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https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Leather-Boots

How to Clean Leather Boots

To clean leather boots, start by mixing water with a few drops of dish soap and dipping a clean cloth into it. Then, wipe down your boots to clean off any dirt and grime. If your boots have scuffs or scratches, rub some petroleum jelly into them using a dry, soft cloth until they fade away. For salt stains, mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with 1 cup of water and rub it into the stains with a cloth.

Pick a good spot for cleaning. Choose someplace you don't mind getting a little wet and dirty. Try your garage, the back or front porch, or a room in your house that has linoleum or tile flooring. If you stay inside, you may want to lay down some newspapers. Leather cleaner can get pungent. If you're working in side, turn a fan on or open a window. Remove any laces. Before you begin cleaning, untie the laces of your boots and remove them from the shoes. They could get in the way or keep you from reaching all the nooks and crevices of the boots. Roll the laces up and set them aside so that they don't get lost or tangled. If your shoes have zippers, consider opening the zippers. Sometimes, dust gets into the bit of leather behind the zipper. You want to clean that too. Brush off any dirt with a soft brush. Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching the leather. Gently brush the entire surface of the boots. This should remove most dust, dirt, and even some light stains. Don't worry about cleaning dried up mud or stains; you'll need more than a soft-bristled brush to get rid of those. Pay extra attention to brown or tan shoes. Dust and dirt won't be as visible on those, so you might want to spend a little more time on those. If your shoes had laces, be sure to get the tongue part that sits behind the laces. If they had zippers, hit the strip of leather behind the zippers. Use leather cleaner for all leather except suede. Most leather boots can be cleaned with typical leather cleaners. You can buy leather cleaner at shoe stores, hardware and tack shops, or online. If your boots are made by a particular designer or brand, they may make their own cleaners. While typical leather cleaner should also work, you can choose to go with the retailer's recommendation. Use a special brush to clean suede shoes. Suede shoes can't get wet and should not be cleaned with normal leather cleaners. Go online or to a shoe store to find a suede shoe brush. Rub the brush over the boots to clean them. Use a back-and-forth and an up-and-down motion when cleaning the boots. You can also use a gentle, circular motion. Be gentle with suede shoes. If you are too rough or scrub too hard, the suede may wear off and leave behind bald patches. Dampen a cloth or brush to clean with leather soaps. Some leather cleaners, including saddle soap, come in soap form. To use this type of cleaner, rub a damp cloth over the soap. Then make a light lather by rubbing the sides of the cloth together. Use a soft cloth such as a cut-up cotton t-shirt. You can also use a very soft-bristled brush. The cloth should be damp, not wet. If it's dripping with water, you need to squeeze out some excess liquid. If you have sensitive skin, consider putting on a pair of plastic gloves. This way, the lather won't get on your hands. Pour liquid leather cleaners onto a damp cloth. You can also find liquid leather cleaners. Pour a small amount (no more than a small circle) of liquid onto a dampened cloth. Rub the sides of the cloth together to make a light lather. Liquid cleaners sometimes leave a bit of residue on leather, so you may want to try soap cleaners first. Again, if you've got sensitive skin, it might be a good idea to wear plastic gloves for this. A little bit goes a long way. If you use too much, you'll end up with lots of difficult-to-clean residue. Rub the cleaner into the leather. Use your lathered cloth to clean the leather by moving across the entire surface of the boots in small circular motions. This should remove any remaining dirt and grime from your boots. Be sure to lift any tongues or flaps on your boots to get into little crevices. If your boots are knee-highs, clean the entire top part of the boots as well. This includes the leather lining that extends into the cuff of the boot. If your shoes have zippers, be sure to wipe down the strip of leather that sits behind the zipper. Wipe the shoes down with a dry cloth. Leather cleaner is designed to soak into the leather. You don't need to rinse it off. Simply use a dry cloth to wipe down the shoes, removing any lather and dirt. Don't use the same cloth that you used to clean the boots with; use another soft cloth. Cotton t-shirts work great here. Repeat cleanings with leather soap on tough stains. If you don't get stains out the first time you clean your boots, try cleaning them again. Be sure to condition each time you clean, however, as too much cleaning could dry out the leather. Condition the boots with a leather conditioner or moisturizer made specifically for shoes. You can find these products online or in shoe repair shops. Like with cleaners, don't use leather conditioners on suede; use a specialized suede protection spray instead. Remove stains with dish soap and water. Dampen a cloth and use a bit of dish soap to make a lather. Rub the stain with the cloth. Wipe the spot with a different damp cloth, then dry it with a dry cloth. Be careful using dish soap on expensive boots. While it shouldn't damage your leather, it's not as safe as leather cleaners. If you're worried, perform a spot test by using your dampened cloth and dish soap on a hidden part of the boot. Wipe and dry the spot and wait a few minutes to see if the soap affected the leather. Use petroleum jelly for scuffs and scratches. Make sure your boots have been cleaned. Then, dip a dry, soft cloth into a jar of petroleum jelly. Rub the jelly onto the spot that's scratched or scuffed up. Use a different dry cloth to buff it off by rubbing the spot in small circular motions. Do not use petroleum jelly on suede boots. This will leave behind a permanent stain. Remove salt stains with a vinegar solution. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar with 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Dip a cloth into the diluted vinegar and wipe the cloth over the salt stains. Use a dry cloth to wipe the remaining solution and residue from the boots. Make sure that the cloths that you are using are clean and free of stains. Use cornstarch to get out grease stains. Make sure your boots are completely dry. Cover the stain completely with a healthy amount of cornstarch. Leave it on there for at least a half hour and up to overnight to allow it to absorb the grease or oil. Wipe the cornstarch off with a dampened cloth and a very small amount of dish soap. This works on both leather and suede shoes. Repeat this method a few times. It may not work after the first or even second attempt. Do not soak your shoes with water. Keep the cloth only lightly damp. Try removing ink stains with rubbing alcohol. Pour a little bit of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball. Use your dampened cotton ball to rub at the ink stain, moving in small circular motions. The stain should begin to disappear. Perform a spot test to check the effect of the alcohol underneath the tongue or in a hidden spot on the shoe. Dab the alcohol on and leave it for 10 minutes. Condition the spot with leather conditioner after you've rubbed it with alcohol to restore moisture. Visit a cobbler for really stubborn stains. If no amount of cleaning is getting out stains on your boots, visit a shoe store or cobbler. They'll either be able to help you or tell you that the stains are permanent. Trying to remove these kinds of stains on your own could damage the boots. This may be your only option for ink, wine, or deep-set water stains in the leather. Apply leather conditioner to clean boots with a dry cloth. Conditioning leather keeps it from cracking and getting dried out. Once you've cleaned your leather boots, pour some liquid leather conditioner onto a dry, soft cloth. Rub the conditioner into the leather using small circular motions. Let the conditioner dry and soak in. Conditioners also come in wax and gels. Use whichever type you prefer. Your boots must be completely clean each time you condition. Use shoe polish for smooth-finished shoes. Smooth-finished shoes will look a little shiny. These shoes can be polished to give them a mirror-like appearance. Use a soft cloth you don't mind throwing away to rub the polish onto the surface of the leather in small circular motions. Shoe polishes come in a variety of colors, and you should use the color that matches your boots. Go online if you need to find a uniquely colored shoe polish. For a non-commercial polish, pour a small circle of olive oil onto a dry, soft cloth and rub that onto the surface of the boots. Don’t condition suede shoes. Just as they can't be cleaned with normal leather cleaners, suede shoes also can't handle normal conditioners and polishes. Instead, purchase a suede protector spray. This should be evenly sprayed on the surface of the boots after you've brushed them down. Let the spray air dry on the shoes.

Pick a good spot for cleaning. Remove any laces. Brush off any dirt with a soft brush. Use leather cleaner for all leather except suede. Use a special brush to clean suede shoes. Dampen a cloth or brush to clean with leather soaps. Pour liquid leather cleaners onto a damp cloth. Rub the cleaner into the leather. Wipe the shoes down with a dry cloth. Repeat cleanings with leather soap on tough stains. Remove stains with dish soap and water. Use petroleum jelly for scuffs and scratches. Remove salt stains with a vinegar solution. Use cornstarch to get out grease stains. Try removing ink stains with rubbing alcohol. Visit a cobbler for really stubborn stains. Apply leather conditioner to clean boots with a dry cloth. Use shoe polish for smooth-finished shoes. Don’t condition suede shoes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Trading-Card-Game

How to Make a Trading Card Game

The easiest way to make a trading card game is to develop a set of rules that are challenging without being too complicated. Craft a unique background and story for your game, and then create various types of cards, like character cards, battle cards, and magic cards.

Plan out the name of your trading card game. It has to be an interesting name so that people will want to play it. The name should be catchy and original, so people will want to play your game. (Don't use other card game names, like Yu-Gi-Oh! or Pokémon) Come up with a basic genre for your game. Science fiction, space, fantasy, western, past, future, are a few examples. Come up with a unique background and story. You should base the rules on the background and story, not the other way around. So this step must come before the rules Plan the game. Make a good set of rules and an exciting objective. The rules have to be balanced its not too easy its not too complicated. It's no fun playing a card game when there are no rules or too many rules to follow. If the rules are too strict, people won't be free to make some of their own decisions during play. Many games have different rules. Some are strict whereas others can be looser. Experiment, and see what is right for you. When planning the game, you must come up with a good playing field. You might as well think of how turns will be lost or gained, how to win the game, and more. Think of various types of cards. There definitely must be a very wide assortment of characters. Power-ups, bonuses and health are also several cards that can make a card game more interesting. You can also make "rule-bending" cards that change the rules. Don't make too many types of cards or it will be confusing and also try to avoid making two very similar types of cards. This makes your card game more interesting. These cards may be grouped into types, elements, or classes if the creator desires. These cards must have graphics. Few people would like to play a card game by just looking at words on a card. Hire an artist if you need. Come up with a good and relevant time period. It would have been a bit confusing if the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh! called his game "A Time in Modern Rome" for a time period. If your game has many different creatures from different time periods, this step is irrelevant. You can write your rules on a tiny notebook or on scrap paper and then type it in your computer and then print it. Make a good background story. This will make your game more colorful. Unique themes will be especially attractive. Get a program such as MS Paint and a tablet. Photoshop is a recommended choice. Draw out your templates on the program, then write on the card the abilities, colour, attack power, name etc... You may also draw the cards by hand, but this is extremely time consuming. Either print out the templates on card or paper, then get your artist to draw on them, or use a tablet to draw them on your computer. Card sleeves are a good alternative if you don't want to laminate the cards. It's a good idea to have a binder or portfolio to keep your cards in. Print your cards/card template on card stock or print it on regular paper and paste it onto something hard. Print on photo paper, if possible. The paper is stiffer, the colors are more vivid, and you can get a nice gloss effect. Glue your cards onto cardboard, or use special printing paper. If the cards are made of paper, laminate them. This way they can't rip as easily. Put your trading cards in a wrapper. If you can't find a good one, use cheap envelopes with a cool design. Make some designs different from the others. Play it with your friends and have fun! Don't make yourself the invincible boss of the game. It would be unfair if you make 100 copies of the most powerful cards for yourself. It ruins the fun of the game. Be ready to change the rules as you all learn and have fun.

Plan out the name of your trading card game. Come up with a basic genre for your game. Come up with a unique background and story. Plan the game. Think of various types of cards. Come up with a good and relevant time period. Get a program such as MS Paint and a tablet. Either print out the templates on card or paper, then get your artist to draw on them, or use a tablet to draw them on your computer. Play it with your friends and have fun!

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Dog-to-Stop-Playing-Fetch-With-You

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Playing Fetch With You

If your dog pushes itself too far during fetch, you can get it to stop playing by being firm when a session is over. For example, ignore any barking or whining when it wants to fetch more, and don't give in to one last throw once you've decided you're done. By staying firm, you're showing your dog that barking and whining wont get it what it wants. If your dog continues to beg to play more fetch, you can put on its leash and bring it calmly back into the house or into your car so it knows you're the one in charge of when to play fetch. You can also distract it with a different sort of play like going for a jog or giving it a belly rub.

Begin with basic training. Start here if your dog hasn't yet learned basic commands, such as "Sit" and "Come." These are easy first commands to learn, because the dog can connect them to an obvious, immediate action. Train the dog in sessions no longer than 15 minutes at a time, using these techniques: Get the dog's attention with a treat or toy. Say a short command (like "Sit") in a loud, clear voice. Say the command one time only, to teach the dog that he needs to respond right away. To get the dog to sit, raise the treat above the dog's ahead, or gently press down on the hindquarters. For other commands, you may need to mimic what you want the dog to do, or wait until the dog does it accidentally. Praise the dog as soon as he obeys, and give the treat. Many dog owners use a clicker tool to make a sound that the dog will learn means a reward. Teach the dog to drop it. Once the dog knows a couple commands (at least Sit and Come), you can start teaching it good manners during fetch. The Drop It command is useful for dogs that won't let go of the ball or stick, even while they're begging for you to throw it again. Here's how to train this behavior: Give the dog a toy to hold in its mouth. Choose one it likes to play fetch with. Hold a small treat near its mouth. Pick something the dog likes, but not so much that it ignores the toy. When the dog lets go to eat the food, say "Drop it" and pick up the toy. Repeat until the dog starts opening its mouth as your hand approaches. When this happens, start saying "Drop it" before the toy is released. Finally (perhaps after several 5–15 minute sessions), leave out the food and reward the dog with praise instead. React to begging by starting a different form of play. When the dog tries to start a fetch session, throwing the ball will teach it that this method works. This isn't a problem for many dogs, but if yours wants to play fetch for 24 hours, deflect these requests with other activities. Take the dog outside instead, go for a jog, or give him a belly rub. Once the dog is distracted, get its attention and start a fetch session. This shows that you are the one who decides when to play fetch, not the dog.e yourself. Be firm when ending a play session. Don't let the dog determine when you play fetch. Watching her bark, whine , and jump isn't fun, but if you give in, she'll learn that it gets her what she wants. Don't give in to "one last throw" after you decide to end it. A stern "That's enough" or "No play" command can teach some dogs to stop bothering you. This is more difficult to train, since you can only use the command while the dog is misbehaving. Try an additional signal, such as clapping your hands, to reinforce the idea. When playing outdoors, end the play session by putting on the leash and walking calmly back inside or to the car. Stick to a schedule if necessary. Some "ball-obsessed" dogs, including many retrievers, have trouble resisting the extreme drive to play fetch. If you've tried training for two or three weeks and you aren't happy with the results, start a fetch schedule. Play fetch only at certain times of day, in five minute sessions — or longer sessions with a break every five minutes. If you regularly visit a dog park or other play area, consider only playing fetch during those visits. The more structured the play session is, the more likely the dog is to learn how it works. Try starting each session by saying "Playtime!," and giving the dog a set of commands: "Sit," "Stay," "Fetch," "Come," "Drop It." Hide the ball. If you don't want to play fetch, take the ball or other thrown object and hide it. Do this when the dog isn't looking, and place the ball somewhere the dog can't see it. If your dog want to play fetch constantly (and is getting adequate exercise), keep the ball hidden. Only take it out during playtime. When outside, hold the ball on the side opposite the dog, or hide it in a bag. Distract the dog. Try this of the dog won't obey a "drop it" command, or won't stop harassing you. Show the dog a treat and toss it next to him. Toss another treat a few feet (couple meters) away. When the dog goes for it, grab the ball and hide it. This is best used when you're looking after another person's dog and urgently need cooperation. If this is your own dog, training it is the better long term option. Get a mechanical thrower. These devices automatically launch tennis balls across your backyard or hallway. If your dog is bored or doesn't get enough exercise, this could be a good solution. Keep an eye on the dog the first few times it plays. Make sure the thrower doesn't launch the ball hard enough to hurt the dog. Several short play sessions a day are healthier than one long play session. Puppies and old dogs are especially vulnerable to injury, and should stop after five minutes to catch their breath and drink water.

Begin with basic training. Teach the dog to drop it. React to begging by starting a different form of play. Be firm when ending a play session. Stick to a schedule if necessary. Hide the ball. Distract the dog. Get a mechanical thrower.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-Asking-for-a-Refund

How to Write a Letter Asking for a Refund

To write a letter asking for a refund, start on a positive note with a phrase such as “I was excited to try out your product based on recommendations from several friends.” Then, follow up with something like, “However, I was very disappointed by the quality of what I received.” Next, include specific details like unexpected difficulties, missing parts, or damage to the merchandise. Finally, specify whether you want a refund, replacement, or whatever else you think would be proper compensation.

Figure out your objective. What can the company do to make the situation better for you? Are they obliged to remedy the situation by giving you a refund, replacing the product, or providing an alternative service? Ensure that your complaint is legitimate before proceeding to write the actual letter. Be sure to check out the warranties and guarantees that come with the particular product. For example, if you have a warranty on a product and you damaged the product, you may still be able to get a refund or a replacement. However, if you are responsible for damaging a product (such as dropping it on the floor) and it did not come with a warranty, you may just have to chalk it up as a loss and move on. If the purchase you are dissatisfied with required at-home assembly (such as furniture), check that you've followed all the instructions. In some cases, it may be that you missed a step and simply haven't set it up correctly. You can also call customer service for assistance regarding this. If a product is sold “as-is” it will be difficult or impossible to get a refund as the consumer assumes all the risks that may come with purchases marked “as-is.” Figure out who to address. Once you've ascertained that a letter of complaint is necessary, you must find out who to write your complaint to. If there is a specific department or person who handles complaints, you want to be sure your complaint goes directly to them to ensure prompt attention. If you are requesting a refund from a large company, you should call customer service first and tell them your concerns. If they are not able to satisfactorily handle your complaint, request the name of the appropriate person or department and mailing address for your letter. If you are dealing with a smaller company or store, look on the receipt or purchase order to find contact information. Send your letter to the person or address that is listed on the receipt. If there is no information on your receipt, call the store or check the website for information about refunds and returns. If you are looking for contact information online, you can typically find a customer service number at the bottom of the website page or by clicking a link that says “Contact Us” or “Contact Information.” Websites also typically have a search bar at the top of the page, so you can search for “customer service” or “contact information.” Gather your materials. In order to maximize the chances of having your concerns adequately addressed, you should gather as much documentation as possible to include with your letter. Provide copies of all receipts, invoices, purchase orders or other supporting documents. The documents should list the date of purchase, cost of the merchandise or service, and payment information. If you already spoke with customer service and they were unable to solve your problem, write down their name as well as the date and time of the call. You can then include this information in your letter as proof that you already tried to resolve the situation but had to resort to writing a letter of complaint. Read other sample letters. Reading other sample letters of complaint will give you an idea of how to format your letter and they can also give you an idea of persuasive phrasing that you can use to your advantage. You can browse the Internet for sample letters. Below is one example, but remember this is only a template and you should write your own letter that details your specific situation. Return address and date To Whom It May Concern: I am writing regarding the lamp I purchased through your website. I have bought other household items through your website and have always been pleased with your prompt shipping and the quality of past items. However, upon receiving this particular order, I found that the stand of the lamp missing and therefore could not properly set up my lamp. I would like to request a full refund or an exchange for a functioning lamp. I have bought other products through your website in the past and have always been a satisfied customer up until now. Attached is my proof of purchase. I trust that you will respond to this matter promptly. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, John Doe Start with the positive. Even if you are upset, you should begin your letter on a positive note. You could note that you are a loyal customer or that you have appreciated their services in the past. Anger tends to be counterproductive and the veiled threat of losing an otherwise satisfied customer will often motivate the company to address your complaint. One approach could be “praising with faint damn” or praising first and then complaining second. For example, you could start your letter by saying “As a long term customer of your business, I am usually impressed with your services. Unfortunately, I can no longer say this is the case as the last service I received was extremely unsatisfactory.” If you're a first time customer, you could start by stating a positive aspect of the product or service or by emphasizing your excitement. An example opening line is: “I was excited to try out your services” or “Your product was recommended by several friends but I was ultimately disappointed.” Specify any important details. This step is especially important if you are writing to a larger business that may have trouble identifying your particular transaction. Important information may include order numbers, customer identifications or numbers, or names of the people you spoke with. Keep all receipts, emails, or any other evidence of past interactions as the company may ask for these materials to move forward in addressing your complaint. Whenever you speak to a customer service representative, be sure to ask for and write down their name so that you can reference them in your letter as further proof of the steps you took prior to writing the letter. Express your complaint clearly and concisely. Provide details about your dissatisfaction with the purchase or overall experience. Write about any unexpected difficulties or damage to the merchandise. For example, instead of just writing that you received a damaged item, explain exactly how the item was damaged and also clarify why the damage is not your fault. That way, you can preemptively ward off any attempts from the company to blame you for causing the damage. A sample description could be: “I opened the package containing my purchase and found that pieces of it had broken off as there was no styrofoam or other packing material to protect the item during shipment.” If you are complaining about never having received an item or an incomplete service, add any details you can think of that make it clear why the company is at fault. For example, you could write, “I was told to be home during the hours of 12 and 6 pm, yet the servicemen never arrived and I was still charged for the service. I should not be expected to pay for a service that I never received.” Specify what you want. Clearly state if you want a refund, replacement, or whatever else you consider to be proper compensation. Making your expectations clear will help the company know what they can do to make you a satisfied customer. In writing about their dissatisfaction, many people tend to forget to ask for specific compensation in their letters. Remember that your ultimate goal is to receive compensation, not just to vent. Establish a time frame in which you expect a reasonable response. Keep in mind that some companies may take longer to respond, particularly if it's a smaller company that doesn't have a specific department that handles customer complaints. Some larger companies may have written policies on their website to let you know how long you should expect to wait for a response. However, if you can't find any information about what a reasonable wait time is, try calling customer service or the business owners (if it's a smaller business). If you cannot get in touch with anyone, expect to wait anywhere between two weeks to a month for a response. Conclude the letter with the most important points. You'll want to close the letter with a brief statement re-emphasizing your interest in reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution. Keep the letter as direct and short as possible (one page is ideal) as companies may ignore overly long letters. Use the law to your advantage. One way to close your letter is by reminding the company of your rights as a consumer. One increasingly recognized consumer right is the right to be heard, meaning that the concerns and interests of consumers must be heard and protected. Reminding the company that you have the law on your side will encourage them to address your concern quickly and satisfactorily to avoid a potential legal battle. A possible conclusion to your letter could be: “Given that I received a brand new item in a broken/unsatisfactory state through no fault of my own, I expect a prompt and full refund. As a consumer, it is my legal right to receive what I purchased in working condition and, if that does not occur, for my payment to be fully refunded.” Be sure to include full contact information. Dating your letter and including a return address along with account numbers and any other useful information is crucial. If you fail to provide enough information, the company may have no way of responding to you. When signing the letter, write your full phone number, email address and home address below. That way the company will have no excuse to not get in touch with you in the manner that is most convenient for them. Format your letter with formal letter guidelines. Formal letters include contact information, a formal salutation and a professional tone. When closing the letter, write “Sincerely,” “Best Regards,” or a similarly formal statement before writing your name. Don't include any postscripts, which are generally only appropriate in informal letters. Also, any information you need to convey should already be in the body of the letter so a postscript should be unnecessary. Write the letter sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the less likely the company is to address your complaint. Write and send your letter as soon as you decide you are dissatisfied with the transaction or delivery of products or services. Retain a copy of the letter and all information you sent to the company. You can refer back to this copy when speaking with the company to finalize any agreements. If you receive a form letter in response, don't give up. Instead call customer service or whoever you spoke to prior to writing the letter to let them know you are not happy with their stock response and that you would like them to re-assess your complaint. Sometimes companies expect customers to just give up once they receive a form letter, but if you continue to raise a fuss, they will take your concern more seriously. Remain courteous and professional. If you don't immediately get the result you want, don't let your frustration get the better of you. Being sarcastic or angry will only make whoever you are communicating with less eager to help resolve the issue.

Figure out your objective. Figure out who to address. Gather your materials. Read other sample letters. Start with the positive. Specify any important details. Express your complaint clearly and concisely. Specify what you want. Establish a time frame in which you expect a reasonable response. Conclude the letter with the most important points. Be sure to include full contact information. Format your letter with formal letter guidelines. Write the letter sooner rather than later. Retain a copy of the letter and all information you sent to the company. Remain courteous and professional.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Whiskey-Sour

How to Make a Whiskey Sour

To make a whiskey sour, first pour 2 ounces (59 mL) of whiskey into a cocktail shaker. Then, add 3/4 ounce (20 mL) each of lemon juice and simple syrup. For a frothier whiskey sour, add the egg white from 1 egg to the cocktail shaker. Put the lid on the cocktail shaker and "dry-shake" the ingredients for 10 seconds. Then, fill the remainder of the cocktail shaker with ice and put the lid back on. Hold the shaker firmly and shake it vigorously for 30 more seconds until the outside of the cocktail shaker is cold. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice, then strain the contents of the shaker into the glass. If you don't have access to a traditional cocktail shaker, you can also use a metal, insulated coffee thermos with a tight sealing lid. Finally, garnish your whiskey sour with an orange slice, maraschino cherry, or lemon rind.

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add 1.5 oz. (45 ml.) of whiskey, 1 oz. (30 ml.) of lemon juice, 1 tsp. (5 g.) of powdered sugar, and a handful of ice in a cocktail shaker. If you don't have a cocktail shaker, use two tall glasses, one inverted inside the other. A screw-top glass jar will also do the trick. Use any type of whiskey. Rye and bourbon are common options. Shake. Shake the drink for at least 10 seconds to blend the ingredients fully. Strain the ingredients into a glass. Pour all ingredients into the glass, except for the ice. Whiskey sours are typically served in a rocks glass (old-fashioned glass). Cocktail glasses are not unheard-of for whiskey sours without ice. You may add ice to the glass before pouring ("on the rocks"), or serve the drink without ice ("straight up"). Even "straight up" drinks still place ice in the cocktail shaker, to chill the drink. Serve. Garnish the side of the glass with a lemon twist, or just a slice of lemon. If you prefer sweet flavors, garnish with a maraschino cherry instead. If you think the drink is too sour or too sweet, adjust the amount of sugar or lemon juice next time. There's no single "correct" recipe; it's all up to personal preference. Shake all of the ingredients except the ice. Shake 1.5 oz. (45 ml.) of whiskey, 0.75 oz. (22 ml.) of lemon juice, 0.5 oz. (15 ml.) of simple syrup, one splash of orange liqueur, and one egg white together in a cocktail shaker. Put the lid on the shaker, then hold it near your shoulder and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. Then, add the ice and keep shaking until the shaker is too cold to hold comfortably—about another 30 seconds. Shaking the ingredients together without the ice first will help blend the egg white evenly throughout the drink. This is called dry shaking. Shake thoroughly, until the egg white has broken up into froth; the cocktail will be very unpleasant if it still contains globs of egg white. When properly shaken, the egg white will make the cocktail much smoother on the mouth, and soften the lemon flavor a little. There is a tiny risk of salmonella infection from raw egg white. If you are concerned about this, or if you are serving the drink to an elderly or immune-compromised person, use "pasteurized shell" eggs. Add ice and shake a second time. Now, place a handful of ice into the cocktail shaker and shake the ingredients again for another ten seconds. The ice will help cool the ingredients. Strain the drink into a glass. Pour into a rocks glass or a short-stemmed sour glass. The small mouths on these glasses help maintain the distinctive foamy head from the egg white. Optionally, add ice to the glass first. Garnish. Since this version contains orange liqueur, an orange twist is a thematic garnish. Enjoy the drink immediately. Combine in a cocktail shaker. Shake 0.75 oz. (22 ml.) of whiskey, 0.75 oz. (22 ml.) of gin, 0.75 oz. (22 ml.) of lemon juice, 0.5 oz. (15 ml.) of simple syrup, and 1 dash of grenadine together for at least ten seconds to blend the flavors. Strain the ingredients into a glass. Strain the ingredients into a sour glass or an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Serve. Garnish this drink with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice and enjoy it immediately. Shake together all ingredients. In a cocktail shaker or other container, shake 2 oz. of rye whiskey, 0.75 oz. (22 ml.) of lemon juice, 0.5 oz. (15 ml.) of simple syrup, and one handful of ice together in a glass for at least ten seconds. Strain the ingredients into a glass. Strain these ingredients into a sour glass, or even a wine glass. Float dry red wine over the drink. Carefully pour 0.5 oz. (15 ml.) of dry red wine over the back of a large spoon, running onto the side of a cocktail glass or large rocks glass. When poured correctly, the wine will float in a separate layer on top of the whiskey. Make sure to use a dry wine, such as a Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot. A sweet red wine will make a cloying cocktail. Serve. Garnish this drink with a lemon slice and enjoy it immediately. To get the full flavor, tip back the glass and get a mouthful that contains all ingredients. Sipping at the top will leave you with Shake together everything except the rum and garnish. Shake together 1.5 oz whiskey, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 2 tsp Bénédictine, 0.25 oz simple syrup, and an egg white. Keep shaking for about 15 seconds, then add the ice and shake for another 30 seconds or so. Be sure the egg white breaks up completely before you add the ice. If you don't have Bénédictine, try yellow Chartreuse or (in a pinch) Drambuie. Strain into a glass. Serve over the rocks in a rocks glass, or straight up in a cocktail glass. Float the rum. Pour 0.5 oz dark rum over the back of a spoon, onto the side of the glass. Hopefully, this will float in its own separate layer. In practice, many rums and whiskeys are similar in density, and will mix together rapidly. Increase the odds of floating by chilling the ingredients and glass, and by choosing a whiskey and rum with significantly different proofs. Garnish with pineapple. Rum adds a tropical theme that pairs well with pineapple skewer. You may leave out the garnish if you prefer to focus on the complex blend of ingredients.

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain the ingredients into a glass. Serve. Shake all of the ingredients except the ice. Add ice and shake a second time. Strain the drink into a glass. Garnish. Combine in a cocktail shaker. Strain the ingredients into a glass. Serve. Shake together all ingredients. Strain the ingredients into a glass. Float dry red wine over the drink. Serve. Shake together everything except the rum and garnish. Strain into a glass. Float the rum. Garnish with pineapple.

https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Dog-Calm-Outside-His-Crate

How to Keep Your Dog Calm Outside His Crate

To keep your dog calm outside of its crate, ignore it whenever it's being overly energetic so it learns that acting up won't get it attention. Then, when your dog calms down, reward it with a treat, which is much more effective than punishing misbehavior. If you keep your dog in its crate for long periods of time, try letting it out more often so it doesn't grow restless inside. Additionally, try to remove temptations, like shoes it can chew on, and close any doors to minimize potential risks.

Establish indoor 'ground-rules' with your dog. Decide what sort of behavior your want your dog to exhibit while indoors and work toward correcting behavior that doesn't fit with your expectations. If you are consistent with the boundaries you set, your dog will soon catch on. Do you want him to be completely still and quiet in the house? Is it okay for him to bark when he sees a squirrel outside? Focus on rewarding positive behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. Give your dog a small treat or a chew toy when he is being calm. Stick to your own rules by not rough-housing with your dog or riling him up on purpose. Deciding on a whim that it is okay for your dog to act crazy when you usually discourage this will only confuse him. Ignore your dog's bad behavior. Although this may seem counter-intuitive, it really works. When your dog misbehaves (steals a shoe, barks, or jumps up on you), he is trying to get your attention. By acknowledging him, even in a negative way, you are reinforcing his actions. Try ignoring him when he does something wrong; this means no eye contact, no verbal communication, and no physical contact. Once your dog settles down, reward his calmness with attention. This will teach him that it was only once he relaxed that he got what he wanted from you. If you encounter a situation you can't ignore (for instance, your dog has your child's favorite doll in his mouth), get your dog to stop by distracting it with a toy. Once it stops, give it the toy as a reward. Encourage calm 'default' behaviors. Default behaviors are things your dog does when he doesn't know what else to do. If your dog is hyperactive whenever he's not in his crate, this probably means that his default behavior is to run around, jump, bark, or whatever. Work on transforming his default behavior to something that requires being calm (such as sitting down). This requires frequently rewarding your dog for doing whatever it is that you want his default behavior to be. Use a very small treat as the reward, and give one to him whenever he engages in this behavior on his own. It is okay if you want your dog's default behavior to be something you can also command him to do; just be sure to make the distinction in your training by not providing the command when reinforcing his default behavior. Remove temptations. You can help promote calm behavior in your dog by eliminating as many potential temptations as possible from the indoor spaces your dog frequently visits. For example: don't leave shoes lying around if your dog is a shoe-eater; close your child's bedroom door so he can't steal her toys; don't leave unattended food on tables your dog can reach. Testing your dog's willpower will usually turn out badly. In cases where you witness your dog resist temptation (for example, he walks right past that piece of chicken sitting on the dining table), you should take the opportunity to reward and praise your dog. This is about using common sense; dogs are intuitive, but they are not self-aware. No matter how well-behaved your dog is, you can't expect him to behave perfectly. Help him out where you can! Exercise your dog. A dog that is well-exercised is unlikely to be hyperactive otherwise. However, there is a fine line between exercising your dog and riling him up. Walks are a good way to get rid of pent-up energy, and so are games like fetch. Just make sure you aren't encouraging your dog to go crazy while engaging in these activities. It is important that your dog gets physical exercise every day. How much exercise and how strenuous depends on your dog's age, breed, and health. Visit the American Kennel Club's breed description website to learn about your dog's needs. Your dog should receive regular mental exercise, too. You can even incorporate this into his dinner time by making him work for his food (by putting it in a dispenser or toy designed to release a little at a time). Avoid dog parks. A crowded dog park is the ultimate context for over-stimulation. It is best to avoid these places altogether while you are training your dog to be calmer and more obedient. Don't deprive your dog of all canine interactions, though; find a playmate for your dog (preferably that of a friend or family member) that is roughly your dog's age, size, and temperament for him to interact on occasion. Prolonged and intense stimulation, such as is experienced at a dog park, may seem like a great outlet for your dog, but in reality this can wind him up and make it more difficult for him to calm down, even long afterward. This advice applies to other situations with lots of people and/or dogs, too (such as parades, festivals, concerts, farmer's markets, etc.). Train your dog to walk on a leash. If you hope to be able to take your dog out in public without him causing a scene, put significant effort into leash training. A leash provides any easy way to test your dog's tendencies (he'll forget he's on a leash whenever it isn't pulled tight) while allowing you to correct bad behavior. This requires lots of time and patience, and works best if you use treats to reinforce good behavior. Make sure your dog is not already overly excited before you go on your walk. Stand quietly and wait for him to stop barking, spinning, jumping, or whatever before you head outside. Never let the dog pull on the leash. Keep him next to you at all times, and stop walking any time he jolts ahead of you and pulls. Give him a treat when he's paying attention to you and when he's doing a good job of sticking by your side. Use verbal commands such as "heel" or "slow" to signal your dog and reward him when he does what you are asking. Eventually, he will learn what these terms mean and respond accordingly. Walk at a brisk pace at first to make it less difficult for your excited pooch to match your walking speed. You can use quick, sharp jerks of the leash to tell your dog when he is behaving inappropriately -- just make sure you don't pull on it, as this could make him think pulling is okay. Get your dog a Thundershirt. If your dog's wild behavior is the result of anxiety or nervousness (such as during the Fourth of July fireworks), you can calm him down by having him wear a shirt that gently hugs his body. This mild squeeze has a calming effect on animals (humans included) and is similar to being hugged. This will work best if you do not put your dog's Thundershirt on him unless he is feeling scared or anxious. "Thundershirt" is the name of a trademarked invention; visit their website for more information about their products. Alternatively, you can purchase a regular pet shirt that fits your dog snugly (but not too tightly); these are easy to find at any pet store or online. Enroll your dog in obedience school. If you can afford to do so, look into weekly training courses led by professional animal trainers. Many pet stores offer affordable courses for dogs and their owners. The main benefit of taking these classes is exposure to tried and true training methods; this makes this option ideal for new pet owners. Obedience school sessions can only give you the tools with which to train your dog yourself. Do not think of this as a substitute for doing the work of training; you must work with your dog outside the classroom regularly in order to see results. If you do not already know of training classes near you, search Craigslist or other online community boards for information about local dog obedience courses. Use lots of praise and rewards. Although some experts differ on their opinions of the best way to train a dog, many argue that positive reinforcement is the key to success. To do this, you must use a system of rewards to teach your dog that what he is doing is good. These can be doggy snacks, physical affection, verbal praise (such as exclaiming "good boy!"), or a combination of these things. For positive reinforcement to work, you must deliver the reward as quickly as possible following the good behavior. If you wait too long between your dog's action and the reward, he won't make the connection between the two. Many people find that using a clicker (a small device that makes a 'click' sound when squeezed) helps dogs associate their good behavior with rewards. Clicker training manuals and equipment can be found at your local pet store or online. Read a book on dog training. There are lots of books out there devoted to the subject of dog training. These range from basic 'starter manuals' to in-depth analyses of pet psychology. In order to keep things as simple as possible for you and your dog, start out with a guide of some sort with tips you can clearly identify and follow. Be sure to find a book written by an expert on animal behavior. Check the credentials of the author by searching his or her name online. Minimize your dog's crate time. If your dog spends all night and most of the day in a crate by himself, he will be poorly socialized, bored, and have lots of pent up energy. Your dog needs to learn what behavior is acceptable and what is not, and he can't do this by being locked up all the time. An over-crated dog is often so relieved when he is let out that he has trouble containing his exuberance. Crates are best used as training tools for puppies. If at all possible, avoid locking your dog in a crate while you are at work or even overnight. With training, your dog's behavior will be good enough that you can trust him in the house unsupervised. Keep in mind that although a crate can keep your dog from destroying furniture or urinating in the house, it can't keep him from misbehaving altogether. A barking or howling dog is no fun to deal with all the time, and they can still do this from inside a crate. Teach your dog basic vocal commands. These can include "sit," "down," "stay," "heel," or whatever else you want. Teaching your dog to respond to commands establishes you as his leader and reinforces his tendency to want to pay attention to you. The key to making these commands stick is to use rewards and maintain consistency in their use. For example, don't use "down" to mean both "lie down" and "don't jump." Consider using a leash during vocal command training (even in the house). If your dog disobeys you or won't pay attention, a sharp tug on the leash will serve as a correction. Remember to reward your dog for responding appropriately to your commands (verbal or otherwise), even if this behavior immediately follows a corrective action (such as a leash tug). Otherwise, he will have no reason to obey you!

Establish indoor 'ground-rules' with your dog. Ignore your dog's bad behavior. Encourage calm 'default' behaviors. Remove temptations. Exercise your dog. Avoid dog parks. Train your dog to walk on a leash. Get your dog a Thundershirt. Enroll your dog in obedience school. Use lots of praise and rewards. Read a book on dog training. Minimize your dog's crate time. Teach your dog basic vocal commands.

https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Shelties

How to Train Shelties

To house train your sheltie, take it outside on a regular schedule, such as after it wakes up, eats, and drinks water, so it doesn't have an accident. You should take it out to the same place, like your backyard, each time so it recognizes that this is where it's supposed to go to the bathroom. To encourage your sheltie further, give it plenty of praise every time it eliminates outside. Remember, if your sheltie does have an accident in the house, don't punish it, as this will just make it afraid of you and won't help house train it. Instead, simply clean up the area with an enzymatic cleaner that's safe for pets so it doesn't have an accident in the same area again.

Learn the benefits of crate training. Crate training will have several benefits. For example, it will allow your sheltie to see the crate as a place of safety and comfort. In addition, crate training will make it easy to transport him when it's time to go to the vet. Crate training will also keep your sheltie in a confined and comfortable space until he understands the house rules. At the end of crate training, your sheltie will have a place to call his own in your home. Purchase a crate. Several types of crates are available. Airline-approved crates are ideal because they are very sturdy; inquire at your local pet store about this type of crate. A collapsible fabric crate would not be a good choice, since your sheltie could make it collapse when you're not watching him. Choose a crate in which he could stand up and lie down comfortably, but not have enough space to create a separate bathroom area. A good-sized crate for shelties is 30 inches long x 21 inches wide x 24 inches high (76 cm x 53 cm x 61 cm). Make the crate comfortable. The more comfortable and cozy you make the crate, the more likely your sheltie will want to spend time inside of it. Put some of his favorite toys inside the crate, along with some food puzzle toys (e.g., Kong toys). Consider placing a blanket or some towels over the crate to give it a cozy, den-like feel. In addition, place a comfortable blanket inside the crate on which he can lie. Along with his food bowl, choose a sturdy and spill-proof water bowl to go inside the crate. Place the crate in an area of your home with a lot of human activity, such as the family room. Introduce your sheltie to the crate. Your sheltie may quickly and happily trot into the crate on his own, or he may need some time and extra coaxing. When you bring him over to the crate the first time, talk to him in a bright and cheery voice. If he still seems a little hesitant, entice him with food: place a few bits of food just outside the crate at first, then put the food further and further into his crate until your sheltie walks all the way in. An adult sheltie may not be so keen on entering the crate, especially if he's spent his whole life outside of a crate. He will probably need some extra time warming up to the idea of crate training. Do not force or push your sheltie into the crate. He will enter the crate when he is ready, so work at his pace. Keep the crate door open so your sheltie can enter and exit the crate when he chooses. Feed your sheltie inside the crate. When your sheltie is comfortable entering the crate, begin feeding him his meals in the crate. While he's munching on his food, gently close the door behind him. Open the door when he finishes eating. After each meal, leave the door closed for gradually longer periods of time. If he whines, wait until he stops whining to open the door. You don't want him to learn that whining is his way to get out of the crate when the door is closed. Leave your sheltie in the crate for increasing periods of time. At the end of crate training, your sheltie should be able to stay in the crate for several hours at a time, including overnight. To work up to this, close the crate door when he goes inside (outside of meal time), leave the room, and return to the crate at random time intervals. Give your sheltie a verbal command (e.g., 'kennel,' 'crate') to enter the crate. Give him verbal praise and a treat as soon as he goes inside the crate. Practice leaving him in the crate when you leave home. Leave and come back without fanfare so you don't create high levels of anxiety or anticipation. Remember that puppies cannot hold their bladders for very long. For example, a 4-month old puppy can only hold his bladder for about 4 hours. Whether puppy or adult, do not leave your sheltie crated for more than 6 hours at a time, unless you crate him overnight. Keep your sheltie in a confined area of your home. When you begin house training your sheltie, keep him in a small room (e.g., bathroom) or a small area of a larger room (e.g., kitchen) where the floors are easy to clean. Place a puppy pee pad in that area so your sheltie has a place to eliminate if you are gone for long periods of time. When he becomes house trained, he can have access to more areas of your home. Be aware that using a pee pad can make it challenging to encourage your sheltie to eliminate only outside. Choose an outdoor area where your sheltie can eliminate. If you have a backyard, take your sheltie to an area that is relatively protected from the elements (e.g., wind, rain). Let him choose the specific elimination spot in that area. Once he leaves his scent there, he will go to that spot each time you take him outside. If you do not have a backyard, consider choosing an open area where he could eliminate during his walk. Make sure this area is not on someone else's private property, and clean up his feces promptly. Take your sheltie outside on a regular schedule. House training will be a lot easier when your sheltie knows when he is expected to go to the bathroom. If you have a sheltie puppy, take him out after he wakes up, eats, or drinks water. You should also let him eliminate before he goes to bed and whenever you let him out of the crate. Adult dogs do not need to go out as frequently as puppies, but should still be on a set schedule. For example, take your adult sheltie out after each meal. Praise your sheltie when he eliminates outside. Since shelties are eager to please, your sheltie will need your verbal praise and approval ('good dog!' or 'good job!') when he eliminates outside. When he gets positive feedback from you, he will associate eliminating outside with a reward, making him more likely to repeat the same good behavior. Clean up accidents without punishing your sheltie. If your sheltie has an accident in the house, clean it up without fanfare or punishment. Use an enzymatic cleaner ( without ammonia) that will eliminate the urine scent so he does not have an accident in that same area. If you can, keep him out of the room so he doesn't see you clean up the accident; if he sees you, he may think it's okay to eliminate inside the house. Do not punish your sheltie! Whether or not you witnessed the accident as it happened, rubbing his nose in the urine or feces will not discourage him from having another accident. It will only make him fearful of you. Train your sheltie to follow basic commands. Shelties are very smart and intelligent, so it probably won't take long for your sheltie to learn basic commands. They can frequently learn a command the first time it is given. Basic commands to teach your sheltie include sit, stay, come , and heel. Consider enrolling your sheltie in an obedience class to teach him basic commands. Don't be surprised if he ends up being at the top of the class! Once your sheltie masters one command, move on to the next one. Your sheltie will become bored if you keep practicing a command he's already mastered. Challenge him with different tricks and commands, like playing dead and giving you his paw. Manage your sheltie’s barking. Your sheltie's natural protectiveness may cause him to bark a lot. A sheltie's bark can be loud and piercing, so you should train your sheltie not to bark so much. This training will involve you first commanding him to bark ('speak'), then to be 'quiet.' These two commands will allow you to control when your sheltie barks. Enroll your sheltie in agility training. Your sheltie's intelligence and high energy level makes him a great candidate for agility training. Agility training involves jumping, climbing, and navigating over obstacles. It will keep your sheltie physically active and mentally stimulated. Ask your veterinarian or other sheltie owners for recommendations on nearby agility training courses. Consider enrolling your sheltie in herding training. Shelties have a strong herding instinct. If you live on a farm, you may want to hone your Sheltie's herding abilities. Be aware that your sheltie may have to first pass an 'instinct test' to ensure he has the instinct to herd, rather than chase, animals. Search for herding training clubs in your area. You can also teach your sheltie to herd on your own. Do not encourage herding behavior if you do not live in an environment that requires herding. For example, if you have kids, don't have your sheltie herd them—this could lead to your sheltie biting your kids.

Learn the benefits of crate training. Purchase a crate. Make the crate comfortable. Introduce your sheltie to the crate. Feed your sheltie inside the crate. Leave your sheltie in the crate for increasing periods of time. Keep your sheltie in a confined area of your home. Choose an outdoor area where your sheltie can eliminate. Take your sheltie outside on a regular schedule. Praise your sheltie when he eliminates outside. Clean up accidents without punishing your sheltie. Train your sheltie to follow basic commands. Manage your sheltie’s barking. Enroll your sheltie in agility training. Consider enrolling your sheltie in herding training.

https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-Kale

How to Pick Kale

To pick kale, wait 70 days after planting it, or until the plant is 8-10 inches high, which means it's ready for harvest. Choose the largest, oldest leaves, which will always be near the bottom. Hold the kale leaf with 1 hand and cut the stem near its base with pruning shears. Avoid cutting the root, since this will stunt further growth. If any of the leaves are yellow or have holes in them, throw them away. You should also wash all of your leaves with cool water to get rid of any dirt and debris. Then, pat them with a paper towel to absorb some of the water, and leave them to air dry for at least 10 minutes. Make sure to harvest your kale leaves every week so they don't get eaten by pests.

Wait about 70 days after planting to harvest. In general, this is how long it takes kale plants to produce its first leaves that are ready to pick. Your plant should be around 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) high before you harvest its leaves. You can harvest baby kale leaves sooner, but be sure not to pick too many or the plant will have difficulty maturing properly. Get pruning shears and a clean container. Pruning shears make harvesting kale much easier. Purchase them at any gardening or home improvement store. Find a bucket, basket, or bag that you can place the leaves you pick in. Cut the largest leaves off with your pruning shears. The largest and oldest leaves on a kale plant are always near the bottom. Smaller and younger leaves are near the top. Hold the leaf you want to cut with 1 hand. Then use your other hand to cut the stem of that leaf with your shears. Cut the stem near its base to make sure you remove the entire leaf. Discard any leaves that appear yellow or damaged. Sometimes pests will eat parts of kale leaves, leaving small holes in them. Make sure you cut off all of these leaves, but keep them separate from the ones you want to use. Compost or throw away the damaged or yellow kale leaves. Avoid cutting the root of the plant. Kale plants can be harvested many times, so make sure you leave the plant intact. Only cut the stems of the leaves that you want to pick, and leave the root alone. Return in 1 week and pick the new large leaves. Kale needs to be harvested routinely. If you don't harvest for more than a week, the plant could be eaten by pests. Additionally, cutting the larger, older leaves helps the smaller, younger leaves grow. After about a week, there should now be more large leaves that are ready to be picked. Again, only pick these and avoid picking the new, small leaves on the plant. Wash all the leaves you picked. Run the kale under cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Remove the stems now, if you don't plan to eat them. Don't use hot water or soak the leaves, as this could lead to wilting. Let the leaves dry. Pat them with a paper towel to absorb some of the water on them. Let them air dry on a clean surface for at least 10 minutes. Make sure they are completely dry before storing them. If you try to store them when they're wet, they will quickly become wilted and slimy. Place the leaves in a resealable plastic bag. Place a paper towel in the bag with the kale to help prevent the leaves from being harmed by moisture. Push on the bag to try to get as much air out of it as you can before you seal it. Then, seal the bag and place it in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. If you don't have a vegetable drawer, choose a low shelf in your refrigerator. Use the leaves within 1-2 weeks. The kale is good until it becomes yellow, wilted, or slimy. Mix the kale with some of your favorite vegetables to make a salad, or search online for creative recipes that feature kale.

Wait about 70 days after planting to harvest. Get pruning shears and a clean container. Cut the largest leaves off with your pruning shears. Discard any leaves that appear yellow or damaged. Avoid cutting the root of the plant. Return in 1 week and pick the new large leaves. Wash all the leaves you picked. Let the leaves dry. Place the leaves in a resealable plastic bag. Use the leaves within 1-2 weeks.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Coleslaw-Dressing

How to Make Coleslaw Dressing

To make coleslaw dressing, start by adding apple cider vinegar, sour cream, sugar, celery seeds, and caraway seeds to a bowl. Then, whisk all of the ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved and the sour cream is fully incorporated. Finally, taste the dressing, and season it with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Put the vinegar, sugar, sour cream, caraway and celery seeds in a bowl. Pour 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of apple-cider vinegar into a small bowl and spoon in 3 tablespoons (36 g) of sour cream. Add 2 tablespoons (25 g) of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of celery seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of caraway seeds. If you prefer a neutral-tasting vinegar, use plain white vinegar instead of the apple cider vinegar. Whisk the dressing and taste it to adjust the flavor. Mix the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved and the sour cream is incorporated. Dip a spoon into the dressing and taste it. Then add salt and pepper according to your taste. If you want the dressing to be creamier, whisk in another 1 tablespoon (12 g) of sour cream. Toss the traditional dressing with shredded cabbage mix. Pour this dressing over 1 ⁄ 4 pounds (570 g) of coleslaw mix in a large serving bowl. Mix until the cabbage mix is completely coated with the dressing. Then refrigerate the coleslaw for 1 to 2 hours before you serve it. While you can refrigerate the coleslaw in an airtight container up to 3 to 5 days, it will soften the longer it's stored. To make just the dressing ahead of time, cover the dressing and refrigerate it for up to 5 days before mixing it with the cabbage. Stir together the sugar, milk, mayonnaise, buttermilk, and mustard. Pour ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of milk and ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of buttermilk into a bowl. Mix in 1/3 cup (66 g) of white sugar, ½ cup (116 g) of mayonnaise, and 1 teaspoon (5 g) of Dijon or yellow mustard. Continue to stir until the mixture is smooth and the sugar dissolves. Mix in the vinegar, juice, onion, salt, and pepper. Stir or whisk in 1 ⁄ 2 tablespoons (22 ml) of apple cider vinegar, 1 ⁄ 2 tablespoons (22 ml) of lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon (2.8 g) of salt, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of onion powder. If you don't have onion powder, grate 2 tablespoons (30 g) of onion and stir it into the dressing. Toss the Southern-style dressing with coleslaw mix. Put 1 ⁄ 2 pounds (680 g) of coleslaw mix into a large serving bowl and pour the dressing over it. Mix the dressing until all of the coleslaw is coated and then refrigerate the coleslaw for 1 hour. Then stir the coleslaw again just before serving it. You can refrigerate the coleslaw for up to 3 to 5 days in an airtight container, but it will soften the longer it's stored. Put the vinegar, sugar, oil, garlic, pepper, and celery seeds in a bowl. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of apple cider vinegar and 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of extra-virgin olive oil into a small bowl. Add 1 cup (200 g) of sugar, 1 finely minced clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of freshly ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon (2 g) of celery seeds. To change the flavor of the dressing, consider using sesame or walnut oil instead of extra-virgin olive oil. Whisk the vinegar dressing. You'll need to whisk for about 1 minute so the sugar dissolves completely and the seasonings combine with the oil. Keep in mind that if you make the dressing ahead of time, the oil and vinegar will separate. You can prepare the vinegar dressing up to 5 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to make the coleslaw. Combine the tangy vinegar dressing with coleslaw mix. Put 3 ⁄ 2 pounds (1,600 g) of coleslaw mix into a large serving bowl and pour the dressing over it. Toss the mixture until the cabbage is evenly coated with the dressing. Then serve it immediately. Refrigerate leftover coleslaw in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days. The flavors will intensify, but the cabbage will soften. Put sour cream, mayo, vinegar, sugar, and salt into a bowl. Scoop 1/2 cup (115 g) of sour cream and 1/2 cup (116 g) of mayonnaise in a bowl. Add ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of white wine or apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon (12.5 g) of granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon (2.8 g) of salt. If you prefer, substitute honey for the granulated sugar. Stir and taste the creamy dressing. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients until you have a smooth, thick dressing. Taste a little of the dressing and add more salt or sugar according to your taste. If you want to make the creamy dressing ahead of time, mix it up and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Stir the dressing into your coleslaw mix. Place 3 pounds (1,400 g) of coleslaw mix into a serving bowl and spoon the thick dressing over the cabbage. Stir until the coleslaw is evenly coated with the dressing and serve it immediately. Refrigerate leftover coleslaw in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days. Mix the yogurt, mustard, water, maple syrup, and vinegar. Spoon 1 cup (285 g) of non-fat plain Greek yogurt into a bowl along with 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 g) of Dijon mustard. Pour in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of pure maple syrup, and 2 ⁄ 2 teaspoons (12 ml) of apple cider vinegar. Stir or whisk until the dressing base is smooth. Stir in salt, pepper, and celery seed. Add 1/2 teaspoon (2.8 g) of salt, 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon (0.4 g) of celery seed. Stir the seasonings in and then taste the dressing. Adjust the flavors according to your taste. For example, if you want a tangier dressing, add more vinegar or Dijon mustard. To make the dressing sweeter, stir in more maple syrup. Stir the Greek yogurt dressing into the coleslaw mix. Get out a serving bowl and put 2 pounds (910 g) of coleslaw mix into it. Scoop the dressing onto the coleslaw mix and then combine them. Serve the coleslaw immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days.

