scented bath salts, oil beads, or fizzies to make the experience special. You can also spruce up the space with some nice décor, like a pretty shower curtain, a bamboo bath mat, or even a beautiful potted plant, like an orchid or eucalyptus. Take turns bringing “room service” to others in your home. If you're living with other people, you can help each other get into the vacation groove even more by offering deluxe, hotel-style service. Have a continental breakfast ready for your family when they get up, or take turns making the bed or changing out the towels in the bathroom. If you live alone, even making your own bed and putting a mint on the pillow can make you feel more like you're on vacation! Livestream a concert to enjoy live music from home. Your favorite music festival may have been canceled because of the virus, but the good news is that many artists and musical groups are hosting live events online! Tune in on your computer or check your TV listings to find out about upcoming musical events. For example, if you're an opera lover, the Metropolitan Opera is offering nightly live opera streams in HD. If you've got children at home, keep them entertained with the Lincoln Center's Concert for Kids series. Look for your favorite artists on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook to find out if they're releasing live content! Join a virtual karaoke party if you like to sing. If you're the type of person who likes to belt along with your favorite tunes, take advantage of the karaoke parties that have been popping up all over the internet since the outbreak started. Organize your own using a platform like Zoom, Discord, or Google Duo, or hop onto a website like https://karaoke.camp/ to drop into a public karaoke session. You could also host or join a virtual dance party or jam session. If you have a favorite DJ, check their social media to find out if they have any online dance events coming up. Organize or attend a movie watching party with friends. You can't go to the theater or even invite friends over for a movie night, but that doesn't mean you can't watch your favorite movies and shows together. Install the Netflix Party extension to set up a group viewing experience on your computer, or hop on Metastream or Kast to access multiple streaming platforms through a single app! If you really want to see your friends' faces, you can video chat and watch Netflix at the same time with the Scene extension. Break out the boardgames if you live with other people. Playing games is a fun way to pass the time with loved ones when you can't go anywhere. Unwind together with classics like Clue, Monopoly, or Battleship, or try a more contemporary game like Grand Museum of Art, Cards Against Humanity, or Escape from Iron Gate. If you're not into boardgames, try playing cards or putting together a puzzle. You can also get active with a game like Twister or Charades! Have a video game day so you can explore a virtual world. When you can't go out, video games offer an alternative form of escape. Plunge yourself into an immersive fantasy world with Skyrim or Final Fantasy, or build your own little paradise with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If you're living with family or roommates, get a friendly competition going with a game of Super Smash Bros. or Mario Kart. Play an MMORPG like World of Warcraft to hang out with friends online. Do some crafts if you’re the artsy type. A pandemic-enforced staycation is the perfect opportunity to finish up an art project or pick up some new hobbies. Create a painting, take an online knitting class, or order a calligraphy set online and start doing some beautiful lettering! If art supply stores aren't open in your area, hop online and have some delivered. Some arts and crafts stores offer curbside pickup so you can get your supplies without having to go inside. However, this service may not be available everywhere, so check with your local stores. Browse Pinterest or your favorite arts and crafts blog for project ideas and inspirations! Start a jam session or dance party in your living room to blow off steam. If you're musically inclined, playing music and dancing are great ways to express yourself and get your body moving while you're staying home. Break out some instruments or crank up a quarantine playlist on YouTube and start grooving! If you like to dance with a partner, have a romantic living room date with your significant other. Dress up a little, dim the lights, and do some ballroom dancing.	Camp out in the backyard if you’re starved for fresh air. Have a hotdog or marshmallow roast for a summer camp vibe. Dine al fresco on your porch or patio to make meals more fun. Play an outdoor game like croquet or bocce to get moving. Splash around in an inflatable pool to cool off. Walk a local hiking trail if any are open. Catch some rays in your backyard if you feel cooped up. Unwind with a luxurious bubble bath if you’re tense. Drink a cocktail on the porch or patio to get into vacation mode. Set the mood by playing some relaxing music. Relieve stress and tension with a little light yoga. Take a virtual walk through a museum if you’re an art lover. Visit your favorite zoo online for a digital safari experience. Have an underwater adventure with a reef or aquarium live cam. Stroll around a national park via Google Arts & Culture if you love nature. Go into orbit using the International Space Station livestream. Tidy up and decorate your space to help it feel more luxurious. Freshen up your rooms with some nice scents. Turn your bathroom into a relaxing spa. Take turns bringing “room service” to others in your home. Livestream a concert to enjoy live music from home. Join a virtual karaoke party if you like to sing. Organize or attend a movie watching party with friends. Break out the boardgames if you live with other people. Have a video game day so you can explore a virtual world. Do some crafts if you’re the artsy type. Start a jam session or dance party in your living room to blow off steam.