Put the vinegar, sugar, sour cream, caraway and celery seeds in a bowl. Whisk the dressing and taste it to adjust the flavor. Toss the traditional dressing with shredded cabbage mix. Stir together the sugar, milk, mayonnaise, buttermilk, and mustard. Mix in the vinegar, juice, onion, salt, and pepper. Toss the Southern-style dressing with coleslaw mix. Put the vinegar, sugar, oil, garlic, pepper, and celery seeds in a bowl. Whisk the vinegar dressing. Combine the tangy vinegar dressing with coleslaw mix. Put sour cream, mayo, vinegar, sugar, and salt into a bowl. Stir and taste the creamy dressing. Stir the dressing into your coleslaw mix. Mix the yogurt, mustard, water, maple syrup, and vinegar. Stir in salt, pepper, and celery seed. Stir the Greek yogurt dressing into the coleslaw mix.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Bratwurst-in-the-Oven

How to Cook Bratwurst in the Oven

If you want to cook bratwurst in the oven, place your sausages on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Bake them in a 400°F oven for about 45 minutes, turning them once with tongs while they're cooking. To get a crispier skin on your bratwurst, place the baking pan in the oven while it's preheating, then add the bratwursts. Let the sausages rest for about 5 minutes before you serve them.

Line a rimmed baking pan with foil and place it in the oven. Spread a sheet of aluminum foil across the baking pan and crimp the edges around the sides of the pan to hold it in place. This will make cleanup easy, and it will help keep the brats from sticking to the pan. Once the pan is lined, place it in your oven so it can get hot as the oven preheats. You can use a cookie sheet, a casserole dish, or any other pan you have on hand. It just needs to be big enough to hold all of the bratwurst so that they don't touch each other. If you use a rimmed baking sheet, the brats won't be able to accidentally roll off the side. Preheat the oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Once you've placed the pan inside of the oven, turn the oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Give the oven about 10-15 minutes to reach the correct heat. If you have a thermometer on your oven, you can use that to monitor the temp so you'll know when the oven is ready. Preheating the oven will give you more consistent results while you're cooking, since the temperature will already be stabilized when you add the food. By preheating the baking pan along with the oven, you'll get a nice sear on the outside of the sausages. Take out the baking pan and spread out the brats in a single layer. Use oven mitts to carefully slide the baking pan out of the oven. Set the pan on top of the stove or on a heat-safe mat on the counter, then add the bratwursts on top of the foil. To ensure even cooking, make sure the brats aren't touching each other on the sheet. However, they don't need much space between them, so as long as you have about ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) around each one, you should be fine. Place the brats in the oven for 45 minutes, turning once with tongs. After the brats have been cooking for about 20 minutes, carefully turn them over with a pair of cooking tongs. This will ensure they brown evenly on both sides. Return them to the oven and cook them for another 20-25 minutes, or until the sausages are browned on the outside. Remember to use oven mitts when you handle the pan, as it will be very hot. Make sure the internal temp of the brats reaches 160 °F (71 °C). To make sure the bratwursts are fully cooked, they need to be at least 160 °F (71 °C). Slide an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the sausage to check the temperature. When you're cooking meat, always judge the doneness by the internal temperature, rather than the time it's been cooking. Smaller brats may only need to cook for about 30 minutes, while larger brats may take about an hour. Let the brats cool for about 5 minutes, then serve. When meat cooks, the juices tend to draw toward the center of the food. By letting the bratwurst rest for about 5 minutes, you'll give those juices time to redistribute through the food, resulting in a delicious, tender brat! Store your leftover bratwurst in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for 1-2 months. Move the top rack in your oven as high as it will go. On most oven models, the broiler is located at the very top of the oven. The broiler delivers intense, direct heat to cook food quickly, and the best way to take advantage of this is to get the food as close to the broiler as you can. If you have an older oven, the broiler may be located in the drawer beneath the main oven compartment. If this is the case, you don't need to move the rack at all. Turn on the broiler to let it preheat for about 10 minutes. Most broilers don't have adjustable temperatures. Some only have on and off, in which case you should turn it on. If your broiler has a “high” and a “low” setting, set the broiler to high. It will take about 10 minutes for the broiler to preheat. Since the broiler will get hot very quickly, it's important to adjust the racks in your oven before you turn on the broiler. Otherwise, you could burn yourself. Arrange the brats on a broiler pan so they're not touching. A broiler pan has slots in the bottom, and it usually fits inside of another tray or pan. The slots allow the hot air in the oven to circulate around the sausages, resulting in a more even cook. It's important to have a tray under your broiling pan because the brats will likely drip some juices while they're cooking. If those juices fall into the bottom of your oven, it could become a fire hazard. Broil the brats for 15-20 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes. Use tongs to carefully flip the bratwursts every 5 minutes or so to prevent them from burning. You may need to pull the pan part of the way out of the oven in order to flip them. If so, be sure to use oven mitts so you don't get burned. Be very careful not to touch the top of your oven when you're flipping the brats. The broiler element will be extremely hot and could give you a serious burn. Take out the brats when they're slightly browned, with grate marks. Although oven-cooking brats typically won't result in grill marks, you will start to see some darker lines on the bratwurst from the grates in the broiling pan. This is a great way to get some of the delicious char you've been missing if it's too cold or rainy to grill! Since bratwurst is made from ground pork, it's important to take the temperature to judge the doneness, rather than relying on the brats' appearance. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temp is 160 °F (71 °C). Slide an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the bratwurst, making sure to pass through the thickest part. If the temperature reads 160 °F (71 °C), the brats are done! If the brats aren't ready, put them in for another 5 minutes until they reach the right temperature. Let the bratwurst rest for 5 minutes, then serve. Giving the bratwurst time to cool will keep you from burning your mouth, but it will also give the juices time to redistribute through the meat. The end result will be a delicious, tender brat that tastes almost like it came right off of the grill ! If you have any leftovers, place them into an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. They'll keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 1-2 months in the freezer. Preheat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Since you'll be simmering the bratwurst in liquid along with lots of onions, you'll want a really hot oven to ensure everything gets cooked through. Give the oven about 10-15 minutes to reach the desired temperature before you put any food in the oven. By preheating the oven, you'll be able to be more accurate with your cooking times. If you put food into a cold oven, you have to account for the heating time when you calculate how long the food has been cooking. Slice an onion into rings and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice a medium white onion horizontally to make rings that are about ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) wide, then break up those rings with your hands. For the garlic, mince 2 cloves as finely as possible. If you don't like a lot of onions, or if you picked a large onion at the grocery store, it's fine to only use half. If your eyes water when you're cutting onions , try putting the onion into the freezer for 10-15 minutes first. Don't leave it in longer than that, though, or it could make the onion mushy. Some people opt to leave the garlic out of the recipe. While the garlic adds a nice flavor that complements the onions and beer, it's fine to omit it if you prefer. Spread the onions and garlic in a deep baking dish. As long as the baking dish is at least 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) deep, the size doesn't matter as much. However a standard 9 in × 13 in (23 cm × 33 cm) pan is a good option here. While this 1-dish meal is already great for easy clean-up, opt for a disposable aluminum baking dish to make it even simpler! Drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper, and Worcestershire sauce over the onions. Once you've added the onions and garlic to the baking dish, add about 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 mL) of olive oil, 2–3 US tbsp (30–44 mL) of Worcestershire, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together to combine it. For sweeter brats, add 1 tbsp (12.5 g) of brown sugar. If you prefer spicier brats, add in 1 tsp (1.5 g) of red pepper flakes. Lay 5 brats on top of the onion mixture. Push the brats down slightly into the onions when you place them in the pan. As the onions cook and soften in the beer, they'll surround the brats, making both the bratwurst and the onions more flavorful. Pour 2 12  fl oz (350 ml) beers into the dish. The type of beer you use is totally up to you. You can use anything from the cheapest option at your neighborhood market to a microbrew that's made at a local brewery. Whichever type of beer your choose, pour it into the pan until the brats are about halfway submerged. Different beers will produce different flavors. For instance, a lager will have a mild taste, an IPA will leave a bitter flavor, and a stout will be richer and deeper. For an option that's a little richer than a lager but not as dark as a stout, opt for an amber or a red beer. Depending on the size of the pan you're using, you may not need to use all of the beer. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. Place a long sheet of aluminum foil over the pan and crimp it tightly around the edges. This will help the bratwurst to steam as it cooks, and the result will be a more flavorful and juicy sausage. If one sheet of foil doesn't cover the pan, use 2 sheet and overlap them. Place the pan in your oven for about an hour, turning once. Once you've covered the pan and your oven is preheated, place the brats on the center rack of the oven. After about 30 minutes, they'll be ready to flip. Carefully remove the pan with oven mitts and flip the sausages, then cook them for another 30 minutes. Use caution when you open the foil on top of the pan, as steam will escape. Be sure your hands and face aren't in the path of the steam, or you could be burned. Do not pierce the brats with a fork, or the juices will run out. After the hour, test the internal temperature of the thickest with an instant-read thermometer. If the temperature reads 160 °F (71 °C), then the bratwursts are done! If not, put them back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes until they reach the right temperature. Serve the brats on a bun topped with the onions. The beer-cooked onions make the perfect topping for bratwursts served on a soft bun. If you like, you can toast the bun and top the brats with mustard, or you can just enjoy them plain on a soft bun if you prefer. Keep leftover brats in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 2 months.

Line a rimmed baking pan with foil and place it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Take out the baking pan and spread out the brats in a single layer. Place the brats in the oven for 45 minutes, turning once with tongs. Make sure the internal temp of the brats reaches 160 °F (71 °C). Let the brats cool for about 5 minutes, then serve. Move the top rack in your oven as high as it will go. Turn on the broiler to let it preheat for about 10 minutes. Arrange the brats on a broiler pan so they're not touching. Broil the brats for 15-20 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes. Take out the brats when they're slightly browned, with grate marks. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temp is 160 °F (71 °C). Let the bratwurst rest for 5 minutes, then serve. Preheat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Slice an onion into rings and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Spread the onions and garlic in a deep baking dish. Drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper, and Worcestershire sauce over the onions. Lay 5 brats on top of the onion mixture. Pour 2 12  fl oz (350 ml) beers into the dish. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. Place the pan in your oven for about an hour, turning once. Serve the brats on a bun topped with the onions.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Up-with-Your-Partner-After-a-Fight

How to Make Up with Your Partner After a Fight

To make up with your partner after a fight, agree to stop arguing about the topic so you can both move on. Whatever your fight was about, acknowledge your part in it rather than just blaming your partner, which will show them you want to move forward together. For example, say something like “I made assumptions without hearing you out.” Additionally, apologize sincerely for what you did wrong and tell your partner you realize how your actions hurt them. By doing this, you'll show your partner that you're concerned about their feelings, too. If the fight made you angry, take deep breaths to control your frustration, or write about your feelings in a journal to express them in a healthy way. Remember that a healthy relationship is more important than being right in an argument, so do your best to see your partner's point of view, even if you don't agree with it.

Stop the argument so that you can resolve to make up. Avoid holding grudges or letting the argument spill over into a new day. Make a resolution together to end the conflict. Mutually agree to make up so that you can both begin to heal. Acknowledge your role in the argument. Recognize that regardless of what the fight was about, you played a role in it. Be humble and admit where you went wrong. Leave out the “but” or “you should have” and focus on how you contributed to the fight. For example, you may have snapped at your partner or talked over them when they needed you to listen. You can say, “I made assumptions without hearing you out first. I didn't listen to you, and I admit that was wrong of me.” Deal with your anger. Fights often lead to anger and upset. If you are angry, recognize that you are in control and that your partner does not “make” you angry. Take steps to help calm your anger, such as deep breathing. Think about what causes your anger and try and see the big picture. Journal your feelings to help you explore them and understand them better. For example, if you're upset that your partner didn't call you, write about your experience and how it made you feel. You might discover that your anger is really about feeling neglected or wanting more attention. Put the relationship first. If being right is more important than having a harmonious relationship, it's probably time to soften and let go. Instead of focusing on why you are right, focus on understanding your partner's perspective. Be curious about what they think and say and remember that your relationship is more important than being right. For example, instead of saying, “I know I'm right and you're wrong,” say, “I understand my viewpoint, but I don't understand yours. Can you elaborate?” Remember that you are both on the same team. Neither partner in the relationship necessarily needs to accept full blame, and you should both work together to find a resolution. Apologize for your wrongdoing. Express your understanding of what you did, then express your regret for doing it. Show empathy by acknowledging their emotions and how you impacting them. Specifically, say “I'm sorry” so that your partner knows you are explicitly apologizing for your wrongdoing. For example, say, “I'm sorry I yelled at you. It's unkind of me to yell, and I know it makes you feel disrespected. I feel bad about yelling at you, so I apologize.” Forgive your partner. Don't hold a grudge against your partner. Tell your partner that you forgive them and do not want to harbor negative feelings toward them or the relationship. You can also write a letter to your partner saying that you forgive them. Let them know that you are letting go of grudges and leaving the past in the past. Forgiveness doesn't mean that you forget what happened or that it didn't matter. It's a way to release your negative emotions and choose a new beginning. Forgiveness doesn't happen all at once, it's a process. Take some space. Time away from your partner can help both of you clear your heads and calm down. Be clear in your actions by communicating your need for space. Before taking space, agree to meet up or speak within a few days so that the issue doesn't linger on. This will allow both of you to sort through your emotions and come to solutions on your own. It will also let your partner know you don't intend to break up. For example, if you live together, consider going away for a day or a weekend on your own or spending some more time outside of the house. If you do not live together or are long distance, agree not to communicate for a short period of time, like a day or two. Set boundaries. When making up, it's important not to start the fight all over again. One way to do this is to set boundaries. You might decide to only discuss solutions or shut down any statements that are hurtful or blaming. The boundaries you set should be agreed upon by both people in order to keep the conversation positive and moving forward. For example, agree to not yell at each other or call each other names. If your discussion gets heated, it might be time to take a break or talk about it later. Listen to your partner with an open heart. Once you're able to talk about the fight with your partner, put your focus into listening. While it's easier to think about what you want to say or defend yourself, shift into making your priority understanding your partner. Avoid interrupting or thinking about what you will say while they are speaking. Instead, give your full attention, make eye contact, and affirm your understanding. For example, summarize their statements when they finish by saying, “What I hear you saying is that you'd like me to communicate my feelings better to you.” Avoid absolute language like "always" and "never." Resist the urge to be "right." Instead, be humble and listen to your partner's side of the issue. Acknowledge that they may be right about some things too. Support your partner’s emotions. If your partner is angry, support them in their process and help them to feel calm. If your partner expresses how they feel to you, hear them out and don't interrupt. Let them express their emotions, even if you think they are outrageous or uncalled for. If your partner feels heard, this can help bring closeness and understanding. Let your partner speak and try to understand how they feel. Make your goal to understand, not judge or dismiss their feelings. Communicate your thoughts and feelings. When you express yourself, do so intentionally so that your partner can relate and understand you. One way to do this is by using “I” statements, which shift the focus to how you feel instead of what your partner did. When you want to blame or criticise your partner, stop and instead, state how you feel. For example, say, “I felt hurt that you made dinner for your friend but not for me.” This feels less threatening than saying, “You left me out and only thought of your friend.” You can follow your statements up with what you want. For example, say, “I felt left out. I'd like to feel included in the future.” Find common ground. Start with what you both agree about and work from there. If you're struggling to find common ground in this particular argument, remember that you both love each other. That can be your common ground. Act on their feedback. If your partner gives you constructive feedback following a fight, act on it. This shows that you listened to them and want to make positive changes. Recognize that you're not perfect and that there are areas where you (and your partner) need to improve. Swallow your defensiveness and make the effort to follow through. For example, if your partner asks you to help out with chores, do them without having to be asked. Take the garbage out, buy groceries, and anticipate the needs of your partner and the home. You shouldn't have to bend over backward or give up your life to please them. Feedback should feel constructive and not overwhelming or controlling. Give your partner positive attention. The sooner you two can experience some form of joy and lightheartedness, the better. Actions that create genuine positive feelings will help you and your partner feel connected. Give your partner positive attention in ways that are meaningful to them. Backing away after a fight can lead to distance between you, which, over time, could end your partnership. For example, tell them how attracted you are to them, take them on a date, or cook them dinner. Share affection. Affection can help foster feelings of connection with you and your partner, which is especially helpful after a fight. Hold your partner's hand, put your arm around them, or touch or caress their leg. Make sure you touch your partner in a way that they enjoy. Affection can also lower stress levels, so both you and your partner benefit from touch. Do something fun together. It's important to repair your friendship as well as your romantic relationship. Plan a fun date together. Go out to your favorite restaurant, take a hike, or go to a museum. Do something that you both enjoy doing. Make a grand romantic gesture. If it was a major fight and you're having a hard time reconnecting with your partner, a romantic gesture may be just the thing. Buy your partner a gift that they want or make an appointment for a massage. If you want to go big, book a trip together or take them on their dream date. The gesture should make your partner feel cared for and loved. A romantic gesture, however, does not take the place of an apology or a solution to your problems. Accept the changes in your relationship. After a fight, you may see your partner differently or feel like you've seen a different side of them. It's normal to move past the “honeymoon stage” in relationships and recognize that your partner is a normal person, flaws and all. If the fight changed your relationship or your perception of your partner, accept these changes without holding them against your partner. The fight may introduce a new dynamic in the relationship, so be willing to be flexible with these changes. Some couples yearn to go back to “the way it was.” However, it's important to realize that relationships evolve and shift, so it's best to accept the relationship and create positive experiences to move forward. Use the experience as a learning experience to help you strengthen your relationship in the future. See a couples’ counselor. If you and your partner are committed to each other yet can't find a way to work through a fight, couples' counseling may help. A couples' counselor can help with negative communication, growing distance, resolving differences, and repairing positive feelings for one another. Seeing a counselor can be a difficult decision, but keep in mind that counseling can help your relationship heal and grow. Be willing to seek counseling early instead of leaving it as a last resort. Getting help and support are signs of strength, not weakness. Find a couples' counselor by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health clinic. You can also seek a recommendation from a friend or do an internet search for a therapist close to you.

Stop the argument so that you can resolve to make up. Acknowledge your role in the argument. Deal with your anger. Put the relationship first. Apologize for your wrongdoing. Forgive your partner. Take some space. Set boundaries. Listen to your partner with an open heart. Support your partner’s emotions. Communicate your thoughts and feelings. Act on their feedback. Give your partner positive attention. Share affection. Do something fun together. Make a grand romantic gesture. Accept the changes in your relationship. See a couples’ counselor.

https://www.wikihow.com/Grey-Wash-Wood

How to Grey Wash Wood

To grey wash wood, you can either use paint and water or paint and wax. If you use paint and water, you'll still be able to see the wood grain underneath. With paint and wax, you won't be able to see the wood grain. Either way, start by sanding the wood to ensure it's smooth and laying down a dropcloth to protect the floor. For a paint and water wash, create the wash solution by mixing four parts water to one part grey latex paint and apply the solution to the wood with a foam brush, following the direction of the grain. If you're using paint and wax, apply a white or cream latex paint and a clear wax base coat to the wood, before wiping grey wax over the surface.

Lay down a tarp or dropcloth. Choose a well-ventilated area to work in, and set down something to protect your floor. Newspaper is fine if the object is fairly small, but a tarp or large dropcloth will work better if it's a piece of furniture. Sand the wood to remove paint and imperfections. Use a coarse sandpaper all over the surface of the wood you plan to apply the wash to. Any prior paint needs to be removed completely. Sand off any imperfections or rough spots, but leave behind any knots in the wood that add interest to its appearance. Apply a wood stain with a foam brush. The stain will provide the undertone for the finished wood, so choose your stain based on how light or dark you want the wood to appear. Use a foam brush to apply the stain onto the wood in the direction of the grain. Complete the entire staining and washing process on one side before flipping it over to do another side. Let the stain sit for five minutes before you wipe it off. Once you finish applying the stain to all parts of the wood that you can reach, allow the stain to dry for five minutes. Use a lint-free cloth (that you don't mind throwing away afterward) to wipe away any excess stain that's sitting on the surface of the wood. Select a grey latex paint to use for the wash. Be sure you're getting a latex, water-based paint, or it won't mix properly with the water. Choose the shade of grey that best matches the tone you want to achieve. For example, a blue-toned grey may give your wood some cool tones. A yellow-toned grey will likely create a brownish-grey effect. Mix four parts water to one part paint. Create your wash solution in a disposable container. It should be about four parts water to one part paint. If you're just washing a small piece of furniture, start with about 1 cup (0.2 L) of water and mix more as needed. Use a foam brush to paint the wood with the wash solution. Spread the grey wash across the wood in the direction of the grain, just as you did with the stain. If you don't think the grey is prominent enough after it dries, apply another coat. Wait until all coats are dry before you flip the wood to stain and wash another side. Repeat on all sides. Once the grey wash feels dry to the touch, flip the wood over. Stain and then apply the wash to any other parts you've prepped. Lay down a tarp or dropcloth. Choose a well-ventilated area to work in, and set down something to protect your floor. A tarp or large dropcloth will work well for a piece of furniture. Sand the wood to prepare it for painting. If your wood has any dark paint or stain on it, sand it down with a coarse sandpaper until the paint or stain is gone. If the wood is untreated, just sand away any rough spots. If your wood is already painted a very light color and you don't want to change it, you can skip the sanding and painting steps. Paint the wood with a light-colored latex paint. In order for the gray wax to show up, the wood will need to be painted a light color. White or cream will offer the best result. Use a paintbrush to apply the paint in the direction of the grain, then allow it to dry completely. Apply another coat if the first one didn't provide enough coverage. Drying times will typically be between 24 and 48 hours, but check your paint's packaging for exact instructions. Apply a base coat of clear wax. Purchase a small can of paste finishing wax, then use an old, lint-free rag to wipe a coat of it onto the wood. Cover the entire area that you want to grey wash. This base coat will allow you to control how much of the grey-tinted wax stays on in the coming steps. Clear paste finishing wax can be purchased at home improvement and hardware stores. Mix dark grey paint and clear wax. Opt for a dark grey paint since a light grey is unlikely to show up well on the wood when mixed with the wax. Start by mixing about 1 tablespoon (14 g) of wax and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of paint in a disposable container. Use a plastic spoon or a popsicle stick to smash up the wax with the paint until it's well mixed. Adjust the recipe to your preference. If you want a darker wax, add more paint. For a lighter finish, add more wax. Work with small batches since the paint/wax combo will begin to harden after a while. Wipe the wax on with a lint-free cloth. Wipe in the direction of the grain as you rub the tinted wax onto the wood. Apply as much or as little as you want to achieve your desired effect. If a spot gets too dark, apply a little clear wax to lighten it. If it's not dark enough, allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes and then apply another coat. Allow the final coat to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before moving on to the next step. Sand and buff the wood. Find any uneven spots in the wax and rub with a fine-grit (about 220-grit) sandpaper to even them out. Then rub the wood one final time with a clean cloth to buff it until it's as shiny as you would like it to be. Complete the waxing and buffing of each side before flipping the wood to wax another side.

Lay down a tarp or dropcloth. Sand the wood to remove paint and imperfections. Apply a wood stain with a foam brush. Let the stain sit for five minutes before you wipe it off. Select a grey latex paint to use for the wash. Mix four parts water to one part paint. Use a foam brush to paint the wood with the wash solution. Repeat on all sides. Lay down a tarp or dropcloth. Sand the wood to prepare it for painting. Paint the wood with a light-colored latex paint. Apply a base coat of clear wax. Mix dark grey paint and clear wax. Wipe the wax on with a lint-free cloth. Sand and buff the wood.

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How to Stop Drooling in Your Sleep

To stop drooling in your sleep, try sleeping on your back, since side-sleepers are prone to drooling. You can also prop your head up on an extra pillow to encourage your mouth to stay closed during the night. If your sinuses are clogged, you may be drooling because you're forced to breathe through your mouth. Use sinus-clearing medications or take a hot, steamy shower before bed to clear your nasal passages and help you breathe through your nose.

Sleep on your back. Side-sleepers are more prone to drooling during the night simply because gravity is causing the mouth to open and allowing drool to pool on your pillow. Try sleeping on your back and tucking yourself in so that you do not shift around during the night. Prop your head up. If you can't sleep without laying on your side, trying propping yourself in a more vertical position to encourage your mouth to close and create a better air flow. Breathe through your nose, not your mouth. The main reason that people drool is that their nasal sinuses are clogged. As a result, they end up breathing through their mouth and drooling in the process. Try applying sinus-clearing products like Vick's Vaporub and Tiger Balm directly under your nose to loosen clogged nostrils. Smell essential oils such as Eucalyptus and Rose before going to bed to clear sinuses and soothe yourself to sleep. Take a hot, steamy shower before bed to allow the pure vapors to cleanse your sinuses. Treat sinus infections and allergies as soon as they surface. Untreated conditions can cause post nasal drip and excess saliva while you sleep. Find out if any of your current medications cause excess saliva production. Excess saliva can be a symptom of many different medications. Read the warning label and ask your doctor about potential side effects of your medications. Find out if you are experiencing sleep apnea. If you experience difficulty sleeping, heavy breathing, loud snoring, or heavy drooling, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes your breath to become shallow and thin during sleep. Some behaviors and conditions can increase your risk of sleep apnea. These include smoking, high blood pressure, and people at high risk for heart failure or stroke. Your doctor can determine if you have sleep apnea by running various sleep monitoring tests and learning about your sleep history. Find out if you are at risk for a blocked airway. Drooling is also a symptom of a blocked airway. Visit an ear, nose, and throat doctor to find out if a blocked airway is affecting your ability to breathe through your nose while sleeping. Lose weight. If you are overweight, you have a heightened chance of experiencing sleep apnea. More than half of the 12 million people in the U.S. that experience sleep apnea are overweight. Alter your diet and exercise regularly to reach a healthy weight and decrease your neck girth for easier breathing. Treat sleep apnea conservatively. Sleep apnea is treated a number of different ways in addition to weight loss recommendations. Those diagnosed with sleep apnea should avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sleep deprivation. Simple nasal sprays and saline solution rinses can help clear nasal passages as well. Undergo mechanical therapy for sleep apnea. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first treatment that people who are suffering from sleep apnea undergo. CPAP outlines that patients must wear a mask that forces air through the nose and mouth while sleeping. The idea is to have the right amount of air pressure filtering through the air passages to prevent the upper airway tissues from collapsing as you sleep. Use a mandibular advancement device. These devices prevent the tongue from collapsing into the throat airway and can advance the lower jaw to open an airway further. Resort to surgery. People who have obstructive tissue such as a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, or an over-sized tongue can be good candidates for various surgical procedures. Somnoplasty uses radio frequency to constrict the soft palate at the back of the throat and open the airway. ' Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty' (surgical procedure), or UPPP/UP3, can remove soft tissue in the back of the throat surgically to open the airway. Nasal surgery consists of several procedures that can fix obstructions or deformities like deviated septums. A tonsillectomy can remove oversized tonsils that are obstructing your airway. Mandibular/maxillary advancement surgery consists of moving the jawbone forward to create space in the throat. This is a rather intense procedure that is reserved for only the worst cases of sleep apnea.

Sleep on your back. Prop your head up. Breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Treat sinus infections and allergies as soon as they surface. Find out if any of your current medications cause excess saliva production. Find out if you are experiencing sleep apnea. Find out if you are at risk for a blocked airway. Lose weight. Treat sleep apnea conservatively. Undergo mechanical therapy for sleep apnea. Use a mandibular advancement device. Resort to surgery.

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How to Know Military Uniform Laws

If you want to know the military uniform laws, understand that it's illegal to wear any uniform not issued by your branch of the armed forces. It's also illegal to wear any distinctive parts of your uniform, like a green or maroon beret, without full uniform. If you're honorably discharged from the armed forces, you can keep 1 uniform to wear home. However, as a veteran, you can wear the uniform of your grade at any time you like. Keep in mind that civilians are never permitted to wear military uniform. This is to preserve the image of military personnel and to make sure no one uses the uniform for illegal activities.

Obtain your uniform only from your branch of the armed services. It is illegal to wear a uniform or any uniform part that is not issued by the branch of the armed forces in which you serve. Under most circumstances, members of the armed services can be punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for wearing anything that is unauthorized. Even wearing awards or insignia that you have not earned is prohibited. For example, a member of the Navy may not wear the uniform of the Army. In general, the majority of your authorized and required uniform items will be issued during your first weeks of training. Your military instructor will let you know how to obtain any additional needed items for your uniforms (like hats, badges, etc.) as needed. Wear distinctive parts of a uniform only when the full uniform is worn. Some uniforms have parts that are easily identified with a particular branch of the military. While on- or off-duty, these "distinctive parts" can only be worn if you are wearing the full uniform. For example, the green beret is considered a distinctive part of the uniform of the Army's Special Forces and should not be worn unless the full uniform is being worn. Another example would be the maroon beret, which can only be worn by those who have successfully passed Airborne School. Some parts are not considered distinctive (like an undershirt or shoes) and can be worn at any time, on- or off-duty. However, it is important to double check the regulations of your service to make sure that you are allowed to wear those items off-duty. Wear medals only on dress uniforms. If you earn any type of medal, you should wear it only on ceremonious occasions and not with your regular uniform. Examples of awards or medals includes the Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, or any other award or medal. It is important to remember to never wear awards that you have not actually earned. Wear civilian clothing when off duty. You do not have to wear your uniform when off duty, unless you are in certain training environments. You may also be required to wear your uniform off duty if your commanding officer requires it. Regardless, you do have to maintain your grooming standards at all times and otherwise represent your branch of service in a professional way. You should not wear your uniform when you are off duty, except for transportation home. Some military assignments have strict rules against wearing a uniform while off duty, especially when stationed overseas. Make sure you know and follow those rules. They are there for your safety. Familiarize yourself with other policies. In addition to your issued uniform, there are other policies regarding personal appearance and grooming including hairstyle, tattoos, and jewelry guidelines that are all considered part of the military uniform (because they keep everyone looking uniform in appearance). These differ within each branch of the military, so be sure to look through your handbook for specific instructions. For example, in the Army, all Soldiers must follow Army Regulation or AR 670-1 specifically to make sure that they wear their uniform properly and are groomed according to the set standards. Soldiers may not wear any jewelry except a watch, ID bracelet, and two wedding rings. Female soldiers may additionally wear a single pair of round, stud-style earrings. Tattoos are permitted, but must not represent any extremist philosophy or group (including, but not limited to, recognized hate groups) or that are sexist, racist, or indecent. Additionally, soldiers may not have any tattoos on the face, neck, hands, or wrists. Be sure to talk with your commander before getting any new tattoos after joining the military. Understand accommodations for religious observation. For the most part, wearing religious apparel in uniform is frowned on, but recent rulings by the United States government have made it possible for exceptions to be made to accommodate practices that are central to your religious observance. For example, a Muslim or Sikh serviceman can petition his squadron leader to wear a beard or turban while in uniform. Accommodations such as these are made on a case-by-case basis. If you require an accommodation, you have to apply to be an exceptions to the rules. Keep only one uniform when you are honorably discharged. All other uniforms and uniform parts remain the property of the armed forces. You are allowed to wear one uniform home. You may continue wearing your uniform for up to three months after your honorable discharge. Many recently discharged servicemen and women like to wear their uniform for coming home parties or other special occasions. If you want to wear your uniform for an important event (like your own wedding), be sure to schedule the event within three months of your discharge. Keep no uniforms if you are discharged dishonorably. If you leave the military for bad conduct or any other reason that results in a dishonorable discharge, you are not permitted to keep any uniforms or parts of uniforms. The military will require you to purchase clothing to wear home. Because you were dishonorably discharged, you may never wear a uniform again (for example, for Veteran's Day ceremonies, funerals, or other purposes). Wear your uniform after retirement. If you choose to, you may wear your uniform at any time if you have retired from the armed forces-- you have earned it! You must wear the uniform of the grade at which you retired. For example, if you retire as a Sergeant, you must wear the uniform and badge of a Sergeant. If you were nominated for promotion upon your retirement, you may wear the new higher grade. Many retired servicemen and women choose to wear their uniforms to weddings, funerals, Veteran's Day celebrations, and other special occasions. You are not obligated to wear it, but it is a great way to show others that you served. Wear the uniform if you are not on duty and not an officer only when permitted by Presidential regulations. Check with your branch of the armed forces if in doubt. For example, the presence of retired military personnel may be requested at a government sponsored parade or function. You may only wear the uniform under these circumstances if you served honorably in time of war. If so, wear the uniform of the highest grade achieved during wartime. Attend a course of military instruction in clothing deemed appropriate by the institution. This may or may not be an armed forces uniform. Perform instructional duties for military courses wearing a uniform only if it bears some distinctive insignia to indicate that it is not a duty armed forces uniform. Follow uniform regulations for Department of Veteran's Affairs buildings. Wear the uniform as prescribed by your branch of the armed forces while you are living in or an officer of a Department of Veteran's Affairs veteran's home. Check with the appropriate branch of the armed forces if in doubt. Know how to behave while in uniform. Even if you are not currently serving, there are certain laws and regulations that apply to your behavior while in a uniform that represents the United States government. In general, you should behave in a respectful and becoming way. More specifically: Any time you are in uniform, you represent the United States government. You are expected to maintain the grooming standards of the military even if you are retired, if you plan to appear in uniform. This includes being clean-shaven, keeping your hair neatly under your headgear, and not having facial piercings or tattoos. While saying the Pledge of Allegiance, or while passing, lowering, or raising the United States flag, anyone in military uniform (active, inactive, or discharged) should stand at attention, face the flag, and perform a military salute, rather than placing his or her hand over the heart. Do not wear a military uniform if you are a civilian. If you have never served in the armed forces, you are prohibited by the United States government from wearing the uniform of the Air Force, Army, Navy, or Marines. You are also prohibited from wearing a uniform that is similar to that worn by the armed forces in any public place or in public view. Doing so is a Class A Misdemeanor. The law is up for interpretation regarding how "similar" a replica uniform can be without being prohibited. This includes wearing any "distinctive piece" of a military uniform, such as a beret , jacket, or insignia. This includes the military uniforms of other countries, and the uniforms of past enemy regimes such as the Nazis, not just United States uniforms. For example, you are prohibited from wearing a Nazi uniform in public. There are several reasons for these prohibitions. The first is for security reasons; in one instance, a woman tried to gain access to a secure military base using someone else's uniform. Another reason is because civilians need to know that people in uniform are trustworthy in cases of emergency. Finally, it is considered disrespectful to those who have served, since they put their lives on the line for the privilege of wearing the uniform. Obtain costumes for dramatic roles from the production house. If you portray a member of the armed forces in a theatrical, television or movie role, you must use a uniform given to you by the production which they have created or purchased for the production. You cannot wear any uniforms you or others may have that were issued by the military. Unlike costumes worn in public or for Halloween or costume parties, replica uniforms for productions may be made to look exactly like real military uniforms, but can only be worn while working on the production. So if you have worn, for example, an exact replica uniform for a play, you cannot later wear it for Halloween. Wear appropriate uniforms for training. If you are attending a training camp or other course of instruction hosted by the military and you are a civilian, on some occasions you may be required to wear a military uniform. This is the only time that you are legally permitted to wear an authentic uniform as a civilian. You will be notified prior to the training whether you should wear a special uniform. Only wear a military uniform if you are instructed to do so by the Secretary of the branch of the military concerned. Never claim service or awards if you have not served. Under the United States Stolen Valor Act of 2013, it is against the law to claim that you have served in the military or that you have received medals or awards for your service if you have not. This includes making fraudulent statements in order to obtain money, property, or other benefits (although simply claiming it is considered protected speech), and also includes simply wearing a medal that you did not earn. Even if a medal was earned by a relative or has sentimental value, it is illegal for someone else to wear it. This includes medals such as the Purple Heart, the Navy or Air Force cross, a Congressional Medal of Honor, or any other medal or award, or replica of a medal or award.

Obtain your uniform only from your branch of the armed services. Wear distinctive parts of a uniform only when the full uniform is worn. For example, the green beret is considered a distinctive part of the uniform of the Army's Special Forces and should not be worn unless the full uniform is being worn. Wear medals only on dress uniforms. Wear civilian clothing when off duty. Familiarize yourself with other policies. Understand accommodations for religious observation. Keep only one uniform when you are honorably discharged. Keep no uniforms if you are discharged dishonorably. Wear your uniform after retirement. Wear the uniform if you are not on duty and not an officer only when permitted by Presidential regulations. Attend a course of military instruction in clothing deemed appropriate by the institution. Follow uniform regulations for Department of Veteran's Affairs buildings. Know how to behave while in uniform. Do not wear a military uniform if you are a civilian. Obtain costumes for dramatic roles from the production house. Wear appropriate uniforms for training. Never claim service or awards if you have not served.

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How to Distract Yourself from Things You Don't Want to Think About

If you want to distract yourself from things you don't want to think about, try mindful meditation. This is a practice that involves sitting still and focusing only on your breath. You can also distract yourself by doing a creative activity, like painting, writing, or cooking. Exercise may also be a helpful distraction, so go for a jog or walk or hit the gym, if you can. If you can't exercise right now, read a book, do a puzzle, or try watching some television. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, reach out to a therapist.

Keep a journal. One reason it can be hard to stop thinking about something is because we keep trying to force those thoughts out of our minds. Unfortunately, this can often emphasize them even more, and bring in unhelpful feelings like guilt or shame ("Why can't I stop thinking about this?"). Keep a mental health journal to give yourself space to explore your feelings and thoughts, even the ones that cause you sadness or anxiety. Keeping a journal allows you to acknowledge your thoughts and feelings and give them space to just exist. Write an entry any time you feel overwhelmed by things that you don't want to think about. Get the thoughts down on paper, then shut the book and go and do something else. Try to think about when these things you don't want to think about first began. Did something happen to trigger them? What experiences surround them? Does thinking about them interfere with your ability to live your daily life? Journaling may improve your mental stability by relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression. Writing your thoughts down in your journal can also offer insights on patterns of upsetting thoughts and help you understand potential triggers. Journaling about unwanted thoughts can bring up repressed memories. If you have experienced a great deal of abuse or a difficult childhood, journal only with the help of your therapist. Break the rumination cycle. Ruminating refers to mulling an issue over and over in your mind. Typically, this involves a negative thought or worry. If you feel the need to distract yourself from your thoughts, you may be ruminating. It's important to overcome this habit because rumination is closely linked to major depression. Here are just a few ways you can jump off the rumination train: Find other sources of self-esteem. You may be thinking about a perceived flaw constantly because you see it as being a huge part of your self-concept and identity. Beyond the one flaw, highlight other areas in which you have talents and strengths. That way, any single criticism (from others or yourself) won't cause you so much distress. Problem-solve bit by bit. If you find yourself ruminating on an issue, make strides to resolve it. This may seem overwhelming at first but if you break the larger problem down into smaller pieces, you can work towards figuring out one piece at a time. Then, the problem won't seem so daunting. Let go of extreme expectations and standards. Some people expect 100% perfection or effort from themselves or others at all times. These are unreasonable and unattainable expectations that keep you from adapting to the challenges of life. If you are one of these people, you might begin to feel low or upset when your standards are not met. Retrain yourself to have feasible expectations of both yourself and others. Remember, everyone is only human - and humans can't be perfect. Engage in mindful meditation. Mindfulness means being aware of the present moment.This is the practice of being present in the here and now. The idea is to slow down your thoughts and become aware of constant thoughts that keep popping into your mind. If you are a beginner, choose a spot that is quiet with little distractions. Sit comfortably, whether on a chair or on a floor cushion. Cross your legs (if on the floor). Straighten your upper body and place your hands on your thighs. Take a deep, cleansing breath, pulling in through your nose and out through your mouth. Focus on your breath - only on your breath. When you find your attention straying from your breath, just note that and return to your breath and stay there. For starters, aim for approximately five or ten minutes of mindful meditation before building up to longer periods. Some types of mindfulness meditation encourage you to focus only on your breath while others acknowledge each thought that comes into your mind. To determine which type is right for you, visit Greater Good. Continue mindfulness practices in all your activities. A wonderful way to stay in the moment and avoid getting lost in negative thoughts is to practice mindfulness routinely. This can be very effective for minimizing rumination and easing your mind of troublesome worries or concerns. When you wake up in the morning, take a deep, calming breath. Do some light stretching and think about how each stretch feels to your body's muscles and joints. Drink a glass of water and notice the temperature, the consistency and how it feels going down your throat. Stay present in each activity that you take part in throughout the day: showering, brushing your teeth, eating, driving, working, etc.. As you go throughout each activity, refrain from casting judgments about what you're doing or letting your mind wander. When you notice your mind wandering, return to the activity at hand and consider how the activity affects each of your senses. Write, draw, or paint. Use your hands and your imagination to make something from nothing. Being creative can maximize your well-being and give you positive feelings about what you're doing with your time. Plus, some research suggests that creativity may improve cognitive flexibility and problem-solving. Therefore, exercising your creativity may actually help you to come up with solutions to the issues that are bothering you. Cook or bake. If you enjoy cooking or baking, these activities can serve as a great distraction to unpleasant thoughts. Preparing a meal can bring about feelings of accomplishment and build your confidence. What's more, you can share what you make with others to spread these good feelings around. One precaution to consider when it comes to cooking or baking is to not let this activity become an unhealthy behavior in which you overeat to soothe an uncomfortable mood or distract yourself from upsetting thoughts. Include others in your cooking sessions to minimize the opportunity to eat emotionally - and to help you clear the dishes after. Try a puzzle. Puzzles are frequently used in educational therapy because they require focus, patience, and creativity. They can help with distraction, unorganized thinking, and trouble with motivation. For this reason, they also work as a good temporary distraction, because you have to concentrate on solving the puzzle. Find puzzles that you enjoy and will hold your attention. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are very common puzzles that are easy to find almost anywhere. You could also try a jigsaw puzzle, if you enjoy putting things together. Seeing the puzzle come together could also give you a nice feeling of accomplishment. Many mobile apps and websites have puzzle games, so you can take this healthy distraction anywhere. Watch TV or a DVD or look at memes. Humor is good for distracting yourself from negative thoughts or memories. Looking at a meme account with a long history is also a great way to keep yourself chuckling and in good spirits. Head to Instagram and search for "#meme" until you find an account that has a style of humor that you enjoy. Beware that watching TV in excess is a sedentary behavior which can be linked to a shorter lifespan and obesity. Avoid snacking while watching TV as this can lead to mindless eating, and may only make you feel worse. Try balancing your TV time with physical activity such as watching while walking on a treadmill or an elliptical. If you do not have access to such equipment, you can simply perform a series of exercises during commercials or about every 15 to 20 minutes. Listen to music. Music has been used to express feelings since humans first figured out how to make it. Research has also shown that it's helpful to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Music with about 60 beats per minute can encourage your brainwaves to synchronize with that beat, resulting in a relaxed state. While popular conceptions suggest that only "soft" music, such as classical, jazz, or New Age, are relaxing, new research suggests otherwise. A recent study showed that listening to "extreme metal music" helped participants process feelings of anger and return to feeling positive and even inspired. What seems to matter the most is what feels best for you. Listen to music you enjoy and connect with. Go online. A moderate amount of computer use can be entertaining and relaxing. Online you can play games, go window shopping for clothes or accessories, catch up with old friends via social networks, read interesting articles about your favorite topics or write some articles for wikiHow. Take note of how much time you're spending on the computer. Research shows that more than two hours of screen time for kids can be potentially damaging to health, leading to weight gain, aggression, and disrupted sleep patterns. Try to budget your screen time with other things like spending time with friends or family or going outside. . Read a book Find an intriguing novel, comic book, or magazine to keep you engaged. Leisure reading provides an escape from everyday activities, allowing you to boost your creativity and imagination. Reading also enhances cognitive skills and vocabulary. Be sure to read something that is light or humorous rather than an upsetting topic that might cause you to think about what you're trying to avoid. Hit the gym. Exercise can calm feelings of anxiety and stress by releasing endorphins, natural mood-boosting chemicals that your body produces. Studies have shown that people just "feel better" after doing moderate aerobic exercise. So the next time you find yourself needing a distraction from something you don't want to think about, grab your sneakers and go for a run, or hit the gym to lift some weights. Garden. Do some gardening. Plant a tree, an edible garden or an ornamental patch of flowers. Gardening can deliver three advantages. First, being outside can increase positive feelings and reduce stress. Secondly, the physical exertion required for gardening can produce feel-good endorphins and help you fight obesity. Finally, if you plant herbs or foods you save yourself money and ensure that you are eating a healthy, balanced diet. Take a warm shower or bath. Research suggests that merely taking a hot shower can help reduce anxiety. Simply being physically warm can help you feel more relaxed and even more oriented to social relationships. Focus on the sensations you experience in the shower or bath: the water on your skin, the warmth that surrounds you. Take deep breaths. Allow the experience to become a mindfulness exercise in noticing and relishing the pleasant sensations. You may find that adding a few drops of lavender oil to your shower or bath also help you feel more positive and relaxed. Call up or visit friends or family. Whether your friends or family are near or far, whenever you need a positive, healthy distraction from upsetting thoughts, you can call them. You can even give your friend/relative a heads up that you are calling to get your mind off a specific topic - that way they don't inadvertently bring it up. If your friends, parents, siblings, or other loved ones live nearby, set up a date to hang out with one another. Go on an outing together. See a movie, go bowling, go swimming, or participate in a shared hobby. Not only will spending time with others make you happy, it can also prolong your life. Scientists are now comparing loneliness to the equivalent of using tobacco - it can be detrimental to both mental and physical health. Play with your pet. When your friends or family are unavailable, it can be a great distraction to spend time with another companion, your pet. Dogs and cats, in particular, are linked to reduced depression and a longer life span. Plus, if you take your dog to the park, you can get much-needed physical activity by walking a few laps or throwing a Frisbee around. Volunteer. Visit a place that needs help and give your skills and time to a worthy cause. This will not only distract you, but can also help you to realize that there are people worse off than you, animals in need of your help and an environment that you can be helping to improve. Volunteering also offers many health advantages. It can ward off loneliness and depression and make you feel more connected to your community. Research also demonstrates that people with purely altruistic reasons for volunteering (i.e. to help others rather than help themselves) live longer.

Keep a journal. Break the rumination cycle. Engage in mindful meditation. Continue mindfulness practices in all your activities. Write, draw, or paint. Cook or bake. Try a puzzle. Watch TV or a DVD or look at memes. Listen to music. Go online. . Hit the gym. Garden. Take a warm shower or bath. Call up or visit friends or family. Play with your pet. Volunteer.

https://www.wikihow.com/Mince-Meat

How to Mince Meat

To mince meat, start by cutting off any remaining connective tissue and slicing the meat into long chunks. Then, cut the strips lengthwise again to half of their current size. Next, lay the strips in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze the meat for 20-30 minutes. Once frozen, use 2 sharp knives to rapidly chop at the meat in hammer-like motions. As you chop, continually pile the meat into a circle and turn the cutting board to make sure all of the meat gets finely chopped.

Buy inexpensive cuts of meat. Choose shoulder or flank meat for minced beef, pork, or lamb. Stick with dark meat for chicken and turkey. These cuts are cheaper and have the right amount of fat for proper mince. Better cuts of meat like rib eye or chops are not usually ground up. If you are not sure exactly what to buy, ask the butcher or a person at the meat counter of your local grocery store. Trim off remaining connective tissue. When you get the meat home, check it over for any tendons, connective tissue, or cartilage that may still be on it. Use a sharp knife to cut off these portions and throw them away. When you grind up the meat, these tissues will be noticeable in the mince if you don't remove them. Leave the fat on the meat. Proper minced meat contains fat, so be sure not to cut all of it off while you are cutting the other parts. It's okay to cut some of the fat if you are aiming for a lean minced meat, but it will mince and cook better if you leave some of the fat on it. Cut the meat into chunks. Using the sharp knife, cut the meat into one to two inch (2.5 cm to 5 cm) cubes. They do not have to all be the same size, and they don't all have to be exact cubes. Use 1-2 inches and cube-shaped as a guide that can be adjusted to the specific pieces of meat you're using. Freeze the meat and the food processor for 20-30 minutes. Lay the meat chunks in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place them in the freezer to firm up. This should be at least 15 minutes and up to about 30 minutes. They should become firm but not frozen. Place the blade and bowl of the food processor in the freezer, too. Chilling the meat gives you cleaner cuts and keeps the fat from melting during the chopping process. The same concept applies to the food processor. A cold blade and bowl chop better. Place the meat into the food processor in small batches. To make sure the food processor runs well and chops the meat evenly, don't fill it excessively full. Throw a couple of handfuls of meat into the processor at a time. The size of your food processor will ultimately determine how much you can mince at one time. Pulse the food processor until the meat is chopped. If your food processor has a pulse setting, use this as opposed to a setting that runs non-stop. Pulse the meat at a speed of 6-8 for a few seconds at a time, checking the meat after 3-4 pulses. The meat should begin to form a ball around the edges. It is better to leave the meat less chopped than to over-process it. If you end up with a smeary paste, you've definitely processed it for too long. Slice the meat into long chunks. Using a sharp knife, cut the meat lengthwise into long chunks. Use either a meat cleaver or another chopping style knife. The slices should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick on all sides, so if you have a thicker cut of meat, trim it down to this size. The pieces can be as long or short as you want. Cut the meat into thinner strips. Now cut the strips lengthwise again to half of their current size. You want the strips to be thin before you start mincing the meat further. Lay the cut strips out in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Freeze the meat for 20-30 minutes. Just as you would when mincing meat with a food processor, chill the meat before you begin to cut it. You'll get cleaner cuts and better chopping with cold meat. Chill for at least 15 minutes to firm up the outer edges without freezing the meat solid. Grab two knives. For fast and efficient mincing of the meat, use two sharp knives that are meant for chopping. The sharper the knife and the bigger the blade, the easier it will be to chop the meat. If you only have one knife that is good for chopping, perform the next step with one knife. Chop the meat rapidly. With a knife in each hand, chop down onto the meat repeatedly with hammer-like motions. Scoop the meat into a pile, and turn it in a circle as you go. Continue chopping, piling, and turning the meat unto it reaches a consistency of tiny pieces. If you are mincing a lot of meat, you may want to perform this step two or more times with a portion of the meat. If you try to chop too much at once it will not work as well. Always practice safety when you are chopping meat with sharp knives. Be sure to keep both hands out of the way of the knife in the other hand.

Buy inexpensive cuts of meat. Trim off remaining connective tissue. Leave the fat on the meat. Cut the meat into chunks. Freeze the meat and the food processor for 20-30 minutes. Place the meat into the food processor in small batches. Pulse the food processor until the meat is chopped. Slice the meat into long chunks. Cut the meat into thinner strips. Freeze the meat for 20-30 minutes. Grab two knives. Chop the meat rapidly.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Water-Break

How to Make Your Water Break

Before you get your water to break, talk to your obstetrician or midwife to make sure you're healthy and ready to induce labor. Once they approve it, try going for an easy, 30-minute walk, which can cause your water to break. Besides walking, you can try other exercises like lunges, deep squats, and climbing stairs to make your water break. Just be sure to go slow so you avoid doing anything too strenuous. If you feel like it, you can also try having sex at least once a day to break your water. Additionally, you can massage your nipples for a few minutes each day, since this releases a labor-inducing chemical in your body.

See your obstetrician or midwife. Before attempting any type of technique to break your water , speak with your doctor or other medical professional. They can let you know if you are healthy enough to try techniques such as having sex. Not consulting your doctor could lead to rapid start of labor, which can cause complications. Ask your doctor if lifestyle methods or medical techniques are best for your pregnancy. Avoid trying to break your water or induce labor before 39 weeks of pregnancy. Go for a walk. Walking may get your water to break and induce labor. Go for an easy walk of no more than 30 minutes at a time to stimulate the baby to move, which may make your water break. Remember not to strain or stress yourself when walking, even if you are excited to get labor started. Wear supportive shoes to cushion your feet and legs from unnecessary strain. Stick to flat surfaces if you can. Do other exercises. Although not proven, other forms of exercise may also help break your water. Try another type of low impact cardio to make your water break. Some examples include: Five minutes of deep squats Sitting on a yoga ball and gently rolling the pelvis in circles Lunges Walking stairs Sitting upright and butterflying your legs Have sex. Although you may not feel like having sex at 39 or 40 weeks, it may be the best way to induce labor and break your water. In fact, labor is common within one week of having sex. If you are comfortable enough, have sex at least once a day, which may make your water break. Consider deeply penetrating positions such as cowgirl or from behind. These may better stimulate your cervix and get the prostaglandins from sperm to induce labor. Avoid having sex once your water is broken. This can introduce harmful bacteria into the birth canal. Massage your nipples. If you're hoping to start or already are in labor, use nipple stimulation to further progress your labor. Rub your nipples and areola between your forefinger and thumb, which mimics the how a baby nurses. Ask your partner for help if that is more comfortable for you. This can also make your water break because it release oxytocin, which causes your uterus to contract. Recognize that it may require significant nipple stimulation to start labor. Eat foods that promote labor. Although there is little medical evidence for them, some foods may help break your water and induce labor. Try eating spicy foods such a hot peppers or curries and pineapple if you want to get your labor started. Some other foods that may make your water break include: Eggplant Balsamic vinegar Licorice Basil Oregano Consider castor oil. Some women find that taking castor oil can induce labor and make their water break. Talk to your doctor about dosing if you want to try castor oil. Take the castor oil in the morning, as it can cause diarrhea. This also allows you to monitor your symptoms and stay hydrated. Use herbal supplements with care. Some people may suggest blue cohosh, raspberry tea, or other herbs to get your water to break. There is little evidence these work, and they may also come with unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea. Ask your doctor if these are safe for you and use with caution. Take 3-4 500mg capsules of evening primrose oil if you are at 38 weeks or beyond Make raspberry leaf tea and drink it as you like. This can organize contractions that may help your water break. Contact your doctor or midwife. Never try and break your water on your own. If you've tried lifestyle techniques, speak to your doctor or midwife about medically breaking your water. Recognize this can come with risks to you and your baby and professionals may only agree to do this in the following cases: You're almost two weeks beyond your due date You have a uterine infection Your baby has stopped growing at the expected pace There isn't enough amniotic fluid, also called Oligohydramnios. You have placental abruption where the placenta peels away from the inner wall of the uterus You have high blood pressure or diabetes Have membrane stripping or sweeping. Your doctor may suggest membrane stripping, or sweeping, if you're near or past your due date and there isn't a pressing medical reason to induce your labor. This is a simple in-office medical procedure where the doctor separating your amniotic sac from your uterine walls with their finger. This can also massage or stretch your cervix during this procedure to further promote your water breaking. Recognize that membrane stripping can be uncomfortable and cause lingering cramps. It is also not as effective as other induction techniques. Avoid attempting this at home. Only a trained medical doctor should perform membrane stripping using sterile tools and techniques. Undergo an amniotomy. If you're overdue, your cervix is dilated and thinned, or your labor slows once the baby has moved down your pelvis, your doctor or midwife may perform an amniotomy. This procedure is the artificial breaking of the amniotic sac, or water with a special tool. An amniotomy may cause discomfort. Undergoing this procedure will break your water. It may also get your labor going. Allow your doctor to check you and your baby after the amniotomy to ensure the stress of the procedure hasn't affected you. Recognize this procedure comes with risks including infection, uterine rupture, and increased risk of cesarean birth.

See your obstetrician or midwife. Go for a walk. Do other exercises. Have sex. Massage your nipples. Eat foods that promote labor. Consider castor oil. Use herbal supplements with care. Contact your doctor or midwife. Have membrane stripping or sweeping. Undergo an amniotomy.

https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Metal-Roofing

How to Install Metal Roofing

Before you install metal roofing, repair any damage to the wood under the shingles. Then, cover the entire roof with a layer of insulation, and secure it with a staple gun. Next, use 1 ¼ inch nails to secure some metal edging to the perimeter of the roof. Once you've done that, add your metal roofing panels, beginning at the longest peak to eave point. Finally, continue installing panels, securing them to the sheathing with screws and making sure they overlap at least an inch.

Measure the length, width, and rise of one section your roof. Before you can begin to update your roof, you will have to get an accurate measurement and order your materials. First, measure the length and width of one section of the roof, then measure the distance the roof rises from the lowest point to the highest point. Always try to measure from the ground first in order to keep yourself safe. If you must climb onto the roof to measure the space, be sure to use caution. Calculate the slope factor of your roof. The slope is given as rise-over-run, meaning the distance up (rise) divided by the distance across (run). This measurement will typically be a measurement across 12 inches (30.5 cm) and be something like 4/12 or 8/12. Convert this to the equivalent slope factor using the formula √(rise + run ) ÷ run. First square the rise by multiplying it by itself, then square the run by multiplying it by itself and add the results. Next, take the square root of that total and divide by the run to arrive at the slope factor. Use the slope factor to determine the area of the section. Take your area measurement (length x width) and multiply this by the slope factor. This means the slope factor form is: length x width x slope factor. This will give you the number of square feet that need to be covered. For example, if your roof measures 10 feet (3.0 m) x 10 feet (3.0 m) and the slope of the roof is 12/12 (giving a slope factor of √(12x12 + 12x12)÷12 converts to 1.414 in decimal form), you would multiply 10 x 10 x 1.414 to get the total of 141 square feet of roofing. Find the square footage by adding up the total for each section. Repeat the process on each section of the roof. Then, add each number together to find out how much metal roofing you need to order. Purchase extra roofing to allow for a minimum of 10% waste. Get your materials. You will most likely have to order the roofing metal in the amount and color specific to your house. You will also need a large garbage can, a jigsaw or power metal shear, a staple gun, a drill, and assorted drill bits, 1¼ inch roofing nails, metal roofing screws, and self-drilling, self-sealing wood screws. Prepare a work site. In order to make your installation as easy as possible, it is important to have a well-organized work area. You will need a large bin for trash (old roofing and debris), a place for tools, and your scaffolding or ladder set up. Make sure that if you are using electric tools that none of the cords are in the way. Store the material in a readily accessible area, protected from the weather. The panels are weather-proof but staining can occur if left open to moisture Remove the old roofing. Although you can install corrugated metal roofing over shingles, for the best foundation, it is recommended that all the old roofing be removed. Work at a comfortable, steady pace, trying not to rip up or carry off too much old roofing at once. Start at the highest point and the furthest point from the trash container and take off all the old shingles, flashing, vents, and boots. Replace all these with the new metal roofing. If you come across any large nails that are sticking out, either remove them and put them in your debris container or hammer them flush so that they aren't a danger to anyone working. If you need to reposition your gutters, do so at this point. Always remove the old roofing on a day (or set of days) when the weather is expected to be dry and sunny, as you don't want to let any rain or moisture into your building. Repair any damage. With the old materials removed, the bare bones of the roof frame or plywood sheathing will be exposed. If there is any damage to the sheathing (the wood under the shingles), insulation, or ventilation, fix it now. Add your insulation layer. This helps to block moisture from getting trapped between the metal roof and the sheathing. Use roofing felt to cover the entirety of the roof and secure it with a staple gun or nails, then cover it with a breathable membrane. Install the edging. The edging, or eave flashing, consists of metal strips that are used to cover the perimeter of the roof. Use your 1 ⁄ 4  in (3.2 cm) nails to secure the flashing to the subroof. It should overlap the edge of the gutter (if you have them). Add the metal panels. Always begin working at the point with the longest peak-to-eave distance. Take your first sheet of metal and place it on the roof so that it overhangs the edge at least ⁄ 4  in (1.9 cm). Take care the first piece is aligned precisely perpendicular (square) to the edge. Use your neoprene washer head screws to secure the metal to the sheathing. Space the screws about 12 in (30 cm) apart down the entire piece of metal. Make sure that the screws are all aligned evenly, as you will be able to see them from the ground if they are exposed-fastener metal plates. For exposed fasteners, avoid over-tightening the fastener. Each fastener has a durable rubber grommet that seals the roof from the weather. Tighten the fastener just enough to seal the site. If you over-tighten and the grommet is displaced, remove and replace. Continue installing the metal panels, making sure that the edges overlap at least 1 in (2.5 cm), or as required, with the adjacent panel. Do this until the entire roof is covered. If you feel the need for sealants, lay a bead of 100% silicone or adhesive silicone before laying the sheet down and make sure the bead is towards the edge of the bottom sheet. This will allow the silicone to squeeze out towards the edges, making it a more tight seal. Add the flashing. This is the metal trim similar to the eave flashing, except that it is placed over joints in the roof where different sections meet. This should be used in valleys (points where 2 sections less than 140 degrees meet) and as end caps over the tops of 2 sides that meet. Be sure to cut this metal at the correct angle before installing it. The flashing can be bent into a 'V' shape to fit over the top of a section (ridge) of a roof, if necessary. Depending on how wide the flashing you're using is, you will either have to use 1 or 2 rows of screws. Finish your roof. Make sure that you've completely covered the entire roof with the metal, that all edges are smooth and finished, and that there are no loose pieces. Clean up all remaining metal, nails, and screws and enjoy your new roof!.

Measure the length, width, and rise of one section your roof. Calculate the slope factor of your roof. Use the slope factor to determine the area of the section. Find the square footage by adding up the total for each section. Get your materials. Prepare a work site. Remove the old roofing. Repair any damage. Add your insulation layer. Install the edging. Add the metal panels. Add the flashing. Finish your roof.

https://www.wikihow.health/Control-Cravings

How to Control Cravings

To control cravings, start by identifying any specific triggers that might be causing them, like feeling hungry, tired, lonely, or stressed. That way, you can take measures to avoid those triggers whenever possible. Then, when you feel a craving coming on, do something stimulating and enjoyable to take your mind off of it. For example, plan to walk your dog or visit a friend in the evenings after dinner to avoid thinking about dessert. Keeping your hands busy with a hobby, like crocheting or writing, can also help distract your brain when cravings kick in!

Distract yourself from your craving. Help to take your mind off of your craving by putting your attention into something else you enjoy. Your brain will be satisfied that you are doing something stimulating, and focus less on the need to fulfill your craving. How you distract yourself will vary from person to person, so choose something you enjoy. For example, instead of having dessert after dinner, go for a walk. If you have a dog, it's a great time to take it for its evening walk. You can even make a date with your friend or significant other to go for a walk together. If you'd rather just relax, you can grab an interesting book and distract yourself from your cravings. Keeping your hands busy can distract you from your cravings, so try an activity like typing, painting, or crocheting. Any activity that keeps you active can be a great distraction. Identify your triggers. A trigger is anything that reminds you of your craving. Keep in mind that positive emotions can also be triggers. While the trigger itself doesn't have to be anything negative, experiencing it will encourage your cravings. If you know your triggers, you can avoid them, thus reducing your cravings. There are many types of triggers ranging from emotions or memories to items or events. Stress Parties and holidays Social situations Childhood memories Smell, especially of your favorite foods Take measures to avoid your triggers. Make a plan for how you will avoid the common things that trigger your cravings. Plan ahead every day and stick to your plan. This will create a good habit of actively controlling your cravings before they are a problem. For example, if you know that you are hungry at the end of your workday, plan ahead and pack a healthy snack for the drive home. This will help to prevent you from stopping at a convenience store to buy something that you are craving, such as a candy bar. If you are tempted by fast food, plan to drive a different route to avoid being triggered by your favorite restaurants. Create a grocery list. Making a grocery list before going to the grocery store will help minimize the amount of junk that you impulsively buy. When you are buying from a list, it is easier to stay focused on the healthy foods that you came for. Keep your goals in mind when making your list and leave your cravings off of the list. If they are hard to get (as in they aren't lying around your home), you will have an easier time keeping a handle on your cravings. You should also avoid the grocery store when hungry, and use the “candy-free lane” if that is an option at your local grocery store. Cheat your cravings. Try to combine some of your cravings with a healthy alternative to create a new treat. By allowing yourself a treat, you may be less likely to give in to your original, less healthy cravings. Be creative with combinations of healthy habits that minimize help you reduce your cravings for unhealthy things. For example, if you crave potato chips, replace it with something crunchy or salty like carrots or peanuts. Likewise, if you crave a soda, try replacing it with carbonated water. If that isn't sweet enough, mix it with 4 oz (118 milliliters) juice. If you crave sweets, you could dip fresh fruit into melted dark chocolate instead of having a candy bar. Some people prefer a crunchier, saltier snack. In this case, replace chips and dip with pretzels and hummus. Recognize the problem. You cannot gain control over something that you do not truly believe exists. Whether you have a small problem controlling minor cravings or have a large scale addiction, recognizing the problem is the first step to gain control. Some signs that your cravings may actually be a problem are: You feel guilty after indulging your craving. Your mood and self-esteem are affected by your cravings. Attempting to stop what you are craving causes anxiety, irritability, or physical withdrawal. If your cravings interfere with work or family life you may be dealing with an addiction. Commit to a new way of life. Before creating a concrete plan to control your cravings you must commit to changing your lifestyle. If you are not committed, you will not follow through with your plan. You may have to make some serious changes in your life, such as dealing with stress in a different way or re-evaluating your social situations. Think about how you will avoid your cravings. For example, if you crave donuts, plan how you will handle days when someone brings donuts for everyone. If you and your friends normally meet at the ice cream shop, suggest meeting them at a fitness class instead. Follow through with your plan. Once you have developed a plan to conquer your cravings, stick to it. If you find yourself slipping, remind yourself of your goals. Remember that conquering your cravings is not an all or none situation. You can still enjoy your favorite foods in moderation. For example, you may want to avoid eating ice cream every night, but you can still enjoy a scoop with your friends on the weekend. If you indulge more than you'd planned, know that it's normal to overdo it sometimes. Instead of beating yourself up about it, return to your plan and remind yourself of times you've been successful. Log your cravings. Before you can control your cravings you must first understand what cravings you are having and when those cravings occur. When you track your cravings, you will be able to identify exactly when, where, and how you should try to combat them. You should note several things in your craving log. When did the craving occur? What did you do to fulfill your craving? For example, did you eat a particular food? How much did you consume? Was it as much as you usually eat? If you resisted your craving, what helped you be successful? For example, did you distract yourself or use a replacement? How did you feel afterwards? Learn the science behind cravings. A craving occurs when your brain chemicals are imbalanced. When you fulfill that craving, “feel good” chemicals are released. Your brain receives this positive feeling and associates it with your craving. Start reading reputable books or articles about the neurochemistry of cravings and addiction to gain deeper insight into why your desires are so strong. Be aware of risk factors for cravings. Some of these risk factors include being hungry, tired, lonely, or angry. These risks cannot be prevented in all situations but should be avoided as often as possible. Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally will help you have the willpower to resist your cravings. For example, if you don't get a good night's sleep, pack a few low calorie, nutritious snacks like fruit, nuts, and string cheese to help you combat cravings due to tiredness.

Distract yourself from your craving. Identify your triggers. Take measures to avoid your triggers. Create a grocery list. Cheat your cravings. Recognize the problem. Commit to a new way of life. Follow through with your plan. Log your cravings. Learn the science behind cravings. Be aware of risk factors for cravings.

https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Weeds

How to Identify Weeds

To identify weeds, look for any plant growing where it shouldn't be, like a garden, flower bed, or cropland. Weeds can vary a lot in their appearance and can have leaves, flowers, or seeds. You can find grassy weeds, leafy weeds, and woody weeds, depending on the area. If you encounter a plant that shouldn't be there, it's probably a weed. However, if you're unsure, look up common weeds and compare the images with your own plants.

Understand the characteristics of a grass and grass-like plant. All grasses and grass-like plants in the family Graminaceae (or Poaceae ) are easily identified by their long, narrow leaves with parallel veins. As they mature they form a "stem"--which is not a true stem like with woody- and broad-leaf species of angiosperms and gymnosperms--or a culm that ends with an inflorescence or seed-head with multiple small, green, inconspicuous flowers. Grasses and grass-like plants belong in a large group called Monocotyledons. Besides those in the Gramineae family, there are many other plants that resemble a grass, because of the leaf structure. The differences begin with flowering characteristics. Orchids, irises, lilies, cattails, bur-reeds, and arrow-grasses are such monocots, the first three have showy, non-petal-like flower parts, and the latter are tightly condensed flowers without the typical lemmas, glumes, and florets that form a spikelet, or even the perigynium, typical of sedges and most rushes. Find or locate a weed that would likely be a grass or grass-like weed. Using the basic identifying characteristics described in the above step, find a plant in your garden or flower bed that obviously shouldn't be growing in there and looks suspiciously like a grass. Examine the plant. Grasses have several parts: Leaves or blades, stems, collars, and inflorescences. Below ground, they often have fibrous, spreading roots. Many weed grasses are able to spread with production of tillers from the "mother plant" which sends out multiple spreading rhizomes. Quackgrass is especially notorious for this. There are also bunchgrass grasses, but these are not the kinds of grasses likely to become weeds due to their inability to spread out quickly like with rhizomatous, sod-forming grasses such as Quackgrass and Kentucky Bluegrass. Leaves and stems (culms) : Grasses in their vegetative stage will be mainly leaves, with no visible stem. The true stem of grasses is only 1 to 2 millimeters long, and at the very base of the plant. This is also where the main growth point or apical meristem is located, and where the plant's leaves and inflorescence originate from. Most species' leaves emerge rolled, and they all emerge from the base of the plant, one leaf blade at a time. Leaves of grasses are long, slender, and narrow with parallel veins. Tips of leaves vary from boat-shaped tips (typical of Poa species like Kentucky Bluegrass), to sharply pointed. Leaves themselves range in characteristics including parallel sided, needle-like, twisting, tapered, or constricted at the base. Leaves can also be stiff, lax, flat, rolled, or even folded. They may have a waxy coating, or glossy on either sides. You'll need to pay attention to all potential characteristics that a leaf blade may or may not have, including length and width. Most culms or stems of grasses are rounded, though several species can also be elliptical or flat. While the crown is the inflorescence, the entire culm is hollow except where leaves join the culm, forming the. the collar. The collar, aside from the blade consists of the node, sheath, auricles, and ligule. The collar is the best way to identify a grass plant if an inflorescence has not emerged. While the node is the point where the next leaf begins, the culm of the grass elongates as the plant pushes up the seed head from inside the hollow culm, and the space between each leaf blade lengthens as the plant reaches maturity. Inflorescence :The inflorescence that eventually emerges up through the culm and which forms the last section of the entire plant, hence the "crown," is essentially a grouping of several floret units called spikelets. Each spikelet is arranged on a main axis that may be stalked or stalkless. The stalked spikelets may be branched or not branched. Thus, grass inflorescences come in three different arrangements: spikes, racemes or panicles, respectively. Spikelets : Each spikelet has two glumes, which are simply flowerless bracts below or subtending the spikelet, and may be larger, smaller, or equal to the length of the bottom-most florets. A spikelet may have as few as one floret or as many as seven or eight in some species. Some spikelets may have one or more awns (a long appendage sticking out from a floret), and "callus hairs" at the base inside the glumes. Flowering spikelets have anthers exposed out to the wind and insects to disperse pollen, and these tiny anthers are often yellow in colour. Once flowering has finished, seeds form in the spikelet, not in a pod or fruit like with many broad-leaved weeds shown below. Sedges are also common weeds found in lawns and gardens and in various conditions, from very wet to dry areas. They are not part of the Gramineae family, but they share many attributes with grasses. Some sedge weeds are rare in some areas compared with others, for instance sedge weeds are much more common in Florida, USA than in Alberta, Canada. That said, there are far more species of grass weeds than sedge weeds in all of North America , which may explain their rarity in many locations. Sedges can be identified by feeling for a three-sided or triangular stem--often thick forming from a basal, fibrous and often rhizomatous root stem. All sedges have an erect, three-sided stem with aerial inflorescences at the top and basal leaves remaining at the base. Examine the grass-like weed. Using the information provided above as well as that from an accompanying weed or plant identification book, look at the various anatomical features of the plant to help you determine the name of that particular plant. Note that not all grasses nor grass-like species can be identified using the presence of inflorescences or seed-heads. Many grass weeds that should be eliminated from the garden or flower bed as early as possible are still in their vegetative stage, and an ID on them cannot wait until they finally flower. This is especially true in the spring when weeds tend to be most prolific and are in greatest competition with newly planted garden plants or germinating seedlings. For cases like these, it's highly recommended to look at the features of the collar region of the plant. As mentioned above, look for the ligule, auricles, and the shape characteristic of the sheath. (For definitions of some of the terms used here, please refer to the Terminology section below.) Make an identification guess on the species or common name of the plant. Most who are new to identifying plants feel most comfortable referring to the common name of a plant, and choose to learn the species' scientific, Latin or Greek taxonomic names later. However please note that it's very common for a single plant to have more than one common name, depending on location and the language of those referring to a particular plant, so use of common names exclusively in identifying any plant, weed or not, is discouraged especially in the world's scientific community. This is because many plants have one taxonomic name, and that one taxonomic name is often the name that is easily recognized in all languages in by many people in all regions. Understand the characteristics of broad-leaved plants. Several key features to remember when identifying these herbaceous plants: Leaves are often broad (similar length and width measurements), with veins often netted or angularly perpendicular to the main axis. Stem characteristics vary, though many are branching, erect, singular with branching to flowers, or horizontal and spreading from a crown or rosette. Plants also spread via stolons or rhizomes. Flowers are distinct because they are often colourful, however size in comparison to the rest of the plant is variable. Seeds are found in a pod or encapsulated in a fleshy fruit. Interestingly, most broad-leaved weeds have their growth points at the top or tip of the plant, not at the bottom. They also have true, full stems that branch out to leaves and flowers. Stems may be erect or spreading. Unlike grasses above, broad-leaved plants, otherwise known as forbs , do not fall into one single taxonomic family, but rather many families. You may recognize a few family names such as Asteraceae (family that contains daisies, thistles, dandelions and sunflowers), and Geraniaceae (well known for geraniums), just to name a couple. Because most garden plants are forbs (few are shrubs or woody plants, mentioned below, and even fewer are ornamental grasses and sedges, mentioned above), knowing the characteristics of a weed that sets it apart from other ornamental forbs is important even in the seedling stages. As mentioned in grasses, weeds are often highly prolific and equally competitive at that time with germinating and/or newly planted garden plants, and if left unchecked can take over a entire cultivated area. It's highly recommended to know the characteristics of a forb weed before they produce flowers because elimination of such weeds shouldn't wait until they are big enough to produce flowers. Although it's hard to pick weeds when they're just germinating--first putting out their cotyledons, and not yet their first leaves--it's good to know what a weed is even when it has just began to get into their second- to fourth-leaf stage so that it can be removed. All forbs and broad-leaved weeds are dicotyledons. This means that the when these plants first emerge from a seed, they send up two primary embryonic leaves or cotyledons (also called "seed leaves"), unlike the monocotyledonous grass and grass-like species above. Trees, shrubs, and other woody plants are also dicotyledons, as are all garden or cultivated forb species grown for aesthetics, food, fibre, feed, and medicine. Find or locate a weed that would likely be a forb. Using the basic identifying characteristics described in the step above, find a plant in your garden or flower bed that obviously shouldn't be growing in there and you suspect may be a broad-leaved weed of some kind. Examine the plant. Forbs have several parts observed above ground: Leaves, stems, flowers, and growth form. Below ground, most forbs will have either a tap root, or fibrous roots similar to grasses. Forbs can propagate from a large seed bank of tiny seeds deposited the year before, or from rhizomes spreading out from the parent plant creating daughter plants via asexual reproduction. For example, White Dutch Clover plants will propagate through both methods. Leaves and stems : The diversity in leaf type and structure is more complex than most people think. Leaves come in a wide variety of structural differences, and it's these differences that can make it relatively easy for someone with enough experience with plant ID to correctly identify a broad-leafed plant just by looking at a single leaf, or a set of composite leaves. There are structural differences between leaves of various species of forb weeds. The most common structural differences many people look for are leaf shapes, leaf attachment and leaf arrangement. Leaf shapes come in two primary types, simple and composite. Simple leaves come in fifteen primary shapes: Linear, lanceolate, oblanceolate, oblong, elliptical, oval, ovate, obovate, spatulate, cuneate (wedge-shaped), deltoid (triangular), cordate (heart-shaped), reniform (kidney-shaped), orbicular (circular), and peltate (shield-shaped). Simple leaves are just one leaf attached to a petiole or "stem" which attaches to a branch or along the true stem of the entire plant. Composite leaves come in eleven main types: Pinnately lobed, pinnately divided, palmately lobed, palmately divided, palmately much divided, odd pinnate, even pinnate, interruptedly pinnate, compound pinnate, compound pinnate, trifoliate, and digitate. Composite leaves are a set of many leaves called leaflets, or a simple leaf that is shallowly or deeply indented, as with the first five types. Pinnate is a shape reference to that of a bird's feather. Palmate is a shape reference to a human hand. Leaf attachment to the stem : Leaves attach to the main stem in several manners. They can be as following: Clasping (base of the leaf almost surrounds the stem); Decurrent (clasping but the leaf base extending down along the stem) Ocreate (sheathing stipules [stipules being a "minor" leaf form at the junction between the stem and the petiole); Perfoliate (leaf with margins entirely surrounding the stem so that the leaf appears to be joined and surrounding the stem); Petiolate or petioled (has petiole or leaf stalk); and Sessile (directly attached to the stem without supporting stalk). Leaf arrangement : The most popular arrangement that everyone would and should know about is alternate and opposite arrangements. Others exist though, including basal (arising from the base), cauline (leaves that arise from the stem above ground level), decussate (similar to opposite except leaves are on the stem in pairs with each pair at right angles to the pair above or below), rosette (dense radiating cluster at or near ground level), or whorled (parts arranged in whorls, or rather a leaf arrangement with three or more leaves coming from a single node). Flowers : As diverse in structural differences as leaves, flowers of weedy forbs vary from a single, tiny bloom to a large head that contains many flowers or florets. Flower symmetry is of somewhat importance, but majority of weed flowers are noted as "regular" or, radially symmetrical (all parts are similar in size and arrangement on the receptacle [for definition of "receptacle" see below]). Irregular flowers are only bilaterally symmetrical. Other important things to know of flowers are flower parts, insertion of floral structures, some important perianth parts, and some perianth types. There are many other structures that are more advanced for botanists to know and use to identify a plant by its flower structure, but these are too complex to mention here. Flower parts : There are some important floral parts to know before we get to the other bullets below. Flower parts include more than just petals and stamens, there are numerous other more scientific terms that may come in handy to know when trying to identify a weed. The perianth , mentioned above and below, is the collective parts of the flower, especially the calyx and corolla when they are similar in appearance. The calyx is the outer perianth whorl, or the collective term for all the sepals of a flower. A corolla is the collective name for all the petals of a flower, or the inner perianth whorl. Most people would understand that a petal is an individual segment or member of the corolla which is usually coloured or white. A sepal , on the other hand, is the segment of the calyx, and is the green "leaves" of the flower that reside underneath the petals. The pedicel is the stalk of a single flower in an inflorescence (remember inflorescence is a term referring to the flowering part of a plant, be it a flowering cluster, or the arrangement of flowers on a flowering axis). A peduncle is the stalk of a solitary flower or flower cluster arranged on an axis. The receptacle of a flower is the portion of the pedicel which the flower parts are born or, as in the flowers of Asteraceae , it's the part of the peduncle where the flowers of the head are born (a "flower" of a dandelion, for instance, is actually made up of many tiny flowers). The receptacle is also known as a torus (plural: tori). Finally, as we all know, the pistil is the female reproductive organ of the flower consisting of a stigma, a style and and ovary, and the male reproductive organs are the stamens which consist of an anther and a filament. The collective term for all female reproductive organs of a flower is called gynoecium , and androecium is a collective term for all male parts of a flower. Insertion of floral structures : The whole structure of a flower actually differs with regard how the reproductive parts of a flower are attached to the ovary. Botanists have identified three types: Epigynous , is a term used to describe a flower's stamens, petals and sepals attached to the top of the ovary, with the ovary inferior (or below) to the other floral parts. Hypogynous means that the ovary is superior to other floral parts (above where the sepals are, generally), and the stamens, petals and sepals are all attached below the ovary. Perigynous is a little more tricky because it refers to the stamens, petals and sepals attached to a calyx tube (also called a hypanthium ) which surrounds but is not actually attached to the superior ovary. You can only find out of a flower is of the very latter by dissecting it under a strong magnifying glass or a dissecting microscope, especially with small flowers. Perianth parts : Different flowers of different species have different parts, and some parts may have more than one name. Pea flowers, for instance are made up of the banner, the ala, and the keel. The banner is the upper and largest (usually) petal of the pea-type flower, and may also be called the vexillum. The ala (pl. alae) is one or two lateral petals of the pea-type flower (also called the "wing"), and the keel is the lower two united petals of that same flower. Of a petal itself, there is the blade (broad portion) and the claw (narrowed base of some petals and sepals). In flowers of the Asteraceae family, each floral head is made up of several ray or disk flowers which have a ligule (the flattened part of the ray corolla, not quite like the ligule of grasses above), pappus (modified calyx consisting of awns, scales or bristles at the base of the "achene" [tiny seed of the dandelion, for instance]) or squama (pl. squamae; scales of some pappus types). Perianth or flower types : When you get to looking at the flower itself, you'll find there are many different types. The photo below (still to come as of 10/11/16) shows you some of the common types of types you'll discover with broad-leaf weeds. Growth forms : Not all weedy forbs are going to be up-right flowers that children often draw when they think of a plant, or even a weed! Growth forms of broad-leaved weeds do include erect, but also refer to those that grow along the ground or are creeping. Lax forms are also common. Make an identification guess on the species or common name of the plant. Most who are new to identifying plants feel most comfortable referring to the common name of a plant, and choose to learn the species' scientific, Latin or Greek taxonomic names later. However please note that it's very common for a single plant to have more than one common name, depending on location and the language of those referring to a particular plant, so use of common names exclusively in identifying any plant, weed or not, is discouraged especially in the world's scientific community. This is because many plants have one taxonomic name (though arguably many plants do have several "synonymic" scientific names), and that one taxonomic name is often the name that is easily recognized in all languages in by many people in all regions. Understand the characteristics of woody plants. Woody plants share very similar attributes and growth characteristics with forbs above, and many forbs actually share the same families as woody plants. For instance, caragana mentioned below is in the same family as the clover species and black medic mentioned above, which is Fabaceae , or the Legume (Peas and Beans) Family. The only thing that sets woody plants apart from their herbaceous counterparts is that the stems are not annual (grow up from seed or root growth points every year) like forbs are. The stems also form secondary tissues, primarily xylem, on the interior of the stem, and its these xylem cells, with their very strong and rigid structures, are what make up what we know as "wood." In trees and shrubs subject to seasonal changes, rings develop in the woody tissues in response to growth patterns that occur in the spring and summer. Tropical trees, however, do not form rings because the cambrium (tissue that can grow due to cell division, and makes up xylem [inside layer] and phloem [outside layer], of a plant stem) experiences active growth all year round. Flower and leaf characteristics mentioned above also apply to woody plants, exceptions are those gymnosperms , largely as coniferous plants like spruce and pine trees. Find or locate a weed that would likely be a woody plant. Using the basic identifying characteristics described in the step above, find a plant in your garden or flower bed that obviously shouldn't be growing in there and you suspect may be a woody weed of some kind. Examine the plant. Woody plants are characterized by structure of the leaves, flowers, seeds or fruit, stems, and growth form. Make an identification guess on the species or common name of the plant. Most who are new to identifying plants feel most comfortable referring to the common name of a plant, and choose to learn the species' scientific, Latin or Greek taxonomic names later. However please note that it's very common for a single plant to have more than one common name, depending on location and the language of those referring to a particular plant, so use of common names exclusively in identifying any plant, weed or not, is discouraged especially in the world's scientific community. This is because many plants have one taxonomic name, and that one taxonomic name is often the name that is easily recognized in all languages in by many people in all regions.

Understand the characteristics of a grass and grass-like plant. Find or locate a weed that would likely be a grass or grass-like weed. Examine the plant. Examine the grass-like weed. Make an identification guess on the species or common name of the plant. Understand the characteristics of broad-leaved plants. Find or locate a weed that would likely be a forb. Examine the plant. Make an identification guess on the species or common name of the plant. Understand the characteristics of woody plants. Find or locate a weed that would likely be a woody plant. Examine the plant. Make an identification guess on the species or common name of the plant.

https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Someone

How to Avoid Someone

If you want to avoid someone, it's best if you can calmly tell the person that you don't want to be around them anymore. Don't call or text the person, and avoid going places where you know that person is going to be. For example, if you know that they eat lunch at a certain spot a few times a week, try not to go there during lunch time. If you do find yourself around them, just try to ignore them as much as possible until you can get away.

Evaluate how necessary it is to remove someone from your life. Are they only a minor annoyance? If you don't feel like your interactions with this person are greatly affecting your quality of life, then maybe you can take a less dramatic route. If someone is annoying and you don't want to hang out with them anymore you can just stop answering their calls and talking to them as much. Don't hang out in the same places or talk to them and pretty soon they will get the hint. Tell them you don’t want to interact with them anymore. This is an incredibly difficult conversation to have and it is inherently hurtful. Try to be as calm about the situation as you can be. Don't blame the person or get angry, just try to be firm in your decision. Tell them your reason and then leave. Don't let yourself get drawn into a long discussion - if you are making this decision you should be completely sure before you say anything. You have the right to tell someone you don't want to be around them anymore, but don't expect them to take it well. This is obviously very difficult for a lot of people. However, if you decide it's really important that you don't speak to this person anymore it's more respectful to tell them in person rather than let the relationship fade out. For example, tell them that you don't think your friendship or relationship is a good fit anymore, and that you would like some space. Tell them that you hope you can be friends down the line, but for now you don't want to talk to them anymore. Cut off lines of communication. Do not continue to text the person or call them or sit next to them. Once you have made it clear you don't want to spend time with that person you must follow through on your statement. If you are wishy-washy you will confuse the person and make the process much more difficult. Once again, try to avoid being rude and hateful to the person. Consider a court order. If the person is a real threat to you or the people around you it might be a good idea to consider a restraining order. This is an order that you can get from a court to legally restrict the person from coming near you. This is obviously a very extreme step to take. Only pursue this option if you feel truly threatened and unsafe. The first step is to file a claim at a local courthouse and review your claim with a judge. They will help you from there. Avoid places where this person is most likely to be. Where do they hang out? Where do they live? What areas are they most likely to be in? If they are at your school, where do they hang out at breaks? The more you know about the person's whereabouts, the better you can stay away from them. Switch up your routine slightly. You shouldn't change your whole life, but if you're avoiding someone it is probably a tense period of time for both of you. If they always go to the same coffee shop as you, maybe you should check out another coffee shop for a few weeks. Don't dramatically alter your life, but it might be a good idea to switch up your routine to see less of this person. Ignore the person. Do not make eye contact with this person. This might make them want to come over and talk to you. If you pass the person on the street it's perfectly reasonable to act like you haven't seen them. If you are obviously walking directly past each other, just nod your head at them and keep moving. You don't need to pretend the other person doesn't exist, but don't invite any further interaction. Avoid situations where you will be alone with this person. If this person is your coworker or peer you may be forced to spend time around them. However, you can ensure that you only are ever around them in groups. Don't stay late working at your office if they are also there. If you are at a party and they are there, stay in rooms with many other people. This will help you avoid having to deal with another confrontation or interaction with the person. Have an escape plan and stay firm. If you've already told the person you don't want to interact with them anymore and they keep trying to talk to you, think of an escape route. Try to be polite like if he/she comes and talks to you. Do not try to offend the person, but be very direct. You have the right to tell someone that you don't want to spend any time with him or her anymore. If they still won't leave you alone, make up an excuse such as, "I'm really sorry, I'm late," Don’t let this person change your life dramatically. It's not a bad idea to switch up your routine in small ways to avoid seeing this person. However, you shouldn't constantly be in fear of running into the person. Just because you have a bad relationship doesn't mean that you should totally change your life around. For example, it's not a huge deal to go to the gym an hour earlier or later if you know they will be there at a certain time. However, you shouldn't have to quit your job or drop a class at school to avoid seeing them. Feel comfortable in your surroundings. Surround yourself with the people that you do want to spend time with. This person is no longer a part of your life, so move on and don't let their presence affect you. Have a good time with your friends and be who you are. Do the things that you like to do with the people you like being around. For example, don't let your interactions with this person you want to avoid change your personality. Be the bigger person and don't be intimidated. Move on. At some point you might have to move on from whatever anger you hold toward this person. Once a certain period of time has passed they will understand that you want nothing to do with them. You should be able to have a civil conversation with the person, especially if you work with them. Don't spend any more time around them than you have to. However, once the emotions of the situation have calmed down hopefully they can become a much more minor issue in your life. Determine if this person can reenter your life. If you don't find yourself constantly worrying about the relationship anymore, it might be okay to let this person back into your life slowly. If you were in an intimate relationship with someone and then you got hurt you have to wait until the intimacy has completely faded. Once you don't feel anything for the person anymore maybe you can start interacting with them at public gatherings.

Evaluate how necessary it is to remove someone from your life. Tell them you don’t want to interact with them anymore. Cut off lines of communication. Consider a court order. Avoid places where this person is most likely to be. Switch up your routine slightly. Ignore the person. Avoid situations where you will be alone with this person. Have an escape plan and stay firm. Don’t let this person change your life dramatically. Feel comfortable in your surroundings. Move on.

https://www.wikihow.com/Attract-Eastern-Bluebirds

How to Attract Eastern Bluebirds

One of the best ways to attract eastern bluebirds is to install a high-quality nesting box on a post or tree in an open area, making sure it's about 5 to 6 feet off the ground. You can also attract bluebirds with food by putting some mealworms on a dish outside, or by planting native berry-bearing plants, like holly, pokeweed, and American elderberry, around your yard. Additionally, bluebirds eat insects and can actually provide excellent pest control, so try not to spray your plants with any pesticides.

Choose high quality nesting boxes. Providing a secure nesting location is one of the best ways to attract bluebirds to your property. Whether you purchase or build your nesting boxes, its important to make sure that they are good quality so they will last a long time. They should be constructed of rot-resistant wood, such as cedar. They should be easy to open for cleaning at the end of the season. They can be painted on the outside, but the inside should be untreated wood. The roof of the box should be water-tight, but the floor should have drainage holes. Choose the right location for nesting boxes. Bluebirds prefer nesting boxes that are five to six feet off of the ground. Ideally, your nest boxes should be on posts in wide open areas, as bluebirds often do not like nesting in wooded areas. Be aware that a bluebird will typically not nest within 100 yards of another bluebird. If you want to attract multiple bluebird families, make sure your nesting boxes are far enough apart from each other. Deter competitors from nesting in your bluebird boxes. Eastern bluebirds compete for nesting space with non-native species like house sparrows and starlings. In order to make sure you attract bluebirds, it's important to make your nesting boxes unappealing to their competitors. Do not use nesting boxes with attached perches. Make sure the opening to the nesting box is no bigger than 1-1/2 inches, which is too small for starlings. Make sure the interior nesting space is no bigger than 4 x 4 inches, which is too small for house sparrows. If you have consistent problems with other bird species inhabiting your bluebird houses, you may need more bird houses. While bluebirds do not like to nest close to one another, they often do not have a problem nesting within close proximity of other species. Install your nesting boxes in the spring. Bluebirds start nesting in the spring, so it's important to have your nesting boxes up and ready for them by then. Depending on your latitude, bluebirds may start nesting in your area anytime between February and April. Bluebirds don't always leave their northern habitats in the wintertime. In fact, many stay in the same area all year round, roosting with other bluebirds in the cold weather. If you want to encourage your bluebirds to stay on your property during the winter, leave your nest boxes up so that they have access to them all year round. Keep predators out. Just as important as attracting the bluebirds to your nesting boxes is keeping dangerous predators out. If you want your bluebird families to live long lives and come back to the nesting location again and again, it's best to provide some kind of barrier to predators. You can buy or make a Noel guard for your nesting box, which is mesh barrier that attaches to the front of the box, surrounding the entrance hole. Birds may be deterred by this device, so consider waiting until the bluebirds have laid eggs to install it. You can also mount your bird house using a wobbling baffle, which is a sleeve that fits around the pole and moves to prevent predators from climbing up. Clean your nesting boxes. To encourage bluebirds to keep coming back to your nesting boxes, you should be sure to clean them each year before nesting season. In addition, remove the nesting material and clean out the box after each brood of babies has left the nest. This will encourage the parents to have more babies! While cleaning the nesting boxes, inspect them carefully to ensure that they are still safe. Perform any repairs as needed. Provide them with plenty of open space. Bluebirds prefer to live in areas that are wide open with lots of short grass, as well as a few shrubs and trees. If possible, find a spot on your property that offers bluebirds the open space they desire. Orchards, meadows, and large lawns provide the optimal habitats for bluebirds. If you live in the woods or in the center of a city, you may have a harder time attracting bluebirds. Get a bird bath or fountain. Bluebirds need water both for drinking and for bathing, so providing a convenient sources of fresh water near the nesting area may help attract them. Moving water is preferable, although a standard bird bath may be just fine. Change the water frequently to keep it fresh. The birdbath should be no more than three inches deep, and should have gently sloping sides with a rough texture to keep the birds from slipping. Ponds attract tree swallows, so try not to put your bluebird habitat near one. A heated birdbath may provide extra incentive for bluebirds to stay on your property during the winter. Provide perches. Bluebirds like to perch up high to look for insects to feed on. To make your yard a convenient place for both nesting and foraging, make sure they have plenty of different locations to perch. If there's nowhere for bluebirds to perch in your yard, consider installing perches in various locations. These can be as simple as stake in the lawn with a horizontal piece near the top for the bird to perch on. Bluebirds will use things like trees and fence posts for perches, so you may not need to install anything new if you already have lots of existing perches. Ideally, you should provide a perch 10-20 yards in front of the nesting box. Keep cats inside. Cats are predators that may kill Eastern Bluebirds and other species of birds in your yard. If you have cats, try to keep them indoors (or at least away from your bluebirds habitat) in order to keep the space safe. Avoid pesticides. Bluebirds eat insects, so they will be more likely to inhabit your yard if there are lots of insects to eat. Make sure there is plenty of food for them by avoiding the use of chemical pesticides. Because they eat insects, bluebirds are excellent at providing pest control for organic gardeners. Plant native berry-bearing plants. In addition to insects, bluebirds also eat berries. To help give them a varied diet, try planting indigenous plants that bear berries around your property. Good examples of plants include holly, American elderberry, eastern red cedar, pokeweed, and flowering dogwood. Offer mealworms. Bluebirds absolutely love to eat mealworms. If you want to attract bluebirds, try putting some mealworms out in your yard. To get started, you can simply put a few mealworms in a dish in the area that you have prepared for bluebirds. You can also buy special bluebird feeders for feeding mealworms. This may make it much more convenient to offer mealworms to bluebirds, as other animals will have a harder time accessing them. Live mealworms are the best for attracting bluebirds, but offering these may not be practical, especially if you haven't seen any bluebirds in your yard yet. If you can't offer live mealworms, consider offering canned or roasted mealworms. These will last longer. Add fruit to the feeder. Along with mealworms, you can add some enticing fruits to your bluebird feeder to help attract the birds. If you know there are bluebirds in the area, consider putting out some berries that have been chopped into small pieces. If you need the food to stay fresh for longer, offer dried fruits like raisins, blueberries, and cherries. Bluebirds do not eat seed, so they will not be attracted by traditional bird feeders.

Choose high quality nesting boxes. Choose the right location for nesting boxes. Deter competitors from nesting in your bluebird boxes. Install your nesting boxes in the spring. Keep predators out. Clean your nesting boxes. Provide them with plenty of open space. Get a bird bath or fountain. Provide perches. Keep cats inside. Avoid pesticides. Plant native berry-bearing plants. Offer mealworms. Add fruit to the feeder.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Copper-Sulphate-in-a-Science-Lab

How to Make Copper Sulphate in a Science Lab

To make copper sulfate in a science lab, start by pouring sulfuric acid into a glass beaker and heating it until it's almost boiling. Then, carefully add small pieces of copper oxide to the hot solution, stirring the mixture lightly for 30 seconds after each addition. Keep heating the solution for 1-2 minutes or until it looks cloudy with black powder. Finally, turn off the burner and set the copper sulfate solution aside to cool.

Gather all of your supplies. Place the items together in one area. Having all of the equipment you need in one place will prevent you from having to stop in the middle of a task to look for a missing item. You will need: Copper Oxide Sulphuric Acid Eye Protection Latex Gloves Glass Beaker Conical Flask Spatula Glass Stirring Rod Evaporating Dish Bunsen Burner Tripod Filter Paper Filter Funnel Set up your work station. Place the glass beaker on top of the tripod over the Bunsen burner. Put on your eye protection. Pour the sulfuric acid into the glass beaker. Heat the solution until it is almost boiling. Add small pieces of copper oxide to the hot solution. Make sure to use the spatula to avoid burning yourself. Use the glass stirring rod to stir lightly. You do not want to stir too vigorously and splash the hot solution onto your skin. Stir for up to 30 seconds after each new addition. Continue to heat the solution after the last piece of copper oxide has been added. You want to ensure that the chemical reaction has occurred. This may take 1 to 2 minutes. The solution will look cloudy with a black powder. Turn off the Bunsen burner. You may want to use a litmus paper to make sure no acid remains in the solution. If acid does remain, fumes will appear after the solution has been filtered. Set the beaker aside. It is okay to allow the beaker to cool while you prepare for the filtration process. Insert the filter funnel into the neck of the conical flask. Fold the filter paper to fit into the funnel. Polythene filter funnels are cheaper and safer than glass funnels. The filter funnel diameter is should not be too big. Otherwise, the filtration set-up will be unstable. Check to see the beaker is safe to hold at the top. If the beaker is too hot, wait for it to cool more. The contents will remain hot, so continue to handle with care. Swirl the solution by gently moving the beaker in a circular direction. Pour the solution into the filter funnel. Wait for the solution to filter. A clear blue solution should be in the flask. If it is still cloudy with black powder, repeat the filtration process until clear. Rinse the beaker. You will be using the beaker to house the growing crystals. You do not want to contaminate your filtered solution. Pour the clear blue solution into the beaker. Be careful while doing so. The solution may still be hot enough to burn you. Leave the beaker in a warm place where it will not be disturbed for a week or more. As the water evaporates, you will see the crystals beginning to form. This evaporative crystallization method may take a few weeks depending on how warm the area where the beaker is being stored is. Well-formed crystals will grow. You can also heat the solution over a Bunsen burner until one half to two thirds of the water has evaporated. Allow the solution to cool. This cooling crystallization method will most likely result in irregularly shaped crystals.

Gather all of your supplies. Set up your work station. Pour the sulfuric acid into the glass beaker. Add small pieces of copper oxide to the hot solution. Use the glass stirring rod to stir lightly. Continue to heat the solution after the last piece of copper oxide has been added. Turn off the Bunsen burner. Set the beaker aside. Insert the filter funnel into the neck of the conical flask. Check to see the beaker is safe to hold at the top. Swirl the solution by gently moving the beaker in a circular direction. Wait for the solution to filter. Rinse the beaker. Pour the clear blue solution into the beaker. Leave the beaker in a warm place where it will not be disturbed for a week or more.

https://www.wikihow.pet/Treat-Little-White-Shaker-Syndrome-in-Maltese

How to Treat Little White Shaker Syndrome in Maltese

If you're worried that your Maltese might have little white shaker syndrome, monitor it for common symptoms, like body tremors, rapid eye movement, and walking strangely. Little white shaker syndrome can be caused by brain inflammation, so take your dog to the vet as soon as possible for treatment. Your vet may sedate your dog and take a blood sample to help diagnose it. Usually, the syndrome is treated with steroids, which reduce inflammation. Give your dog any medication as directed by your vet, even if the tremors have stopped, since they can return without proper treatment.

Observe tremors in your Maltese. Tremors are the telltale sign of little white shaker syndrome. They can start suddenly, get worse for 1 to 3 days, then remain about the same until treatment begins. Tremors that get worse with certain activities (e.g., excitement, eating) are called intention tremors. Tremors are usually generalized, meaning the whole body shakes. The tremors may be mild or so severe that your Maltese cannot walk. They may lessen when he sleeps. Look at your Maltese’s eyes. In addition to body tremors, your Maltese's eyes may be affected by little white shaker syndrome. His eyes may move rapidly from side to side ('nystagmus'). Your Maltese would not be able to control this movement. Watch your Maltese walk. Little white shaker syndrome can affect your Maltese's ability to walk normally. For example, he may have exaggerated leg movements when he walks; this is called hypermetria. In general, he may be uncoordinated when he walks, which is called ataxia. Little white shaker syndrome affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and posture. Take your Maltese to your vet. Little white shaker syndrome can be difficult to diagnose. It is usually a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that other common causes are ruled out first. To diagnose your Maltese's tremors, your vet will analyze blood and urine samples. They will also take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the lower part of your Maltese's spine. Your vet would need to sedate your Maltese to take the CSF sample. Give your vet a thorough history of your Maltese, including his health before the tremors started and what you have noticed since the tremors started. Results of the diagnostic testing may be normal. Hospitalize your Maltese, if necessary. If your Maltese is really ill, or his tremors are severe, your vet may want to hospitalize him until he is stable and strong enough for at-home care. For example, if your Maltese's tremors are caused by an infectious disease that has made him very sick, he may need intensive veterinary treatment for that disease before going home. Be aware that in-hospital treatment may get expensive. Give your Maltese medications. Little white shaker syndrome is usually treated with corticosteroids (also called steroids), which reduce inflammation. Initially, your vet will prescribe a high steroid dose. As the tremors improve, your vet will lessen the dosage, then stop the medication completely when the tremors have stopped. The initial steroid dose is immunosuppressive, meaning that immune system function is reduced. Drugs called benzodiazepines, which reduce anxiety, are also used to treat little white shaker syndrome. Valium is a benzodiazepine used to treat this condition. Your vet will let you know how long your Maltese will need to be treated. Monitor your Maltese for improvement. Most dogs treated for little white shaker syndrome recover completely within the first week or two of treatment. Even if your Maltese's tremors have stopped, give him the full treatment course. If you stop treatment too early, the tremors could come back. If the tremors return, your vet will prescribe the original steroid dosage again. Some dogs do not fully recover with treatment. These dogs may need lifelong steroid treatment. Schedule follow-up appointments with your vet. For the first month after initial treatment, your vet will want to see your Maltese each week to assess his improvement. After that, they will likely recommend monthly appointments. During these appointments, your vet will reduce the steroid dose, provided that your Maltese is improving.

Observe tremors in your Maltese. Look at your Maltese’s eyes. Watch your Maltese walk. Take your Maltese to your vet. Hospitalize your Maltese, if necessary. Give your Maltese medications. Monitor your Maltese for improvement. Schedule follow-up appointments with your vet.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Gunk-from-Your-Dog%27s-Eyes

How to Clean Gunk from Your Dog's Eyes

To clean the gunk from your dog's eyes, start by wetting a clean cloth or sponge with room-temperature water and wringing it out so it's damp but not dripping. Then, use gentle strokes to wipe the gunk from your dog's eyes, rinsing out the cloth between strokes if necessary. Additionally, make sure you use water rather than soap or shampoo, which can irritate your dog's eyes. You should also take your dog to the vet's, so they can check to make sure the discharge isn't a sign of a serious health problem.

Visit your vet. If your dog has gunk or discharge draining from her eyes, you first need to make sure it's not a sign of a serious health problem. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to determine the cause of the discharge before addressing the problem on your own. While you should evaluate your dog for symptoms, you should never rely on your own assessment of the problem. Take notes on your dog's symptoms and bring them with you to the vet visit. If it appears something is lodged in your dog's eye, visit the emergency vet immediately. Consider your dog’s breed. Brachycephalic breed breeds including pugs, bulldogs, boxers, and Pekingese are more likely to have eye discharge because of their flat faces, protruding eyes, and shallow eye sockets, and can suffer from issues with tear drainage and/or eyelids that don't function properly. Saint Bernards, terriers, beagles, cocker spaniels, and bloodhounds have loose skin on their faces and, as a result, have eyelids that are more likely to roll outward. These breeds are also more susceptible to cherry eye, a condition where the gland in your dog's eyelid slips out of its original position. If your dog has a furry face or a beard, resist the temptation to clean it every day. This may actually cause infections. Figure out if your dog has epiphora. Excessive tearing, or epiphora, can result in stained, stinky, and/or infected fur and skin. If your pooch's eyes are watery and teary, she could have epiphora. There are many conditions that cause epiphora, including allergies, ulcers on your dog's cornea, inflammation, abnormal eyelashes, tumors, glaucoma, and poor drainage of the eye by the tear ducts. If you think your dog is suffering from epiphora, take her/him to see the vet as soon as possible. Determine if your dog has conjunctivitis. If your dog has yellow or green pus, mucus, or watery discharge draining from her eyes, it could be a sign that she is suffering from conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is when the lining of your dog's eye becomes inflamed. It can be caused by a number of factors including allergies, distemper, tumors, injury, birth defects, dry eye, tear duct problems or foreign matter. If your dog is showing symptoms of conjunctivitis, take her to the vet immediately. Screen your dog for dry eye. If your dog's eye discharge is sticky and persistent, dry eye could be the culprit. Mucus and inflammation are characteristics of dry eye in dogs. Dry eye can be caused by injury to the tear-producing gland, autoimmune response, or distemper. If your dog has dry eye, she is at serious risk for infection and/or ulcers on her cornea. If it looks like your dog is suffering from dry eye, make an appointment with her vet to get to the root of the issue and prevent future problems like infection. Keep your dog calm. While most dogs will be okay with you cleaning gunk from their eyes, others might not. If your dog is especially sensitive, try cleaning her eyes with the help of another person. Have someone with whom the dog is familiar hold your pet while you clean the dog's eyes. Wet a clean washcloth or sponge. If your dog's eye discharge isn't caused by a serious medical condition like epiphora or conjunctivitis, you can clean the gunk with a damp, soft cloth or sponge. Using water that is at room temperature, wet the cloth and wring it out so it remains damp but is not overly saturated. Avoid using extremely hot or cold water as this can cause further irritation in your dog's eyes. Don't use a napkin or paper towel as both can disintegrate when wet and leave harmful bits of paper in your pooch's eyes. Remove the eye gunk with soft strokes. Using the moistened washcloth or sponge, gently clean the discharge from your dog's eyes using several gentle strokes. If necessary, you can rinse and wring the cloth between strokes. Using a warm washcloth can feel really good to your dog, especially if you've done it their whole life so they're used to the process. Don’t use soap or shampoo. In the majority of cases, you should not use any type of detergent, soap, or shampoo when cleaning gunk from your dog's eyes. This can cause irritation for your pet. Instead, you should stick to water and avoid cleansers altogether. Clean your dog’s eyes with a sterile pet eye solution. If your pet is suffering from a chronic or serious condition that causes excessive eye discharge, your vet may recommend using sterile pet eyewash to clean your dog's eye. Gently moisten the cotton ball or pad with the solution, taking caution to not soak it. Start at the inner corner of the eye and wipe outward. Use a new cotton ball or pad for each eye, as using the same one for both eyes can spread bacteria, viruses, and infection between the two eyes. Don’t let your dog hang her head out the window of your car. While it might seem like a whole lot of fun, allowing your dog to ride along with her head hanging out the window can be a recipe for disaster. The resulting wind can blow debris in your dog's eyes, which can in turn cause irritation or even an infection. Keep your pet’s eyes and face clean. The fur surrounding your dog's eyes can be a hotbed for bacteria and viruses, which can quickly turn into an infection. Make sure you bathe your dog regularly and clean her eyes using either a damp cloth or a sterile pet eyewash. Consider cleaning your dog's eyes every day, like when you wake up in the morning or go to bed at night. It should only take a few minutes but can have a large impact on your dog's health. Trim the hair around your dog’s eyes. Keeping the hair around your dog's eyes clipped can help prevent irritation and the proliferation of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Have someone familiar with the dog hold her while you use blunt nosed scissors to trim the hair. If your dog is not comfortable with this, do not try it at home. Instead take her to your veterinarian for eye grooming.

Visit your vet. Consider your dog’s breed. Figure out if your dog has epiphora. Determine if your dog has conjunctivitis. Screen your dog for dry eye. Keep your dog calm. Wet a clean washcloth or sponge. Remove the eye gunk with soft strokes. Don’t use soap or shampoo. Clean your dog’s eyes with a sterile pet eye solution. Don’t let your dog hang her head out the window of your car. Keep your pet’s eyes and face clean. Trim the hair around your dog’s eyes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Format-Dialogue-in-a-Story

How to Format Dialogue in a Story

To format dialogue in a story, insert a paragraph break and indent every time a new speaker starts talking. Then, put what they're saying inside a set of double quotation marks. If you're using a dialogue tag, like "She said" or "He asked," follow it with a comma if it comes before the dialogue or a period if it comes after. Also, remember to put periods, question marks, and exclamation points inside the quotation marks.

Break and indent paragraphs for different speakers. Because dialogue involves two or more speakers, readers need something that lets them know where one character's speech ends and another's begins. Indenting a new paragraph every time a new character begins speaking provides a visual cue to help readers follow the dialogue. Even if a speaker only utters half a syllable before they're interrupted by someone else, that half-syllable still gets its own indented paragraph. In English, dialogue is read from the left side of the page to the right, so the first thing readers notice when looking at a block of text is the white space on the left margin. Use quotation marks correctly. American writers generally use a set of double quotation marks (“ “) around all of the words that are spoken by a character, as seen in this example: Beth was walking down the street when she saw her friend Shao. "Hey there!" she said as she waved. A single set of quotation marks can include multiple sentences, as long as they are spoken in the same portion of dialogue. For example: Evgeny argued, "But Laura didn't have to finish her dinner! You always give her special treatment!" When a character quotes someone else, use double-quotes around what your character says, then single-quotes around the speech they're quoting. For example: Evgeny argued, “But you never yell 'Finish your dinner' at Laura!” The reversal of roles for the single and double-quotation mark is common outside of American writing. Many European and Asian languages use angle brackets (<< >>) to mark dialogue instead. Punctuate your dialogue tags properly. The dialogue tag (also called the signal phrase) is the part of the narration that makes clear which character is speaking. For example, in the following sentence, Evgeny argued is the dialogue tag: Evgeny argued, “But Laura didn't have to finish her dinner!” Use a comma to separate the dialogue tag from the dialogue. If the dialogue tag precedes the dialogue, the comma appears before the opening quotation mark: Evgeny argued, “But Laura didn't have to finish her dinner!” If the dialogue tag comes after the dialogue, the comma appears before (inside) the closing quotation mark: “But Laura didn't have to finish her dinner,” argued Evgeny. If the dialogue tag interrupts the flow of a sentence of dialogue, use a pair of commas that follows the previous two rules: “But Laura,” Evgeny argued, “never has to finish her dinner!” Punctuate questions and exclamations properly. Place question marks and exclamation points inside the quotation marks, like so: "What is going on?" Tareva asked. "I am so confused right now!" If the question or exclamation ends the dialogue, do not use commas to separate the dialogue from dialogue tags. For example: "Why did you order mac-and-cheese pizza for dinner?" Fatima asked in disbelief. Use dashes and ellipses correctly. Dashes (--, also known as em-dashes) are used to indicate abrupt endings and interruptions in dialogue. They are not the same as hyphens, which should generally only be used to create compound words. Ellipses (...) are used when dialogue trails off but is not abruptly interrupted. For example, use a dash to indicate an abruptly ended speech: "What are y--" Joe began. You can also use dashes to indicate when one person's dialogue is interrupted by another's: "I just wanted to tell you--" "Don't say it!" "--that I prefer Rocky Road ice cream." Use ellipses when a character has lost her train of thought or can't figure out what to say: "Well, I guess I mean..." Capitalize the quoted speech. If dialogue begins grammatically at character's sentence (as opposed to beginning mid-sentence), capitalize the first word as though it's the first word of the sentence, even though you may have narration before it. For example: Evgeny argued, "But Laura didn't have to finish her dinner!" The “b” of “But” does not technically begin the sentence, but it begins a sentence in the world of the dialogue, so it is capitalized. However, if the first quoted word isn't the first word of a sentence, don't capitalize it: Evgeny argued that Laura “never has to finish her dinner!” Break a long speech into multiple paragraphs. If one of your characters delivers an especially long speech, then, just like you would in an essay or in the non-dialogue parts of your story, you should break that speech up into multiple paragraphs. Use an opening quotation mark where you normally would, but don't place one at the end of the first paragraph of the character's speech. The speech isn't over yet, so you don't punctuate it like it is! Do, however, place another opening quotation mark at the beginning of the next paragraph of speech. This indicates that this is a continuation of the speech from the previous paragraph. Place your closing quotation mark wherever the character's speech ends, as you normally would. Avoid using quotation marks with indirect dialogue. Direct dialogue is someone actually speaking, and quotation marks are used to indicate it. Indirect dialogue is reported speech, not the act of someone speaking directly, and quotation marks are not used. For example: Beth saw her friend Shao on the street and stopped to say hello. Make sure the reader knows who is speaking. There are a couple of ways to do this, but the most obvious way is to use dialogue tags accurately. The reader can't get confused if your sentence clearly indicates that Evgeny is speaking, not Laura. When you have a long dialogue that's clearly being held between only two people, you can choose to leave out the dialogue tags entirely. In this case, you would rely on your paragraph breaks and indentations to let the reader know which character is speaking. You should leave out the dialogue tags when more than two characters are speaking only if you intend for the reader to be potentially confused about who is speaking. For example, if four characters are arguing with one another, you may want the reader to get the sense that they're just hearing snatches of argument without being able to tell who's speaking. The confusion of leaving out dialogue tags could help accomplish this. Avoid using over-fancy dialogue tags. Your instinct might be to spice up your story using as many variations of "she said" and "he said" as possible, but tags such as "she groused" or "he denounced" actually distract from what your characters are saying. "He said" and "she said" are so common that they tend to become essentially invisible to readers. Vary the placement of your dialogue tags. Instead of starting every dialogue sentence with “Evgeny said,” “Laura said,” or “Sujata said,” try placing some dialogue tags at the end of sentences. Place dialogue tags in the middle of a sentence, interrupting the sentence, to change the pacing of your sentence. Because you have to use two commas to set the dialogue tag apart (see Step 3 in the previous section), your sentence will have two pauses in the middle of the spoken sentence: “And how exactly,” Laura muttered under her breath, “do you plan on accomplishing that?” Substitute pronouns for proper nouns. Whereas proper nouns name specific places, things, and people and are always capitalized, pronouns are uncapitalized words that stand in for full nouns, including proper nouns. To avoid the repetition of your characters' names, substitute the appropriate pronouns from time to time. Some examples of pronouns include I, me, he, she, herself, you, it, that, they, each, few, many, who, whoever, whose, someone, everybody, and so on. Pronouns must always agree with the number and gender of the nouns they're referring to. For example, the only appropriate pronouns to replace “Laura” are singular, feminine ones: she, her, hers, herself. The only appropriate pronouns to replace “Laura and Evgeny” are plural, gender neutral ones (because English loses gender when pluralized): they, their, theirs, themselves, them. Use dialogue beats to mix up your formatting. Dialogue beats are brief moments of action that interrupt a sequence of dialogue. They can be good ways to show what a character is doing at the same time as telling what they're saying , and can provide a nice action boost to a scene. For example: "Hand me that screwdriver," Sujata grinned and wiped her grease-covered hands on her jeans, "I bet I can fix this thing." Use believable language. The biggest problem with dialogue is often that it doesn't sound believable. You talk perfectly normally every day of your life, so trust your own voice! Imagine how your character is feeling and what they want to say. Say it out loud in your own words. That's your starting point. Don't try to use big fancy words that nobody uses in normal conversation; use a voice you'd hear in everyday life. Read the dialogue back to yourself and see if it feels normal. Avoid info-dumping in dialogue. Using dialogue to provide exposition not only creates dull dialogue, it also often results in speeches that are so long that they're likely to lose the reader's attention. If you need to communicate details about plot or backstory, try to show them through narration, not dialogue.

Break and indent paragraphs for different speakers. Use quotation marks correctly. Punctuate your dialogue tags properly. Punctuate questions and exclamations properly. Use dashes and ellipses correctly. Capitalize the quoted speech. Break a long speech into multiple paragraphs. Avoid using quotation marks with indirect dialogue. Make sure the reader knows who is speaking. Avoid using over-fancy dialogue tags. Vary the placement of your dialogue tags. Substitute pronouns for proper nouns. Use dialogue beats to mix up your formatting. Use believable language. Avoid info-dumping in dialogue.

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Endometriosis

How to Treat Endometriosis

To treat endometriosis, talk to your doctor about hormonal therapy, which may involve taking birth control, progestin, or other hormone-related medications. You can also talk to your doctor about the possibility of surgical treatment. Also, try treating endometriosis by making changes to your diet, like eating less animal fat, eating more vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids, and increasing your vitamin E and C intake.

Ask your doctor about hormonal therapy. Hormonal therapy can help in the treatment of endometriosis because it is these hormones that cause the lesions to undergo changes similar to the menstrual cycle. One of the most common forms of hormonal therapy is oral contraceptives; you take the pills for 21 days and then take sugar pills for 7 days to mimic the natural menstrual cycle. If the sugar pills are not taken, birth control pills stops the menstrual period completely, this helps in decreasing the pain and in some cases causes it to vanish completely. There are a few type of birth control pills that have only a couple days of sugar pills every 3 months; these also help reduce or eliminate pain. Take progestin. This can be taken in different forms like a pill, via an injection, or through an intrauterine device (IUD). Progestin, like norethisterone , is similar to the body's hormone progesterone. When progestin is taken, it makes the progesterone levels in the body similar to what they would be if you were pregnant. Progestin helps in reducing estrogen production, thereby stopping ovulation, along with menstrual cycle in most women. Consider which form of progestin to use. Your options include the following: Pill: When taken as a pill daily, these hormones decrease menstrual flow without causing the uterus lining to grow. Once you stop taking the progestin pill, you are back to square one; the symptoms can return and pregnancy can occur. IUD. An IUD containing progestin, such as Mirena, helps in reducing endometriosis-related pain. It decreases the size of lesions and menstrual flow. Injection. As an injection, progestin has to be taken once every 3 months. This treatment generally stops the menstrual flow, but some women do bleed many times during the first year of taking the injection. When this bleeding occurs, pain can recur. After stopping the injections, it can take few months for menses to return. Once the periods are back, the woman can conceive. Get a prescription for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists . These medications stop the production of certain hormones to prevent ovulation, menstruation, and the growth of endometriosis. This treatment sends the body into a "menopausal" state. These medicines are available in different generic names. Their doses are as follows: Leuprolide is injected into muscle (intramuscularly) once a month. You can also take an injection that lasts for 3 months. Nafarelin is sprayed into the nose (intranasally) twice a day. Goserelin 3.6 mg pellet is injected under the skin of the abdomen (subcutaneously) once every 28 days. Slowly the pellet is assimilated by your body. Ask your doctor about danazol. Danazol is a suppressive drug with some androgenic activity. The treatment with this drug stops the release of hormones that are involved in the menstrual cycle. Women will have a period only now and then or sometimes not at all when on this medication. The patient is started with the dose of 800 mg, administered in two divided doses depending on the severity of the disease. For mild cases, an initial daily dose of 200 mg to 400 mg given in two divided doses is recommended and may be adjusted depending on patient response. Consider the possibility of surgical treatment. Conservative surgical treatment involves removal of the tissues, adhesions and restoring the normal pelvic anatomy as far as possible. In order to do this the physician can perform a laparoscopy (camera assisted video surgery) so as to remove the lesions or destroy them using intense heat without harming the normal tissues. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon makes only 2-3 small incisions on the abdomen. He or she can also do laparotomy which is a major operation during which the small lesions that are not visible in laparoscopy are removed, and if needed, the surgeon removes the uterus. The physician tries to conserve the ovaries as far as possible but if necessary he can remove them also. This major surgery is the last resort for endometriosis treatment. Realize that endometriosis can reappear after surgery. The recurrence rate is estimated to be 10 percent per year. In women who have had a hysterectomy where both ovaries have not been removed, there is 6 times the risk of recurrence as compared to cases in which the ovaries are removed. Reduce your chemical intake by limiting your intake of animal fat. Different studies reveal that chronic exposure to environmental chemicals like dioxins can be a cause of endometriosis. Dioxins along with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are associated with an increased prevalence and severity of endometriosis. The intake of these chemicals can be reduced by decreasing your consumption of animal fat, mainly high-fat dairy, red meat, and fish. Dioxin and PCBs both get collected in animal fat and it is through them that you ingest it. Eat more vegetables. Data supports the fact that flavones, a group of plant chemicals, can inhibit aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens. Celery, parsley and capsicum pepper are good sources of flavones. Dietary indoles also help in regulating the estrogen metabolism in the body. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy are good sources of indole. Eat more flaxseeds. Flaxseeds are high in lignans and fiber. Lignans are good in estrogen-related conditions because the bacteria in your gut converts them into metabolites that produce a weak estrogenic effect (meaning they can help to regulate estrogen-related conditions like endometriosis). You should eat 3 to 4 tablespoons of unrefined flax seed every day to maintain healthy blood levels of enterolactone. Other sources of lignans are whole grains, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, kale, broccoli and berries. Introduce more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for people with endometriosis as the fish oil contains two specific compounds, EPA and DHA, that can relieve pain by decreasing levels of an inflammatory chemical called prostaglandin E2. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. Take magnesium supplements. Magnesium is a mineral that is believed to ease cramping caused by menstruation. It also helps in preserving water levels in the gut and can help combat constipation. The daily recommended dosage is 600 mg. Foods rich in magnesium are spices, cocoa, nuts, tea, cereals and vegetables like green leafy vegetables. Boost your calcium intake. Calcium levels in menstruating women decrease 10 to 14 days before the onset of menses. Deficiency can cause muscle cramps, headache or pelvic pain. The recommended daily intake is 1200 mg. Calcium can be found abundantly in milk, curd, cheese, butter, egg, amaranth, and other dairy products. Eat more vitamin-C rich foods. Vitamin C is well known for helping to boost the immune system and help provide resistance to disease. It helps in building and maintaining collagen in the body. It is important that your immune system is functioning properly so that your body can combat endometrial patches that form. The recommended dosage of Vitamin C is 1000 to 4000 mg and can be procured by consuming citrus fruits, lemon, papaya etc. Increase your vitamin E intake. Vitamin E plays an important role as it strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation due to its antioxidant nature. It is also thought to be able to relieve menstrual cramps. The recommended dosage is 800 IU. Almonds, avocados, etc are rich in vitamin E. Selenium when taken along with vitamin E helps in reducing inflammation associated with Endometriosis, and is also an immune system booster. Dosage is 400 mg. Experiment with an herb called goldenseal. It is herb that may have anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, astringent and immune stimulating properties. Goldenseal contains calcium, iron, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, B-complex, and other nutrients and minerals. The astringent quality may help in cases of excessive menses and internal bleeding. It can be taken as a tincture about 2-4 ml or 0.5-1 gm decoction made by boiling goldenseal. Try an herbal remedy made from cramp bark. As its name implies, cramp bark may be useful in easing uterine cramps. Being a muscle relaxant, it is effective on other organs, like the intestines and the skeletal muscles. For dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), cramp bark may work most efficiently when taken regularly. Begin with 1/2 dropperfuls every half hour till some effect is seen, then every one to three hours. Decrease the dosage as symptoms wane. Know that endometriosis may be caused by retrograde menstruation. During menstruation, sometimes the endometrial lining sheds from the uterus but does not exit the body. It can go into the fallopian tubes (attached to the uterus) and attach itself to pelvic surfaces instead of leaving the body through the vagina. In general, every woman undergoes some degree of retrograde menstruation but does not develop endometriosis because their bodies clear the residual endometrial tissue before it forms deposits. Understand that endometriosis may be caused by hormonal changes. Growth of the faultily implanted endometrial tissue is dependent on the female hormone estrogen as its natural function is to stimulate cell growth. Thus along with the normal menstrual cycle, the displaced tissue also undergoes growth and shedding each month. Be aware that endometriosis may be caused by an error during surgery. Bits of the endometrium may get dislodged and become embedded in an area outside of the womb during a gynecological operation accidentally. Know that a condition called Müllerianosis can cause endometriosis. This refers to a condition where cells that have similar properties to endometrial cells are deposited in the female reproductive tract during pregnancy when fetal organs are being formed. The primitive endometrial cells later get dislodged from the uterus and act like stem cells. This theory is supported by fetal autopsy. Understand that there are a variety of other possible caused. Other factors that can cause endometriosis include immune system disorders, genetic predisposition and environmental toxins. Recognize the possible signs and symptoms of endometriosis. The main symptom is persistent pelvic pain. Patient also complains of painful menses (dysmenorrhea), painful urination (dysuria), painful sex (dyspareunia) and severe pain in the legs. The pain is because of the reaction of endometrial tissues to the hormonal activity. These lesions also bleed during the normal menstrual cycle due to which the blood collects in the surrounding areas leading to swelling and inflammation finally leading to pain. Pain can also occur due to adhesions that bind the internal organs together, thereby leading to their dislocation. So we see that many a times the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, bowels and bladder are bounded leading to pain in day to day life too apart from the menstrual cycle. Patients may also complain of constipation, nausea, vomiting, chronic fatigue, low grade fever, irregular menses. Around 30-50% come with complains of infertility.

Ask your doctor about hormonal therapy. Take progestin. Consider which form of progestin to use. Get a prescription for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists . Ask your doctor about danazol. Consider the possibility of surgical treatment. Realize that endometriosis can reappear after surgery. Reduce your chemical intake by limiting your intake of animal fat. Eat more vegetables. Eat more flaxseeds. Introduce more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Take magnesium supplements. Boost your calcium intake. Eat more vitamin-C rich foods. Increase your vitamin E intake. Experiment with an herb called goldenseal. Try an herbal remedy made from cramp bark. Know that endometriosis may be caused by retrograde menstruation. Understand that endometriosis may be caused by hormonal changes. Be aware that endometriosis may be caused by an error during surgery. Know that a condition called Müllerianosis can cause endometriosis. Understand that there are a variety of other possible caused. Recognize the possible signs and symptoms of endometriosis.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kokedama

How to Make a Kokedama

Making a kokedama, or hanging garden, is a fun project that you can do at home. Start by removing some potted or outdoor plants by their roots. Then, mix a 7 to 3 ratio of peat moss to bonsai soil. Use your hands to pick up a chunk of the mixture and roll it into a thick, firm ball that will cover your plant's roots. Wrap sphagnum moss around your plant's roots until they're completely covered, then wrap some twine around the roots to secure them. Break the soil ball in half, sandwich the roots between the halves, then pat the ball together again. Cover the ball in sheet moss and secure the ball with twine. Use another piece of twine to hang the plant.

Select a variety of plants. You can use any types of plants for a kokedama as long as they will fit comfortably in your home when hanging. The plants will eventually be hung from ceiling hooks using twine. Kokedama are traditionally made up of a variety of different plants, so invest in variety when building a kokedama. Stop by a greenhouse and pick up some potted plants to build your kokedama. You can also take in plants from outdoors if you garden. Remove the plant by its roots. Whether you're using potted plants or outdoor plants for your kokedama, the first step is to remove the plants by their roots. Remove the plant from the pot or ground. Gently use your fingers to remove the soil from around the roots. For plants with very fine roots, rinse them in the sink to remove the soil. When bringing a plant in from outdoors, always check the leaves for bugs and other pests before bringing it inside. Mix your moss and bonsai soil. Take a plastic grocery bag and bucket. Put on some gloves. Use peat moss and bonsai soil for your kokedama. Using a 7:3 ratio of moss to soil, mix your moss and soil together until you have an even mixture. You need enough moss and soil to cover every plant's roots in a ball of soil and moss. The precise amounts will vary depending on how big of a garden you're making. Make a soil ball. Remove a chunk of soil and moss from the bucket or plastic bag. Use your hands to roll it into a thick, firm ball. Make a ball big enough to completely cover a plant's roots. When you're done, set the ball aside. Secure the plant's roots with moss. Use sphagnum moss, which you can buy online or at a greenhouse. Wrap the moss around the plant's roots several times until the roots are covered completely. Then, wrap some twine around the plant's roots to secure them. The amount of moss you need will vary depending on how big your ball is. Sandwich the roots in your ball. Break your ball in half. Sandwich your plant's roots around the ball of moss and soil. Then, pat the ball together again so it's firmly secured around the roots. Cover your ball in sheep moss. Wrap a layer of sheet moss around your ball. You can buy sheet moss at a greenhouse or online. Get a full layer of sheet moss surrounding the ball. The amount of moss you need varies depending on the size of your ball. Use twine to secure the ball. Wrap twine around the ball as needed to secure the sheet moss. Tightly circle the twine around the ball until everything holds together. You should be able to lift and move your ball without soil or moss spilling. Attach a loop for hanging. Take another piece of twine. Use a piece as big as you want considering where you're going to hang your kokedama. Tie both ends of the twine around the twine securing the plant. You should now have a plant on a string you can hang up. Hang your plants. Choose a spot in your home to hang your kokedama. Place your plants directly in front of a north facing window if possible. If you don't have a north facing window, hang the plants two to three feet from a south, west, or east facing window. Mist your plants daily. Each day, lightly mist your plants with tap water in a spray bottle. You can also place a tray of pebbles and water underneath the plants to add necessary humidity. Water your plants regularly. You water kokedama plants by soaking them in a bowl of room temperature water for 10 minutes. Drain the soil ball in a colander until it stops dripping and then rehang the plants. Kokedama plants should be watered when they start to feel light and the leaves turn brown. Trim dead leaves regularly. Watch your plants closely. When you notice any dead or brown leaves, use a pair of scissors or plant sheers to remove them. Brown leaves that appear regularly are a sign you're not watering your plants often enough. Repot as your plants grow. As the plants grow, the roots will begin poking through the moss and soil balls. At this point, you need to repot them with new balls. For most plants, this is necessary about once or twice a year.

Select a variety of plants. Remove the plant by its roots. Mix your moss and bonsai soil. Make a soil ball. Secure the plant's roots with moss. Sandwich the roots in your ball. Cover your ball in sheep moss. Use twine to secure the ball. Attach a loop for hanging. Hang your plants. Mist your plants daily. Water your plants regularly. Trim dead leaves regularly. Repot as your plants grow.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Crystal-Radio

How to Make a Crystal Radio

To make a crystal radio, start by building the radio capacitor out of aluminum foil, paper, and wire. Next, build your primary (25-turn) coil and secondary (90-turn) coil out of toilet paper rolls, wire, and masking tape. Be sure to leave a foot-long piece of wire sticking out from each end of both coils! Then, create a capacitor holder with 2 pieces of scrap wood and attach your capacitor to it. Finally, add the tuning bar and connect all of the wires to start operating your radio!

Gather your materials: Empty, clean paper towel roll Two 6-inch-by-6-inch pieces of aluminum foil One piece of 7-inch-by-7-inch white paper (printer paper will do) Two 1-foot-long pieces of wire Masking (or some other non-conductive) tape X-ACTO blade or wire strippers Scissors Cut two 6-inch-by-6-inch pieces of aluminum foil. Use a felt pen and ruler to draw the 6-by-6 squares on the foil before cutting them out. Fasten one foil square around an empty paper towel tube. Start about a half an inch up from the bottom of the tube. Wrap the foil around the tube and fasten it with masking tape. If you don't have masking tape, you can use any other type of tape as long as it isn't electrically conductive. Electrical tape is another safe bet. Fasten the other foil square to to a piece of white paper. The paper should measure 7 inches by 7 inches, and the foil square should sit right in the center or it, so that it looks like a silver square inside of a white one. Use masking tape to fasten the foil square to the white paper. Tape all around the foil square to ensure it sits smoothly against the paper. Fasten the paper-foil square around the paper towel roll. Wrap the square around the roll with the aluminum side facing out, and tape it to create a tube. The paper-foil square should form a tube that's slightly larger than the paper towel roll. The fit should be snug, but not so snug that you can't easily move the paper towel roll in and out of the paper-foil tube. Be sure to have the aluminum foil facing out, so that the paper touches the roll. You want to insulate the two foil squares from each other, so make sure they don't touch. Strip the last inch of insulation from both foot-long wire pieces. You can use an X-ACTO blade to gently cut around and strip the insulation from the wire. Be sure that you don't damage the bare wire. If you have them, you can also use wire strippers to strip the insulation from the wire. Bend the bare wire ends at 90-degree angles. Take the bare ends of both pieces of wire and bend them at 90-degree angles. This should be easy to do with just your fingers. Attach one wire to the paper-foil tube. Tape one of the bare wire ends to the top corner of the free-moving free-moving aluminum foil/paper tube (the one that you've placed over the paper towel tube). Use a few pieces of tape to ensure that the wire is well-attached to the foil. It must touch the foil, as that is what will conduct electricity. Attach the other piece of wire to the foil on the paper towel tube. Tape the bare end of the other one-foot length of wire to the top corner of the foil square that's on the paper towel tube. The wires should sit across from one another, so that you could draw a line between them, along the length of the tube. Move on to your coils. Now that your capacitor is complete, you can move on to making your coils. Gather your materials: One toilet paper roll Insulated Wire (most will do, 26-gauge enamelled magnet wire recommended) Masking (or other non-conductive) tape Sandpaper Ensure that the toilet paper roll is free of debris. Make sure it has no glue or left-over bits of toilet paper stuck to it before you begin. Place two pieces of masking tape along the length of the toilet paper roll. Place one piece of tape along the length of the toilet paper roll, and then cover that piece of tape with another piece of tape. The second piece of tape should exactly cover the first one. Let a piece of the second piece of tape hang over the end of the roll, as you'll need to lift this back up as you add wire to your coils. Be sure to leave a foot of wire at each end of both coils. Leave a foot-long piece of wire sticking out from each end of each coil. These should be at both the top and bottom of each coil. These pieces are what you will use to connect the coil to other wires. You'll have 4 one-foot-long pieces of wire sticking out in total: one at the top and bottom of each of the two coils. Start your primary, 25-turn coil. Peel back the second layer of masking tape and place a piece of wire beneath it, then close the tape over it to anchor the wire there. Wind the wire around the toilet paper roll 25 times, being sure to make tight, close winds. Don't forget to leave a foot-long piece of wire at both the start and finish of your coil. 25 turns will work out to roughly 13 feet (4 m) of enamelled wire. Enamelled wires are ideal for the coils because their coating is easier to remove once they're coiled, and you will need to remove some of the coating in order for the tuning bar to work with the coil (we'll come to this later). Finish the primary, 25-turn coil. Lift up the second strip of tape, place the wire beneath it, and place tape back down to fasten the wire there. Be sure to leave a foot of wire free when you cut the end of the coil. Start your secondary, 90-turn coil. Lift up the tape and place another piece of wire beneath it, roughly 1/8th of an inch down from the end of the primary coil. Fasten the wire to the roll by closing the tape over it, and then wrap the wire 90 times around the roll. As with the primary, 25-turn coil, make sure that the wire is wrapped in tight, close turns. 90 turns will work out to roughly 42 feet (13 m) of enamelled wire. Finish the secondary coil. Lift up the second layer of tape and secure the final turn of wire beneath it. Clip the wire off, leaving a foot of wire free. Don't forget to leave a foot of wire on each end of the coil for connecting to other wires. Lightly sand the surface of the secondary (90-turn) coil. You only need to sand a small amount of the surface — roughly a half inch to an inch at the top of the coil will do. Be very gentle and be careful not to sand between the wires. Sanding between the wires will cause them to short into each other, and will make your coil ineffective. Bare the ends of the 4 pieces of wire sticking out from the coils. Each coil will have a foot of wire hanging from its top and bottom. Remove the enamel/insulation from these ends so that you can connect them with other wires. If the wires are enamelled, you can sand them, scrape them, or dip them in nail polish remover to bare them. Gather your materials (note that you can use scraps for the wood and metal pieces): One piece of wood for the base (at least 8 inches wide by 12 inches long) Two pieces of wood to hold the capacitor (at least 6 inches long, and roughly 1.5 inches wide (needs to fit inside capacitor)) One small piece of wood to mount tuning bar on (around 1 inch thick by 2 inches long will do), the height should be the diameter of your finished coil Piece of metal for tuning bar (strip from paint can works) Pliers to help bend metal Screws to connect wooden pieces together Screwdriver Your homemade capacitor Your homemade double-coil toilet paper roll Masking (or other non-conductive) tape Screw together the capacitor holder. Take the two pieces of wood that are roughly 1.5 inches wide by 6 or more inches long, and screw them together to form an L shape. These pieces of wood do not have to be the exact same length. Many people use scrap wood to construct the base, so if you have other sizes lying around, you are welcome to use those. Just make sure that the piece of wood on which you'll mount the capacitor is small enough to fit inside the capacitor. Attach the capacitor holder to the right side of the base. Place the base down flat in front of you. Use screws to fasten the holder to the top right corner of the base, on the longer side (so if the base is 8 by 12 inches, do this on the corner edge of the 12-inch side). The bottom of the L should be lined up with, and perpendicular to, the right end of the base. The top of the L (the longer side of the L) should be parallel with the base. Once fastened, it should look like a rectangle with one invisible side, or like a horizontal toilet paper roll holder, which is essentially what it is. Place the capacitor on the mount. Ensure that the movable paper-foil tube side is facing outward so that you can easily adjust the size (volume) of the capacitor. Use a thumbtack to fasten the other (paper towel roll) side of the capacitor to the mount. Attach the tuning bar mount to the base. It should sit on the right side of the base, across from the capacitor mount, roughly 3 or 4 inches in from the right end of the base. Leave room (2.5 to 3 inches at least) between the tuning bar mount and the capacitor. You'll be placing the toilet paper roll double-coil in this space. If the base's bottom is quite thick, you can use strong glue to connect the tuning bar mount to the base instead of screws. Make the tuning bar. Cut a thin strip of metal and bend it lengthwise so that it makes a V shape. Keep the last half-inch or so of the tuning bar flat. This is the side that you'll attach to the mount. The bottom point of the V is what you'll place on the secondary coil in order to tune your radio. Attach the tuning bar to the tuning bar mount. Puncture the flat end of the tuning bar and use a screw to attach it to the end of the mount that's closest to the capacitor mount. Be sure to firmly but gently screw the tuning bar in so that you can still move it around. Make sure it's not too lose, as you'll be tuning the radio with it and need it to stay where you put it. Fasten the coil to the base, in front of the tuning bar. Exactly where you place the coil will depend on the length of the tuning bar. Place the coil at a distance from the tuning bar that allows the bar to sit on top of the coil. You need to be able to move the tuning bar back and forth over the secondary coil, much like a windshield wiper moves across a car window. You can use masking tape to fasten the coil to the base. Just place a strip on the inside of either side of the coil and connect it to the base. Gather your materials: Long wire for antenna (15 to 20 feet at least, 50ft or longer in weaker areas) Germanium diode (1N34, 1N34A or equivalent, can be purchased at electronics store) High impedance ear piece (piezo ear piece)/high impedance headphones (at least 2000 Ohms) (an earpiece from an antique telephone will do) Ground wire (any long wire will do) Ground connection (metal posts or pipes that go down to the ground — for example, under your sink, radiator) Wire for tuning bar (12 inches will be more than enough) Know how to connect wires. To connect wires to each other, twist the bare (uninsulated) parts together tightly. If you have several wires to connect, do the same as you would with one wire, but with all of them. You can do them one at a time or take all the wires you need and twist them all together at once, whichever you find easiest. It is easier to twist smaller wires onto thicker wires than the other way round. Connect a wire to a ground source to make your ground wire. You'll need to connect a bare part of your wire to a piece of clean, bare metal that goes down to the ground. Common sources of this include cold water pipes, faucets, and steel support beams. If you use pipes, go close to the wall to find ones that aren't insulated or enamelled. You may have to scratch them up a bit to bare some metal and make the pipes more conductive. Tape the ground wire in place on the left side of the base. This will be connected to the adjustable side of the capacitor, as well as the wires coming from the right ends of the 25- and 90-turn coils. So keep that in mind while placing it on the base. Attach a wire to the tuning bar. Loosen the screw holding the tuning bar to its mount, wrap the bare end of a wire around the screw, and then gently retighten the screw. Make sure that the wire touches the tuning bar. Both ends of this wire need to be bare, as they will conduct energy from the tuning bar to the ground wire. Connect the following capacitor and coil wires to the ground wire. Twist them all together tightly. Wire on the adjustable paper-foil side of the capacitor (should be on the left side of the base) Wire on the right (bottom) end of the primary, 25-turn coil Wire on the right (bottom) end of the secondary, 90-turn coil Wire attached to the tuning bar Tape the antenna wire in place on the left side of the base. It will be connected to the top (left end) of the primary, 25-turn coil, so keep that in mind while placing the antenna on the base. The antenna can be any wire, insulated or bare, although insulated is recommended. Most important is that the antenna is as high and long as possible, and that it is not grounded (i.e. connected to any ground sources such as basement floors or pipes. If tying to a tree, metal post, etc, use a short piece of plastic rope). Attach the top, left end of the 25-turn coil to the antenna. Twist the two wires together tightly. Fasten the germanium diode to the right side of the base. You can do this with masking tape. Ensure that the grey stripe on the diode is facing up and outwards, towards the edge of the base instead of the coils. Make sure the diode's wires are sticking out from under the tape, as you'll be connecting them to other wires. Place the diode in line with the right end of the capacitor (the paper towel side that can't be extended), as this is the wire you'll be attaching it to. Attach the following wires to the top diode wire. These wires will attach to the side of the diode that doesn't have the grey line on it: Wire on the right (unmovable) side of the capacitor Wire from the top, left side of the secondary, 90-turn coil Attach earpiece to the ground and diode wires. Attach one wire of the earpiece to the ground wire grouping, and the other end of the earpiece to the wire of the diode that remains free (i.e. the one that isn't already attached to the 90-turn coil and the capacitor). You'll be attaching the earpiece to the side of the diode that has the grey line closer to it. Listen to the radio! You will likely need to adjust the tuning wand and capacitor before you hear anything. Start with adjusting the wand, and then gently pull out the paper-foil side of the capacitor to increase the volume. Don’t over-sand your tuning coil. If you over-sand your tuning coil it could cause each wire turn to become electrically connected, which will cause the coil to be ineffective. Remember to be careful when sanding the coils that you only lightly sand the surface, not between the coils. Ensure that your tuning bar is not insulated. Depending on what material you're using, your tuning bar could have a coating on it that prevents it from being conductive. If you're having trouble picking up anything when you test your radio, try sanding the bottom point of the tuning bar, where it would hit the coil, to make it more conductive. Also try sanding the part of the tuning bar that is under the screw. Use a high impedance ear piece/speaker. Low impedance speakers (4-8 Ohms), head phones (8 Ohms) and earbuds (32 Ohms) do not work with a crystal radio. Old fashioned high impedance (2000 Ohms) headphones from 1940s-1950s are suitable, but are rare, therefore expensive. Piezo ear pieces are good because they have a high impedance of 6k- 10k Ohms. Old telephone ear pieces that are 150 Ohms are not suitable. Note that impedance is not the same as DC resistance and needs specialized equipment to measure. Check to make sure you have a good-quality ground. Another possibility if your radio isn't working is that your ground is not of a high enough quality. Try a different pipe in the house — make sure it extends to the ground. Good grounds include a steel rod for your house wiring (check below your electric meter and ask an experienced adult to connect this), a cold water pipe, sink faucet as long as piping is metal, or a steel beam house support. Decent but less effective grounds include a heating or air-conditioner register, metal window frame, a longer 20-foot ground wire laid on the floor, or a ground wire wrapped around a metal drain pipe or water pipe. Check your antenna. The most effective antenna would be a wire run out an upper floor window to a nearby tree branch — the higher and longer your wire is, the better. Other suitable choices include a wire run along the ceiling of an upper floor room or hallway, or a wire run along a basement ceiling. Avoid running your antenna along basement floor or inside any metal buildings. This would work well for a ground, but not for an antenna. Make sure that the wire does not run close to anything that is conductive: metal roofs, chain link fences, etc.

Gather your materials: Cut two 6-inch-by-6-inch pieces of aluminum foil. Fasten one foil square around an empty paper towel tube. Fasten the other foil square to to a piece of white paper. Fasten the paper-foil square around the paper towel roll. Strip the last inch of insulation from both foot-long wire pieces. Bend the bare wire ends at 90-degree angles. Attach one wire to the paper-foil tube. Attach the other piece of wire to the foil on the paper towel tube. Move on to your coils. Gather your materials: Ensure that the toilet paper roll is free of debris. Place two pieces of masking tape along the length of the toilet paper roll. Be sure to leave a foot of wire at each end of both coils. Start your primary, 25-turn coil. Finish the primary, 25-turn coil. Start your secondary, 90-turn coil. Finish the secondary coil. Lightly sand the surface of the secondary (90-turn) coil. Bare the ends of the 4 pieces of wire sticking out from the coils. Gather your materials (note that you can use scraps for the wood and metal pieces): Screw together the capacitor holder. Attach the capacitor holder to the right side of the base. Place the capacitor on the mount. Attach the tuning bar mount to the base. Make the tuning bar. Attach the tuning bar to the tuning bar mount. Fasten the coil to the base, in front of the tuning bar. Gather your materials: Know how to connect wires. Connect a wire to a ground source to make your ground wire. Tape the ground wire in place on the left side of the base. Attach a wire to the tuning bar. Connect the following capacitor and coil wires to the ground wire. Tape the antenna wire in place on the left side of the base. Attach the top, left end of the 25-turn coil to the antenna. Fasten the germanium diode to the right side of the base. Attach the following wires to the top diode wire. Attach earpiece to the ground and diode wires. Listen to the radio! Don’t over-sand your tuning coil. Ensure that your tuning bar is not insulated. Use a high impedance ear piece/speaker. Check to make sure you have a good-quality ground. Check your antenna.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Overalls

How to Make Overalls

To make overalls, start by following your pattern's instructions to cut out all of the pieces of fabric you will need. Alternatively, place a pair of jeans on your fabric and cut around them, leaving 1/2 an inch on all sides for the seams. Then, cut out 2 rectangles to cover your back and abdomen before cutting long, thin pieces for the straps. To start sewing, connect the leg pieces first, hem the bib pieces and straps, attach them to the bottoms, and sow the straps onto the back piece.

Choose a pattern. Using a pattern to make your overalls is the best way to ensure a good result because making overalls requires some precise pieces. There are many overall patterns available in craft stores and online that you can follow. Patterns range from easy to difficult, so make sure to choose a pattern that is appropriate for your level of sewing skill. Look into vintage patterns if you want your overalls to have a vintage look to them. You can also find patterns that will allow you to make overall shorts or an overall dress if that is what you prefer. Consider going pattern-free. While using a pattern will give you good results, you can also make a pair of overalls without a pattern if you choose. If you would prefer not to use a pattern, then you can also use an old pair of jeans as a guide for cutting out your fabric pieces for a pair of overalls. Choose a pair of jeans that fit you well. Select your fabric. The fabric you choose for your overalls can change the look dramatically. You can go with a basic denim fabric if you want to create denim overalls, or go with something less conventional, such as corduroy. You are also not limited to heavy weight fabrics when making overalls. You can go with a lightweight cotton fabric or a linen to make a nice summer pair of overalls. Choose your fabric type, texture, and color to make your overalls stylish. Keep in mind that fabrics with a pattern or texture will be more challenging to work with because you will have to pay attention to the direction of the pattern or texture as you work. Buy your hardware. The hardware you use to make your overalls will also affect the finished product. You can go with something simple, such as basic brass or silver buttons and buckles, or opt for something a little different, such as a lightweight button that you can sew onto your overalls. Check your local craft store or look online to see what your options are. Read your pattern’s instructions. If you are using a pattern, then it is important to read the instructions carefully before you get started. Missing or misunderstanding a step can result in issues with your finished garment. Read through the instructions and make notes of anything that will require special attention, such as where to place the pattern on your fabric when you cut it out or what kind of stitch to use when you sew your pieces together. Cut out all of the pattern pieces. Lay out your pattern and then begin cutting out all of the pieces as indicated. Cut along the lines for the size of overalls you will need. Set each pattern piece aside as you go. Pin the cutouts to the fabric and cut around the edges. Next, lay out your fabric and begin pinning the paper pattern pieces onto your fabric. Make sure to pay attention to the pattern instructions for pinning because some pieces may need to be pinned to a piece of folded fabric in a certain way. After you have pinned all of your pieces in place, you can begin cutting them out. You may leave the pattern piece pinned onto the fabric pieces to make them easier to identify later, or identify the pieces another way if you prefer, such as by marking the wrong side of the fabric pieces with chalk. Trace the outline of your jeans onto your folded fabric. Lay out your fabric so that it is in two layers and place your unfolded jeans on top of your fabric. Smooth them out so that they are flat and even. Then, trace around the edges of the jeans leaving about ½” (1.3 cm) on all sides for seam allowance. If you want baggier overalls, then trace further away from the edges of the jeans. For example, you could trace 2” (5cm) from the edges of your jeans for baggy overalls. You might also use a baggy pair of jeans to make it easier to get a loose fit. Cut along the lines you traced. After you finish tracing around the edges of your jeans, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut along the edges of the lines you created. Make sure to cut straight even lines in your fabric. The 2 pieces you cut out will be the legs and waistband of your overalls. Cut out 2 rectangles large enough to cover your chest and abdomen. Next, you will need to create the bib pieces for your overalls. To do this, measure from your waist to your chest and cross the front of your chest. Then, add 1” (2.5 cm) to each measurement for a seam allowance. Trace a rectangle with these dimensions onto your folded fabric and then cut it out from both layers. These pieces will be the front and back bib pieces for your overalls. Cut out the straps. To make the straps, measure from your chest to your shoulder blade and add 1” (2.5 cm) for a seam allowance. This will be the strap length that you need to create. You can make your straps as wide or as narrow as you like, but 2” (5 cm) to 3” (7.5 cm) is a good size. However, make sure to add 1” (2.5 cm) to your strap width as well for the seam allowance. When you have determined your strap measurements, trace these onto the folded fabric and cut along the lines to make two identical straps. Make a pocket piece if desired. If you would like to include a pocket on the front of your overalls, then you can also make a pocket piece. To make a pocket piece, draw a rectangle onto your fabric and cut it out. Make sure that the rectangle is smaller than your front bib piece, but large enough to use as a pocket. A good pocket width might be 4” (10 cm) by 6” (15 cm). Make sure to add 1” (2.5 cm) to both sides of the rectangle for the seam allowance as well. You will only need 1 piece to create the pocket, so you only need to cut out 1 rectangle. Sew your leg pieces together. If you are using a pattern, then your pattern will most likely indicate that you need to start by sewing together your leg pieces. Follow your pattern's indications to sew the leg pieces together. If you are not using a pattern, then line up your jean cutout pieces so that the right sides of the fabric are facing each other and the edges are lined up. Then, sew along the outer edges of the legs and along the inseam. Sew about ½” (1.3 cm) from the edges of the fabric. Make sure that the right sides of the fabric are facing each other when you sew the leg pieces together. This will ensure that the seam will be hidden when you wear the overalls. Do not sew along the hip areas of the overall bottoms. You will need to add a couple of buttons here to secure your overalls. Only sew up to about 3” (7.5 cm) to 4” (10 cm) from the tops of the outer leg pieces. Hem the legs and waistband. After you have connected the leg pieces, you will need to hem the bottom of the legs and the waistband. Turn the overall bottoms right-side out. Then, fold over about ½” (1.3 cm) of the fabric around the legs and waistband (including the side hip panels of your overall bottoms). The wrong sides of the fabric should be facing and the raw edges of the fabric should be hidden. Pin the fabric in place and then sew along the edges to secure the hem. Remove the pins as you sew. Hem the bib pieces and straps. Hem the edges of the bib pieces and straps by folding over ½” (1.3 cm) of fabric. The wrong sides should match up and the raw edges of your bib pieces should be hidden on the back side of the piece. Pin the fabric to hold it and then sew the hem in place. Remove the pins as you sew. Attach the bib pieces to the overall bottoms. Next, you will need to attach the bib to the waistband of your overall bottoms. Place the short edge of the bib so that it is centered on the front of the overall bottoms. Line up the edges of the bib and overall bottoms waistband so that the right sides of the fabric are facing each other. Then, sew along the edges to secure them together. Repeat to attach the other bib piece on the back side of your overalls. Sew the straps onto the back piece of your overalls. To attach the straps, line up the edges of the straps with the outer edges of the top of the back bib piece. Place the straps so that about ½” (1.3 cm) of the material is under the bib material. The right sides of the straps should be aligned with the wrong sides of the bib. When the pieces are lined up, sew across each of the straps twice using a zigzag stitch. This will secure the straps to the bib. Install the hardware. To complete your overalls, you will need to install your hardware. You will attach a buckle to the free ends of your straps and top front edges of your bib, and you will need to attach 2 to three buttons on each side of your overall bottoms openings. Follow the instructions included with your hardware to attach the buttons and buckles. Hammer the button pieces together to secure them. Make sure that you line up the buttons with the button holes you have created. Slide the ends of your straps through the buckle openings and sew across the straps to secure the straps in place. . Sew on any buttons you want to use If you are using any buttons that need to be sewn into place, then use a needle and thread to sew them in place. Thread a needle with about 18” (46 cm) of thread that matches your fabric and/or buttons. Then, tie a knot in the end of the thread. Sew in and out of the button holes and fabric to attach the button, pulling the thread taut each time you pull it through the button hole and fabric. After the button is secured, tie a knot in the end of the thread to secure it and cut the excess. Create the button holes. You will need to cut small slits in your fabric for the button holes. Space these out by about 1” (1.3 cm) to 2” (5 cm). Seal each of the button hole strips with some fabric glue to prevent them from fraying, or use the button holer attachment on your sewing machine (if you have one) to sew along the edges of the button holes. This will prevent the button holes from fraying and tearing.

Choose a pattern. Consider going pattern-free. Select your fabric. Buy your hardware. Read your pattern’s instructions. Cut out all of the pattern pieces. Pin the cutouts to the fabric and cut around the edges. Trace the outline of your jeans onto your folded fabric. Cut along the lines you traced. Cut out 2 rectangles large enough to cover your chest and abdomen. Cut out the straps. Make a pocket piece if desired. Sew your leg pieces together. Hem the legs and waistband. Hem the bib pieces and straps. Attach the bib pieces to the overall bottoms. Sew the straps onto the back piece of your overalls. Install the hardware. . Create the button holes.

https://www.wikihow.pet/Care-for-a-Cymric-Cat

How to Care for a Cymric Cat

To care for a Cymric cat, be sure to brush out its long fur with a wire slicker brush every 2-3 days to prevent knots and mats from forming. Skin problems can be a problem for Cymrics, so use brushing sessions as opportunities to look for bumps, swelling, dryness, and irritation beneath the fur. This breed is very playful, so provide plenty of toys and consider investing in cat trees and posts to keep your kitty engaged. Because Cymrics are loyal and crave affection, try to spend at least 30 minutes brushing, playing, and petting your cat at least once or twice a day.

Consult your vet. Make sure to take your Cymric to the veterinarian at least once a year for a routine check up. Your veterinarian will also be able to advise you about its specific nutritional, grooming, and health needs. Make sure your cat is up-to-date with routine vaccinations and shots, that they have been fixed, and that they are current with all deworming and parasite treatments. Brush it every two or three days. Because of the Cymric's long, double coat, you will need to brush it often. Use a wire-slicker brush to comb its hair. Additionally, use a comb that has both wide and narrow teeth to brush its undercoat. Make sure to brush its whole body, including its abdomen, legs, and neck. During the shedding seasons (spring and fall months), brush it more often, for example, every other day. Look for signs of skin problems. Do this while brushing your cat. Run your hands over your cat's fur and feel for bumps, lumps, and swelling. Also look for skin discoloration. Other signs and symptoms of skin problems are: Constant licking, chewing, or scratching of the skin, especially around the neck and head. Scabs, rashes, or scaly patches on the paws and face. Redness or inflammation. Dry, flakey irritated skin. Hair loss, bald patches, or hairballs. The presence of blood or pus. Check its ears. Check its ears once a week for debris, wax, or an infection. Check the outer part of the ear for bald spots, and make sure the inner surface is light pink and clean. Check its inner ear by gently folding back the ear to look into the ear canal. A healthy inner ear will have minimal ear wax, a healthy pink color, and have no debris or odor. Always wipe away dirt and debris gently. Never stick an object into your cat's ears to clean them. Reward your cat with a treat and praise for letting you check its ears. If you notice blood, swelling, a large amount of wax, or smell an odor, then take your cat to the vet. It may have an ear infection. Observe its teeth and gums. Do this by gently pushing back its lips while it is facing you. Healthy teeth look intact (not broken or loose) and clean, i.e., free of brownish tartar. Healthy gums look firm and pink (not white or red), and should have no signs of swelling. Take your cat to the vet immediately if you see: A dark red line running along the gum, or red and swollen gums. Ulcers on your cat's gums or tongue. Loose teeth and/or having difficulty chewing food. Excessive drooling or pawing at the mouth. Chew toys and treats are a great way to keep your cat's teeth and gums healthy. You should also brush their teeth daily, using only use specially formulated cat toothpastes to brush your cat's teeth. Never use human toothpaste. Keep its litter box clean. Check its litter box daily to make sure it is clean and fresh. You may need to check it twice, once in the morning and once in the evening. Remove all waste from the litter box and re-fill it with fresh, clean litter. Try to wash the litter box at least once every 10 to 15 days. Dump out the contents and clean it with mild soap and hot water. Do not use cleaning products that contain scents (especially lemon), deodorants, and ammonia. Feed it age-appropriate food. If your cat is a kitten, then you will need to feed it kitten food. After one year of age, you may feed it regular cat food. Choose a high-quality, brand name cat food. When purchasing the food, make sure the first two or three ingredients listed are a named meat like beef and chicken. Also make sure that the cat food contains taurine, an essential amino acid cats need to maintain their heart and eye health. Feed your cat both dry and canned food. Feed your cat an appropriate amount of food. How much you feed your cat depends on age, activity level, and health. Therefore, make sure to take your cat to the vet so they can assess it and determine the best possible diet for it. Do not overfill your cat's food bowl. This can cause overeating and may lead to obesity. Treats should only make up 5 to 10 percent of your cat's diet. Provide fresh, clean water. Change out your cat's water at least once a day, if not twice. Also, rinse out its water bowl and make sure it is clean before refilling it with fresh water. Supply it with a variety of toys. Cymrics are playful cats that love engaging toys. Therefore, entertain your cat with ping-pong balls, food puzzles, and cardboard boxes to jump in. Food puzzles are a great choice because they provide the mental stimulation that a Cymric cat needs. Make sure the toys you purchase are safe and cat-friendly. Teach it tricks. Cymrics love to play fetch; this is a personality trait that they are known for. You can also teach it other tricks like sit, come, shake and spin. However, only teach your cat one trick at a time in 10 to 15 minute sessions. When teaching your Cymric tricks, make sure to use reward-based techniques like treats and praise. Never use negative punishment to train your cat. Provide it with high places to perch on. The Cymric's well-developed hindquarters make jumping one of its favorite things to do. Therefore, purchase cat trees and posts for your Cymric cat to jump and perch on. Cat trees and posts will also deter your Cymric cat from jumping on higher, more dangerous pieces of furniture in and around your house. Expose it to a variety of situations. By character, Cymrics are children-friendly and animal-friendly (including dogs) cats. Therefore, starting at a young age, expose your Cymric cat to other adults, cats, children, and puppies. If you do not have children, a puppy, or another cat, then invite friends who do over to play with your cat. Provide attention and affection. Cymrics are very loyal, people-oriented cats that love to spend quality time with their owners. Therefore, make sure to provide your cat with attention and affection daily. Do this by playing with it, teaching it tricks, or brushing and petting it for 30 minutes at least once or twice a day.

Consult your vet. Brush it every two or three days. Look for signs of skin problems. Check its ears. Observe its teeth and gums. Keep its litter box clean. Feed it age-appropriate food. Choose a high-quality, brand name cat food. Feed your cat an appropriate amount of food. Provide fresh, clean water. Supply it with a variety of toys. Teach it tricks. Provide it with high places to perch on. Expose it to a variety of situations. Provide attention and affection.

https://www.wikihow.com/Style-Long-Hair-for-Guys

How to Style Long Hair for Guys

To style your hair long if you're a guy, use hair wax or gel to slick your hair back if it's straight. If your hair is curly, try parting it in the middle and wearing it loose for a low-maintenance style. You can add a small amount of hair mousse to get rid of any frizziness, and apply a curl-defining cream to make your curls stand out even more. Alternatively, style your hair without product if you want a more natural look. Simply brush it into the style you want and use bobby pins to hold it in place. If you'd rather wear your hair up, put it in a ponytail by grabbing it in your dominant hand and wrapping a rubber band around it to hold it in place.

Slick your hair back with some product if you have straight hair. Start with clean, dry hair. Then, brush your hair back, taking down any volume on your top or sides as you work your way back. Use hair wax, gel, or pomade to keep your style in place. If you have wavier hair, adapt this style by using a matte paste. This style also looks good with thick, wavy hair. Although they're good for styling short hair, pomades and gels might weigh your long hair down. If these products aren't working for you, try a grooming cream instead. Wear your hair loose and tousled if you have curly locks. The longer you grow your hair, the more pronounced your wave will be. Instead of trying to control your curly hair with various products, part it in the middle and wear it naturally for a low-maintenance style. Add a small, quarter-sized dollop of mousse to your style to reduce frizziness without weighing your hair down. Apply a curl-defining cream to enhance your curls. Style your hair in dreadlocks. Give yourself dreadlocks at home or have them professionally done if you have time to maintain the look. Dreadlocks need shampooing, conditioning, and routine rubbing to stay clean. Dreadlocks work best on curly and natural hair. In certain cultures, dreadlocks have symbolic meaning. Wearing dreadlocks casually might be frowned upon in some situations. Get a perm if you have thick hair. Thick hair responds well to perms, giving your style volume and weight. A perm can also keep thick hair from going frizzy or getting split ends. Use small amounts of gel or mousse to keep your perm in place. Use a moisturizing conditioner to keep your perm shiny. Style your hair without product for a natural look. Sometimes, gels and hair waxes can weigh hair down. If you want your hair to look neat, yet effortless, brush your hair out and wear it down without adding in hair products. Use bobby pins to keep your hair in place if it gets in your way. Keep your hair up in a ponytail to put it out of your way. Brush all tangles out of your hair, then gather it all in your dominant hand. Lift your hair up midway between the nape of your neck and the top of your scalp. Wrap a rubber band around your ponytail 2 or 3 times until it is secure. Spritz your ponytail with hairspray to set your style. Wearing a ponytail down at the nape of your neck is another popular look for men. Once you've mastered the ponytail, try a few variations, like a high, side, or double ponytail. Try a man bun for a popular male updo. Brush your hair, then pull your hair up as you would to start a ponytail. Put a rubber band around your ponytail, then wrap your hair in a spiral around the base of your ponytail. Tuck the ends of the ponytail under the rubber bands and pull in the middle to tighten your bun. Secure your bun with bobby pins and a mist of hairspray. Variations on the basic bun include braided, sock, messy, and top knot bun. Wear a half-ponytail if you want an effortless look. Half-ponytails are ideal if you're going for a styled, yet rugged look. Brush your hair, then part your hair at your nape. Aim for a lock of hair around the height of your temples. Pull the section back and into a ponytail. Give your hair a little texture by spritzing it with some sea salt spray, which can give this style an elegantly tousled look. The salt spray will also give your hair some extra grip so your ponytail doesn't slip out. Braid your hair for a strong, secure hairstyle. If you need a hairstyle that will stay in place all day, go for a braid. Brush your hair, then divide it into 3 even sections. Cross the left section over the middle section, then cross the right section over the middle. Continue crossing until you reach the end of your hair, then secure it with a rubber band or hair elastic. Try different kinds of braids, like the French, waterfall, halo, and spiral braid. Shampoo 2-3 times a week. Washing your hair every day can strip your scalp of its natural oils, so try to use shampoo and conditioner every other day instead. Use a leave-in conditioner once a week for thick and full hair. Avoid conditioners that contain wax, which can weigh your hair down. Work with, not against, your hair's natural characteristics. Styling curly hair , for example, requires paying attention to what makes the most of the curls; don't try to flatten your curly hair with pomade or curl your straight locks on a daily basis. Doing so will wear out your hair and ruin its texture over time. Choose a hairstyle based on its natural characteristics so your hair stays undamaged. Invest in high-quality grooming materials. Using the right materials can make a world of difference when caring for your hair. A wide-toothed comb or brush with natural bristles work well with long hair. If you use rubber bands, look for cloth-covered bands or a flat elastic hair tie to avoid tangling your hair with the bands, and wrap the rubber band around your hair loosely. Also, try to avoid wearing your hair up in the exact same style every time—the rubber band will rub against your hair, which could cause it to break. Avoid blow drying your hair. Excessive blow drying can dry out your hair and scalp, and it can damage your hair if you don't apply a heat protectant beforehand. Only blow dry your hair on special occasions. On an everyday basis, air- or towel-dry your hair. Start out with an even cut, if possible. Unless you have recently buzzed your hair, your haircut is likely a little uneven. But you don't need to shave your hair to start growing it out. Try to get your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks as it grows to keep your top and sides roughly the same length. If your haircut remains uneven, it will eventually become noticeably longer in the back than on top. The last thing you want while you're growing out your hair is a mullet. Massage your scalp daily to encourage hair growth. Frequent scalp massages can increase the blood circulation and encourage faster hair growth. Massage for 5 minutes every day, applying firm pressure to your head. Dip your hands in coconut oil before massaging to introduce growth-promoting vitamins and minerals to your hair. Have patience during your hair's "awkward phase. " While growing out your hair, you will eventually get to a place where your 'do is neither long nor short. Don't give up and crop your hair short during this phase. Wear a hat or slick your hair back until it's even to get through the awkward stages. Adjust your cut periodically as your hair grows. Don't throw away your clippers or say goodbye to your stylist the day you decide to grow your hair out. To combat unruliness as you grow your hair out, you'll need periodic haircuts. If your hair starts to look uneven and heading towards mullet territory, get a trim. Let your hairstylist know that you're growing out your hair so they can give you an accommodating cut. Even after you reach your ideal length, aim for a trim every 6 to 8 weeks. That way, you'll avoid split ends, so it will be easier to grow your hair longer.

Slick your hair back with some product if you have straight hair. Wear your hair loose and tousled if you have curly locks. Style your hair in dreadlocks. Get a perm if you have thick hair. Style your hair without product for a natural look. Keep your hair up in a ponytail to put it out of your way. Try a man bun for a popular male updo. Wear a half-ponytail if you want an effortless look. Braid your hair for a strong, secure hairstyle. Shampoo 2-3 times a week. Work with, not against, your hair's natural characteristics. Invest in high-quality grooming materials. Avoid blow drying your hair. Start out with an even cut, if possible. Massage your scalp daily to encourage hair growth. Have patience during your hair's "awkward phase. Adjust your cut periodically as your hair grows.

https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Waist-Size

How to Reduce Waist Size

To reduce the size of your waist, start by eating more protein and fiber to feel fuller, and reduce the amount of starch and sugar that you consume. Avoid carbonated drinks, which can cause you to become bloating, making your waistline look larger. When you work out, do full-body exercises, like waist turns and curls, as well as a circuit training program or pilates, which can help to burn fat all over the body. If you want quicker results, try waist training, which involves wearing a tight corset to reshape your waist.

Reduce calories. It's a fairly obvious point, but if you want to reduce your waist size, you need to reduce the amount of calories you consume. Weight loss is an obvious equation: You need to burn more than you take in, and exercise burns fewer calories than many people think. It takes a caloric deficit of 3,500 to lose a single pound. Many studies have found that if you keep a food diary in which you list what you eat every day, with the number of calories consumed, you will be more likely to eat less. Use online calorie counters to figure out the number of calories in everything you eat. Pay careful attention to condiments, like salad dressing, that might contain more calories than you think. Even eating 100 fewer calories per day will make a difference over time. Running is a great way to burn calories. Try to work toward running for 30 minutes at least three times a week. You can alternate walking and running until you're stronger. If you could jog 20 miles per week, you could lose a lot of belly fat in 6 months time. Eat more protein and fiber. You will eat less if you eat protein-heavy meals because they make you feel fuller. You should make sure you eat a high-protein breakfast, especially. Don't skip breakfast. You could increase your weight loss rate by 25 percent if you switch to a high-protein diet. Remember that 80 percent of losing weight (including around your waist) needs to come from diet, not exercise. Eggs, tuna fish, vegetables, salads, almonds, apples, and lean meats are good choices. If you find it hard to clean up your diet, remember that having a waist over 34.5 inches means you're at higher risk for a series of ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. And you simply will not shrink your waist dramatically without a decent diet. Try to limit how much dairy you eat. Foods that you should fill your diet with include skinless chicken, brown rice, and broccoli. These are good for the waist. If you can pull it off, try to eat at least one-third of your overall diet raw. Avoid starch and sugar. The problem with starches and sugar is that they raise the levels of insulin production. This hormone is associated with larger waist size. So you need to weed starch and sugar out of your diet. Avoid refined carbohydrates (foods made out of white flour won't help your waist). Be aware that high sugar foods can contribute to belly bloat, and some of them are foods you might assume are healthy, like beans, potatoes, and bananas. The other problem with sugar and starch is that you will end up with high calories and less satisfaction. These are basically empty calories with little nutritional value. Examples include doughnuts, French fries, and white bread. Look at labels, and weed fructose out of your diet. Fructose makes it a lot harder to lose weight. It's found in a lot of processed foods and drinks, and you should limit your intake of it to less than 15 grams per day. Some foods that are considered healthy but have a lot of fructose in them can include enhanced water, yogurt, and some foods labeled as diet foods. Don’t drink fizzy drinks. Even if the carbonated drink you typically reach for is a diet version, it can be problematic for your waist size. Fizzy drinks increase the amount of gas in your intestinal system. In addition, some diet drinks contain sweeteners which the body has trouble breaking down. Both of these things contribute to larger waist size. Instead, drink water (you need to drink water throughout the day, as it will also increase your metabolism). And try drinking peppermint tea. If you must drink alcohol, red wine in moderation is a better choice than beer. Another reason to drink more water is because people often mistake dehydration for hunger. So, if you feel hungry, try guzzling a bottle of water instead. Try eating coconut oil. There are many reasons to eat coconut oil. One of them is because it burns abdominal fat, as well as boosting your metabolism. Coconut oil contains acid that makes the body feel more full. So studies have found that people ate fewer calories when they started eating coconut oil daily. Coconut oil metabolizes very fast in your body. Some studies have found that coconut oil reduces the size of the waist and belly fat. Try waist turns and curls. Make sure the exercises you choose specifically target the waist. Avoid doing the old-style crunch. It can damage your spine. Stand with a pole between your shoulders. Keep your back straight, and your feet apart. Twist your waist from side to side while looking straight ahead. See how many rotations you can do. Try to do as many as 50 rotations. Instead of a crunch, try a curl. Lie on your back. Your hands should be palm down. Tuck them under your back. Bend your knees and lift your head and shoulders – but only a bit. Try hooping. If you get bored with typical exercises, why not buy a hula hoop? If you hoop for just a few minutes a day, you will end up with a smaller waist. Even hula hooping for 10 minutes a day has been found to reduce waist size! You can also burn 100 calories a day just with a few minutes of daily hula hooping. To hoop better, keep your back straight, bring the hoop against your back when you start hooping, and try not to turn your hips too much. Put your right foot slightly before the left. Spin the hoop counterclockwise and then shift your hips from front to back to keep the hoop moving. You need to keep your core engaged, making the hoop stay above your hips. One study found that hooping for 30 minutes, three times a week took 3-6 inches off the waist in just a month. Join a pilates or circuit training program. Circuit training is a great choice for an exercise program because it involves elements of strength training, resistance training, and cardio, all of which will help you pare your waist. Pilates features many poses that work on the core. A typical circuit training program would involve 4 circuits that feature different exercises, which you do for about 12-15 reps about three times each and then rotate. Circuit training often involves such exercises as squats, push ups, vertical jumps, resistance bands, and using light dumbbells. Pilates will tone your waistline because it focuses on poses that will create a strong core. Try waist training. If exercise isn't cutting it for you, you could try the latest celebrity trend: Waist training. Jessica Alba is among the celebrities who have tried this technique, which she did to help regain her figure after having a baby. Basically waist training means you wear a corset on a daily basis. Buy a waist trainer (or corset, or waist cincher) that has flexible bones in it, so you can breathe. Don't expect instant results, though. Waist training can take months to be visible. You could also try buying a waterproof cord you wear underneath your clothes around your waist, and you tighten it as you lose weight. This will help you realize when your stomach is expanding. Reduce stress. It might surprise you, but stress is associated with larger waist size. This is because it increases the hormone cortisol, which is associated with weight gain around the belly. The other problem with stress is that it causes many people to overeat or reach for the snacks. Meditation and yoga are techniques that can help you reduce stress. People sometimes wonder why waist size is so much harder to shrink than it is to lose weight in general. This is because waist size is linked to the hormones of cortisol and insulin, not just diet. If you understand this, you will realize that reducing stress can be a key factor in shrinking your waist size. Sleep well. Experts suggest that insomnia is associated with weight gain, especially around the stomach. There are hormonal reasons for this. You should aim to get about 7-8 hours of sleep a night. This will reduce hormone production and make your appetite decrease. Sleep is associated with increasing the human growth hormone that burns fat and builds muscles. Insomnia is associated with high stress levels, which also leads to production of cortisol, the hormone associated with larger waist size. Don’t smoke. Smoking isn't just bad for your lungs, but it's also a bad thing for your belly. So if you want to reduce your waist size, you need to put down the cigarettes. Studies have found that smoking increases waist size. It's never a good idea to smoke in order to lose weight (as the cliche goes), but it's definitely not going to make you lose weight around the waist.

Reduce calories. Eat more protein and fiber. Avoid starch and sugar. Don’t drink fizzy drinks. Try eating coconut oil. Try waist turns and curls. Try hooping. Join a pilates or circuit training program. Try waist training. Reduce stress. Sleep well. Don’t smoke.

https://www.wikihow.fitness/Make-Your-Butt-Rounder

How to Make Your Butt Rounder

To make your butt rounder, perform basic exercises like squats, lunges, leg lifts, and bridges 5 times per week to sculpt the shape of the muscles. To shed unwanted fat around your butt muscles, try to work in 30 minute sessions of cardio, like running or stair climbing, 3-5 days per week. For an immediate solution, wear tighter jeans with prominent back pockets to make your butt look rounder!

Perform basic squats. The squat is the basic building block for lower-body exercises, and this move can do wonders for your backside. Stand with your feet hip width apart, keeping your body weight in your heels. Squat down as if you are sitting in a chair, and then rise to a standing position. Do 3 sets of 10 reps. It can take 4-5 weeks of consistent exercise to see results. Do squats with arabesques. This squat borrows the second part of the move from ballet, firming both your butt and hamstrings to give your booty a lift. Do a squat, and as you rise, lift one leg straight back and up as you bring your hands forward. Transfer all your body weight to your other leg so that you can balance. Lower your leg and return to a squat. Repeat 15 times on each side. Try leg lifts. Leg lifts are a great counter-move to do after you finish squats with arabesques. Stand in front of a tall table, counter, or steady chair. Lean forward slightly as you lift your right leg back off the floor. Put a slight bend in your left knee, pull your stomach muscles inward, and square your hips to the ground to prepare for the movement. Raise your right leg almost to the highest point you can hold while keeping your hips square. Pulse the right leg upward slightly and lower it back down. Repeat 30 times and switch legs. Use the chair or table for support as you lean forward. Perform standard lunges. Lunges tone the fronts and backs of your legs, as well as your booty and hips. Stand with your feet hip width apart. Step 1 leg forward 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m) and bend both knees at once. Lower your back knee toward the floor while keeping your front knee centered directly above your ankle. Pause for 2 seconds or do 2 small pulses, then rise back to standing. Repeat this exercise for 30 seconds, rest and repeat a set with the opposite leg. Perform side squats. Side squats (also called side lunges) firm your inner and outer thighs. Stand with your feet hip width apart. Step out to the right and bend your right knee, keeping your left leg straight. Pause while you are at your lowest point, then rise up to standing. Repeat for 30 seconds. Rest, then repeat on your left side. Keep your bent knee aligned above your ankle as you lower your body. Do bridges. Bridges work well to tone and sculpt your booty. Lie on your back on top of a yoga mat, with your feet on the floor about hip distance apart. Keeping your head, neck, and shoulders on the ground, lift your hips toward the sky. Flex your core muscles and maintain a straight line from your knees to your chest. Hold this for 3 seconds, then lower your hips. Repeat this 10 times. Run or walk at an incline. To better reveal your toned booty-muscles, it can help to do some cardio work. To maximize the benefits, do cardio that simultaneously tones your lower body! Run or walk at an incline to get these dual benefits. Set your treadmill to 5-7 percent incline. Climb stairs. Another way to tone your butt while getting a cardio workout is to run or walk on stairs. The best place to do this is in a stadium or indoor gym, but a library or apartment building can also work. You can rest as you run down the stairs and push your body as you climb. Stair climbing on a large set of stairs is an interval workout, which burns fat quickly. If you don't have access to large outdoor stairs, choose a hard interval workout on a stair-climbing exercise machine. Take care not to lean your weight on the handles of the machine as you exercise. Go for a hike. Walking on rolling hills or mountain trails in an excellent way to sculpt your booty and get a good cardio workout. Look for trails in your area. Maximize your workout by wearing a 10 pound (4.5 kg) backpack. If you don't have trails around you, look for a treadmill at a gym with a “trail” setting. Get plenty of lean protein. Protein is important for building the lean muscle mass you need for a great butt. It also helps your body burn calories more efficiently. Get your protein from healthy sources such as fish, chicken, lean red meat, dairy products, and eggs. How much protein you should eat depends on your body weight, how much you exercise, and your other dietary habits. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about how much protein is ideal for you. Most people should aim to eat 15-25 grams (0.5-0.9 oz) of lean protein with every meal. Leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, and broccoli, are a great source of vegetable protein. Drink enough water. Staying hydrated improves organ function and helps you burn fat more efficiently. Drink a glass of water every morning when you wake up to boost your metabolism. How much water you should drink depends on your individual metabolism and how much you exercise, but these guidelines work well for most people: If you are a man, drink about 13 cups (3 liters) of water every day. If you are a woman, drink about 9 cups (2 liters) of water every day. Stick to healthy carbs. If you're hoping to build lean muscle, don't try to cut out carbs entirely. Healthy carbohydrates give your body the energy you need to stay fit and active. Get your carbs from sources like whole grains, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and legumes. There is a difference between healthy carbs and unhealthy carbs. Just because something has carbs in it doesn't mean that it is healthy. Cut out junk food. Reduce flab and boost your butt shape by avoiding foods that are high in fat and sugar. Avoid candy and soda, processed foods, salty snacks, and fast-food choices like burgers and pizza that have a lot of saturated fats. Wear jeans with prominent pockets. More noticeable pockets draw attention to your butt. Look for jeans with pockets that sit slightly higher on your backside to give the impression of a rounder, firmer butt. Consider looking at embroidered or embellished pockets as well. Wear tighter jeans. Choosing jeans that fit well in the seat is one of the best ways to make your butt look good, for both men and women. Baggy pants hide your assets! Ditch the loose jeans and find something that fits. Choose high-waisted pants and skirts. Skirts, pants and dresses that fit tightly around your natural waist help to emphasize the curve of your booty. Select high-waisted jeans, pencil skirts, and a-line dresses that fit snugly around the narrowest part of your waist. If you can't find any, look for vintage styles, which tend to have higher waists to begin with. Cinch your waist. If you are wearing a loose-fitting blouse or dress, cinch your waist with a belt or scarf. The smaller your midsection looks, the bigger and rounder your booty appears. Alternatively, tie a sweatshirt or flannel shirt around your waist--but only if it looks good with the outfit. Wear heels. High heels can lift and push out your butt, making it look rounder. Stiletto heels are the most effective for this purpose. However, be aware that wearing heels too much can injure your back and feet. Choose a pair of heels that you are comfortable walking in, and limit your time wearing heels to 1-2 hours per day. Bring a comfortable pair of shoes that you can change into when you are done wearing the heels. Flip flops and ballet flats are easy to fit into a bag or tote. Buy padded undergarments. If you need a rounder butt, but don't have time to go to the gym, then silicone padded shapewear is a good bet. Insert the silicone gel pads and you will instantly have a rounder backside. Silicone shapewear is available for both men and women. If you are a man hoping to make your butt look rounder, get some men's shapewear trunks or briefs. Get butt-lifting underwear if you’d rather not wear padding. Look for butt-lifting shorts or girdles that are designed to lift and shape your butt. Some of these butt shapers are designed with cutouts to define the shape of your individual buttocks, while others are made to lift and support the entire butt.

Perform basic squats. Do squats with arabesques. Try leg lifts. Perform standard lunges. Perform side squats. Do bridges. Run or walk at an incline. Climb stairs. Go for a hike. Get plenty of lean protein. Drink enough water. Stick to healthy carbs. Cut out junk food. Wear jeans with prominent pockets. Wear tighter jeans. Choose high-waisted pants and skirts. Cinch your waist. Wear heels. Buy padded undergarments. Get butt-lifting underwear if you’d rather not wear padding.

https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Refugees

How to Help Refugees

The quickest and easiest way to help refugees is by donating money or goods to organizations like Direct Relief, International Rescue Committee, and The Women's Refugee Commission. You can also start a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the cause. If you want to make a bigger impact, gather a group of like-minded people and work together to help raise awareness. Use word of mouth, social media, and any other tools at your disposal to get the word out!

Stay informed about humanitarian crises. To know how to help refugees, you'll first need to know where they're coming from, and what their needs are. Make sure to keep up with global news reports and social media so that you will stay abreast of humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and political regimes that create refugee situations. Aside from your favorite news outlets, you can follow an agency such as the Human Rights Watch by email or social media. Identify and donate to the organizations that help refugees. There are numerous agencies and organizations that focus on providing assistance to refugees, and keeping up with these is a great way to stay involved. The websites and social media of organizations like these will have a wealth of information about recent and ongoing refugee crises, as well as additional ideas for how to get involved. Verify organizations and charities on Charity Navigator at https://www.charitynavigator.org/ to make sure that they're reputable. Donate money and/or goods. This is probably the quickest and easiest way to make a contribution to refugee efforts. Pay attention after natural disasters, political uncertainties, and other situations that can create waves of refugees. Look for calls to make financial contributions to charitable organizations, which will then apply the money to get refugees the material and humanitarian assistance they need. Sometimes, you can also donate goods (such as non-perishable food and clothing) to make a direct impact. Donations to charitable organizations are probably tax-deductible, but check with the organization to make sure. Organize an action on behalf of refugees. If you want to make a bigger impact, you can band together with like-minded people. There is strength in numbers, and the more people work together to help refugees, the more attention will be drawn to the effort. Try to do things like host an event (such as a telethon) where people can make donations to refugee organizations, or arrange a march to bring attention to the refugee crisis. Make sure to get the word out there so that people will know about your event. Post flyers with the name of the event, and important information like the date, time, and location. You should also broadcast this information widely via social media, email lists, and word of mouth. You can also contact organizations like the UN Refugee Agency or the Refugee Start Force for help organizing a fundraising or awareness campaign in your area. These groups have the know-how and experience to help you launch a successful event. You might find this especially helpful for figuring out the logistics of hosting an event (finding a space, getting equipment, developing a program for the event, etc.). Start an online fundraising campaign. Crowdfunding sites are now an easy and often effective way to raise money to support valuable causes. All it takes is a few minutes to set up an account and fundraising website. Then, people can make donations online, and you can pass the funds along to organizations that help refugees. Crowdrise has a fundraising set up devoted to the UN Refugee agency, so you can direct people there. However, you can also use a site like that for ideas, then create your own crowdfunding site using services like Indiegogo and Go Fund me. You can choose to create a limited-time fundraising campaign (like “Summer 2017 Refugee Fundraising Drive”), or to have an ongoing donation website. You can also decide to focus your crowdfunding site on a specific theme or group (like “Teens for Refugees”). No matter what form your crowdfunding site takes, make sure to advertise it widely, especially via social media. Spread the word via social networking. The widespread use of social networking websites has made it easier than ever to spread under-reported news to friends, relatives, and acquaintances. If you come across a story related to refugees, or information about how to make donations and get involved, post and share widely. This will help to increase aid to refugees. You can also write posts about a refugee situation that matters to you, how a refugee crisis impacts you, or stories about refugees that you meet. First-person, human interest stories help readers know more about refugees as individuals, and their needs. This can encourage others to help refugees. Take action abroad. If you are really committed to making an impact, you can go to the home country of refugees to help them leave the area. By joining a rapid response team, you can make sure that refugees are taken care of as their situation is sorted out, see that the aid effort is organized, that international media agencies are getting good information, etc. Response teams are made up of people who have international experience, or specific skills that can help with refugee aid efforts (like language knowledge or medical training). If you are interested in working on a refugee response team, be prepared for potentially difficult circumstances, such as volatile political situations and lack of access to basic services (electricity, running water, etc.). Check with refugee aid organizations to learn more about possibilities for volunteering or interning abroad. Work with organizations to help connect refugees to the services they need. Once refugees arrive in the sheltering country, they will need more help. Governmental offices, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), and charitable organizations keep track of the benefits and aid that refugees are eligible to receive. Working with these refugee organizations will allow you to safely and effectively help refugees. These groups help connect refugees to things like: Cash support Food assistance Language training and interpreter services Job training and placement Transportation Child care Citizenship classes Provide transportation for refugees. Sometimes the simplest ways to help, like giving someone a ride, make the biggest impact. Ask refugee organizations in your area if you can help by picking up refugees at the airport when they arrive, or by giving them rides to meetings with governmental offices, to job interviews, or even just to the store to get basic needs like food and clothing. Help out with childcare. Some refugees enter a safe country with children, or have them after they arrive. If you are comfortable taking care of children, talk to refugee organizations in your area about serving as primary or backup childcare. Looking after the children of refugees while they are busy doing things like looking for jobs, finding housing, or going to meetings can make a world of difference. In some cases, refugees are eligible for childcare services provided by government agencies. Teach or mentor refugees. Depending on their situation, refugees can have widely varying levels of education or experience. Regardless of their background, however, many will need assistance getting around in a new country and language, and earning permanent resident or citizen status. Talk to refugee organizations in your area about ways you can help educate refugees on the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a new nation. You can do things like: Offer to teach or tutor English to non-English-speaking refugees, or volunteer as a conversation partner. Mentor refugees on adjusting to life in your country (learning customs, finding a job, understanding laws, etc.) Teach citizenship classes to refugees (these typically require some knowledge of a country's history and government) Invite refugees to share their experiences. One way to encourage more people to get involved with assisting refugees is to increase their knowledge of crises and refugee situations. A direct and meaningful way to do this is to invite refugees to talk about their experiences (on their own or through an interpreter) to community organizations, churches, government agencies, schools, etc. Get in touch with aid organizations and your community to see about hosting a “share your story” or Q&A event with refugees. Hit the streets. Your goal might be to generally increase knowledge of the plight of refugees, rather than respond to a particular natural or political disaster. In this case, one way to memorably and visibly make an impact is to be on the ground in your area, telling others about refugee situations. Stand at busy intersections and ask pedestrians if they have a moment to talk about refugee situations. Pass out flyers to pedestrians on city streets, college campuses, etc. that have information about refugee aid organizations. Organize a march to heighten awareness of refugee situations. Whichever method you choose, band together with others to increase visibility. Things like wearing matching brightly-colored t-shirts with your organization's logo and carrying picket signs will also draw more attention to your cause. Contact congresspeople on behalf of refugees. Making calls or writing letters to government officials can be surprisingly effective, especially when many concerned people make the effort. Contact the U.S. congressman in charge of your district or other government officials concerning current and future refugee resettlement programs. Make sure that everyone involved in your organization does the same. To be most effective, don't just tell the senator, representative, or other official that you are concerned about the plight of refugees. Tell them exactly how you want them to respond (supporting a new bill, increasing funding for aid to refugees, etc.). Encourage businesses to make contributions. Individual donations matter, but corporate contributions can be larger and more visible. Talk to area businesses about making financial contributions to refugee aid organizations, or get in touch with those organizations about helping with their plans to seek corporate contributions. If you have connections to any businesses, chambers of commerce, or development authorities, lean on these to drum up aid for refugees. Offer to prominently acknowledge corporate donations in an aid organization's website, emails, promotional materials, etc. Get in touch with local media sources. When local, state, and national refugee stories come up, contact your local media and encourage them to report on those stories. If you are especially knowledgeable about refugee crises or have experience working in the field, you can also offer to be a point of contact for the media. Local media can include television news, radio news, websites and newspapers.

Stay informed about humanitarian crises. Identify and donate to the organizations that help refugees. Donate money and/or goods. Organize an action on behalf of refugees. Start an online fundraising campaign. Spread the word via social networking. Take action abroad. Work with organizations to help connect refugees to the services they need. Provide transportation for refugees. Help out with childcare. Teach or mentor refugees. Invite refugees to share their experiences. Hit the streets. Contact congresspeople on behalf of refugees. Encourage businesses to make contributions. Get in touch with local media sources.

https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Bed-Bug-Bites-Immediately

How to Stop Bed Bug Bites Immediately

To stop bed bug bites immediately, cover your mattress and box spring with individual mattress encasements, which will kill all of the bed bugs inside so they stop biting you. Then, machine wash your bedding using hot water to kill any bed bugs on it. You should also kill the bed bugs on your clothes by bagging them up and setting them outside in the sun. Also, run a vacuum through your room to suck up any bed bugs on the floor.

Try a steamer. One of the immediate ways to kill bed bugs is to steam them out. They cannot survive the steam, so any that you can see, you can steam. Use a handheld steamer to blow steam at the bugs. However, be warned. This solution will only kill the ones you can see, not ones buried down in crevices. Bed bugs like to hide. Vacuum your mattress. Strip your bed of its bedding, and store it in a double trash bag. Vacuum your mattress and box springs as best you can, including underneath both. Dealing with your mattress first is the most immediate thing you can do. Since bed bugs bite at night, you need to clear your sleeping area of bed bugs if possible by vacuuming and encasing the mattress, then isolate the bed from more bed bugs. Pick an encasement for your mattress. The encasement should be one that is meant to keep out bed bugs. It should also be strong enough to not rip. Cover your mattress and box springs. Cover both your mattress and box springs with individual encasements. Bed bugs cannot move in and out of these casings, stopping the ones inside from biting you. The ones inside will eventually die, and the ones outside will have lost a place to hide. You should keep it on for a year. Throw out the cover if it rips. If your cover becomes torn, throw it out, and replace it. Bed bugs can move through small openings. Wash your bedding. Wash your bedding in very hot water, rinse it in hot water, as well. Then dry it on a hot setting. The hot water should kill any bed bugs in the bedding. Be sure to discard the bags the bedding was in outside, so the bed bugs aren't in your house. Place clothes in black trash bags. Set the bags in the sun on a hot afternoon. The heat should kill any bed bugs inside. Clean up. If your room is cluttered, make sure you clean up. Clutter provides places for bed bugs to hide, so by removing the items, you reduce their chances of surviving. Vacuum your room. You can suck up a good number of bed bugs just by vacuuming thoroughly. Make sure to take the vacuum bag or contents outside once you are done vacuuming. Use bed bug interceptors. Interceptors go under the feet of your bed. They're designed to keep bed bugs from crawling up into your bed. Commercial ones create a little moat that traps bed bugs before they can reach the bed post. Move your bed away from the wall and furniture. If your bed touches the wall or furniture, bed bugs can still crawl in. Don't immediately reach for the pesticide. Pesticides are not that effective against bed bugs, so dousing your bed and room in one is not going to be that helpful. Call an exterminator. If you think you have bed bugs, the first step is to call a professional exterminator. You simply don't have the skills and tools you need to take care of the problem completely. Know what to expect. The professional is going to need to get in and around most of your room, including headboards, baseboards, carpets, and your mattress and bedsprings. Ensure the person is systematic. Watch carefully to make sure the professional is getting into every nook and cranny. He or she should be able to spot where bed bugs could be hiding, but you may need to point out hidden areas. Try a heat treatment. Exterminators can heat up your rooms to very hot temperature to kill the bed bugs, which you can't do on your own. Ask the professional about performing a heat treatment. Alert any management. If you live in an apartment complex, you need to talk to management, as bed bugs may be spreading from apartment to apartment. When one apartment is treated, the apartments directly above, below and on either side should be treated at the same time. Wash thrift store clothes immediately. If you bring home clothes from a thrift store, wash them immediately in very hot water. You can also run them through a hot dryer. The process should kill off any bed bugs in the clothes. Avoid picking up furniture. It may be tempting to take home what seems to be a perfectly good couch on the curb. However, furniture can harbor bed bugs, and you could be bringing them into your home. Buy new mattresses. If you buy a used mattress, make sure it has been professionally cleaned first. To be on the safe side, you can encase the mattress and box springs in dust-mite covers to keep the bed bugs from biting at night. Inspect the room at a hotel. Before settling in, check your hotel room for bed bugs by inspecting the mattress and the area around the bed. Keep your luggage as far away from the bed as possible. You can use the luggage rack for your suitcase, especially if it is away from the bed. Try not to leave your luggage on the floor. Wash clothes after a trip. When you return from travelling, immediately wash all the clothes you took on the trip on a hot temperature. Also, leave your suitcase in the garage if possible. Be considerate to others. If you have bed bugs, you may need to throw out furniture in bedding. Before doing so, you should slash up the pieces, so that other people will not take them. You should also consider leaving a note with the items for the same reason. Look for them in crevices. Bed bugs are experts at hiding, and they can hid in cracks, in mattresses, or even behind items on your bedside table. Take a flashlight to look for them in those areas. Look for the signs. Bed bugs leave behind small black flecks of feces. You might also notice small drops of blood on your bed in the morning. Check for bites. Not everyone is affected by a bed bug bite. In fact, only about 1/3 of people develop a spot on their skin after they are bitten. The bites usually result in a small pink bump that itches.Most often, they occur in groups of three. Compare to other bugs. That is, if you find a bug, compare it to pictures online to determine it really is a bed bug, as opposed to a flea or tick. Check other rooms. While your bedroom is the most likely to be infected, check out other rooms, as well. For instance, you could bring bed bugs in on a couch, so your living room could be infected.

Try a steamer. Vacuum your mattress. Pick an encasement for your mattress. Cover your mattress and box springs. Throw out the cover if it rips. Wash your bedding. Place clothes in black trash bags. Clean up. Vacuum your room. Use bed bug interceptors. Move your bed away from the wall and furniture. Don't immediately reach for the pesticide. Call an exterminator. Know what to expect. Ensure the person is systematic. Try a heat treatment. Alert any management. Wash thrift store clothes immediately. Avoid picking up furniture. Buy new mattresses. Inspect the room at a hotel. Wash clothes after a trip. Be considerate to others. Look for them in crevices. Look for the signs. Check for bites. Compare to other bugs. Check other rooms.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Girl-Feel-Beautiful

How to Make a Girl Feel Beautiful

Girls love to feel beautiful and valued, so if you like a girl, it's important to show her that you adore her. Give her regular compliments when you notice something you like about her. For example, say something like, “I love your smile. It always lights up a room.” However, don't only focus on her looks. Appreciate her for her inner beauty too. Compliment her on things like her sense of humor, her kindness, and her taste in music. Don't be afraid to look her over and smile so she'll see that you're attracted to her.

Be specific. It's easy to say, "You're pretty," and it's just as easy to brush that off. But if you're more specific, you show you notice what makes her beautiful, and she may start to believe what you say. So instead of saying "You're beautiful," try something like "Your smile lights up a room" or "I love how your hair turns red in the sunshine." Avoid negative words. Don't criticize her appearance, of course, but also help her to stop talking negatively about herself, too. When she starts complaining about her appearance, point out what she's doing and replace it with a compliment. For instance, if she says, "I can't stand my love handles. They're so chubby." You can say, "Don't take yourself down. I love your body with all its curves." If that doesn't work, help her examine how often she talks negatively about herself. Maybe she doesn't realize she is saying negative things so often, so if you gently point it out, it may help her take control of the situation. If you can, turn it back on her. That is, encourage her to talk positively about her body when she starts talking negatively. Skip the backhanded compliments. For instance, saying something like "You're skinny for your age" implies that a person old. Also, try to not use compliments that imply she wasn't as beautiful in the past, such as "You look so lovely now that you've lost some weight!" Use your eyes. You can show someone you appreciate her beauty by how your eyes light up when she comes near or when she catches you looking at her when she's distracted. Buy her something pretty to wear. It can be a dress, a ring, or something more intimate, just make sure you get the right size. Pick something you know she'll love, or ask for help from a friend if you don't feel confident doing it. Buying her something pretty will help her to feel more beautiful, and it will show you appreciate her beauty. Have a photo shoot. Tell her to get dressed up in something nice, and go take photos. You can take them yourself or hire a professional. Help her see herself the way you see her by capturing her beauty. Pick a pretty outdoor setting on a sunny day. The light near dusk can help bring out a person's natural beauty. Try taking pictures with flowers, near trees, or on low tree branches or bushes. These props will help you to create beautiful shots. Once you've taken the pictures, take some time to pick the best ones, and edit them if you have the skills. That is, pick the ones that really show off her beauty, and then do crop them and adjust the color to make them even more beautiful. If you don't know how, ask for some help from a friend. Sing her a song. Pick a song that celebrates a woman's beauty, and one that relates to her particular style. For instance, you could pick "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor if your friend or girlfriend is a curvy lady or "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction if she has a hard time believing she's beautiful. Pick a moment she's down to have an impromptu concert. For instance, maybe she had a bad day at work. Try cooking her dinner and singing to her as you cook. Some other options for songs are "Flawless" by Beyonce, "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. Write her a poem. It doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to say how you really feel about your friend or girlfriend. Try to be as specific as possible about what you love about her, both her personality and her body. For instance, you could write: "You are the light of my life. / I love all your curves, / and the way your hair / flows down your back. / More importantly, / I love who you are, / the way you make people / feel like they are noticed and important, / the way you help when no else notices. / You are a star in a midnight sky." If you don't have it in you to write a poem, you can use someone else's to express how you feel, though you should give them credit. For example, you could use Lord Byron's "She Walks in Beauty Like the Night." Give her a card with a positive quote in it. Many celebrity women have commented on what makes a woman truly beautiful. You can use one of those quotes to help your friend or girlfriend feel beautiful by including it in your card. Just be sure to say where it came from. For instance, you could use this quote from Audrey Hepburn: "The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman only grows with passing years." Support her as a person. Part of making someone feel beautiful may mean taking the emphasis off her body somewhat. That is, let her know you value who she is on the inside and out. Often, body issues arise because a person has low confidence, so helping her to feel comfortable with who she is can go a long way to helping her feel beautiful. Encourage her interests and hobbies, and show you appreciate the things she does for you. For instance, maybe you can take her out to dinner to show her how much you appreciate who she is and what she does. Ask her to work out with you. Don't pressure her, but studies show that working out can make you feel better about your body image, even if it doesn't change your body. So ask her to go for a walk with you or take a dip in the pool. Don't judge other women. Even if you're not talking about your friend or girlfriend, talk positively about other people's bodies. If you're criticizing someone's body in her presence, she may think that you feel the same way about her. Skip the pornography. That is, skip any type of media that is solely for the purpose of consuming women's bodies. Your friend or girlfriend will definitely feel like she doesn't measure up, especially if she catches you perusing this type of media.

Be specific. Avoid negative words. Skip the backhanded compliments. Use your eyes. Buy her something pretty to wear. Have a photo shoot. Sing her a song. Write her a poem. Give her a card with a positive quote in it. Support her as a person. Ask her to work out with you. Don't judge other women. Skip the pornography.

https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-and-Treat-Salivary-Cysts-in-Cats

How to Diagnose and Treat Salivary Cysts in Cats

If your cat has mucoceles, or salivary cysts, it may have swelling in its face, as well as blood in its saliva, and soft masses in its neck. Other symptoms to check for include swelling, bleeding, or discoloration in the mouth, bad breath, and trouble breathing or swallowing. However, only a trained veterinarian should diagnose and treat salivary problems for your cat, so take it to a vet immediately if you suspect it might have mucoceles. Your vet will most likely test for tumors and abscesses in the salivary glands, then surgically remove the masses.

Examine the mouth area. Swelling in the salivary glands often causes swelling around the entirety of the face, as well as blood in saliva and soft masses in the neck. Check the face and neck area to look for symptoms of salivary mucoceles. Use your finger to gently pull up on the cheeks and expose the teeth and gums. Visually check for swelling, bleeding, or discoloration. You may also want to smell for bad breath. Run the back of your hand down the cat's neck, applying light pressure, to feel for masses. Watch their daily habits. Salivary cysts can cause lethargy, loss of appetite, difficulty eating, and other behavioral changes. Watch your cat's daily habits to see if they are eating or drinking less, or avoiding playing and other physical activity they typically enjoy. If your cat is typically lethargic, maybe due to age or a disability, do not assume lethargy alone is a symptom. Look for other symptoms, as well. Also watch your cat for vomiting. If they are eating well but throwing up regularly, it may be a sign that something is wrong. Listen for respiratory distress. A salivary mucocele may cause respiratory distress such as difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing. Listen for wheezing, labored breathing, or other signs that your cat may be struggling to properly intake air. If your cat seems to be experiencing any respiratory distress, seek help from a vet immediately. Trouble breathing could cause brain damage or become fatal if not treated quickly. Make an appointment to look for mucoceles. Only a trained veterinarian should diagnose and treat salivary problems for your cat. If your cat is showing symptoms of salivary swelling, make an appointment with your vet and ask them to check for mucoceles. Let your vet know what symptoms you have observed at home, and provide as much detail as you can about when you began noticing behavioral changes. Test for tumors and abscesses. A vet can readily distinguish between a mucocele and a more severe problem such as a tumor with some simple testing. If recommended by your vet, allow them to test the detected mass using a fine needle biopsy, as well as imaging tests like sialography. These tests are often painless and not invasive for your cat, and they help your vet rule out more extreme problems such as cancers. Ask the vet about treatment options. Treatment options will be different depending upon your vet's diagnosis after testing. Ask your vet, “what treatment options do you recommend for my cat's particular problem?” Follow your vet's recommendations as closely as you are able. If your cat is experiencing a problem other than a salivary mucocele, they may require more intensive testing and treatment. Talk to your vet extensively about treatment options, their cost, and their overall success rates. Seek surgical removal. Minor surgery is generally the best treatment option for masses and cysts in the salivary glands. Talk to your vet about having the masses surgically removed, or otherwise tying off damaged ducts to help stop saliva leakage. While draining the cysts is sometimes an option, they are likely to reoccur and/or become infected, so removing the glands is the best course of action. Before you have the actual procedure performed, talk to your vet about any potential risks associated with the procedure. Let them know about any pre-existing conditions your cat may have, and see if they impact your cat's eligibility for the removal procedure. Seek removal immediately if the masses are impacting your cat's ability to eat or breathe. Allow time for recovery. After surgery, your cat will need time to rest and recover. Follow your vet's instructions for aftercare, and carefully monitor the incision site for signs of infection such as swelling, redness, or discharge. Your cat may need to be placed on soft foods until the incisions heal so that they do not aggravate the injuries. Your cat may also be placed on antibiotics to help prevent infection. Administer them regularly according to your vet's instructions. Some antibiotics may decrease your cat's appetite, so you will need to pay attention to any changes in your cat's habits and let your vet know of any issues. Schedule follow-ups. After cyst removal, be sure to schedule regular follow-up appointments as suggested by your vet. The first appointment should be 2 weeks or so after the surgery to make sure the incision has healed and no infection is present. If you think an infection may be present, don't wait until your follow-up appointment. Contact your vet immediately to schedule a check-up. If you notice radical changes in your cat's behavior or habits, bring them to the vet as soon as possible. If you move or find a new vet, let them know during your first appointment that your cat experienced salivary swelling in the past. This way, the new vet knows to monitor for any future complications.

Examine the mouth area. Watch their daily habits. Listen for respiratory distress. Make an appointment to look for mucoceles. Test for tumors and abscesses. Ask the vet about treatment options. Seek surgical removal. Allow time for recovery. Schedule follow-ups.

https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-Polo-Shirts

How to Wash Polo Shirts

Since polo shirts can sometimes be a little delicate, you'll want to wash them carefully to keep them looking fresh. Wash your polo shirts with cold water and regular detergent. If they're stained, apply a stain remover and let it sit for 5 minutes before throwing them in the wash. If the stains are really stubborn, you can also add an all-fabric, non-chlorine bleach to the wash cycle. If you're in a rush, it's OK to dry your polo shirts on low heat for a full cycle. However, it's best to dry them for a few minutes on low heat, then leave them to air dry the rest of the way.

Blot the stain with a paper towel until it is dry. Before attempting to treat a stain, make sure it is completely dry. Be careful, though, since you don't want to make the stain worse. Scrape any solid matter off gently with a dull knife. Then, use a paper towel to soak up as much of the stain as possible. Treat stains immediately, if possible. The sooner you treat a stain, the easier it is to remove. Apply a laundry pre-treatment product to remove most stains. Stain removal products include sprays, sticks, pens, and gels. All you have to do is apply the product until the stain is completely saturated. You can also work the spray into the stain using your finger or a laundry brush. You can buy stain removal products at most general stores. Let the stain removal product soak in for 5 minutes. Check the manufacturer's instructions on the bottle for the recommended drying time, since this may vary slightly from product to product. The wait time will typically be short. If you're unsure, wait 5 minutes no matter what. You can then launder the shirt normally to remove the stain and the stain removal product. If you don't plan on washing the entire shirt, rinse the stain removal product off under cold running water. Soak the stubborn stains in non-chlorine bleach before washing. If your polo shirt still won't come clean, using bleach is worth the risk. Try using a bleach gel pen, but check the label first. Make sure the product doesn't include hypochlorite, which may wear out or discolor your polo shirt. Rub the product into the stain and launder the shirt immediately. You can also try adding some all-fabric bleach to your laundry cycle. This may take out stubborn stains if you don't have a gel pen. Non-chlorine or all-fabric bleach may still damage some polo shirts, so you may want to test the product on an inconspicuous spot first. Oxygenated bleach is useful for brightening shirts that look dull. It's used the same way as non-chlorine bleach. Clean the shirt with a color run remover if dye bleeds onto it. Sometimes light-colored polo shirts pick up dye in the wash when cleaned with other clothing. You may be able to fix this by mixing a color run remover product into water, then soaking the polo in it for several hours. Finish by washing the polo normally with liquid detergent. Your best chances of removing unwanted dye is right when you notice the stain. Once the dye dries, removing it is unlikely. You may also be able to remove dye stains on your own with rubbing alcohol or bleach. Read the washing and drying instructions on the polo’s tag. You can find washing instructions printed on a tag underneath the collar. The manufacturer may offer some specific directions for their product. If you're ever stuck, you can use those directions to protect your polos as you clean them. All polos can be washed and dried the same general way, which is with cold water and low heat. Button the collar, turn the shirt inside out, and lift the collar. A floppy collar is a nuisance, but it is bound to happen after you wash your polo a few times. To prevent this, button the top button on the collar. Now turn the entire polo inside out, then flip the collar up. This should protect it during the washing and drying process. You may also be able to fix a floppy collar by spraying it with starch and ironing it. Wash the polo with similarly-colored clothing. Putting a polo shirt through a wash cycle is fine, but you have to pay attention to any other clothing you wash with it. Dark colors from other clothing can bleed and discolor light polos. In addition, avoid washing white polos with colored fabric. Polos with white stripes are typically safe to wash with both white and colored clothing. Be careful with red clothing or red-striped polos. Red dyes are the most likely to bleed. You may want to avoid washing red clothing with polos or red-striped polos with white clothing. Fill the washing machine’s soap tray with a mild liquid detergent. Make sure your detergent is safe to use on delicate clothing. A lot of detergents designed to treat heavy stains are harsh and may even have bleach that can damage a polo shirt. Then, check the manufacturer's instructions on the soap container to find out how much detergent to add. This depends on how big the laundry load is. Be careful if you use a powdered detergent, since a lot of them are too harsh to be used on polo shirts. You can use bleach on white polos. Check the shirt's tag. It will likely instruct you to use non-chlorine bleach. Wash the polo shirt using a cold water cycle. Set your laundry machine for a single cycle using only cold water. The “delicate” or “hand wash” settings some machines have are safe to use. Leave the polo shirt in the machine for the entire cycle and get ready to take it out as soon as it is done. Avoid warm water, since it will wear out your polo shirts over time. Cold water will still get your shirts clean. You can hand wash polo shirts in cold water, but this isn't recommended since it can cause the dye to bleed a little. Use a low heat tumble setting if you machine dry your polo shirts. Polo shirts can be dried in a dryer, but always use low heat. You can choose the “delicates” setting if your dryer has it. Be careful if you wear polyester polos, though, since these shirts may be more prone than cotton polos to heat damage. Check the tag for the manufacturer's recommendations. Remember to keep the polo's collar up while drying so it retains its shape. If you have the time, you can avoid the risk of damage to your polos by skipping to air drying. Dry the polo in a dryer for only 2 to 3 minutes if possible. To avoid putting a delicate polo shirt through an entire drying cycle, be prepared to remove the polo almost immediately. If you're in a rush, you can continue the cycle until your polo shirts are completely dry. However, briefly drying the polo this way gets rid of some of the water without causing heat damage to the fabric. Most wear and tear from machine drying won't show up right away. The polo may shrink at first, but the heat also can wear out the fabric over time. Instead of machine drying the polo now, you can also choose to throw the polo into the dryer for the last 2 or 3 minutes of the drying process. Remove the polo shirt from the dryer immediately after drying it briefly. If the polo is still wet, the fabric will take on some unappealing crinkles. Prepare to finish the drying process as soon as possible. If the polo is completely dry, you won't have to worry about water damage. However, still try to put the shirt away as soon as you can. Set wet polos on a towel out of direct sunlight to air dry them. You can do this for both undried and partially-dried polos. Try to pick a warm, exposed area with good air circulation for this. You may want to put the towel near a window or fan to facilitate drying. Direct sunlight weakens and discolors fabric over time, so avoid drying your polos in it. You can also spread the polo on a drying rack instead of a towel. Allow the polo to dry for about 30 minutes. Place the polo on the towel, spreading it out as much as possible. Flatten the polo as much as you can against the towel. The towel will absorb moisture from any parts of the shirt it contacts. If you have the towel in a good location, the shirt should dry out relatively quickly so you can store it. A polo that has been partially dried in a drying machine may finish drying in about 15 to 25 minutes, although this varies depending on your environment. If the shirt seems to be drying slowly, try flipping it after 15 minutes. This encourages both sides of the shirt to dry at an even rate.

Blot the stain with a paper towel until it is dry. Apply a laundry pre-treatment product to remove most stains. Let the stain removal product soak in for 5 minutes. Soak the stubborn stains in non-chlorine bleach before washing. Clean the shirt with a color run remover if dye bleeds onto it. Read the washing and drying instructions on the polo’s tag. Button the collar, turn the shirt inside out, and lift the collar. Wash the polo with similarly-colored clothing. Fill the washing machine’s soap tray with a mild liquid detergent. Wash the polo shirt using a cold water cycle. Use a low heat tumble setting if you machine dry your polo shirts. Dry the polo in a dryer for only 2 to 3 minutes if possible. Remove the polo shirt from the dryer immediately after drying it briefly. Set wet polos on a towel out of direct sunlight to air dry them. Allow the polo to dry for about 30 minutes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-an-Email-Blast

How to Do an Email Blast

To do an email blast, start by finding an email blasting software or website you can use, like MailChimp, Constant Contact, or Vertical Response. Then, upload your email blast and all of the contacts you want to send the email to. When you're writing your email blast, include a compelling subject line, like "Act Today, 25 percent off all shirts," so people are more likely to open it. Also, try to use actionable language throughout your email, like "Buy now" or "Call today," to encourage people to act when they read your email blast.

Have a clear purpose for the blast. Email blasting customers or partners is not an arbitrary task. Each blast should have a concise purpose before you begin to draft it. Determine what you're trying to deliver and how you want the recipients to react to the email. The blast's purpose could be enticing customers to purchase something, updating employees on a new project or initiative, or a newsletter to recap the month's events. Once you determine the purpose of the blast, you can work on making the message more clear to your recipients. For example, your organization is running a promotional offer, but if customers don't know about it, you can send a blast with the purpose of informing people of your promotion as well as encouraging them to purchase your product online. If you are sending a newsletter, make sure that it goes out around the same time each month. Write a compelling subject line. The subject of your email will be the first thing that people will see when viewing it. Because of the immense amount of spam that exists, it's important that you draw the recipient in enough so that they open the message. The subject line should invite the reader to some benefit or include a sense of urgency which requires action. Avoid cliche marketing terminology like "act now" or "free limited offer" as these subject lines can make recipients feel suspicious and turned off. Your subject line should be 50 characters or less. An example of a compelling subject line would be "Act Today, 25% off of all linen tops." Another subject line could be something like, "Stop the Northeast High from shutting down. Call the mayor today." Aim to make your subject compelling but clear. If the reader doesn't know what the email is about, they are less likely to open it. Avoid excess punctuation or capital letters as this can be perceived as spam. Make the first three sentences of your blast catchy. The first couple of sentences within your email blast will determine whether the recipient decides to read the rest of it. The intro should draw people in with a sense of urgency or excitement. You can elaborate more on the subject line within your first sentence to give additional clarity to what the email is about, or you can create a sense of urgency and intrigue that compels them to open the email to learn more about the issue. The preheader is the text that people see next to the subject line when they open their inbox. A compelling and catchy subject line accompanied with a convincing preheader will cause many people to open your blasts. An example would be something like, "Our Halloween savings extravaganza is here. For this week only there's 50% off of all jeans, winter jackets, and boots. Order online today with the promo code HAL17." Use action-oriented language. Your email blast should have some "call to action" or something that the recipient can do after reading the message. This call to action should be short and specific. Tell the reader exactly what you want them to do, and why it will benefit them. Having a single purpose or call to action will improve your click-through rates significantly. Avoid packaging multiple offers or events within one email. Action-oriented language can be something like "Buy the new season of Shameless and get 10% off your next order!" Actions could include calling Senator about a bill, purchasing a new product, or leaving feedback. Personalize the email blast. E-blast applications allow the writer to cater each email to their recipients with responsive fields. Instead of addressing an email to everyone, you can make it feel as if you sent the email directly to the recipient. Whenever you can, aim to customize the email so that the reader feels more invested in it. You'll need a database with names or a spreadsheet that has everyone's name in a specific field in order to personalize your email blasts. Personalizing emails improve click-through rates and the amount of people who decide to open your email. Typically fields for personalization will look something like <FirstName>, [name], or some other variation depending on the software you are using. Personalizing an email with a name may prevent your blast from triggering some email providers spam filters. Keep the email short. If you write an email that's too long, there's a chance that recipients will skim over it or stop reading it at a certain point. This could mean that they miss your call to action, or what you're trying to get across. Try to edit out pieces of information that aren't critical to the overall message. Make messages as short and concise as possible. Avoid over-elaboration or background that can clutter your blast. Break up your text into paragraphs that contain a cohesive theme, so it doesn't look like one block of text. The best emails will be under 750 words. Ensure that your email meets spam guidelines. The CAN-SPAM Act are laws that govern how you can craft emails. To stay compliant with the act, there are several things you must include and things you must avoid doing to ensure that your emails aren't considered spam. For one, there must be an unsubscribe button somewhere in the email so that people can opt out of receiving them. Another rule is that recipients must know who they are receiving the email from, so include an accurate header or reply address where they can point their concerns or comments. Spam filters for different mailing services will flag emails that have sent spam in the past, and filter emails based on other criteria as the type of content and how it's formatted. Choose an email blasting software or website. To send your email blast, you'll need to do research on popular email blast websites and choose one that works for your team. Consider the amount of training that would be required, if it automatically links to your current database or CRM, how much it costs, and how easy it is to use. Write down pros and cons of each provider and determine the blasting software that's right for you. Popular sites allow you to create email blasts include Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and Vertical Response. Some content management systems or databases have email blast capabilities built into their software. Double-check your email blast. After you've written your email blast, you should go over it again for grammar and spelling errors. An excellent way to help you edit your email is to send it to colleagues to ensure that there aren't any factual or grammatical mistakes, and to make sure that the messaging stays on brand. Ask people on your team to look over your blast and provide you with feedback. Sometimes colleagues won't have the most useful feedback, but they can give you an idea of how others perceive it, and what you need to fix before you send it out. Set your target audience. Audiences can be split up in a variety of ways including gender, age, geographic location, or buying habits. Before you send your blast, you want to make sure that you can segment people into different lists so you can target your blasts to the right people. Consider what demographic you want to target, and what they will need to fulfill your call-to-action. For example, sending people in New Jersey a coupon for stores located in Alaska is not useful or helpful. Another example of sending an e-mail to the wrong people is if you are marketing a product to women age 50 and above, but include men in their 20's in the blast. The more that the recipient receives useless content or emails, the less likely they will open future emails from you. Paste your e-blast into the body of the email blast software. You should write your email blast in another software application that checks for spelling or grammar errors. Once your text is ready, you can paste it into the body for your email blast. Take note of formatting, spacing, and links because some of these don't transfer over correctly from one software to another. Send yourself a test email. Before sending an email to a list of people, send one to yourself. Read over the email carefully and keep an eye out for poor formatting or incorrectly sized pictures. Check the email in multiple browsers and use different devices to see if it works across different platforms. Click all the links within the email and make sure they are working as intended. When you fix a mistake, be sure to send another test email to see if it saved correctly. This is also a way to see if your email will be flagged as spam by an email's spam filter. Send the email. Once you've uploaded the contacts that you want to send the email to, it's time to send the email to the list. Go over the recipients one more time before sending the email and then send it out. Another option that you have is to schedule the blast to go out at a later date and time. This is a great idea if you may have to make last-minute revisions or want to choose a specific time to send it out. Best times to send an email blast are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday around mid-day. Choose analytics software that works for your organization. While many email marketing applications have built-in analytics, you may consider getting a third party system to help you process the data or statistics on your campaigns. Some software can give you a more comprehensive or visual representation of your analytics, while others may track something that your current content management system does not. The size and scope of your e-blast campaign will dictate which kind of software you require. Popular analytics software includes Google Analytics, Klipfolio, DOMO, Tibco and Tableau Software. Understand the statistics. Click-through rate or CTR is how often customers click on links contained in your email. There is also a conversion rate, which tracks how many people took action after clicking your link, as well as a rate for how many people opened and read your email. Many email blast software will have these metrics built in. Do not make things in the email blast confusing or complicated as it can prevent people from taking action or even reading the blast. To calculate your CTR, divide the number of clicks by the number of emails that you've sent. If your click rate is fairly low, try to come up with new methods to attract people to your links. Conversion rates track things like how many people RSVPed to an event, purchased a product, or signed a petition. Adding images to an email may also help improve your click through rate. Average click rate for an email blast is 5.6%, though it will vary depending on the type of business you have. Find things that encourage people to engage. By tracking the statistics on each of your emails, you'll be able to develop concise reports about what works and what doesn't for your target audience. Take note of the specific days and times for your highest open and conversion rates. Test different tones and subject lines and see what causes your audience to read the blast. Stick to the things that your consumer tends to favor or enjoy and avoid repeating aspects of emails that do poorly according to the stats. Take external factors, like fashion trends, into account when you are analyzing the metrics. It's not always how you are crafting the blasts, but what's happening in society that may make it more successful than others. Watch the growth of your list. Is your email list growing or shrinking? If more people are unsubscribing than are registering to your list, it's a good sign that you need an entire strategic overhaul on your email policies. If there are a lot of people unsubscribing it could be because your content is not relevant to the people that you're sending it to. In this case, try to segment your list differently or change the type of content that's being delivered through your email blasts. For example, if you see that 10% of your list unsubscribed because of your last email blast, try to identify what consumers didn't like about the email. Do not inundate customers with useless emails. Always ensure there is a plan to action or a promotion within the email.

Have a clear purpose for the blast. Write a compelling subject line. Make the first three sentences of your blast catchy. Use action-oriented language. Personalize the email blast. Keep the email short. Ensure that your email meets spam guidelines. Choose an email blasting software or website. Double-check your email blast. Set your target audience. Paste your e-blast into the body of the email blast software. Send yourself a test email. Send the email. Choose analytics software that works for your organization. Understand the statistics. Find things that encourage people to engage. Watch the growth of your list.

https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-Mosquito-Larvae-for-Fish-Food

How to Raise Mosquito Larvae for Fish Food

To raise mosquito larvae for fish food, start by getting a clean food grade water container for your larvae. Next, fill your bucket with rain water or tap water that's been treated with a dechlorinator, and place it in a shady area. Then, wait for mosquitoes to lay their eggs in the water. After about 2 weeks, you should notice small dark brown eggs in the water, which will hatch within 48 hours. If you don't see any eggs in your bucket within a few weeks, try moving it to another part of your yard.

Get a water container for your larvae. There are many container options that you can choose from to grow mosquito larvae. Larger containers will permit you to grow more larvae, but remember that the larvae you don't harvest will eventually hatch into mosquitos in your yard. Make sure to use a new or clean food grade container. Do not use one that has held paint, tar, or other chemicals as the chemicals will poison the algae or larva. A five-gallon bucket is an excellent choice for your water source, but if you have a large number of fish you intend to feed, you may want to go with something as large a 50-gallon barrel. A one-quart container can provide you with enough mosquito larvae to feed most hobbyist's fish. Fill your bucket with water. . Clean water often lacks the nutrients mosquito larvae need to survive. If you allow rain water to fill your bucket or other container it will create an environment that can more easily sustain the larvae you hope to breed. You may not want to wait long enough for your bucket or container to fill with rain water. If you choose to use tap water, it's important that you treat the water to make it safe for mosquito larvae, otherwise the chlorine may prevent algae growth, which is the larvae's primary food source. Leave debris that falls into the water. It will add to the bacterial growth mosquito larvae will feed off of. Treat the tap water with a dechlorinator that will neutralize the chlorine content that may be present in your tap water. Dechlorinator kits can be purchased at most pet or aquarium stores. Place the bucket in a shady area. Mosquitos thrive in dirty, shaded water sources. Avoid placing the bucket in direct sunlight, as the water may become too warm for larvae to survive on hot days. You may spill some water while moving the bucket, but it does not have to be full to work. Place the bucket under an overhang or dense tree growth to keep it shaded from the sun. It's okay if sunlight reaches the bucket at times, but position it so it doesn not receive direct sunlight for too much of the day. Wait for mosquitos to lay their eggs in the water. There are very few retailers that sell mosquito larvae, so you will need to wait for mosquitos to come and lay eggs in your water source. Depending on where you live, this may only happen during the spring and summer months. It will likely only take a week or two to notice mosquito eggs in your water source. Mosquito eggs will look like tiny rafts of dark brown eggs. These egg rafts tend to hatch within 48 hours. When mosquito eggs hatch, they release what looks like abdomens with two antennae. These hatchlings are commonly referred to as “wrigglers” and are the larvae you can feed to your fish. If you do not see any eggs in your bucket within a week or two, consider moving it to another part of your yard. The water may be becoming too warm (if in sunlight) or too cold. Use an eye dropper or small net to catch your larvae. Mosquito larvae are very small, so make sure you purchase a small aquarium net designed to capture tiny aquatic life. Nets designed for brine shrimp will work perfectly. You can also use an eye dropper to capture individual or small groups of eggs or larvae. Make sure to transfer the larvae or eggs into your aquarium quickly so they don't die before your fish can eat them. Pouring your water container into your aquarium is not advised, as you may not want to introduce the algae and debris in the mosquito's water to your tank. Place unhatched egg boats in your fish tank. Most fish probably will not immediately eat the small egg “boats” but they will attack the “wrigglers” or larvae as they emerge from the eggs. This is the best way to ensure your mosquito larvae don't grow into full grown pests in your backyard. It's okay if your fish eat the egg boats before they hatch. These eggs will usually hatch within 48 hours of being laid, so you may not find them very often. Capture larvae “wrigglers” and place them in your fish tank. You are much more likely to encounter larvae than unhatched eggs because of how quickly eggs hatch. Mosquito larvae will come to the surface regularly to breath. Larvae will shed their skin as they grow, so you may find empty bits of larvae skin. Fish are unlikely to eat shed skin. Larvae appear to have antennae which are actually siphon tubes used for breathing. Larvae that enters the pupa stage will look as though they have developed a head and will no longer feed on algae. These can be fed to fish, but should otherwise be washed down the drain as it is the last stage before flying. Harvest your larvae weekly. Even if you have more larvae than you can feed your fish, it's important that you purge your developing larvae on a weekly basis. Depending on the environment, mosquito eggs can develop into full grown, flying pests in as little as four days or as long as two weeks. To avoid cultivating a swarm of mosquitoes in your yard, purge any larvae your fish don't eat by pouring the water down the drain. Pouring your water out in your yard may not prevent the larvae from becoming full grown mosquitoes. Dispose of dead larvae. Your fish likely will not eat dead larvae, so if some do not survive you can simply discard them with the water as you change it each week. If all of the larvae is dying, there is an issue with the temperature or quality of the water. If you used tap water, there may have still been some chlorine present. Chlorine will kill mosquito larvae. If your bucket received direct sunlight at some point of the day, it may be becoming too hot for larvae to survive in the water.

Get a water container for your larvae. Fill your bucket with water. Place the bucket in a shady area. Wait for mosquitos to lay their eggs in the water. Use an eye dropper or small net to catch your larvae. Place unhatched egg boats in your fish tank. Capture larvae “wrigglers” and place them in your fish tank. Harvest your larvae weekly. Dispose of dead larvae.

https://www.wikihow.com/Sleep-in-Islam

How to Sleep in Islam

If you want to sleep according to the rulings and etiquette of Islam, make sure to get 8 to 10 hours of sleep, so you are able to function well in the day. Before you go to sleep, perform wudu to cleanse yourself, then follow your normal bedtime routine. For example, you might brush your teeth, change into your pajamas, or take a warm bath. You should also make sure to go to sleep right after Salatul-Isham and set an alarm to wake up for the Fajr prayer. During the night, you may pray 2 to 12 rak'at for Salatul Tahajjud, which is optional but highly encouraged.

Understand why sleep is important. Every person can agree that sleep is essential for your well-being. An average adult should get at least 8 hours of sleep at night, while teenagers should get 10 hours of it. Islam encourages a person to sleep in order to function well in the day and safely work since lack of sleep has many negative effects. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told Ibn Amr, one of his companions, who was praying the whole night: “Offer prayers and also sleep at night, as your body has a right on you”. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If anyone of you feels drowsy while praying he should go to bed (sleep) till his slumber is over." [Sahih Al-Bukhari 210] Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), narrates of a woman from the tribe of Bani Asad, who was sitting with her. The Prophet (peace be upon him) came and said, “Who is this?” Aisha replied, “She is so and so. She does not sleep at night because she is engaged in prayer." The Prophet said disapprovingly, “Do (good) deeds which are within your capacity as Allah never gets tired of giving rewards till you get tired of doing good deeds” [Musnad Ahmed 25244] Perform wudu to cleanse yourself. Wudu (ablution) is an Islamic ritual purification by washing certain body parts with water. It's usually done before performing Salah (prayer), but it's Sunnah to also perform it before sleeping. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Whenever you intend to go to bed, perform Wudu [like you do] for Salah (prayer)." [Bukhari and Muslim] Salman al-Farisi narrated that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: "... Sleeping in a state of wudu is equal to standing up the entire night in prayers." Perform your normal routine before bed. This includes dressing in more comfortable clothing (i.e. wearing pajamas), washing your face, taking a warm bath, brushing your teeth, etc. Cleanliness and hygiene are critical in Islam. Abu Malik Al-Ash`ari reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Purity is half of iman (faith)." Brushing your teeth is highly encouraged before falling asleep. Not only do dentists recommend it, but Aisha reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The miswak (a twig used for tooth brushing) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord.” (An-Nasa'i and Ibn Khuzaimah; authenticated by Al-Albani) Pray your Salah. Remembering Allah after a long, busy day brings comfort to many Muslims. Do not forget to perform Salatul-Isha, the last and fifth mandatory prayer of the day. During the night, you may pray two to twelve rak'at for Salatul Tahajjud. This prayer is known as the night prayer and is a voluntary, Sunnah prayer. Unlike the five daily prayers, you are not in sin for skipping Tahajjud prayer, but it is highly encouraged because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "In Paradise, there is a castle reserved for those who perform Tahajjud Salah." Some people prefer waking up before Fajr to perform the night prayer instead. This is recommended if you are usually exhausted by the end of the day. Praying this Salah before Fajr is called Salatul Witr. A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): "How are the night prayers done?" He said: “Two by two, then when you fear that dawn is about to break, pray Witr with one rak'ah.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari. See al-Fath, 3/20. After Salatul Tahajjud is a good time to make dua, to ask Allah for help and guidance and to seek forgiveness for any mistakes you have made. Go to sleep right after Salatul-Isha. Once you have performed your night prayers, you should go to bed right away so you can wake up early in the morning. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “One should not sleep before the night prayer, nor have discussions after it” [Sahih Al-Bukhari 574]. Unless it is an emergency, meeting with friends and family during the night is not permissible and discouraged. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said that doing work in the early morning is blessed by Allah. It's encouraged to avoid doing work in the night and use the night as a time for sleep. Set an alarm to wake up for the Fajr prayer. Fajr is the first and earliest prayer in the day, usually performed an hour before sunrise. To wake up on time and not miss it, set an alarm a few minutes before the prayer is at. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: “Whoever performs the prayer before the rising of the sun [Fajr] and before its setting [Asr], will not enter hell.” [Muslim] and “Whoever prays the two cooler prayer times (i.e. Fajr and Asr) will enter Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Getting up for Fajr is a struggle for many Muslims, especially in the summer in northern latitudes if they are not used to waking up so early. Try your best to go to bed right away after Salatul Isha so you'll be able to wake up easier in the morning. Never ever be tempted to miss Fajr. Allah does not ask for much in return for everything that He provides, so always remember that prayer is the first thing that will be examined on the Day of Judgement. Begin to rewind and relax as you prepare yourself to sleep. Create a calm, relaxing atmosphere to prepare yourself for sleep. Dim the lights, blow off candles, turn off screens, and try to make the environment as quiet as possible. You want to relax and keep your surroundings quiet and calm so you're able to fall asleep quickly. Check your home before sleeping. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Cover vessels, tie up waterskins, close doors and extinguish lamps, for the Shaytaan does not undo waterskins or open doors or uncover vessels.” Before sleeping, check to make sure all the doors and windows of the house are securely locked to keep yourself protected. Lamps, candles, and other hot-burning lights should be turned off. If there are any food or drinks left out, they should be covered and stored away. Avoid heavy meals before going to sleep. Scientifically speaking, your body is not able to digest a heavy, big meal while you lay down and will leave you staying up a few hours. Keep dinners light and simple so your body can digest it quicker and make sleeping easier. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Eating too much is a misfortune." (Shuab al-Iman of Bayhaqi) and "The believer eats to fill one intestine and the disbeliever eats to fill seven" [Hadeeth-Muslim]. Know how to nap in Islam. Sleeping doesn't always have to be done in the night. Having short naps during the day can help re-energize you and continue the day properly. Naps should be about 15-30 minutes long, no more than that, since napping for too long will leave you feeling groggy when you wake up. It is Sunnah to nap during the afternoon right after Salatul Dhuhr. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions have been mentioned in many hadiths napping during this time. Sleep in a clean area. While many people sleep in a bed, you can sleep anywhere as long as it's clean and comfortable. Before sleeping, it is Sunnah to dust your bed lightly to make sure it is clean enough for sleeping in. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When one of you goes to his bed, let him dust off his bed with the inside of his lower garment, for he does not know what came onto it after he left it...." It is also encouraged to change the sheets, blankets, and pillowcases at least weekly to ensure you always sleep in a clean bed. Know the position of sleeping. It is Sunnah to sleep on your right side and face the Qibla. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) laid down to sleep, he would go on his right side and place his right hand under his right cheek. Sleeping on your stomach is not permissible in Islam as this is the way Shaytaan sleeps. When Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) saw a man lying on his stomach, he said, "This is a method of lying down which Allah does not like." It has also been proven that sleeping on your stomach is not healthy and can lead to temporal dyspnea and/or neck pain. Other than sleeping on your stomach, it is completely okay to sleep in other positions such as sleeping on either the right or left side (although it is Sunnah to sleep on the right) or on your back. Recite a few chapters of the Quran before going to bed. There are many different chapters to recite before falling asleep. Reciting these chapters is optional, but they bring great rewards and may help you fall asleep with ease. You may choose to recite all of the below chapters before sleeping, or you may choose to stick with the last three Quls since they are the quickest and best for protection before falling asleep. Recite Ayatul Kursi (2:255): Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “By reciting it [Ayatul Kursi], there will be a guardian appointed over you from Allah who will protect you during the night, and Shaytaan will not be able to come near you until morning.” [Al-Bukhari] Recite the last two ayats of Surah Al-Baqara: Abu Mas'ud Al-Badri reported: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, “He who recites the two Ayat at the end of Surat Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” [Al- Bukhari and Muslim] Recite Surah Al-Mulk: The Prophet (SAW ) said, “Surah al Mulk is the protector from the torment of the grave” [Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Hakim 2/498 & Nasai] and he also said, “There is a surah in the Quran which is only thirty verses. It defended whoever recited it until it puts him into Paradise (i.e. Surah al Mulk)" [Fath al Qadir 5/257, Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Tabrani in Al-Awsat & Ibn Mardawaith]. Recite Surah Al-Kafiroon: It was narrated that Nawfal al-Ashja'i said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to me: “Recite Qul yaa ayyuha'l-kaafiroon (i.e. Surah Al-Kafiroon) then go to sleep at the end of it, for it is a disavowal of shirk.” [Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi] Recite the last three Surahs (Quls) of the Quran: It was narrated from Aisha that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to bed every night, he would hold his hands together and blow into them, and recite into them Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad (i.e. Surah Al-Ikhlas), Qul a'oodhu bi rabb il-falaq (i.e. Surah Al-Falaq), and Qul a'oodhu bi rabb il-naas (i.e. Surah-An Nas). Then he would wipe them over whatever he could of his body, starting with his head and face and the front of his body, and he would do that three times. [Bukhari] Make Dua before sleeping. You are encouraged to make Dua for anything you'd like during this time, but the common sleeping Dua is Allahumma bismika amutu wa ahya (اَللّهُمَّ بِسْمِكَ أَمُوْتُ وَ أَحْيَ} which means 'O Allah, with Your name I die and live'. There are many other sleeping Duas in other hadiths that are longer and could also be said before sleeping. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) wanted to lie down to sleep, he used to place his right hand under his cheek and say "Allaahumma qinee 'athaabaka yawma tab'athu 'ibaadaka (اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ)" which means 'O Allah, save me from Your punishment on the Day that You resurrect Your slaves'. Abu Dawud 4/311. Add your personal duas in your own words before going to sleep. For example thank Allah for helping you through the day and for guiding you to Islam. Ask Him to keep you firm in your belief, ask for protection and comfort, ask Him to grant provisions and favours and finally acknowledge any sins that you may have committed and ask for forgiveness. Know how to deal with sleeplessness. Sometimes falling asleep can be almost impossible. If you have difficulty falling asleep, doing Dhikr and making Dua may help you feel sleepy. Ibn al-Sunni that Zayd ibn Thaabit said: I complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about insomnia that I was suffering from. He said: Say: 'O Allah, the stars have come out and eyes have closed, and You are the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists; neither slumber nor sleep overtakes You. O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, bring calm to my night and let my eyes sleep. O Allah, take away from me what I am suffering.' It's normal to have a night or two of sleeplessness sometimes, but if you have trouble falling asleep almost every day and it's affecting your daily routine, it might be time to take a trip to your doctor and discuss this problem. They may offer medication or other remedies to help you fall asleep easily. Make sure you avoid activities and environments that keep you awake. While it is tempting, technology screens are known to keep you up. The sleeping environment should also be dark and quiet so your brain knows it is time to sleep and not stay awake. Be aware that the Shaytaan is close by when you sleep. During episodes of sleeplessness many people are vulnerable to insinuating thoughts that lead to disbelief (kufr). These must immediately be protected against by seeking refuge with Allah. Know how to react when having a nightmare. Having disturbing dreams and nightmares are common when sleeping, but they can still be pretty scary! It was reported that Abu Qutaadah said: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Good dreams come from Allah and bad dreams come from the Shaytaan. If anyone of you sees a bad dream which makes him afraid, let him spit drily to his left [shoulder] and seek refuge with Allah from its evil, then it will not harm him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3118; Muslim, 2261). Allah has created wet dreams (al-hilm) to release the sexual tension of unmarried Muslims and so there is no shame or sin attached to them. Avoid over-sleeping. There isn't a certain number of hours you are forced upon to sleep. Most people sleep 5-8 hours, but some people can function fine with less, and others need more to properly work. However, sleeping longer than needed and missing your prayers because of sleep is not permissible. Create a sleep schedule and stick with it so that it allows you to wake up and fall asleep at a certain time. Wake up by remembering Allah. Having another day to live is a blessing from Allah. You may remember Allah by making Dua for whatever you would like during this time. The common Dua said when waking up is "Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee 'ahyaanaa ba'da maa 'amaatnaa wa'ilayhi-nnushooru" (الْحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ), which means 'Praise is to Allah Who gives us life after He has caused us to die and to Him is the return'.

Understand why sleep is important. Perform wudu to cleanse yourself. Perform your normal routine before bed. Pray your Salah. Go to sleep right after Salatul-Isha. Set an alarm to wake up for the Fajr prayer. Begin to rewind and relax as you prepare yourself to sleep. Check your home before sleeping. Avoid heavy meals before going to sleep. Know how to nap in Islam. Sleep in a clean area. Know the position of sleeping. Recite a few chapters of the Quran before going to bed. Make Dua before sleeping. Know how to deal with sleeplessness. Know how to react when having a nightmare. Avoid over-sleeping. Wake up by remembering Allah.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Sock-Monkey

How to Make a Sock Monkey

To make a sock monkey, turn a sock inside out and draw a line down the middle to create the monkey's legs. Then, sew up one side of the marked line and back down the other before cutting along the line. For the body, turn the sock right-side out and stuff it. Next, make a rounded head at the sock opening and stitch it shut. For the arms, legs, and tail, cut the second sock into sections and sew them together. Finally, stuff the arms, legs, and tail before sewing them to the body.

Find 2 clean socks. The best ones will be ones with heels and toes in contrasting colors to the rest of the sock. One sock will be used to make the body, legs, and head, and the other will used to make the arms, tail, face, and ears. While the material of the socks isn't super important, cotton ones will be easier to work with than synthetic ones. Sock monkeys were traditionally made with “Rockford Red Heel Socks,” which had a distinctive red heel on each sock. If you have striped socks, those work well, too. If your socks have cuffs (a turned over and stitched section at the top of the socks), be sure to undo the seam carefully; the extra length created from undoing the cuff is needed for the length of the monkey. Avoid using socks that are threadbare or past their best. This toy will look smarter and last longer if the socks are still in good condition and unstained. Turn both socks inside-out. Reach into each sock and pull the toe up through the opening, then flatten them out on a flat surface in front of you (like a table or a countertop). It'll be much easier to start making your sock monkey once the socks are inside out, and you'll be able to flip them right side out again later on. This is also why it's important to use clean socks! You probably don't want to reach inside a dirty one to turn it inside out (yuck). Flatten 1 sock with the heel side down. You may have to flatten the sock against its natural crease to make this happen. If it's not cooperating, grab an iron and give it a quick once-over. Really crease your fold that you're making so the sock keeps its shape. This is what you'll use to make the monkey's body and legs. Cut the sock from the opening to 1 in (2.5 cm) from the colored heel. This will become the split in the monkey's legs. Again, the heel is actually hidden beneath the sock at this point, so you may have to flip it over briefly to double-check your positioning. You don't have to measure this cut out perfectly, but you should try to leave a bit of room above the heel to work with. If you need to, you can use a fabric marker to draw a line down the center of the sock as a guide. Make sure you're cutting through both layers of the sock, not just the top one. Sew up one side of the legs and back down the other. Thread a needle with sewing thread (whatever color complements your monkey) and tie the ends in a knot. Start by sewing the top of one leg (the end of one split) with a running stitch. As you sew downward, leave about ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) open in the middle of the monkey's legs, then hop over to the other leg and sew that one up. If you want to use a sewing machine instead, use your walking foot. Traditionally, sock monkeys are sewed with brown thread, but you can choose whatever color will look the best. Turn the sock right-side out and stuff it with cotton balls. Reach into your sock and pull the top out through the hole to situate it normally. Tear up cotton balls and stuff them into your monkey, stopping when all of it is fluffy and full. You'll probably need about half a bag of cotton balls to fill up your monkey all the way, so don't skimp out! When stuffing the sock monkey, use small pieces of stuffing. Using bigger pieces may be quicker, but it might make your monkey look a little lumpy. The amount of stuffing is up to you. If the sock is thin, you may want to err on the side of under stuffing, as overstuffing it may cause it to stretch too much. If you don't have stuffing, you can use old pieces of t-shirts, crushed and dried flower petals, used dryer sheets, tissue paper, yarn, or rice. Sew up the hole in the bottom of the monkey. Grab your needle and thread again and use a running stitch to sew up the opening in the middle of the monkey's legs. Make sure to sew this one really tight, as it's the most prone to opening up again (since you've already stuffed the monkey). Tie off your thread and cut off any excess so it doesn't look too noticeable at the bottom. To make this stitch look a little cleaner, you can pin it with sewing pins and remove them as you sew. That way, it won't pucker or bunch up as you make your stitches. Tie a rubber band around the top 1/3 of the body. Grab a rubber band and loop it over the top of your monkey, then loop it once more to tighten it up. Adjust the stuffing inside the sock to make the head look rounded and proportionate to the rest of the body before you move on to your next steps. For an even cuter sock monkey, use a ribbon instead of a rubber band. Grab your second sock and cut it into 5 pieces. This will make the nose, arms, tail, and ears. Cut the heel of the sock off for the nose, use the tall part of the sock for each arm, make the longest strip of fabric the tail, and cut out 2 tiny pieces for the ears. Make sure you cut through both layers of fabric, keeping them together at the seams of the sock if you can. You can probably use up the entire sock in this step so that you don't have any scrap fabric left over. Fold both arm pieces in half lengthwise, then sew them up. Crease each arm piece until it's folded in half with the wrong side of the sock facing out, then grab your sewing needle and thread again. Sew from the bottom to the top, leaving about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) open at the top of the arm so you can stuff them later on. The top opening is also where the arms will attach to the body of your monkey. Fold the tailpiece in half lengthwise, then sew it up. Like you did with the arms, fold the long tail piece in half lengthwise with the wrong side facing out and use your sewing needle and thread again. Leave a small opening at the top so you can stuff it later on to give your tail a little girth. It's important for the wrong side of the sock to face outwards since that will help to hide your stitches. Sew the ears together with an opening at the bottom. Take the 2 small ear pieces you cut out and turn them inside out, then fold them in half to make 2 semi-circles. Use your sewing needle and thread again to sew them up, leaving the bottom seam untouched so you can stuff them later. It's a lot of sewing, but it will be worth it in the end! Flip the sewn pieces right-side out and stuff them. Take your arms, tail, and ears, and turn them all right side out through the openings you left. Grab your cotton balls again and tear them up into small pieces, then stuff them inside of every piece to make them 3D. You don't have to sew the openings closed yet, since you'll be attaching them to your monkey. You can leave the heel of the sock, or the monkey's nose, alone for now. If you're having trouble stuffing the long tail, use a pen or a pencil to shove the stuffing all the way to the bottom. Stitch the tail to the rump. Position the tail on the backside of the monkey just above where the monkey will sit. Hold it onto the monkey with one hand and use a slip stitch to attach the tail to the back of the monkey, then tie off your thread and cut off the excess. The tail should be right above the heel of the sock so that the monkey can still sit up on its own. Attach the arms to either side of the body. Take note of where the head is on your sock monkey and put the arms just slightly lower than that. Use a slip stitch again to attach the arms to the body, making sure they're relatively even with each other. Your monkey is really starting to come together now! You may want to position them a little higher than your natural inclination suggests; this will give your sock a more monkey-like posture. Stitch a mouth onto the nose piece with black thread. Remember that heel you cut out earlier? Take it and draw a faint outline of a mouth, sticking as close to the center of it as possible. Use black thread and a stem stitch (a stitch in a straight line) to follow the line of the mouth and make your monkey's features pop. For an extra special touch, add 2 dots above the mouth to make nose holes. Stuff the nose piece with cotton and attach it to the monkey’s face. Grab your nose (and mouth) piece and fill it with as much cotton as you can. Then, line it up with the lower half of the monkey's face and use a slip stitch to sew all around the edges to give your monkey a nose. You can fold the raw edges underneath for a more polished look, or leave them out to make your monkey look a little homemade. Your monkey's nose should be really puffy and stick out a lot. This will give it some personality and charm. Fold the raw edges of each ear to the inside and stitch them closed. Stitch the completed ears to the sides of the head. They should be in line with where the eyes will be, just above the muzzle. They'll look kind of large on the monkey's head, and they might stick out on the side, too, which is great! If you're worried about making them even, you can use a fabric marker to draw dots on either side of the head where you'd like the ears to go. Sew on black buttons for the eyes. Take 2 large, black buttons and either sew them through the holes or glue them onto the front of your monkey. Position them above the mouth and below the ears to finish off its face, then enjoy your standard sock monkey! If you do want to use glue, use fabric glue so the buttons don't fall off over time. Use googly eyes instead of buttons for a realistic monkey. If you aren't a fan of the standard monkey face, grab 2 large googly eyes instead of buttons and position them on your monkey's face. Use fabric glue to attach the eyes and watch them roll around as you play with your monkey throughout the day. You can find large bags of googly eyes at most craft supply stores. Cut out a red heart and put it in your monkey for a personal touch. If you want to make your monkey extra special, cut out a red heart (either anatomical or a love heart) and put it into your sock before you add the stuffing. Now, your monkey has a heart of their own that they can use to love you with! This is a great way to give the monkey a special touch, especially if you're making it for a young child. Make a cute pom pom hat for the monkey to wear in the winter. Grab a large, fluffy pom pom and position it on the top of the monkey's head. You can either use a running stitch to sew the pom pom on or grab your fabric glue again to attach the pom pom to your monkey. Now it has a cute little hat to keep it warm during the chilly winter. Red pom poms work great with classic sock monkeys, but you can choose whichever color you like the best. Try making a bandana out of ribbon for a feminine touch. If you'd like your sock monkey to have a little bit of style, grab a thin ribbon and wrap it around the top of your monkey's head. Glue the ribbon down with fabric glue, then attach a small bow or a fake flower to the side of the ribbon for a cute embellishment. Pink is always a great choice for a headband, but you can pick out whichever color is your favorite. Keep your monkey warm with a sweater made from a sock. Grab a small ankle sock with a fun design and cut the toe part off. Hold the sock up to your monkey's torso and cut out 2 holes on either side for the arms, then slide the sock sweater over your monkey's head and onto their body. Pull their arms through to show off their stylish new sweater vest! Go with a striped sock for a classic sweater pattern, or pick something bright and colorful for a whimsical twist.

Find 2 clean socks. Turn both socks inside-out. Flatten 1 sock with the heel side down. Cut the sock from the opening to 1 in (2.5 cm) from the colored heel. Sew up one side of the legs and back down the other. Turn the sock right-side out and stuff it with cotton balls. Sew up the hole in the bottom of the monkey. Tie a rubber band around the top 1/3 of the body. Grab your second sock and cut it into 5 pieces. Fold both arm pieces in half lengthwise, then sew them up. Fold the tailpiece in half lengthwise, then sew it up. Sew the ears together with an opening at the bottom. Flip the sewn pieces right-side out and stuff them. Stitch the tail to the rump. Attach the arms to either side of the body. Stitch a mouth onto the nose piece with black thread. Stuff the nose piece with cotton and attach it to the monkey’s face. Fold the raw edges of each ear to the inside and stitch them closed. Sew on black buttons for the eyes. Use googly eyes instead of buttons for a realistic monkey. Cut out a red heart and put it in your monkey for a personal touch. Make a cute pom pom hat for the monkey to wear in the winter. Try making a bandana out of ribbon for a feminine touch. Keep your monkey warm with a sweater made from a sock.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Ham-and-Cheese-Omelet

How to Make a Ham and Cheese Omelet

To make a ham and cheese omelet, start by whisking 3 eggs in a bowl. Then, melt some butter in a frying pan over medium heat and add the egg mixture, pushing the eggs around the outside of the pan toward the center. Next, sprinkle some cubed ham and shredded cheese on top of the eggs. You can also add spinach, herbs, and peppers to give your omelet more flavor. Finally, after 1 minute, fold the omelet in half and let it cook on each side for 30 seconds.

Melt ½ tablespoon (7 g) of butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Heat the pan for 1 minute before adding the butter. Tilt the pan in a circle so the butter coats the entire surface. Let the butter melt completely until it starts to bubble. Use a non-stick pan if you have one so your omelet doesn't get stuck on the bottom. You can replace butter with ⁄ 2 tablespoon (7.4 ml) of olive oil if you want less saturated fat. Beat 3 eggs together in a small bowl. Crack the eggs into your bowl and use a whisk to combine the yolks and whites. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and pepper to add flavor to the eggs. Continue mixing the eggs until they're thoroughly combined. Make sure to pick out any eggshells that may have fallen into your bowl before you start mixing your omelet. Only use the egg whites if you want a leaner, healthier omelet. Pour the eggs into your pan. Once the eggs are beaten together, slowly transfer them from your bowl into the center of your pan. Make sure your pan sits flat so your eggs don't pool up on one side. Push the eggs around the outside toward the center of the pan. Use a rubber spatula to push the eggs around the edge towards the center of your pan. This allows the raw egg in the middle to run out so it can cook. Continue pushing the eggs towards the middle for about 30 seconds. Don't overstir your eggs or else your omelet will lose its shape. Spread cubed ham on top of the eggs. Use ⅜ ounce (15 g) of your precooked ham to put inside your omelet. Evenly distribute the meat across the top of your omelet so you get ham in every bite. Make sure to use precooked ham so you aren't using raw meat. Use sliced sandwich meat if you don't have any thick-cut ham at home. Sprinkle shredded cheese across your omelet. Use 1 ounce (30 g) of your favorite kind of cheese and spread it on top of the ham and eggs. Make a thin layer of cheese to ensure that it all melts inside your omelet. You can use pre-shredded cheese or shred your own. Save some of your cheese so you can add it on top of your omelet when it's finished cooking. In a pinch, you can cut cheese slices in half and layer them in your omelet. Add spinach or herbs to give your omelet fresh flavors. Spread 5-6 leaves of fresh spinach, basil, or thyme throughout your omelet. The greens will add more protein and vitamins to your breakfast while giving it a boost of freshness. For more crunch, try using a chopped green onion. Try sprinkling dried oregano or other herbs in your omelet if you don't want to use fresh greens. Put in peppers and hot sauce for a spicy kick. Dice 1 tablespoon (5 g) of jalapeno peppers and distribute them throughout your omelet. For a spicier breakfast, drizzle your favorite hot sauce on top of your omelet while it's cooking so the eggs can absorb the flavor. Use different peppers based on your spice tolerance. For example, try habanero peppers if you can handle really spicy foods. Cook the bottom of the omelet for 1 minute so it solidifies. Once you add the toppings, let the omelet cook on the bottom. Lift the edges of the omelet occasionally so they don't stick to the pan. Check the bottom of the omelet to see if it's a golden-brown color. If there's still raw egg in the middle, lift one edge of the omelet with your spatula and hold your pan at a slight angle. Let the raw egg run onto the pan so it can cook. Fold the omelet in half with a rubber spatula and let it cook for 30 seconds. Slide your spatula underneath one side of the omelet and slightly lift it off of the pan. In one quick motion, fold the omelet in half so all of your toppings are inside. Let your omelet cook for 30 more seconds so your cheese is melty. Folding your omelet quickly ensures it won't split in the middle. You don't need to fold or flip your omelet if you don't want to. Flip the omelet over and cook the other side for 30 seconds. Slide your spatula underneath the omelet and quickly flip it over. This way, both sides will cook evenly and have a golden-brown color. Transfer your omelet to a warm plate and add toppings. Heat a plate for 30 seconds in the microwave so your omelet doesn't lose any heat once it's served. Tilt your pan and slide the omelet onto the plate using your spatula. Top your omelet with cheese and the leftover ham before you eat it.

Melt ½ tablespoon (7 g) of butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Beat 3 eggs together in a small bowl. Pour the eggs into your pan. Push the eggs around the outside toward the center of the pan. Spread cubed ham on top of the eggs. Sprinkle shredded cheese across your omelet. Add spinach or herbs to give your omelet fresh flavors. Put in peppers and hot sauce for a spicy kick. Cook the bottom of the omelet for 1 minute so it solidifies. Fold the omelet in half with a rubber spatula and let it cook for 30 seconds. Flip the omelet over and cook the other side for 30 seconds. Transfer your omelet to a warm plate and add toppings.

https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Tropical-Fish

How to Care for Tropical Fish

To care for tropical fish, start by setting up your tank in a quiet area of your home away from direct heat and light sources to avoid stressing out the fish. Additionally, furnish the tank with high-quality equipment, including a filtration system and an air pump, to help your fish stay healthy. Then, feed them once a day, only as much as they can consume in 3 to 5 minutes. Additionally, check the water temperature daily to ensure that it's between 74 and 82 degrees F for freshwater fish, and between 75 and 80 degrees F for saltwater fish.

Choose the right location. When setting up your aquarium, you need to be sure to put it in a location that will be least stressful for your fish. Avoid locations that will expose the fish to loud noises, like near a TV or sound system or near a washer and dryer, etc. Avoid locations that will affect the temperature of the water, like near a heater, radiator, or cooling unit. Avoid locations where frequent vibrations with affect the fish, such as near frequently opening and closing doors or in high foot-traffic areas. Don't place your aquarium under a direct natural light source, like a skylight or window, because it can increase algae production and throw off the balance of the tank's ecosystem. Don't place your aquarium in a place where there could potentially be drafts, such as near windows and doors. Install a high-quality filtration system. It's nearly impossible to over-filter an aquarium, so err on the side of more rather than less filtration. There are three kinds of filtration, mechanical, biological, and chemical. Mechanical filtration uses a pump to draw water through a sponge, which will trap debris. Mechanical filtration helps keep the tank water looking clean and clear, though most tropical fish don't require crystal-clear water for their habitat, so the clear water is mostly for your benefit. Biological filtration also draws water through a sponge, but in this case the sponge contains bacteria that remove pollutants. Chemical filtration uses a special filter media that removes chemical pollutants. If you have a saltwater tank, you'll also need a protein skimmer, a filtration device that removes dissolved organics from the water. Install a heater-stat. The heater-stat is a combined heater and thermostat designed to function underwater. The thermostat can be set to a specific temperature and the heater will turn on if the water temperature dips below your setting. The most important factor when choosing a heater-stat is appropriate wattage. Be sure to choose one with high enough wattage to warm the size of aquarium you own, but don't buy one with so much wattage that it will overheat the tank. The general rule is five watts per gallon. Install an air pump. Air pumps introduce bubbles into the water that will facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that fish need to breathe. Air pumps are typically optional, as most filtration systems introduce ample oxygen into the water. They can be useful, however, in tanks where large amounts of oxygen is used up by the environment, such as if your tank features a lot of vegetation. Some people opt to use a water pump for the aesthetic value added by the floating bubbles. Install a tank light. A tank light will typically be comprised of a starter unit and a tube, and while there are several different types of tank lighting available, fluorescent lighting is the most common choice for new freshwater tank owners. Some saltwater tanks will require more specific lighting setups, determined by the species of fish you have in the tank. Fluorescent tubes are relatively inexpensive to run and don't produce significant amounts of heat, making them well suited for use in aquariums. Different types of lighting are better suited to encouraging plant growth or enhancing the color of your fish, but generally a full-spectrum light will offer both pleasant lighting and lighting suitable for plants. Set up the physical environment. Carefully select which environmental features (rocks, plants, ornaments) you include in your aquarium. The environment must closely emulate the fish's natural habitat or they will become stressed, sick, and will possibly even die. If you're unsure of the proper environment for your fish, consult your local fish or aquarium store. If you're setting up a saltwater aquarium, it's strongly recommended that you add live rock, which are pieces of coral reef that naturally break or fall off. Live rock contains many live organisms necessary to a healthy tank ecosystem. Run the aquarium without any fish. Before introducing any fish to the aquarium, add water and let the pump/filtration system run for three days to a week, which will stabilize the environment and make it hospitable to your new fish. Running the aquarium before putting in any fish is also important because it allows any harmful impurities to dissolve. Add good bacteria. Introduce good bacteria to the aquarium water with a cycling-aid product, which you can buy from a pet or fish retailer. Good bacteria are a necessary and integral part of your aquarium's environment. Without them, the delicate ecosystem fish need to survive won't be able to establish itself. Add resilient fish. When choosing the first few fish you plan to introduce to your aquarium, seek out hardier types. Certain types of fish are better able to survive in an environment with high levels of ammonia and nitrites, which your aquarium will likely have at this point. More resilient fish include danios, gouramis, and livebearers. Don't add more vulnerable types of fish to this initial tank environment as they likely won't survive. Ask an employee at the store from which you plan to purchase the fish to help you choose types of fish best suited to a brand-new aquarium. Avoid overcrowding the aquarium. Don't add more than three fish per week to the tank or you can raise the ammonia in the environment to toxic levels that can kill your fish. Choose the right fish. As you gradually begin to populate your aquarium, choose your fish very carefully. There are hundreds of kinds of tropical fish, and they don't all live well together--some are aggressive, some are territorial, some are predatory, and so on. Make sure to choose types of fish that can live together in the tank and won't fight or kill each other. Choosing the wrong fish not only subjects the fish to unnecessary suffering, it's also something that's easily avoidable with a little research. Do your research and consult with an employee at a fish or aquarium retailer so that you know each of your fish's needs. In addition to making sure your fish will get along, make sure they have compatible living-environment needs. If they all need different kinds of environments to thrive, your ecosystem won't be able to accommodate those varied needs. In addition to ensuring that your fish have similar habitat needs, be sure the fish also have similar temperature and pH needs. Introduce new fish gradually. Don't dump a new fish directly into the aquarium. Fish need to be able to regulate their temperature, and being put directly into new water can cause them significant distress. Turn the tank light off so that the bright light won't disturb the new fish. For freshwater fish, float the plastic bag--still closed--in which you transported your new fish in the tank for about half an hour. Open the bag, put some of the tank water in, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Gently net the fish out. Remove the bag once the fish has been removed. Leave the tank light off for another few hours or for the rest of the day. For saltwater fish, you must first quarantine your new fish in a separate tank before introducing it to your aquarium. Feed your fish regularly. This isn't necessarily as simple as it sounds. Initially, feed your fish once a day when first setting up the tank, and once your aquarium is well established, you can begin feeding your fish according to the “little and often” rule. Saltwater fish, particularly if they're wild-caught, may need to be gradually weaned onto aquarium food over a period of weeks. Some fishkeepers recommend introducing a “rest day” once a week during which no feeding occurs. It's believed this can benefit your fish's' health and encourage them to actively look for food. Food is the main source of waste and pollutants in your tank, so it's crucial you don't introduce too much, as overfeeding is one of the main reasons aquarium fish die. Only feed your fish as much as they can consume in about 3-5 minutes and no more. Be sure to read the instructions on the fish food label. If food is left floating on the surface or sinks to the bottom, you're overfeeding. There are three main types of fish food: food for bottom swimmers, middle swimmers, and top swimmers, so buy the correct type of food for the fish you own. It's generally recommended that you feed your fish a variety of high-quality frozen and pelleted food, and that you make sure to defrost frozen food before feeding. Monitor the temperature everyday. Test the water each day to be sure the water temperature is consistent and in the ideal range for the type of fish in the aquarium. In general, the ideal temperature for freshwater tropical fish is between 74 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (23-28 degrees Celsius). For saltwater fish, the recommended temperature is usually between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (24-27 degrees Celsius). Monitor the water’s composition. Every week, test the water hardness and alkalinity and the levels of ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, pH, and chlorine in your aquarium water. The ideal range of levels for freshwater fish are as follows: pH - 6.5 - 8.2 Chlorine - 0.0 mg/L Ammonia - 0.0 -.25 mg/L Nitrite - 0.0 - 0.5 mg/L Nitrate - 0 - 40 mg/L Hardness - 100 - 250 mg/L Alkalinity - 120 - 300 mg/L Saltwater fish have more specific requirements that will vary by species and that will require additional specialized water-testing kits. To find out the specific needs of your saltwater fish, consult with a fish or aquarium retailer. In general, most saltwater fish need the following: Specific gravity: 1.020 - 1.024 mg/L pH: 8.0 - 8.4 Ammonia: 0 mg/L Nitrite: 0 mg/L Nitrate: 20 ppm or less (especially for invertebrates) Carbonate hardness: 7-10 dKH Water testing kits are available from most pet and aquarium retailers. If any of the levels are elevated, remove and replace some of the water until the levels are closer to where they need to be. If the water ever looks cloudy or dirty, replace some of the water and check that your water filter is working properly. For freshwater tanks, remove 10% of the water from the aquarium and replace it with the same amount of dechlorinated water every week. Make sure to add water that's the same temperature as the water already in the tank or you could cause a temperature fluctuation that will be a stress on your fish. Once a month, remove 25% of the aquarium water and replace it with dechlorinated water. Be careful that the water is the same temperature as that already in the tank or you can cause your fish distress. For saltwater tanks, remove 20% of the water once a month, or about 5% per week. Be sure not to add freshly mixed saltwater directly to the tank; instead, prepare the saltwater mix at least one day before. Scrub the walls of the aquarium. Every week, clean the inside tank walls and remove any algae buildup. Choose an acrylic- or glass-specific cleaning pad (according to the material used for your tank's walls) to avoid scratching the surface. If you have an overabundance of algae, it's typically a sign that something in your aquarium's environment isn't balanced. Test the water levels, be sure you haven't added too many fish, verify that you aren't overfeeding, check that the tank isn't exposed to excessive natural light, etc. Maintain the water filter. Every month, perform complete water-filter maintenance. Your water filtration system is vital to the maintenance of your aquarium because it removes floating debris and contaminants from the water while neutralizing ammonia and nitrites. Check the filter media (also called the filter floss). If needed, rinse it in some of the discarded tank water. Don't rinse with tap or other water because it will upset the balance of good bacteria and possibly even kill them off. Replace the carbon, filter cartridge, and pre-rinse filter. Maintain the water pump. Change the air stone (helps with the water pump's efficiency and longevity) every month. Clean the pump's impeller assembly at least once a year. Keep any live plants pruned. If you have live plants in your aquarium, prune them back once a month to prevent them from overgrowing. Also be sure to remove any brown or decaying leaves from your aquarium's plants.

Choose the right location. Install a high-quality filtration system. Install a heater-stat. Install an air pump. Install a tank light. Set up the physical environment. Run the aquarium without any fish. Add good bacteria. Add resilient fish. Choose the right fish. Introduce new fish gradually. Feed your fish regularly. Monitor the temperature everyday. Monitor the water’s composition. Scrub the walls of the aquarium. Maintain the water filter. Maintain the water pump. Keep any live plants pruned.

https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Obsessing-over-Disturbing-Thoughts

How to Stop Obsessing over Disturbing Thoughts

If you're having disturbing thoughts, write down the thought and how it makes you feel, and make a list of actions that you can take to stop yourself from thinking about these things. Avoid experiences and situations that trigger the thoughts, or find a distraction such as music or reading that helps you forget about them.

Understand what a disturbing thought is. A disturbing thought is something that comes into your mind out of nowhere. Disturbing thoughts often focus on violence, sex, and past traumatic events, but they are not limited to these categories alone. Psychologists call these types of thoughts intrusive thoughts because they pop into our heads, often without warning, and cause us distress. Disturbing thoughts can vary greatly from person to person. Some examples of disturbing thoughts include: Imagining dropping or throwing a baby while you are holding an infant. Even though you would never do this, it is a common intrusive thought. Imagining running over your boss with your car. If your boss has upset you, you may find yourself thinking about something along these lines even though you would never actually do it. Having violent sexual fantasies that arouse you, even if you'd never act on them or want to have these things done to you. Reliving a disturbing experience, such as a car accident or an assault. Know that disturbing thoughts are common. Many people have disturbing thoughts and are able to let them pass with little additional thought. Even though most of us have these thoughts, some people worry and obsess about thoughts that they would never act on, which can cause them distress. If you are distressed by your disturbing thoughts, try to remember that you are not alone. Many people experience these types of thoughts. Know that having disturbing thoughts does not make you a bad person. In most cases, having a disturbing thought that you know you would never act on is natural and it does not make you a bad person. Often, we have these thoughts because we do not want to act in the way we are imagining. Our minds sometimes wander and consider the worst possible thing that could happen in a given situation. Acknowledge the disturbing thought. While your first instinct may be to simply ignore your disturbing thought, ignoring it is not a good idea. If you try to ignore the thought or block it out, it may recur with greater intensity. Trying to suppress your disturbing thoughts may even lead to an unhealthy obsession with the thought. Instead of trying to block out a disturbing thought, acknowledge it and begin to examine it. Identify the content of your disturbing thought. What is it about and what is so disturbing about it? Write about your disturbing thoughts. Writing down your disturbing thoughts can help you think of them in different ways. Also, the very act of writing it down can help keep some of the thoughts out of your head and reduce their frequency. The next time that you have a disturbing thought, take a moment to write it down in a journal. As you write about the thought, consider the following questions to help you to examine it: What is it about the thought you find disturbing? The fear of acting on it? The fear of having the thought at all? Social stigma? How often do you have the thought? Keep a tally the number of times the thought occurs to become more aware of any patterns like when in the day or week the thoughts occur more frequently. Is there a trigger for the thought? Do you always have the disturbing thought after seeing something or someone? What do you do after the thought pops in your mind? Do you keep thinking about it in detail? Do you talk about it? Do you try to ignore it? Is it the same thought or are there a few different thoughts? Are they similar thoughts? Are you having anxiety about the thought itself or are you worried about the thought? For example, are you actually worried you will actually throw the baby against the wall, or are you more bothered by the thought of having the thought? Are you more concerned about the thought or the way others would perceive you for having such a thought? Is the thought of others knowing your thoughts and judging you for them bother you more than the thought itself? Do you feel like you must think about this thought? Some disturbing thoughts may be recurrent because you have to take action, like making a decision based on them. Others may be recurrent because of anxiety, but there is no reason you have to keep thinking of them. Is there something you can do/act on to make yourself feel better? In other words, is there something that you can do to change the situation? How do these thoughts make you feel? Use feeling words like angry, sad, excited, etc. to label these free-floating feelings. Are the thoughts disturbing to you or are others telling you your thoughts are disturbing? Determine the origins of your obsessive thoughts. Trying to trace each thought to its source may help to ease your concerns over the disturbing thought. For example, if you are constantly imagining someone breaking into your home and assaulting you, try to figure out when you first had this thought and why. Consider the way that the mass media may be contributing to your disturbing thoughts. One study showed that watching media coverage of violent events contributes significantly to acute stress and causes people to experience disturbing thoughts with more frequency. Take a look at how often you watch or read about violent acts. If you find that you have a lot of exposure to violent news and that this may be contributing to your disturbing thoughts, stop watching or reading the news for a while or focus only on positive stories. Understand the meaning of disturbing sexual thoughts. In most cases, disturbing thoughts about sex don't mean anything at all. If the thoughts that you are having are repulsive to you or they involve violence or other illegal activities, then your mind might just be trying to understand those things. For example, someone might fantasize about raping someone who is unattainable to them. But in the process of thinking about raping someone, the person imagining the act would also imagine how the other person would be hurt by that act. Understanding the pain that the act should cause the person imagining the act to stop thinking about it. Distract yourself. Once you have taken the time to think about and review the content of your disturbing thoughts, you should start moving past them. Try some of the following positive activities to distract yourself. Exercise - it can help reduce tension and anxiety. Pick up a hobby to keep your mind and body busy. Go out with friends. Go to a cafe and read a good book. Write a poem, draw a picture, sing a song. Determine if you might need professional help. In some cases, disturbing thoughts can be related to antisocial behavior, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder. If you are frequently having disturbing thoughts, ask yourself the following questions: Are you considering acting on potentially harmful thoughts? Are you considering hurting yourself or others? Are you thinking and planning on how to go about hurting someone with the intent of doing it? Are you hearing voices telling you to hurt yourself or others? Are your obsessive thoughts or behaviors affecting your home or work life? Are you reliving a traumatic experience over and over again? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should seek help from a mental health care professional. Join a support group if your disturbing thoughts are related to something that other people may also be struggling against. If the intrusive thoughts are common ones that others may have, seek out support groups where you can connect with other people who will understand. For example, if your spouse has been diagnosed with cancer, there are support groups for spouses where you can share your feelings and concerns.

Understand what a disturbing thought is. Know that disturbing thoughts are common. Know that having disturbing thoughts does not make you a bad person. Acknowledge the disturbing thought. Write about your disturbing thoughts. Determine the origins of your obsessive thoughts. Consider the way that the mass media may be contributing to your disturbing thoughts. Understand the meaning of disturbing sexual thoughts. Distract yourself. Determine if you might need professional help. Join a support group if your disturbing thoughts are related to something that other people may also be struggling against.

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Pinched-Nerve

How to Treat a Pinched Nerve

Once you've identified where your pinched nerve is, avoid flexing and moving the area as much as possible and immobilize the area with a brace if necessary. Alternate between applying ice for 15 minutes and applying heat for 1 hour to improve circulation. Reduce swelling with over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin.

Recognize a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve occurs when a nerve is damaged in some way and unable to fully send its signals. It is caused when a nerve gets compressed, which can be due to a herniated disc, arthritis, or bone spurs. You can also get a pinched nerve from other situations and activities such as injury, poor posture, repetitive motions, sports, hobbies, and obesity. Pinched nerves can occur all over the body, although they are most common in the spine, neck, wrists, and elbows. These conditions cause inflammation, which constricts your nerves and causes them to become pinched. Poor nutrition and general health can worsen a pinched nerve. This condition can be reversible or irreversible, depending on the severity of the case. Notice the symptoms. A pinched nerve is essentially a physical obstruction of body's wiring system. The symptoms of a pinched nerve usually include numbness, minor swelling, sharp pain, tingling, muscle spasms, and muscle weakness. A pinched nerve is typically associated with shooting pains in the affected area. These symptoms happen because the nerves are not effectively sending signals through the body due to the compression or obstruction to your nerve. Avoid overuse. Once you diagnose your pinched nerve, you need to start taking care of yourself. You should stay off of the affected body part or use it less. Repetitive use of muscles, joints, and tendons that have caused the compressed nerves will make it worse. This is because the surrounding areas continue to swell and constrict the nerve. The easiest way to get a bit of immediate pain relief from any compressed nerve is to rest the pinched nerve and the surrounding area until the swelling and compression completely subsides. You should avoid flexing and moving the area of the pinched nerve so you don't pinch the nerve even further. There are certain movements that cause your symptoms to immediately get worse, and these movements should be avoided if at all possible. If a certain movement or position causes increased symptoms and pain, isolate the injured area and avoid doing that movement. In the case of carpal tunnel, a common injury that is caused by a pinched nerve, keeping the wrist straight during sleep and avoiding any bending of the joint will provide the most relief from any compression. Get some sleep. Sleeping extra hours is the natural way for your body to repair damage. If necessary, take the time to sleep extra hours each night until you feel better or the pain subsides. A couple hours of extra rest for your body and the injured area should help decrease the symptoms significantly. This works directly with limiting overuse. If you sleep more, you are moving less. Not only will you not overuse the affected area, your body will have more time to heal itself as you sleep. Use a brace or splint. There may be times where you cannot rest the affected nerve as much as you want because of work, school, or other obligations. If this is the case, you can wear a brace or splint to immobilize the injured area. This will allow you to do some basic work like usual. For example, if the pinched nerve is in your neck, use a neck brace to help hold the muscles still throughout your day. If your pinched nerve is the result of carpal tunnel syndrome, use a wrist or elbow brace, also known as a volar carpal splint, to avoid an unnecessary movement. Braces can be found at most retail drug stores. Follow the instructions provided with the brace. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your doctor for additional help. Apply ice and heat. A pinched nerve is often accompanied by swelling, and swelling can compress the nerve even further. To help reduce swelling and increase circulation, rotate between periods of using ice and heat on the area of the pinched nerve, which is a method called hydrotherapy. Apply ice for 15 minutes 3-4 times a day to help reduce inflammation. After that, apply a heat pad to the affected area for 1 hour for 4-5 nights a week until your symptoms get better. Place an ice pack, either a store bought one or a homemade one, over the affected area with light pressure. The pressure will help to cool the affected area. Keep a soft cloth between the ice pack and your skin to prevent any burns from the cold. Do not use for more than 15 minutes because it slows blood flow, which stalls healing. Use a hot water bottle or a heat pad after icing to encourage blood flow, which can help to speed up the healing process. Do not heat for over an hour because it can increase inflammation. You can also take a hot bath or soak the pinched nerve in hot water to relax the muscles in the area and increase blood flow. Get a massage. Applying pressure to the pinched nerve can help to relieve tension and reduce pain. Get a full body massage to help induce relaxation in all your muscles, relaxing the affected area as well. You can also get a gentle, targeted massage of the area near the pinched nerve. This will offer more specific relief and help the nerve to heal. You can also massage the affected area yourself to get some relief. Gently knead the area with your fingers to increase blood flow and loosen any muscles that may be contributing to the compression of your nerve. Avoid intense deep-tissue massage or heavy pressure because this could apply unnecessary pressure and worsen the pinched nerve. Take pain relieving medication. Many over-the-counter pain relievers are great for treating a pinched nerve. Try taking non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin to reduce any swelling and pain. Follow the instructions provided with your medication and review all warnings. Consult a doctor if you are unsure about dosing or side effects, especially if you have other medical problems or take other medications. See a doctor. If the symptoms and pain subside but continue to come back over the course of several weeks or months, consult your doctor for help. Even if the suggested methods to alleviate symptoms were originally helpful, if they no longer provide relief, you need to get the area checked. You should also see a doctor if you feel constant numbness or pain in the area despite minimal use or if the muscles in the affected area feel weaker over time. Seek immediate treatment if the symptoms are severe or the area feels cold or appears very pale or blue. Perform low-impact exercise. You can rest your pinched nerve and still keep your blood pumping. Good blood and oxygen circulation and toned muscles can actually help heal the pinched nerve. Daily activity should be done conservatively and only when it is comfortable for you. Try going swimming or for walks. These will help to move your muscles naturally while placing a minimal amount of stress on the joints and tendons where the pinched nerve is. Inactivity can lead to a loss of muscle strength and cause the healing process of the pinched nerve to take much more time. Keep good posture when exercising or resting. This will help to ease tension at the location of the pinched nerve. Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent a pinched nerve. Increase calcium intake. One of the underlying factors of a pinched nerve is a calcium deficiency. You should start eating more calcium rich foods such as dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt and leafy greens like spinach and kale. This can help the nerve and also improve your overall health. You can also take calcium as a supplement. You can buy these from many health food stores, general stores, or pharmacies to take on a daily basis. Follow the directions or consult your doctor if you are unsure of how much calcium to take. Never take more than the recommended dose. Check labels of packaged foods to see if they are calcium fortified. Many brands offer a calcium enriched product in addition to their usual products. Eat more foods with potassium. Potassium is a key ion involved in cell metabolism. Because it causes weaker connections between nerves, a lack of potassium can sometimes contribute to symptoms of a pinched nerve. Increasing potassium in the diet may help to restore proper balance to your nerve function and alleviate your symptoms. Foods rich in potassium include apricots, bananas, avocados, and nuts. Drinking fluids like skim milk and orange juice can help to increase potassium absorption. Potassium supplements, similar to calcium supplements, can be taken on a regular basis in addition to a healthy diet. Talk to your doctor before taking potassium supplements, especially if you have other medical problems (especially problems with your kidneys) or take other medications. Your doctor may want to check your blood for potassium levels before recommending supplements. Potassium deficiency is diagnosed by a doctor. To help rectify a potassium deficiency, your doctor may recommend a diet with increased potassium intake after assessing the underlying cause. Consult your doctor if you suspect this could be an issue. See a physical therapist. If you are having problems and no method has worked, you might consider seeing a physical therapist. She can give you specialized stretches and exercises that aid in healing a pinched nerve. Certain exercises relieve the pressure on the pinched nerve, helping to reduce pain. Many of the stretches used in this healing process must be done with a trained professional or partner, so don't do them on your own. As time goes on, your physical therapist may give you additional exercises that can be done on your own. Don't do any of the exercises alone unless she tells you to do so. Consider epidural steroid injection. This treatment, used mainly in treating a pinched sciatic nerve, can alleviate pain and help to heal the nerve. It involves a steroid shot to the spine and can only be injected by a doctor. After being evaluated by your doctor for the degree and type of pinched nerve you have, she may discuss this option with you. Epidural steroid injections can be a quick and effective means of getting relief from your pain. When this procedure is performed by a trained medical professional, any side effects and dangers are considered remote. However, rare side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, backache, and bleeding from the site of injection. Talk to your doctor about surgery. For significant pain or symptoms that are not improved with other treatments, surgery on the pinched nerve may be the best treatment. The surgery may be to relieve pressure or to remove the part of the area that is pinching the nerve. Surgery usually provides relief after recovery. Recurrence of the pinched nerve may occur but is typically rare. A pinched nerve in the wrist may involve cutting muscle tissue to alleviate pressure in the area. Pinched nerves caused by a herniated disc may be corrected by removing part or all of the disc, followed by spinal stabilization. Strive for continued relief. Even after symptoms have subsided, it is important to continue to properly exercise, maintain proper body mechanics and good posture, and avoid previously discussed risk factors. Recovery from pinched nerves will depend on a number of factors including the degree of nerve impingement, maintenance of a treatment regimen, and any underlying disease processes. Full recovery is common in pinched nerves in the back. Acute low back pain caused by pinched nerves usually subsides within about 6 weeks of targeted care in 90% of individuals. Avoid future pinched nerves. Most pinched nerves will recover completely and, in most individuals, symptoms will be get better with proper treatment. To prevent re-injury, avoid any repetitive motions that have previously caused pinched nerves. The most important thing you can do is to listen to your body. If a movement begins to cause discomfort or symptoms of a pinched nerve appear, stop what you are doing at the time and allow the affected area to recover. Talk with your doctor about a plan and regimen to properly care for and balance the use, rest, and isolation of your previously affected nerve. The use of a brace as a preventive measure before a nerve is pinched can help.

Recognize a pinched nerve. Notice the symptoms. Avoid overuse. Get some sleep. Use a brace or splint. Apply ice and heat. Get a massage. Take pain relieving medication. See a doctor. Perform low-impact exercise. Increase calcium intake. Eat more foods with potassium. See a physical therapist. Consider epidural steroid injection. Talk to your doctor about surgery. Strive for continued relief. Avoid future pinched nerves.

https://www.wikihow.pet/Keep-a-Dog-from-Licking-a-Wound

How to Keep a Dog from Licking a Wound

If your dog has an open wound, you'll need to keep it from licking it since this can reopen the wound and lead to infection. While most vets will send your dog home with a plastic collar, this can prove uncomfortable or make it difficult for your dog to eat, drink, or walk around without bumping into things. If this is the case, try an inflatable collar instead, which is softer and less obtrusive. You can also try keeping the wound bandaged and spraying it with a no-lick repellent. The taste of the spray will stop your dog from licking at the wound. Alternatively, try covering the bandage with a sleeve or protective cloth so your dog can't get to it.

Measure your dog's neck carefully. Wrap a cloth tape measure snugly around your dog's neck to measure the thickness. If you don't have a tape measure, you can use a shoelace or string, then measure the string against a ruler. For brace-type collars, you'll also need to measure the length of your dog's neck from its chin to its shoulders. Cones and collars typically require a relatively close fit to keep your dog from working its way out of it. Different types have their own sizing and may have their own measuring instructions in terms of what part of your dog's neck you should measure. Keep your dog's collar in mind when measuring for the cone or collar. Some collar styles don't work with a collar that needs to slip on over your dog's head, rather than being buckled around its neck. Fit your dog with a cone. The plastic cone, also called an "Elizabethan" collar, is the traditional method for keeping a dog from licking a wound. This is typically the initial protection your veterinarian will provide. Transparent cones tend to be less scary for the dog than the opaque ones because the dog can see through it. Pay close attention to your dog while it is wearing an Elizabethan collar. These collars allow no peripheral vision, so your dog may be clumsier than it normally is. Your dog will be able to eat and drink just fine with the collar on, but it will take some adjustment and the dog may not like it. Monitor your dog to make sure it's eating and drinking. If it refuses to eat or drink while wearing the cone, try a different type of collar or take the cone off to allow the dog to eat. If you are away from home for an extended period of time, such as for work or school, it's a good idea to crate a dog wearing an Elizabethan collar so that it doesn't injure itself. Try a soft or inflatable collar if the cone doesn't work. The hard plastic cone may limit your dog's movement too much or make sleeping difficult. There are also some dogs that simply reject the hard plastic collar and try to destroy it. Soft or inflatable collars may work better for these dogs. Many alternative collars won't work on dogs with long noses and thin necks, such as greyhounds or Dobermans. Some inflatable collars can be easily punctured, so this variety may not work if your dog repeatedly tries to claw the collar off. Have your dog try on several different options. There are many types of collars and cones available at pet stores or online. It's hard to know which one your dog will tolerate the best until you've tried them. The one you think your dog will reject may be the one it finds the most comfortable. If you shop for a cone at a pet store, you can likely take your dog with you and try them on in the store. Otherwise, buy several different types to try and return the ones you end up not using. Keep in mind that the size of the cone that your dog will need to wear will depend on the type and location of your dog's injury. For example, if your dog has had eye surgery, then it will only need a small cone to prevent it from rubbing its eye. However, if your dog has a tail tip injury, then a larger cone will be necessary to prevent your dog from getting at its tail. Use a brace if your dog removes other collars. Some dogs are determined to remove the infernal cones from their necks and will stop at nothing to destroy them. If your dog is like this, you can try a neck brace similar to the type of brace humans would wear after suffering a neck injury such as whiplash. The size of the brace is determined by the length of the dog's neck, not the width. If your dog has an extremely long neck, like a greyhound, or an extremely short neck, like a pug, the brace may not be very effective. If your dog's wound is on its front feet, a brace of this sort likely would not prevent your dog from licking its wounds. Clean the wound carefully before bandaging it. Use warm tap water or a saline solution to carefully clean the wound. You can mix your own saline solution by adding 1 teaspoon (5 mLs) of salt to 2 cups (500 mLs) of water. Your veterinarian may recommend using a particular type of soap or cleaning solution to clean the wound. Only use soaps or solutions recommended by your veterinarian. Do not use any soaps, disinfectants, or other cleansers designed for humans. They may irritate your dog's skin and delay the healing process. After cleaning the wound, gently pat it dry before applying any medicated lotions or bandages. Apply lotions or ointments only if prescribed by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may prescribe a medicated lotion or ointment to apply to your dog's wound. Apply immediately after cleaning the wound, then allow it to dry before you cover with a bandage. If your dog frequently licks the medication off, try applying it immediately before you feed your dog. The food will divert your dog's attention, and by the time it's done eating, it will likely have forgotten about the medication. Choose a bandage designed for the wounded body part. Bandages for dogs vary in shape and size depending on the size of the wound and the location of the wound on the dog's body. The bandage should be large enough to completely cover the wound and allow you to secure it in place. For wounds on a dog's legs or feet, there are special bandages you can use that look like a sleeve or a boot. These ensure that the wound is kept clean while healing. Use surgical tape to adhere the bandage to your dog's body. Spray the bandage with a "no-lick" spray. These sprays are available at pet supply stores and online, and are designed to keep your dog from trying to lick the wound or chew at the bandages covering the wound. Typically they have a disgusting taste that repels the dog from licking. These sprays don't work with all dogs. Some dogs simply lick them off, regardless of the disgusting taste, and then go after the wound or bandaging. Use a sleeve or protective clothing to cover the bandaged area. In addition to the bandage, you may want an additional layer to protect your dog's wound while it heals. There are sleeves available at pet supply stores for this purpose. You can also make one yourself by repurposing old clothing. For example, a piece nylon stocking with the toes cut off would work to cover a leg injury, or even a torso injury on a smaller dog. You can also use t-shirts, boxer shorts, sweaters, or baby clothes to cover the area. Change your dog's bandages every 2 or 3 days. Take the bandage off and clean the wound. Inspect the bandage for any discharge coming from the wound. If the wound continues to bleed or is leaking a colored or foul-smelling pus, take your pet back to the veterinarian – the wound may be infected. Your veterinarian may give you different instructions for cleaning the dog's wound and changing bandages. If you need to deviate from those instructions, ask your veterinarian first if it would be okay. Search online to find different types of surgical clothing to protect your dog's wound, such as sleeves and shirts. Take your dog for a walk after first putting on the collar. A calm walk on a leash will help your dog focus and re-establish the relationship between you and your pet. Walks are especially helpful if your dog is wearing a cone or collar, as they give your dog a safe opportunity to adjust. Most dogs will acclimate to the cone within an hour if they know they are safe. Keep your dog on a short leash, and speak to it in a calm, soothing voice. While your dog is wearing a cone or collar, always keep it on a leash when going for walks. Wait 7 to 14 days before you try other distraction techniques. Restrict your dog's activity until the wound has partially healed – particularly if your dog has a surgical incision. You don't want to risk reopening the wound through activity, or getting the wound infected. Ask your veterinarian how long you need to wait before you can allow your dog to run or play off-leash. Depending on the severity of the wound and its location, your veterinarian may want you to wait longer. Hide dry food for your dog to find in addition to a bowl. If you give your dog a bowl of food, it will likely scarf it down immediately. Hiding biscuits and dry food for your dog to find gives your dog a challenge and will distract it from its wounds. This distraction technique works particularly well if you have a hound or similar dog that hunts instinctively. Remember where you hid the treats so you can retrieve them and dispose of them properly if your dog doesn't find them within a day or so. Train your dog to perform new tricks. If your dog enjoys learning new tasks and tricks, this can be a great way to distract your dog from its wound so it won't be tempted to lick. Choose a trick that will be a challenge, but that you know your dog can master. Avoid tricks that require too much activity, especially if the wound is still healing. For example, you might be able to train your dog to sit up or beg, but teaching it to catch a frisbee in mid-air would likely be too much. Freeze gravy or meat broth into cubes for your dog to chase. If your dog likes to chase ice cubes, it will love chasing an ice cube made out of gravy or meat broth. While your dog is chasing after the ice cube treat, it will likely forget all about wanting to lick its wound. This treat is better given outside, as it can get messy. The ice cubes will eventually melt, and you'll end up with a puddle of gravy to clean up.

Measure your dog's neck carefully. Fit your dog with a cone. Try a soft or inflatable collar if the cone doesn't work. Have your dog try on several different options. Use a brace if your dog removes other collars. Clean the wound carefully before bandaging it. Apply lotions or ointments only if prescribed by your veterinarian. Choose a bandage designed for the wounded body part. Spray the bandage with a "no-lick" spray. Use a sleeve or protective clothing to cover the bandaged area. Change your dog's bandages every 2 or 3 days. Take your dog for a walk after first putting on the collar. Wait 7 to 14 days before you try other distraction techniques. Hide dry food for your dog to find in addition to a bowl. Train your dog to perform new tricks. Freeze gravy or meat broth into cubes for your dog to chase.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Frigidaire-Dishwasher

How to Clean a Frigidaire Dishwasher

To clean a Frigidaire dishwasher, start by removing the glass trap from the bottom of the dishwasher and emptying any glass inside into a trash bag. Then, take out the bottom dish rack and wipe down the area underneath with a sponge to remove any debris. If there's a lot of gunk on the sides of the dishwasher, wipe it off with soapy water. Finally, place a cup filled with white vinegar on the bottom dish rack and run the dishwasher on a regular cycle.

Get a dish cloth damp. Dip a dish rag in warm, soapy water. Use a mild dish detergent over a chemical cleaner. Ring the rag out slightly so it's just damp. Wipe the exterior with the damp cloth. Wipe down the door with the damp cloth. Wipe off any spills, smudges, or fingerprints. The exterior should look clean and shiny when you're done. Rinse the outer door. Get a cloth damp with clear water. Rinse down the exterior of the dishwasher until the water from the cloth runs clean. Then, pat the dishwasher dry with a towel. Make sure to rinse your dishwasher completely. Leaving residue on the dishwasher can cause damage. Empty the glass trap. Frigidaire dishwashers have a glass trap that collect shattered glass. Empty this when cleaning. Grasp the glass trap's handle and push down as you turn it 90 degrees clockwise. Grab onto the spray arm to lift the glass trap out of the dishwasher. Empty the broken glass into a garbage bag. Place the trap back into its slow and turn it 90 degrees counter clockwise until it clicks back in place. Make sure to empty the glass into a heavy, thick bag to avoid getting poked. Remove the dish racks and then clean the interior. Removing the racks lets you clean the interior completely. Use a sponge or towel to sweep up any debris or bits of loose food. Inspect the drain carefully. If you notice any gunk blocking the drain, wipe it off. Wipe down the interior. Use a damp cloth and mild dish detergent to wipe down the interior of the dishwasher. Wipe off any spills, dirt, or food residue from the sides of the dishwasher. When you're done, put the tray back in place. This is not always necessary. You only need to wipe down the sides if there is an abnormal amount of gunk and debris built up. If you clean your dishwasher regularly, you can probably skip this step. Allow the dishwasher to self-clean. Frigidaire dishwashers clean themselves automatically during regular cycles. Empty all dishes from the dishwasher. Then, place a cup filled with white vinegar on the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on the longest cycle. This should sanitize the dishwasher and remove unwanted smells. If your dishwasher is very dirty, you may need to run a cycle with vinegar more than once. Make sure the cup you put in place is secure. You do not want it to come undone and break during the cleaning cycle. Another option is to use baking soda to clean your dishwasher by hand. Take out any easily removable parts, like the rack and the filter. Then, mix together baking soda and water and apply the paste to your dishwasher with a soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth. Wipe down the inside and the parts you removed. Rinse the parts off with water, then run a short hot-water cycle to finish cleaning the inside of the machine. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners. Harsh chemical cleaners should not be used on Frigidaire products. They can cause damage. Stick to mild cleaners, like dish detergent, or non-chemical cleaners like vinegar when cleaning your fridge. Make sure to remove gunk and food before running a clean cycle. Many people neglect to sweep the bottom of the dishwasher before running a cleaning cycle. Make sure you do not forget this vital step. If gunk sticks on the bottom of the dishwasher too long, it could clog the drain and cause serious problems. Dispose of glass safely. When emptying the glass trap, make sure to take care when handling any broken glass. Wrap glass in plastic wrap and then set it in a cardboard box. Close the box and seal it with tape. Write something like "Danger" on the box to indicate it contains sharp materials before throwing it in the trash.

Get a dish cloth damp. Wipe the exterior with the damp cloth. Rinse the outer door. Empty the glass trap. Remove the dish racks and then clean the interior. Wipe down the interior. Allow the dishwasher to self-clean. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners. Make sure to remove gunk and food before running a clean cycle. Dispose of glass safely.

https://www.wikihow.com/Work-Out-with-Sciatica

How to Work Out with Sciatica

To work out with sciatica, try swimming, which is an effective cardio exercise that doesn't stress your back or legs. You can also try yoga, as this is a great low-impact form of exercise which helps to alleviate back pain. If you want to focus on core-strengthening exercises, you can try holding planks, as this works your arms and abdominal muscles whilst keeping your back in proper alignment. You can also practice stretching your back and legs by lying on the ground and pulling your knees slowly into your chest one at a time.

Understand why strengthening the core is important. Strengthening the core is essential in both the treatment and prevention of a slipped disc, and the accompanying sciatic pain. A strong and solid core helps to protect the spine from misalignment or injury, as the core muscles will keep the sciatic nerve in its proper place. The core also stabilizes the spine against any twisting motions and reduces the effect of daily wear and tear on the spine. As the core strengthens, you should no longer feel a one-sided shooting leg pain, which is one of the most common complaints of sciatica. The core muscles include the abs and transversus abdominis, obliques and the erector spinae muscle. These muscles are located at the front, side, and back of the abdomen and encase the spine. See below for some specific exercises you can do to strengthen the core muscles. Do planks. The plank is one of the best exercises for relieving sciatic pain caused by a slip disk, as it keeps the spine in proper alignment and prevents the disc from slipping further. To correctly perform the plank exercise: Assume a traditional push-up position on a soft surface such as a mat. The head, shoulder blades, and butt must form one straight horizontal line. The hands should be directly under the shoulders and feet are kept together. Brace your abdominal muscles as if you were preparing to be punched in the gut. Hold this position for 15 seconds, making sure that your hips do not drop down at any point during the exercise. Breathe deeply as you perform the exercise, this will prevent your blood pressure from spiking. There should be no pain, numbness, or tingling sensations throughout the exercise. If you feel any of these symptoms, rest for 15 minutes then try the modified plank position, which involves holding yourself up with your elbows and knees, rather than your hand and feet. Do 3 sets of 15-second holds, resting for 30 seconds in between each set. Work your way up to doing 30-second and then 1 minute-holds. Do side planks. Once you have built up the core doing regular planks (meaning that you can comfortably hold the plank position for 30 seconds) you can progress onto side planks. This exercise is great for strengthening the oblique muscles and helps to prevent sciatic leg pain, especially during twisting movements. Lie down on your left side, keeping your body in a straight line. Make sure your left elbow is lined up directly below your left shoulder. Lift yourself up so your entire body weight is being supported by your left elbow and the outer side of your left foot. You body should form a straight diagonal line from your head to your foot. As you hold this position, keep your hips elevated above the ground with the aid of your left oblique muscles. Remember to keep your abs tight, as if you were bracing yourself for a punch in the stomach. Hold this position for 15 seconds. You shouldn't experience any pain, numbness, or tingling when performing the side plank exercise. If you do, rest for 15 minutes then try the modified side plank position. To do the modified side plank, you will bend your knees instead of keeping them straight, so you will be supporting your weight with your left elbow and left knee. Do 3 sets of 15-second holds, resting for 30 seconds in between. Switch sides and do 3 more repetitions on your right. Work your way up to 30-second holds. Do hip thrusts. Hip thrusts are a great exercise for working the lower back, hip, and butt muscles. These muscles are part of the posterior chain, a group of muscles at the back of the body that supports the body weight and helps you to maintain proper posture. Good posture and equal distribution of weight lessens the pressure on the bones of the lower back and helps to relieve sciatica. To do a hip thrust: Sit down on the floor with a bench or couch behind you. Rest your arms and upper back against the bench or couch. Position your feet hip-width apart with the knees bent (this position engages the hip and butt muscles later on in the exercise). Thrust your hips up until your torso and thighs are parallel to the floor. The knees should be bent and in-line above the ankles, while the feet remain in contact with the ground. Don't forget to breathe in and out during the movement. Slowly lower your butt back towards the floor. This counts as one repetition. Do 3 sets of 15 reps daily with 1-minute rests in between. No pain, numbness, or tingling sensations should be felt during this exercise. If you do experience any of these symptoms, stop the exercise immediately and consult your physician. Do the cat and camel exercise. The cat and camel is a combination yoga pose that may improve spinal mobility, via flexion and extension. However, if the camel pose is performed incorrectly, it can lead to pinched nerves in the lumbar region. You should only include it as part of your exercise routine after you have developed a strong core using the three exercises outlined above. Get down on all fours on a soft surface. The hands should be placed directly beneath the shoulders, while the knees should be under the hips. Do the camel part of the exercise: suck in your abs and round your back up towards the ceiling as far as you can. The shape of your back should resemble a camel's hump. This position stretches your spinal erector muscles. Hold this position for 5 seconds, then return to the starting position. Next do the cat part of the exercise: Arch your back by pressing your stomach towards the floor and lifting your chest towards the ceiling to arch your upper back. This strengthens the lower back muscles and stretches the abdominals. Hold the position for 5 seconds. You should feel a stretch in your abdominal area. Alternate between the cat and camel posture for 5 times each. That counts as 1 set. Do 3 sets with 2 minutes rest in between. Avoid doing this exercise if you experience any slipped disc symptoms and see a doctor for proper guidance. Understand the importance of stretching. People suffering from sciatica should stretch daily. Stretching helps to loosen the muscles compressing the sciatic nerve, thus alleviating pain. Stretching daily will not only improve existing symptoms, it will also help to prevent the condition from worsening. Perform knee to chest stretch. This is an easy exercise that will help to improve the flexibility of your lower back, relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve. To do this knee to chest stretch: Lie flat on your back on the floor or an exercise mat. Place a flat cushion under your head. Place your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees. Grasp your right knee with both hands and slowly bring it towards your chest. You should feel your lower back stretching. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds, then return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise with your right leg, then do 3 to 5 repetitions on each leg. Perform a sciatic mobilizing stretch. This specific exercise will move the sciatic nerve and hamstring, helping it to find a more comfortable position. Lie on your back on an exercise mat and place a small flat cushion under your head. Keep your knees bent and your chin partially tucked in. Grab one knee with both hands and bring it closer to your chest. Grab your hamstring with both hands, then try to straighten your leg. Continue to pull your knee towards your chest as you attempt to straighten the leg. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds while taking deep breaths. Bend the knee and slowly return to the starting position. Repeat with the opposite leg, then continue for 3 to 5 repetitions of each leg. Perform back extensions. This exercise will move and stretch the spine backwards. This exercise is particularly beneficial for patients who suffer from secondary sciatic symptoms and disc herniation. Lie on your stomach, then use your elbows to prop up your head and torso. Keep your neck and back long. Keeping your neck straight and your hips on the ground, arch your back as high as comfort permits. You should feel a stretch in your lower back and stomach muscles. Hold this position for 10 seconds while practicing deep breathing. Return to the starting position, then repeat this exercise 10-15 times. Perform a standing hamstring stretch. This exercise helps to stretch the hamstring muscles. Stand up straight in front of an elevated surface (approximately knee height), such as a stool or chair. Lift one leg and rest your heel on top of the elevated surface. Keep your knee and leg as straight as possible while your toes point upward. Lean forward, placing your hands on your knee for support. Try to keep your back straight as you do this. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds, while taking deep breaths. Repeat the exercise on the opposite leg, then continue for 3 to 5 repetitions on each leg. Perform a gluteal stretch. This exercise helps to keep your butt muscles flexible, which allows your to perform a wider range of movement. Start by lying on your back, with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Place a small cushion under your head for support. Raise your left foot and place it over your right thigh. Link your hands at the back of your right thigh and pull the leg towards your chest. Keep your tailbone and hips on the floor throughout the exercise. You should be able to feel a stretch in your right buttock. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds while practicing deep breathing. Bring the foot back to the starting position then repeat the exercise with the other leg. Do 3 to 5 repetitions on each leg. Do an Iliotibial band stretch. The iliotibial band (ITB) is a type of connective tissue that spans the hip, butt, and outer leg muscles. If your ITB is not flexible, it will limit your movement and cause the muscles to compress the sciatic nerve. This aggravates the symptoms of sciatica. To do an ITB stretch: Stand tall and cross your left foot over your right foot. Without bending the knees, bend at the hips by pushing your butt back and out, as you were closing a door with your backside. Try to maintain the natural arch of the back at all times. There should be no slouching or rounding of the back. Rounding the back puts the spine out of its proper alignment. The feet should be in contact with the ground at all times.Lifting the toes off the ground shifts the weight of the body backwards. This compresses the back and may cause aggravation of sciatica. Push the hips out as far as they can go without experiencing any pain. Don't worry if you can't go more than a couple of inches — it is normal to have very limited ITB flexibility. Hold the position for 30 seconds to a minute. Perform sciatic nerve flossing to loosen the nerve from the tissue. This stretch helps the sciatic nerve slide through the spine unrestricted, which can improve pain and mobility. Start in a seated position with your head facing down toward the ground. To do the stretch, look up to the ceiling as you also lift your right leg, straightening it at the knee. Return to your start position to complete the stretch. Do 20-30 repetitions, then switch and repeat for the left side. Go swimming to increase the heart rate, without stressing the back and legs. The best cardiovascular exercise for sciatica sufferers is swimming. Swimming places minimal stress on the back and the legs while still providing an effective cardio workout, that gets the heart rate up and burns calories. This gives you all the advantages of a cardio workout without compromising on comfort. For best results, try to swim for 30 minutes a day, five times per week. Try pilates to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Pilates is a great, low-impact way to improve the strength of your muscles without causing too much sciatic pain. Most Pilates maneuvers involve stretching the muscles using slow, smooth movements. For more information on how to do Pilates, see this article. Do yoga to learn correct breathing techniques and relieve pain. Yoga is another great, low-impact form of exercise that helps to alleviate pain on the back and prevent it from recurring. Yoga is a combination of stretching and breathing techniques – making it the perfect activity for relieving sciatic pain. For more information on how to do yoga, see this article. Avoid running, as it can place too much strain on the back. Although it has numerous general health benefits, running is not a recommended form of cardio exercise for people suffering from sciatica. Running is stressful and jars the lower back and legs, which may cause sciatic pain to become worse. However, going for a walk is recommended for people with sciatica, provided you warm up with dynamic range of motion exercises, stretch after the walk, and correct posture is maintained throughout the exercise. Understand what causes sciatica. There are several different root causes of sciatic pain, however they all involve irritation of the sciatic nerve, either through compression, kinking or physical trauma. Some of the most common causes include: A lumbar herniated disc: This happens when a disc in the spinal column “spills” out from its original place. This herniated disc comes in contact with the sciatic nerve, compressing it and causing pain and irritation. ' Degenerative disc disease: This condition is usually associated with aging. As the spinal disc ages, it weakens and may partially collapse leading to compression of the sciatic nerve. Piriformis syndrome: This is when the piriformis muscle (located in the buttocks) compresses the sciatic nerve. Lumbar spinal stenosis: This occurs when the spinal canal narrows in size, pushing its content outward and causing a kink in the sciatic nerve. ' Abnormalities in the spine: Anything abnormal in the structure of the lumbar spine may lead to sciatica. This may include infection, injury, tumor, internal bleeding, bone fracture or muscle weakness. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of sciatica. The primary symptom of sciatica is pain. The pain may be felt along the length of the sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower back, buttocks, hips and legs. Because of the sciatic pain, the patient may have difficulty of moving, bending and walking. Know how sciatica is diagnosed. An accurate diagnosis of sciatica is important, as this will help the doctor to determine how the condition should be managed. The process for diagnosing sciatica will usually involve the follow: A physical examination: A physical examination may be performed, involving the straight-leg-raise test. The doctor will ask you to lie down and raise your leg slowly. The doctor will note the point at which pain is felt to determine which part of the sciatic nerve is affected. X-ray: An x-ray may be ordered to rule out fracture of the spine. MRI and CT scans: These may be prescribed by your doctor to aid in diagnosing sciatica. Detailed images of the lower back are created to learn more about the problem. Additional tests: Other nerve tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.These may include: velocity studies, electromyography, myelogram and evoked potential testing.

Understand why strengthening the core is important. Do planks. Do side planks. Do hip thrusts. Do the cat and camel exercise. Understand the importance of stretching. Perform knee to chest stretch. Perform a sciatic mobilizing stretch. Perform back extensions. Perform a standing hamstring stretch. Perform a gluteal stretch. Do an Iliotibial band stretch. Perform sciatic nerve flossing to loosen the nerve from the tissue. Go swimming to increase the heart rate, without stressing the back and legs. Try pilates to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Do yoga to learn correct breathing techniques and relieve pain. Avoid running, as it can place too much strain on the back. Understand what causes sciatica. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of sciatica. Know how sciatica is diagnosed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Bend-Bamboo

How to Bend Bamboo

To easily bend bamboo using water, place the poles in a large tub and fill it with lukewarm water, which will soften the wood fibers. Allow the poles to soak overnight in the water, and then remove it from the tub. Hold the pole in your hands and slowly bend it into the desired shape, stopping if you hear any cracking or snapping. If the wood doesn't snap or crack, draw out your design and use a piece of wood with nails to act as a mold for the bamboo. Bend the bamboo into the desired shape and let the wood dry in the mold for 1-3 days.

Fill a tub with lukewarm water. Place your bamboo poles in the tub and allow them to soak overnight. As with wood , bamboo requires moisture to bend. The moisture softens the lining and hemicellulose in the bamboo cells and allows them to flex. Without heat and moisture, these molecules crystallize making them virtually immovable. Depending on the size and thickness of the bamboo, soaking time may be longer. Test your bamboo. Pull the bamboo out of the water and slowly bend the bamboo, attempting to coax it into the shape you need. If you hear a crackling sound, the bamboo has not been soaked long enough, and needs to be placed back in the water. Draw your desired shape. Take a large sheet of paper and sketch out the shape you want you bamboo to take. Place this paper on top of your large piece of plywood. Nail the design. Using the sketch as your guide, hammer nails into the plywood, following the sketched shape. Each nail should be approximately an inch apart. Hammer in a second row of nails. This row should run parallel to the shape you just nailed and the distance between the two rows should be slightly larger than the diameter of the bamboo. Shape your bamboo. Once your bamboo has been adequately soaked and is pliable, remove it from the water and place it on the plywood between the nails. Allow the bamboo to dry 1-3 days. You can test whether your shape has been set by picking the bamboo off the board. If the bamboo retains the desired shape, it has finished drying into shape. Cut your bamboo. Make a V-shaped cut right beneath one of the bamboo nodes. A node is one of the joints in the bamboo pole that looks like a knee and divides the cane into segments. Make your cut narrow if the bend you desire is slight. Make your cut wider if the bend you need is more dramatic. The cut can be as deep as two-thirds the diameter of the pole. Cuts can be shallower for less dramatic bends. Make multiple node cuts in the same cane to create a circular shape. Cutting near a node makes this alteration less visible. Bend your bamboo into shape. Secure it either by lashing it, or using an adhesive to set your bamboo in place. Hollow out your bamboo poles. Use a piece of rebar (a steel bar commonly used as a tension device to reinforce concrete) to break the bamboo's internal nodes. This is done by shoving the rebar in and out of the bamboo pole on one end, then the other. You should end up with a hollow tube. Drill some vapor holes. Vapor builds up during the application of heat to the bamboo pole. In order to let the vapor escape, it is recommended that you drill a few holes at the nodes. Heat your bamboo. Take your torch and begin applying heat to the pole with the flame, continually moving from the widest part of the bamboo, to the thinnest. The heat should be above boiling temperature. This achieves two things: The heat coloring of the bamboo. Application of the heat acts as a stain on the bamboo and gives it a warm, coffee color. The lignin and pectin in the bamboo becomes soft and pliable allowing you to more easily mold the bamboo. Check the bamboo for flexibility. Using a wet rag, sweep down the bamboo pole, wiping moisture over surface. Test the flexibility of the bamboo by bending the pole slightly. It should give fairly easily. Plug one end of your bamboo and fill it with fine sand. Hit the bamboo with the side of your hand or the side of the small shovel to move the sand all the way to the bottom of the pole. The sand stabilizes the bamboo so the walls do not buckle when you bend it. Prepare to bend the bamboo pole. Dig a hole in firm earth that is 6"-8" deep and slightly larger than the circumference of the pole. Holding it firmly for leverage, you are now ready to shape the pole. Begin by torching the pole again. Concentrate on the area you wish to bend, and keep the flame moving. Periodically wipe the pole with a wet rag. The water prevents the bamboo from drying out and becoming brittle. Dried bamboo can break or split easily. As you work the pole with the torch, begin to bend the bamboo pole into your desired shape. Repeat torching, bending, and dampening until you finesse the bamboo into the desired shape. This may take time. It is at this point that bamboo often splits, due to all of the stress it is under. The more time you take shaping the bamboo gradually, the less chance you have of splitting your pole. Enjoy your newly-bent, heat-colored bamboo pole! These larger poles are used primarily for furniture, but can also be made into a variety of crafts.

Fill a tub with lukewarm water. Test your bamboo. Draw your desired shape. Nail the design. Shape your bamboo. Cut your bamboo. Make multiple node cuts in the same cane to create a circular shape. Bend your bamboo into shape. Hollow out your bamboo poles. Drill some vapor holes. Heat your bamboo. Check the bamboo for flexibility. Plug one end of your bamboo and fill it with fine sand. Prepare to bend the bamboo pole. Enjoy your newly-bent, heat-colored bamboo pole!

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Ribs-in-a-Slow-Cooker

How to Cook Ribs in a Slow Cooker

To cook ribs in a slow cooker, start by pulling off the tough, white membrane and cutting the ribs into sections. Then, season the ribs, and cook them in an oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. Next, transfer the ribs to a slow cooker, and cook them on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours, turning them halfway. Finally, broil the ribs on low for 5 minutes before serving them.

Remove the rib membrane and preheat the oven. Turn the oven on to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Get out a baking sheet and lay a piece of parchment paper on it. You'll need to get out four pounds (1.8 kg) of ribs and use your fingers to pull off the tough, white membrane. You can use spareribs, baby back ribs, rib tips, or country ribs. Cut and dry the ribs. Take a sharp knife and carefully cut the ribs into about 6 sections. Rinse the ribs with cool water and use paper towels to pat them dry. Set the ribs on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cutting the ribs will make them fit into the slow cooker better and make them easier to handle. Combine the dry rub. Get out a small mixing bowl and stir together all of the spice rub ingredients. Take one tablespoon (15 g) of the dry rub and set it aside for the barbecue sauce. For the dry rub, you'll need: 1 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 g) paprika. 1 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 g) packed brown sugar. 2 teaspoons (10 g) salt. 2 teaspoons (10 g) chili powder. 2 teaspoons (10 g) garlic powder. 1 teaspoon (5 g) ground chipotle pepper. 1 teaspoon (5 g) black pepper. 1 teaspoons (5 g) onion powder. 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) dried thyme. 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) cayenne pepper, optional. Coat the ribs in the dry rub and bake them for 30 minutes. Cover the ribs with the dry rub. Use your fingers to ensure that the rub is evenly covering the meat. Place the baking sheet of ribs in the preheated oven and cook them for 15 minutes. Turn the ribs and cook them on the other side for 15 more minutes (for a total of 30 minutes). Cooking the ribs briefly will seal in the spices. Cook a simple barbecue sauce. While you can use store bought barbecue sauce, you can make your own on the stove top. Measure all of the sauce ingredients into a medium saucepan and turn the heat to medium. Stir the sauce every once in a while and cook it for 15 minutes. You'll need to combine: 2 cups (480 g) ketchup. 1/2 cup (170 g) molasses. 1 tablespoon (15 g) of the reserved dry rub. 1/2 cup (100 g) packed brown sugar. 1/4 cup (80 g) seedless blackberry preserves. 1/3 cup (80 ml) apple cider vinegar. 1 tablespoon (15 ml) liquid smoke. Prepare the slow cooker. Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick spray. Or you could place a disposable slow cooker insert into the cooker. Spread a little of the barbecue sauce along the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the ribs in the slow cooker. Place the ribs in the slow cooker and spread a little more sauce on top. If you need to, stack another layer of ribs on top and spread more barbecue sauce over them. The ribs should be evenly covered in the barbecue sauce. Cook the ribs until they're tender. Put the lid on the pot and turn it on. Cook the ribs on HIGH for four to five hours or on LOW for seven to nine hours. Turn the ribs about halfway through the cooking time. The ribs' meat should be starting to fall off of the bone once they've finished cooking. Remove the ribs from the slow cooker. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet. Once the meat is tender, use tongs to carefully lift them out of the slow cooker. Place the ribs on the foil and spread a little more barbecue sauce on them. Remember that you can always serve the ribs straight from the slow cooker, if you're in a rush. Broil the ribs for three to five minutes. Turn on your broiler to low and place the sheet of ribs directly below it. The sauce should also look darker and a little bubbly. Carefully remove the ribs from under the broiler and serve them when they're cool enough to handle. Consider grilling the ribs. If you'd rather finish the ribs on the grill instead of under the broiler, prepare a hot charcoal or gas grill. Take the ribs on the aluminum foil and wrap them completely in the foil. Place the packet of ribs on the hot grill and grill them for up to five minutes. Serve the ribs immediately. Keep in mind that the packets will release steam when you open them. Wear oven mitts and use caution. Finished.

Remove the rib membrane and preheat the oven. Cut and dry the ribs. Combine the dry rub. Coat the ribs in the dry rub and bake them for 30 minutes. Cook a simple barbecue sauce. Prepare the slow cooker. Arrange the ribs in the slow cooker. Cook the ribs until they're tender. Remove the ribs from the slow cooker. Broil the ribs for three to five minutes. Consider grilling the ribs. Finished.

https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Adhesive-from-a-Hardwood-Floor

How to Remove Adhesive from a Hardwood Floor

To remove adhesive from a hardwood floor, bring a pot of water to a boil. Soak some old towels in the water and then place them on the adhesive. After letting them sit for 3 to 5 minutes, wipe off as much adhesive as you can. Gently use a floor scraper to remove the rest of it. If that doesn't work, you can pour a small amount of adhesive remover onto a sponge and apply it to the glue. Wait 5 minutes and then scrape it off with a floor scraper.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place a pot with 4-6 cups of water on the stove, and wait for it to boil. You could also use an electric kettle to bring your water to a boiling point. Soak towels in the hot water. Use old towels that are already stained or dingy, but still clean. Saturate them completely with hot water. Be careful not to scald your hands. Place the wet towels on the floor. This keeps the hot water contained and allows it to rest over the surface of the adhesive, heating it up and loosening it. Leave towels in place. Leave the towels in place for 3-5 minutes. Then wipe the surface of the floors with the towels. The adhesive should be melted enough to start coming off. Scrape any stubborn adhesive off with a floor scraper. Gently run the floor scraper over the surface of any remaining adhesive. Be careful not to seriously scratch or damage your floor. Locate a heat gun. The purpose of using the heat gun is to reheat the adhesive for easy removal. Plug in the heat gun and ensure it will reach your work area. You may need to use an extension cord. Apply heat to the adhesive. Direct the heat gun toward the adhesive. Place the heat gun as close to the adhesive as possible without touching it. Continue until you see the adhesive begin to give and melt. Wipe the area with a dry towel. Use an old, but clean, towel to begin to wipe away the melted adhesive. You may want to re-heat the adhesive and wipe again. Use a scraper to lift any leftover residue. Carefully move your floor scraper over the surface of any remaining adhesive. Move gently enough to avoid damaging your floor. Purchase a commercial glue/adhesive remover. These products are especially helpful for removing tough carpet adhesive (which have replaced tack strips in recent years). You can find a product like this at any hardware store. Wear gloves, protective eyewear, and a mask. Commercial adhesive removers are very strong. It is important for you to put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from any chemicals. You should also wear protective eyewear and a mask. Test the adhesive remover. It's a good idea to test the adhesive remover first to see if it works well. Choose a small area, like a closet, to see if the adhesive remover works well or if it has a negative reaction, such as staining your wood. Pour a small amount of adhesive remover onto a damp sponge. Begin with just a small amount of adhesive remover (this product is very powerful), following the instructions listed on the package. Then, using your sponge, apply the adhesive remover to the adhesive on your floor. Give it some time. Leave the adhesive remover on long enough to loosen the adhesive (approximately five minutes, or according to the manufacturer's instructions). Use a scraper to remove any residue. Once again, work carefully with the scraper, using soft motions and taking care not to gouge your hardwood floor. Gather supplies. You are going to need gloves, protective eyewear, a metal cookie sheet or tray, and a ½ lb (227-gram) block of dry ice. Dry ice can be purchased at many grocery stores, as well as some hardware stores. Put on your gloves and protective eyewear. As with the commercial adhesive remover, dry ice is quite powerful. It is necessary for you to protect your hands and eyes by wearing rubber gloves and protective eyewear whenever you handle dry ice. Place your ½ lb block of dry ice on a metal cookie sheet or tray. Using a gloved hand, center your ½ lb block of dry ice on a metal cookie sheet. The cookie sheet should be large enough to cover the area where you'd like to remove the adhesive. If it is not, you can always repeat this process. Place the tray directly on top of the adhesive and allow it to sit for 1 minute. The dry ice will harden and then crack the adhesive. This is perhaps the quickest and cleanest method of loosening and removing floor adhesive. Remove the tray and use a scraper to lift off the cracked pieces of adhesive. As always, use gentle pressure and soft motions, as you do not want to damage your floor.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Soak towels in the hot water. Place the wet towels on the floor. Leave towels in place. Scrape any stubborn adhesive off with a floor scraper. Locate a heat gun. Apply heat to the adhesive. Wipe the area with a dry towel. Use a scraper to lift any leftover residue. Purchase a commercial glue/adhesive remover. Wear gloves, protective eyewear, and a mask. Test the adhesive remover. Pour a small amount of adhesive remover onto a damp sponge. Give it some time. Use a scraper to remove any residue. Gather supplies. Put on your gloves and protective eyewear. Place your ½ lb block of dry ice on a metal cookie sheet or tray. Place the tray directly on top of the adhesive and allow it to sit for 1 minute. Remove the tray and use a scraper to lift off the cracked pieces of adhesive.

https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Primer

How to Apply Primer

To prime your face, pour a small drop of primer onto your hand and gently apply it to your cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose. Using your fingers, blend the primer in and pat a little extra primer under your eyes to brighten and smooth out any dark circles. From here, you can apply your concealer, foundation, and powder. If you plan on using eye shadow, prime your eyelids beforehand to prevent your makeup from smudging. Depending on your preferred makeup routine, you may also want to use a tinted eye primer to fill in your brows, or try an eyelash primer that can make your lashes look thicker and longer.

Choose a primer that fits your skin needs. Primers are used to brighten and smooth your skin, and they're essential for keeping your makeup on all day, too. There are lots of primers to choose from, and a general, multipurpose one will always do the trick. If you want extra features like acne treatment or brightening power, though, you can also go for specialized primers, like: A tinted primer, great for adding a glowy look to dull skin. A primer with anti-acne treatment to fight breakouts. A combo of creamy foundation and primer to smooth out acne bumps or wrinkles. Apply a small drop of primer to the central parts of your face. Pour out a drop of primer, about the size of a raisin, onto your hand and dap it across a few fingertips. Gently apply it to your cheeks, forehead, chin, and the sides of your nose, starting in the middle and blending outwards. The primer might appear slightly lighter than your skin. Simply blend it with your fingertips to help it look more natural. Pat skin primer around your eyes to soften lines and prevent smudging. Used around your eyes, primer is great for holding makeup, like concealer, in place, as well as smoothing out lines and redness. Pat it gently under your eyes and on your lids. Dab concealer over any marks or dark circles. Let your primer dry for 2-5 minutes, then start with the rest of your makeup routine! You can cover acne and other spots with a small dab of concealer over each mark, and under-eye circles with a thin layer of concealer in the shape of an upside-down triangle. Use your fingers or a brush to blend it into your skin. Remember to use a concealer that matches your skin tone. Be careful not to get any concealer in your eyes. Apply liquid foundation after your primer and concealer. Use your fingers or a makeup brush to dab a small amount of foundation in the center of your forehead, under your eyes, and on your nose and chin. Spread it outwards and blend it in. The primer will help your foundation stay on and will give you a clean, fresh base to work off of. Finish with a light dusting of powder to set your makeup. Use your fingers or a powder brush to gently pat a thin layer of powder over your foundation. Apply it in gentle circles on the apples of your cheek, the bridge of your nose, and the center of your forehead and nose. A bit of powder will lock in both your foundation and primer to ensure that they stay in place all day long. Use eye primer to keep your eye makeup in place. Eye primer can help brighten the skin around your eyes while locking in your eyeshadow and eyeliner all day long. It's an essential step to prep the delicate skin around your eyes and ensure that your eye makeup doesn't smudge or smear. Dab a small amount of primer from your lash line to your brow bone. Pour a drop of primer onto your ring finger. Apply it in a thin layer on your upper and lower eyelids, extending up to your brow bone. Apply a bit under your eyes to conceal dark circles. Dab a bit of eye primer under your eyes to brighten and smooth out dark circles. You can leave it as is, or apply a bit of concealer to brighten the area even more. Smooth primer over your eyebrows to keep pencil or gel in place. If you want to define or fill in your eyebrows, tinted eye primer is a great first step. Smooth a drop over each eyebrow, following its arch, before applying your brow pencil or gel. Eye primer might lighten the color of your eyebrows, so look for a primer that's slightly tinted. Use an eyelash primer to make your lashes look thicker and longer. Eyelash primer will boost your lashes in length and volume, making them look thicker and more amplified—like eyelash extensions, without the cost! Eyelash primer comes in a tube that looks like mascara, and you'll apply it in the same way, then brush your mascara on top. You can also look for two-in-one mascara and primer products, which let you apply both at once. Apply concealer, eyeshadow, and mascara to complete your look. Give your eye and/or eyelash primer 2-5 minutes to dry, then apply the rest of your products. Start with concealer for undereye circles, then brush on eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, as desired. Use lip primer to keep lipstick smooth. Lip primer typically isn't necessary unless you're planning on wearing lipstick—then, it's essential! Lip primer is all you need to keep your lipstick from feathering out or collecting into lines. Primer is also great for evening out your lip color to make your lipstick look more uniform. Use a light primer to emphasize the true shade of your lipstick. Look for a primer that's a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone. This will help to bring out the bright color of your lipstick, more so than a color truer to your tone. You can buy lip primer either in makeup stores or online. If you're purchasing online, make sure the store allows returns, just in case you decide you want a different tone. Exfoliate and moisturize your lips to prep them. Before applying your primer, exfoliate your lips with a scrub to smooth over rough patches and get rid of flakes. Then, apply a moisturizing lip balm and let it sink in for about 5 minutes. You can use a premade lip exfoliant or make your own by mixing a spoonful each of lemon juice and castor oil. Dab it onto your lips, let it sit for an hour, then gently rub it off with a wet, warm washcloth. If your lips are smooth and not too chapped, you can skip exfoliating and go straight to the lip balm. Smooth on some lip primer using a small makeup brush. Lip primer comes in a tube like lipstick, but it's easier to apply with a thin brush. Rub your brush against the primer lightly, then brush the primer onto your lips like lip gloss or liquid lipstick. Start with the top lip, then move to the bottom, making sure to cover each lip with a thin, even coat. You can also even out the application by dabbing and blending with your fingers. Apply your lipstick to finish the look. Let your primer set for 2-5 minutes, then apply your lip color! You can use liquid lipstick, which you'll apply with a brush, or the traditional tube. Either way, your moisturizing and priming routine will help your color pop and stay in place all day long.

Choose a primer that fits your skin needs. Apply a small drop of primer to the central parts of your face. Pat skin primer around your eyes to soften lines and prevent smudging. Dab concealer over any marks or dark circles. Apply liquid foundation after your primer and concealer. Finish with a light dusting of powder to set your makeup. Use eye primer to keep your eye makeup in place. Dab a small amount of primer from your lash line to your brow bone. Apply a bit under your eyes to conceal dark circles. Smooth primer over your eyebrows to keep pencil or gel in place. Use an eyelash primer to make your lashes look thicker and longer. Apply concealer, eyeshadow, and mascara to complete your look. Use lip primer to keep lipstick smooth. Use a light primer to emphasize the true shade of your lipstick. Exfoliate and moisturize your lips to prep them. Smooth on some lip primer using a small makeup brush. Apply your lipstick to finish the look.

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How to Tie Sperrys

To tie your sperrys in a barrel knot, make a loop using the left lace and twist it. Wrap the tail of the lace around the loop 5 times, then thread the end of the lace through the loop and push the knot down towards the shoe. Finish by repeating the same process on the other 3 laces.

Fold the lace to form a loop. Take the left shoe lace of either shoe in your hand. Fold the lace over itself to create a loop. Leave a 3 to 4 inch tail on the end of the loop. Twist the loop. Place the top of the loop between the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, hold the tail just below the base of the loop. Tightly twist the loop with your non-dominant hand. If needed, wrap the tail around the loop additional times. Wrap the tail 5 times around the loop. Continue to hold the top of the loop with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, wrap the tail around the base of the loop 5 times. Insert the end of the lace through the loop and pull. Grab the end of the lace with your dominant hand. Thread the end through the loop. As you pull the end tightly through the loop, use your non-dominant hand to push the knot towards the shoe. Repeat on the remaining laces. Tie barrel knots in the 3 remaining laces. Trim the laces. If the laces are uneven, dragging on the floor, or just look too long, you may trim the laces. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut off the excess from the leather laces. Cross the laces. Create an “X” with your laces by placing the left lace on top of the right lace. Bring the left lace under the right lace. Pull the laces in opposite directions. Tie a square knot. Take the left lace in your left hand and the right lace in your right hand. Make sure the right lace is on top of the left lace. Bring the right lace under the left lace. Pull it back over the left lace. Bring the left lace under the right lace. Pull it back over the right lace. Tighten the knot by simultaneously pulling evenly on each lace. Form a loop with the left lace. Fold the left lace over itself to form a loop at the base of the square knot. The loop should be approximately 1 inch in length. Hold the base of the loop between the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand. Wrap the tail around the loop 2 or 3 times. Grab the tail with your dominant hand. Wrap the lace tightly around the loop 2 to 3 times. Tuck the end in the loop and pull. Thread the end of the lace through the loop. Pull tightly on the lace. Repeat on the right lace. Create a tassel on the right lace using the same process. Trim the ends if needed. Tie the other shoe. Create two tassel knots on the other Sperry. Make a loop with your left lace. Uncross your laces. Grab the left lace with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand make a ½ inch loop in the middle of your left lace. Hold the base of the loop with your left hand. Create a second loop and thread it through the first loop. With your dominant hand, create a second ½ inch loop above the first loop. Push the base of the second loop halfway through the first loop. Pull the lace tight and move the knot towards the eyelet. Insert the thumb of your non-dominant hand into the second loop. Grab the tail with your dominant hand. Pull the loop and the tail in opposite directions. Push the knot towards the eyelet. Create another loop and thread it through the second loop. Use your dominant hand to make a third loop above the second loop. Bring the loop under and through the second loop. Thread the end through the third loop and pull tight. Take the third loop in your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, thread the end of the lace through the loop. Pull tight to create a link of chains. Evenly space the links by hand. Repeat with the right lace. Complete the process of tying a chain knot with the right lace. Try to make the chains as even as possible. Tuck the ends into the shoe. Pull the left chain horizontally to the right. Lift the right flap and tuck the left lace's end into the shoe. Position the right chain above the left chain. Pull the right chain horizontally to the left. Lift the left flap and tuck the end of the right lace into the shoe. Tie the other shoe. Create a chain knot on the other Sperry. Create a left-over-right starting knot. Cross the left lace over the right lace. Wrap the left lace over and under the right lace. Pull both laces tightly in opposite directions. Make a loop with the left lace. Bend the left lace (now located on the right side of the shoe) over itself to form a 1 inch loop. Position the base of the loop next to the starting knot. Circle the loop with the right lace. Grab the right lace (now located on the left side of the shoe). Bring the right lace in front of the loop. Complete the circle around the base of the loop by bringing the right lace to the front. Insert the right lace into the circle you created and pull. Make a small loop in the right lace. Insert the top of the loop through the circle you created. Pull the loop loosely through the circle. Up to this point you have completed a standard shoelace knot. Wrap the right loop around the left loop again. Bring the right loop over and around the left loop. Insert the right loop through the circle once again. Pull tightly on the loops. Grab the right loop with your right hand and the left loop with your left hand. Pull tightly on the loops in opposite directions. Tie the other shoe. Tie a surgeon's knot on the other Sperry. Thread the laces through the eyelets in parallel lines. Insert the left lace into and through the bottom left eyelet. String the left lace through the top left eyelet. Insert the right lace into and through the bottom right eyelet. String the right lace through the top right eyelet. The laces between the two eyelets should be visible on the outside of the Sperry. Cross the laces and pull them down towards the tip of the shoe. Lay the left lace over the right lace. Lay the laces flat with the ends towards the tip of the Sperry. Loop the left lace over the right parallel line. Thread the left lace up and over the right parallel line. Pull it tight. Loop the right lace over the left parallel line. Thread the right lace up and over the left parallel line. Pull it tight. Loop each lace up and over the opposite parallel line 3 times. Pull the laces up and over the opposite parallel lines 3 times each. Pull the left lace (now on the right side) up and over the left parallel line. Pull the right lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line. Pull the left lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line. Pull the right lace (now on the right side) up and over the left parallel line. Pull the left lace (now on the right side) up and over the left parallel line. Pull the right lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line. Tuck the ends into the shoe. Insert the left lace into the shoe. Tuck the right lace into the Sperry. Tie the other shoe. Create a fishtail on the other Sperry.

Fold the lace to form a loop. Twist the loop. Wrap the tail 5 times around the loop. Insert the end of the lace through the loop and pull. Repeat on the remaining laces. Trim the laces. Cross the laces. Tie a square knot. Form a loop with the left lace. Wrap the tail around the loop 2 or 3 times. Tuck the end in the loop and pull. Repeat on the right lace. Tie the other shoe. Make a loop with your left lace. Create a second loop and thread it through the first loop. Pull the lace tight and move the knot towards the eyelet. Create another loop and thread it through the second loop. Thread the end through the third loop and pull tight. Repeat with the right lace. Tuck the ends into the shoe. Tie the other shoe. Create a left-over-right starting knot. Make a loop with the left lace. Circle the loop with the right lace. Insert the right lace into the circle you created and pull. Wrap the right loop around the left loop again. Pull tightly on the loops. Tie the other shoe. Thread the laces through the eyelets in parallel lines. Cross the laces and pull them down towards the tip of the shoe. Loop the left lace over the right parallel line. Loop the right lace over the left parallel line. Loop each lace up and over the opposite parallel line 3 times. Tuck the ends into the shoe. Tie the other shoe.

https://www.wikihow.com/Knit

How to Knit

To knit, start by making a slip knot on one of your knitting needles, which will be your first stitch. Then, cast on your knitting needle to make your next stitch. After you cast on once, you can cast on as many times as you'd like, depending on how many stitches you want. When you're finished casting on, insert your second knitting needle into the stitch that's closest to the point on your first needle. Next, wrap the yarn you're working with around your second needle so it's resting in between both needles. From there, poke the second needle through the loop around the first needle. Now, pull the stitch off of the first needle and onto the second needle. Repeat the process for all of the stitches you made on the first needle until they're all on the second needle. Keep transferring the stitches back and forth between the needles until you're satisfied with your piece. Finally, when you're finished, cast off and snip the excess yarn with scissors.

Choose a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. Visit your local craft supply store or check out an online store to find a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. Yarn comes in a wide range of textures, weights, and colors, so choose a yarn that appeals to you. Then, check the label on the yarn for a knitting needle size recommendation. For example, if you opt for a medium-weight yarn, then you will need a pair of US size 7, 8, or 9 (4.5, 5.0. or 5.5 mm) needles. You can knit with straight needles or circular needles. Circular needles are helpful for holding a large number of stitches, such as for a blanket, and you can also knit in the round with circular needles. Knitting needles are made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, plastic, and bamboo. The material is more a matter of personal preference than anything else. Make a slipknot for your first cast on stitch. Loop the yarn around your index and middle finger 2 times. Then, pull the first loop over the second loop. Tug on the tail of the yarn to tighten the knot around the base of the loop. Then, slip the loop onto a knitting needle and tug the tail more to secure the knot. The slipknot counts as your first cast on stitch, so make sure to include it if you are counting stitches. Hold the needle with the slipknot on it in your right hand. Position the slipknot about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from the tip. Grip the needle at this point with your right index finger and thumb. Wrap your other 3 fingers loosely around the body of the needle to make it easier to control. You will be working additional cast on stitches onto this needle. Loop the working yarn over the left-hand needle from front to back. Hold the left-hand needle in the same way as the right-hand needle. Grip the needle near the tip with your index finger and thumb and cradle the rest of the needle loosely with your other 3 fingers. Use your right index finger and thumb to drape the yarn over the tip of the left-hand needle. This will form an open loop. Insert the right-hand needle into the loop going from front to back. Hold the yarn taut around the left-hand needle with your left index finger and thumb. Then, push the right-hand needle into the loop going from the front of the work (closest to you) to the back (furthest from you). This may seem awkward at first, but it will get easier the more you do this stitch. Loop the yarn over the end of the right-hand needle and pull it through. Use your left index finger to throw the working yarn up and over the right-hand needle. This will form a second loop that is only over the end of the right-hand needle. Use the right-hand needle to pull the yarn through the loop that is on the left-hand needle. Make sure to keep the yarn taut as you pull the new loop through. Repeat the sequence to create more cast on stitches. Continue to repeat the same process to cast on additional stitches. If you are following a pattern, check it to see how many stitches you need to cast on. If you just want to make a practice swatch, then cast on a total of 12 stitches. Remember to include the slipknot in your total cast on stitch count. If you want to work in the stockinette stitch, then you will need to purl the next row and alternate between knitting and purling rows for the rest of your project. Transfer the needle with the cast on stitches to your left hand. Always start a new row by transferring your knitting needles to the opposite hands. The needle in your left hand should have all of the stitches on it and the needle in your right hand should be empty. Use the same grip as you used to cast on your stitches. Insert the end of the right-hand needle into the first stitch. Push the tip of the needle through by about 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Insert the tip in going from the front to the back of the stitch. Make sure that the working yarn is hanging behind your work when you do this. Loop the yarn over the end of the right-hand needle. Wrap the yarn over the end of the needle going from the front to the back. Use your left index finger to hold the yarn taut and keep it in a loop around the needle. Pull the yarn through the first cast on stitch and let the old stitch slip off. Use the right-hand needle to pull the loop you just made through the stitch on the left-hand needle. After you do this, let the old stitch slip off the end of the left-hand needle as the new stitch replaces it on the right-hand needle. Be careful not to let the new stitch slip off! Repeat to the end of the row. Follow the same sequence to knit more stitches. Keep knitting until you reach the end of the row and the left-hand needle is empty. Turn your work around and knit the next row using the same technique. Switch the needles. Hold the needle with all of the stitches on it in your left hand again and hold the empty needle in your right hand. Then, continue knitting in the same way as you knit the last row. Keep knitting until you are happy with the length of your project or until your pattern says to stop. If you are making a practice swatch, then knit a total of 12 rows. Knit the first 2 stitches as you normally would. When you are ready to bind off the last row of stitches, knit the first 2 stitches in the row as usual. Use the same grip you used to knit the previous rows. Insert the left-hand needle into the first stitch on the right-hand needle. Next, push the left hand needle into the first stitch (second stitch from the tip) of the right-hand needle. Make sure the working yarn is behind your work. Bring the first stitch up and over the second stitch. Use the left-hand needle to lift the stitch up and over the first stitch on the end of the right-hand needle. This will leave you with 1 stitch on the right-hand needle. Knit 1 stitch as usual. Knit another stitch in the same way that you knit the first 2 stitches. Insert the right-hand needle through the stitch on the left-hand needle going from front to back, yarn over, and pull through. Let the old stitch slip off as the new stitch replaces it. This will leave you with 2 stitches on the right-hand needle again. Lift the new first stitch up and over the stitch you just knit. Use the left-hand needle to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch just like you did the first time. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row to finish binding off. Continue to knit 1 and lift 1 up and over that stitch until you have 1 loop left on the right-hand needle. Pull this stitch to widen it and then cut the yarn about 6 in (15 cm) from the base of the stitch. Tug the end of the yarn to secure the stitch. Learn how to purl to do many other types of stitches. The purl stitch is basically the opposite of the knit stitch. Instead of knitting from front to back with the working yarn behind your work, purling is when you knit from back to front with the yarn in front of your work. Many patterns call for purl stitches, so it is a useful stitch to learn. Purl is usually represented by a “P” in patterns followed by the number you need to purl, such as P1, P2, P3, etc. Work an increase or decrease to change the number of stitches. If you need to add or remove stitches from a row or round in your work, you will need to use increase or decrease stitches. An increase is when you knit through the same stitch 2 times to add a stitch. A decrease is when you knit through 2 stitches at once to remove a stitch. If you are using a pattern, make sure to follow the instructions for increasing and decreasing carefully. These stitches are important for ensuring you get the desired results. Try a decorative stitch for a more intricate look. There are many different types of knit stitches you can try. Find a stitch that interests you and try it out! Some stitches you might try include: Brioche Stitch Garter Stitch Moss Stitch

Choose a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. Make a slipknot for your first cast on stitch. Hold the needle with the slipknot on it in your right hand. Loop the working yarn over the left-hand needle from front to back. Insert the right-hand needle into the loop going from front to back. Loop the yarn over the end of the right-hand needle and pull it through. Repeat the sequence to create more cast on stitches. Transfer the needle with the cast on stitches to your left hand. Insert the end of the right-hand needle into the first stitch. Loop the yarn over the end of the right-hand needle. Pull the yarn through the first cast on stitch and let the old stitch slip off. Repeat to the end of the row. Turn your work around and knit the next row using the same technique. Knit the first 2 stitches as you normally would. Insert the left-hand needle into the first stitch on the right-hand needle. Bring the first stitch up and over the second stitch. Knit 1 stitch as usual. Lift the new first stitch up and over the stitch you just knit. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row to finish binding off. Learn how to purl to do many other types of stitches. Work an increase or decrease to change the number of stitches. Try a decorative stitch for a more intricate look.

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How to Make Yourself Go to Sleep on Time

To help yourself get enough sleep, set a bedtime that will allow you to rest for 7 to 10 hours each night. Make sure you stop working at least 1 hour before bed so your brain can relax, and wind down with some fresh herbal tea. If you still can't sleep, finish up the night by reading in bed. You can also get yourself in the habit of going to sleep on time, by creating a bedtime routine that includes activities like brushing your teeth and setting out tomorrow's clothes.

Avoid caffeine later than six and a half hours before bed. Caffeine is widely known to be a stimulant, often causing people to feel jittery or more alert. Ingesting caffeine before bed, even if you are a regular coffee drinker, can make you feel more alert, delay your sense of sleepiness, and keep you from getting to bed on time. This means avoiding beverages like coffee (even decaf coffee), soda, and non-herbal teas. Chocolate also contains measurable amounts of caffeine. It's a good idea to skip the chocolate before bedtime as well. Stop working at least an hour before bed. It's important to give your brain a chance to slow down from the day before you try to make yourself go to bed. For this reason, you should stop working (whether it's job-related or school-related) at least one hour before bed so you can unwind a bit. This also means that you should quit working on homework or other projects at least one hour before you plan to go to sleep. Avoid eating meals for at least two hours before sleep. One of the main problems with eating before bedtime is that these most likely constitute as extra calories from an extra meal that may push you over your caloric intake for the day. But eating before bed, especially sugary (or otherwise unhealthy) items can cause a spike in your blood sugar that delays your sleep hormones. A good rule of thumb is to avoid eating for at least two hours before bed. If you must eat something before bed, try to eat something that is high in fiber and low in sugar like apple slices and almond butter, some carrot sticks with hummus, or half an avocado. Drink some herbal tea. While the jury is still out about whether or not herbal tea actually helps people become sleepier, studies have shown that it does help people feel more relaxed as they drink it. This is equally important when getting ready for bedtime. Try choosing a tea that contains chamomile, lavender, peppermint, spearmint, or lemon grass. Make sure you choose an herbal tea with no caffeine. Know how much sleep you need. Different people have varying sleep needs. For example, babies need much more sleep each day than adults. And older adults require even less sleep than younger adults. Knowing how much sleep you need each night will help you calculate when you need to set your bedtime. Newborns typically need 14-17 hours per day. Infants typically need 12-15 hours of sleep per day. Children need 9-11 hours of sleep per day. Teenagers require 8-10 hours of sleep per day. Adults typically need 7-9 hours of sleep per day Get ready for bed at the same time every night. Don't wait until you start to feel sleepy, as this may keep you up longer than you want to stay awake. Additionally, the act of getting ready for bed may make you more alert, causing you to stay up later than your desired bedtime. Set a reasonable bedtime goal that works for your schedule. Have a bedtime ritual. Doing the same things every night before bed will help signal to your body that it is time to start getting sleepy. Try to create a sleep time ritual that you can perform every night before bed so you get into the habit. This will help you go to bed at the desired time every night. Your bedtime ritual could include things like brushing your teeth, washing your face, setting out your clothes for the next day, packing your lunch for work tomorrow, or taking the dog outside to go to the bathroom. Prepare yourself for the next day. In an effort to reduce your stress at bedtime, it might be beneficial to spend a little time preparing yourself for what you have to do in the morning. Feeling ready for the next day will help you relax and fall asleep more quickly. You can do things like picking out your outfit for the next day, packing your lunch, catching up on correspondence, reviewing notes for a big meeting, creating a to-do list, or organizing your purse/briefcase. Read in bed. Reading in bed is one of the best ways to relax and destress yourself after a long day. Immersing yourself in another world allows you to forget the worries of your own life and start relaxing your body and your mind as your prepare yourself for sleep. You should start to feel more relaxed and ready for bed after as little as six minutes reading. The genre doesn't matter. Even reading a suspenseful story will help you relax before bed. Put your phone on silent mode. One of the best things you can do to ensure that you won't get distracted while you're trying to fall asleep is to turn your phone on silent. Nothing is worse than getting jolted awake by the sound of your phone's ringtone when you are almost fast asleep. Turning your phone on silent will allow you to still receive your messages and check your phone for the time (if you need to) without giving other people the opportunity to distract you and keep you awake. Turn out all the lights. Keeping your bedroom dark at night helps maintain your body's circadian rhythm and helps you fall asleep at a reasonable time. Eliminating the light source will help your mind relax while you are trying to drift off to sleep. Exposing yourself to as much daylight as possible during the daytime will also assist in syncing your body's internal clock so that you can go to sleep at a reasonable time once the sun has set. Resist the urge to use electronic devices for an hour before bed. Using the internet before bed can be counterproductive to sleep for several reasons. First, it keeps your mind busy and occupied, which means that your brain can't begin its wind-down toward bedtime routine. If you read something exciting or interesting, this will make you feel more alert and energized, making it harder for you to fall asleep immediately after. Watching television before bed can be quite disruptive to your sleep patterns. There is a special blue light emitted by electronic screens that suppresses melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep) and keeps you awake longer. This also applies to playing games on your smartphone or tablet as you try to fall asleep. These electronic screens have been proven to prevent people from getting the sleep they need. If you must use a screen before bedtime, try turning the brightness down.

Avoid caffeine later than six and a half hours before bed. Stop working at least an hour before bed. Avoid eating meals for at least two hours before sleep. Drink some herbal tea. Know how much sleep you need. Get ready for bed at the same time every night. Have a bedtime ritual. Prepare yourself for the next day. Read in bed. Put your phone on silent mode. Turn out all the lights. Resist the urge to use electronic devices for an hour before bed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Your-Child-From-Masturbating-in-Public

How to Stop Your Child From Masturbating in Public

To stop your child from masturbating in public, try positive approaches, like providing distractions or encouraging positive behaviors, rather than punishing them. For example, give your child a blanket or stuffed animal as a security object. This way, they can keep their hands occupied whenever you're in public. If they're older, consider getting them a fidget box to play with. At home, have a discussion with your child about the behavior and use a tone that doesn't make them feel ashamed. Explain that there's nothing wrong with what they're doing, just the location, and let them know they can masturbate in a private area or bathroom at home.

Give your child some privacy when at home. Everyone needs time alone, teens and young children included, and this kind of private time is when masturbation is generally appropriate. However, if they decide to masturbate right in front of you or in front of others, the behavior needs to be curtailed. With an increase in privacy, the inappropriate behavior may decrease. Ignore it at bedtime. If you catch them masturbating at bedtime or when they are alone in the bathroom, you should not punish them, and should just leave them be instead. Remember that masturbation does not necessarily mean that your child will become sexually active with another person soon. It is just a sign of personal body discovery. Until inappropriate behavior in front of others has been addressed, provide your child with some privacy at home, but continue to supervise them in front of other children. Distract your child. When you are in public, you might not want to address the behavior directly as this will call even more attention to it. However, you can distract your child to snap them out of it and shift their focus to something more appropriate. If they are younger, you might use a game to do so. For example, you could play " I Spy." If they are older, then you can ask them a question or ask them to do you a favor, such as: “Can you go get me a few napkins, please?" If this doesn't work, say "Please stop that" and then redirect them. Provide them with a security object to take in public. Providing a younger child with a blanket or stuffed animal can be a great way to occupy their mind and their hands to distract them from masturbation. This can also help to soothe children who are anxious or who have any developmental disabilities. If this is an older child, consider a fidget toy, such as a fidget box, fidget spinner, or even a piece of clay. Send them to their rooms. If you are close to your home, you might want to send your child to their rooms so that they can be alone and have their privacy. Perhaps you are at a neighbor's home with your child and they are old enough to walk home on their own. If so, send them home and have a conversation afterwards. If they are too young, then go home with them and have a conversation then. Get updates from their teacher. Your child might be masturbating in public when you are with them or when you are away, such as when they are at school. If your child is masturbating at school, then you should work to provide them with some solutions so that they can dissipate the desire and wait until they get home. Connect with their teacher to see how they are performing at school and if they have any concerns. Do not directly ask about masturbation because you might embarrass your child or put their teacher on alert. Instead, try: “I wanted to check how Henry is doing in your class. Do you have any updates about his grades or his behavior that I should know about?” If his teacher tells you that he has been masturbating in class, thank them and let them know you are working with your child and to call you if it happens again. Talk to your child's caregivers. If your child has any additional caregivers including before or after-school program instructors, babysitters, nannies, or any other form of additional support, speak with them about the situation. Ask them for updates on your child's actions, and let them know how you want them to handle any inappropriate situations. Consistency is important, so any other caretakers should be on the same page regarding handling your child's masturbation. Foster self-esteem. Masturbation may occur more often in children who are looking for comfort or pleasure. To help curb that behavior, try to provide your child with a well-rounded set of activities they can turn to when they are seeking enjoyment, and help bolster their confidence so that they can provide themselves with other forms of comfort. Give them a healthy amount of praise, one-on-one time, and positive attention. Allow your child to try a number of different hobbies and activities. Finding some that they truly enjoy can help keep them engaged and boost their self-esteem. Let your child know that they are capable, valued, and accepted in your home. Create a warm, supportive environment to help bolster your child's confidence. Monitor your tone. Don't confront them harshly or in a way that might make them close up or feel shame. If they're very young, it is likely that they don't realize what they're doing or what sexual implications it has, so being understanding and gentle is key to how they'll view their sexuality in the future. It will also make them more likely to have discussions with you in the future about sex rather than turning to others or keeping secrets. Remember: don't shame them or make them feel guilty for masturbation; simply explain to them that doing it in public is problematic. Pick your timing carefully. You will want to address the action immediately when it happens, but you shouldn't have a serious conversation about it in public. Simply tell your child to “stop” or distract them from the behavior. When you get home, have a conversation with them in private about what they did and why it is inappropriate. Say something like “Jeremy, your body is yours and you can touch it if you want. Your private parts are private, so if you want to touch it, you need to do it when you're alone. People will feel embarrassed and uncomfortable if you do it in public. If you want to do it, you can do it in your room. Do you understand?” Don't raise the issue in front of others. You don't want your child to feel humiliated in public or in front of their siblings. Explain to them that there's nothing wrong with exploring their private areas. The actions that they're actually taking aren't a problem, just the location. Let them know that it's not appropriate to expose or touch their private parts in public or around other people. Compare it to other things that should be done in private, like bathing or using the restroom. Give them options. Rather than focusing on what they shouldn't do, turn the discussion to what they can do. Explain to them that if they choose to masturbate, they can do so in a private area such as in a bedroom or bathroom. Tell them that they need to clean up after themselves if they make a mess. If your family bathroom(s) can be very busy, then tell them to only do it in their room. (You don't want them masturbating in the bathroom for a long time when other people need to use the bathroom.) Be understanding and as age-appropriate as possible. With older children, this talk might lead to more questions about sex and sexuality, so be open to hearing questions and providing honest answers about the acts and your family values surrounding them. With younger children, you might want to talk to them more about their private parts and how they function. With younger children, don't get more intense than they're ready for; be honest, but keep it simple. For example, you might just say, "Touching there is okay, but only in private. It's not okay to do that in class or when other people are in the room at home. Do you want to go to your room to take a break and do that?" Think about who would be the most effective person to talk to your child. Some children may respond better to the parent of the same gender, or may be more willing to engage with the parent to whom they are closer. Be wary of signs of abuse. If you notice your child masturbates constantly, to the point where they injure themselves, tries to make other children masturbate, or if you suspect someone has taught them to masturbate, call a pediatrician or therapist. Sexual abuse may have occurred and could be the root of the problem. Note that repeated urinary tract infections may also be a sign of excessive masturbation and potential ongoing abuse. Take away privileges if they don’t abide by the rules. After having clarified when it is appropriate to masturbate and when it is not, should your child choose to act out of these boundaries, you must take away certain privileges. Doing so will reinforce to them that masturbation in public is not okay and will curb that bad behavior. Consider taking away their phone or TV privileges. Say something like “Amy, you know we have talked about masturbation. It's okay for you to do in your room, but it's not okay to do at school. Since you did that today, you cannot use your phone or tablet today.” Increase affection to your child. Some children masturbate out of a desire for physical contact, a desire which is not always sexual. Hug your child more, sit by them on the couch when you watch TV, and just be a bit more physically affectionate in general. If they begin to touch themselves near you, ask them to go to their room or to the bathroom. Don’t go into their room without knocking. As you are setting boundaries with your child, also set boundaries with yourself and allow them their privacy. Once you have explained to them the appropriate spaces for them to masturbate, be sure to not enter into any of those spaces without knocking first. Respecting your child's boundaries will make it more likely that they will respect yours in return. Consider giving your child a "Do Not Disturb" sign to hang up on their door when they need privacy. Be positive and supportive. This process is likely new both for you and your child. Be firm with them but be gentle and supportive, as well. Remind your child that masturbation is okay in private and tell them that they can always come to you with questions or if they just want to talk. Be prepared to answer any questions that your child may have. It would be unfair to them to make promises that you don't intend to keep. Teach your child coping skills. Some children may turn to self-pleasuring behavior as a means of coping or tension release. Teach your children how to communicate their feelings using emotional terms such as "sad" or "angry," and let them know that there is nothing wrong with having hurt feelings, as long as they are able to vocalize them. Practice proper coping in your daily life, especially when your child is around, to help them better understand how to properly deal with emotionally stressful situations.

Give your child some privacy when at home. Distract your child. Provide them with a security object to take in public. Send them to their rooms. Get updates from their teacher. Talk to your child's caregivers. Foster self-esteem. Monitor your tone. Pick your timing carefully. Explain to them that there's nothing wrong with exploring their private areas. Give them options. Be understanding and as age-appropriate as possible. Be wary of signs of abuse. Take away privileges if they don’t abide by the rules. Increase affection to your child. Don’t go into their room without knocking. Be positive and supportive. Teach your child coping skills.

https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope

How to Calculate Distances With a Mil Dot Rifle Scope

To calculate distance using a mil dot rifle scope, multiply the object's height or width by 1000, then divide that number by the number of mils the object spans in your scope. For example, if you know a tree is 6 feet tall, but appears to be 8 mils in your scope, the object is 750 feet away. Since a mil is exactly the distance between the centers of the dots, you can compare an object to these dots to determine how many mils it is.

Binocular and periscope Mil Dots are not the same as rifle scope Mil Dots. They measure the same type of angular distance, but is actually 10 Mils instead of only one, which is more suited for marksmen use. A Mil is 1-6,175 of a circle. But to simplify calculations, the U.S. military calculates them as 1-6283 of a circle (previously 1-6400 on older scopes). Russian-based scopes are set to 1-6,000 of a circle. This means there is up to a 3% error in distance calculations. When looking at Mil Dots through a scope, one Mil is the distance from the center of one dot, to the center of the next dot (not the space between the dots). Each dot is.2mil and the space between the dots is.8mil for the round army type mil dot reticle. Mil distances on rear-plane cross hairs on a variable-power scope usually are only accurate at the highest power. Calculate the distance to the object by multiplying the height (or width) of the object by 1000 then dividing by the number of Mils that the object spans. For example: a six foot tall object (2-yards) which is eight Mils in size is 250-yards away. 2 x 1000 / 8 = 250. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/aid180292-v4-728px-Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Calculate as accurately as possible, and any "added error" (by yourself) is error in distance that may not be acceptable. Sub-divide the Mil Dots as much as possible, and be as accurate in estimating the size of the object as possible. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid180292-v4-728px-Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} The object is five feet (1.67-yards) wide and spans 2.8 Mils is 596-yards away. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid180292-v4-728px-Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} A guess that the object is 2-yards instead of 1.67 would mean the estimation of over 100 yards difference which could mean a hit, or a miss of over five inches with a standard.308. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet3.jpg\/aid180292-v4-728px-Calculate-Distances-With-a-Mil-Dot-Rifle-Scope-Step-6Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} To be in the right mindset, calculate sizes of objects to the tenth of a yard (is that 3.4-yards or 3.5?). Calculate the span in Mils also to the tenth of a Mil. Both of these will take practice, but perfect estimations is the only way to get perfect range calculation. Use a calculator if needed. Some equations might get pretty complex, and accuracy is key, but the speed of a calculator may also help in some situations.

Binocular and periscope Mil Dots are not the same as rifle scope Mil Dots. A Mil is 1-6,175 of a circle. When looking at Mil Dots through a scope, one Mil is the distance from the center of one dot, to the center of the next dot (not the space between the dots). Mil distances on rear-plane cross hairs on a variable-power scope usually are only accurate at the highest power. Calculate the distance to the object by multiplying the height (or width) of the object by 1000 then dividing by the number of Mils that the object spans. Calculate as accurately as possible, and any "added error" (by yourself) is error in distance that may not be acceptable. Use a calculator if needed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Attract-Boys

How to Attract Boys

To attract boys, wear something you feel confident in since boys find confidence really attractive. Also, try to smile a lot when you're around them so you look friendly and approachable. When you're talking to boys, ask them about their hobbies and interests and avoid gossiping, which some boys find unattractive. You can also touch their arms or hands when they say something funny to show them you're interested. If you want to find out if a boy is attracted to you, send him a flirty text message and see if he responds.

Think about what kind of style you’d like to have. Your style can show people your interests and give them a preview of your personality. There are plenty of different styles to choose from, including preppy, sporty, edgy, hipster, and many more. Look for clothes that you like online and try to come up with a style that fits your personality. If your style doesn't fit into a category, that's okay. There's nothing wrong with being unique! The most important thing is that you're comfortable in confident in what you wear. Consider what you’ll be doing during the day when you get dressed in the morning. Think about your plans for the day and any activities that you have going on. Sometimes, being too dressed up can come off as intimidating to boys. Try to keep your outfits casual unless it's a special occasion like a dance or party. If you're playing volleyball in gym class, it's probably not the best day to wear a dress to school. If you're worried about being over-dressed, ask your friends what they're planning on wearing. This will give you a better idea of what everyone else is doing and keep you from sticking out. Wear clothes that fit you well and feel comfortable. When it comes to fashion, you can find clothes for your body no matter what size you are. The number on the tag isn't important as long as the clothes fit, and you feel comfortable and confident in them. When you're shopping, always try on your clothes before you buy them, and ask a friend or your parent what they think. Make sure your clothes fit the dress code for your school and aren't too revealing. That includes making sure your shirts aren't too tight or low-cut and shorts and skirts are long enough. If you're shopping for tops, make sure they aren't too tight and that you can freely move your arms up and down. Check to make sure long sleeves hit around your wrist. If you're buying jeans, make sure the button and zipper lay flat against your body when fastened. In the dressing room, touch your toes and bend your knees to make sure you can move around in them. If the waist is a little big but everywhere else fits, consider getting a belt. When shopping for special occasions, like a dance, keep in mind that you can normally have dresses altered to fit your body better. Very few people fit perfectly into dresses without some kind of alteration! Style your hair in a way that is comfortable and makes you feel pretty. In the mornings, wash and dry your hair before styling it for the day. If you like your natural hair, leave it down after drying it. Curling your hair is a great way to draw attention to your beautiful hair, especially if you normally wear it straight! The most important part is that you feel happy with how it looks. For a quick and easy look, pull your hair into a high ponytail or a braid if you have long hair. If you have shorter hair, a headband can keep your hair out of your face. Wear makeup that highlights your natural beauty. Most boys don't really understand makeup, but it can be helpful for giving yourself some confidence. If you have a blemish on your face, you can cover it with some concealer. To draw attention to your eyes, apply a swipe or two of mascara. Products like brightly colored eyeshadow or bold lipstick can be intimidating to boys, so it's better to show off your natural beauty. If you have issues with your skin, like redness or acne, don't worry. Plenty of girls deal with these problems, and most of them can be taken care of by making a skincare routine that includes cleanser, spot treatment, and moisturizer. Take care of your body. One of the best ways to attract boys is by making sure you're clean and look nice. Make sure you shower every day, wear deodorant, brush your teeth, exercise, and eat a healthy diet. Getting enough sleep at night and drinking water will also help to improve your skin and mood throughout the day. Men are attracted to all different types of women, so don't worry so much about losing weight to fit the idea of a pretty girl in your mind. As long as you're staying healthy and you're confident in yourself, boys will like you! Smile to make yourself look open and approachable. Smiling is scientifically proven to cause boys to find you more beautiful, especially in situations where you want him to approach you. If you want to talk to a guy, smile at him to let him know that you're interested in him and are happy to talk. Don't feel like you have to be happy all the time, though. It's okay to have other emotions, and you don't have to smile if you don't feel like it. Exhibit confidence with your attitude, intelligence, and appearance. Sitting up straight and making eye contact will show boys that you're confident in yourself. When you're speaking, talk clearly and loud enough so that he can hear you. If you're talking about something that you're passionate about, let your knowledge show! If you're shy when it comes to meeting new people, focus on listening and responding to what the guy you're interested in is saying. Remember that you're smart and funny, and he'll be able to see it, too! Avoid bragging about your accomplishments or skills in front of boys. This can be intimidating to them and make them feel inadequate. You can bring up your achievements, but be sure to involve other people in the conversation as well! Be open-minded and respectful when having a conversation. Everyone is attracted to people who are open to new experiences and information. If you're talking to a guy about something that you disagree on, listen to what he has to say and encourage him to listen to your point of view. Keeping an open mind is especially important when it comes to meeting new people. This doesn't mean that you have to change your opinion whenever you disagree with a boy about something. Just be sure to be respectful of their point of view, even if you strongly disagree. Avoid drama and gossip between your friends and other guys. Boys tend to find gossip and drama unnecessary and confusing. If your friends are fighting or you don't like one of your exes, try to avoid talking about it at first. Sometimes, boys think that if you have drama with other people, you'll have it with them too. Having positive and happy friendships is a sign to guys that you're able to have good relationships. Even if you're currently having drama with your friends, try to focus on the positive things about your friendship! Give him a compliment on something that you like about him. Being nice is a great way to make a boy feel more comfortable around you. Keep your compliments genuine and specific, and say them with a smile so he knows that you aren't teasing him. Sometimes, it's better to give compliments when you're hanging out alone, to keep other people from making fun. For example, if you're both into sports, you can say something like “I like your Lebron James jersey, did you watch the game last night?” If you're working on a school project together, let him know that you admire his intelligence by saying something like “That's a great idea, I would've never thought of that!” Ask him questions about his hobbies and interests. Focus on asking questions that require an explanation, not just a “yes” or a “no.” If you know you have a common interest, like music or sports, ask him questions to lead him into a conversation. Let him do the talking while you listen and throw in some comments here and there. This is the best way to get to know a guy to see if you could actually like him beyond just a crush. Letting him talk will show him that you're interested in getting to know him better and that you're a good listener. Let your personality shine in your conversations. Think about how you act around your girlfriends and how easily you can talk to them. Try to act the same way around the boy that you like by talking about things you both are interested in, like music, sports, or movies. Share your opinions and thoughts freely so he can get to know the real you. If a guy seems less interested after you start talking to him, don't worry about it. That just means that he's not a good fit for you. Make an excuse to touch his arm or hand. Body language and touching are a great way to communicate to a guy that you like him without outwardly saying something. Sit close to him so that your knees are touching, and reach out to touch his arm or leg when he says something funny. This can signal to a guy that you're interested in him as more than just a friend. Avoid doing anything too overt, like grabbing his hand out of nowhere. This can scare him or make him think that you have the wrong impression about your relationship. Smaller gestures are better for figuring out how he feels. Send him a text or like his posts on Instagram and Twitter. It might seem simple, but guys are surprised when girls are confident enough to show interest in a public way, like on social media. Even a quick text to let him know that you saw something that made you think of him can ensure that you're on his mind, too! Sending a text can even start a whole conversation that can bring you closer together and give you something to talk about in person. Keep your texts light and flirty until you're able to hang out with him and see how he's feeling. Be careful not to bombard him with notifications by sending multiple text messages in a row or liking more than 2 posts at a time. When responding to texts, send 1-2 messages as your response and then wait for him to answer. Make time to be alone together. Boys can sometimes act different when they're alone with you. Ask him to partner with you for a project or even just talk to him between classes. This will give you time to see how he feels about you when no one is around, and gives him the opportunity to ask you out. Most guys won't ask out a girl in front their friends because they'll be embarrassed if you say no in front of everyone. Alone time gives him a chance to talk to you without all of the pressure.

Think about what kind of style you’d like to have. Consider what you’ll be doing during the day when you get dressed in the morning. Wear clothes that fit you well and feel comfortable. Style your hair in a way that is comfortable and makes you feel pretty. Wear makeup that highlights your natural beauty. Take care of your body. Smile to make yourself look open and approachable. Exhibit confidence with your attitude, intelligence, and appearance. Be open-minded and respectful when having a conversation. Avoid drama and gossip between your friends and other guys. Give him a compliment on something that you like about him. Ask him questions about his hobbies and interests. Let your personality shine in your conversations. Make an excuse to touch his arm or hand. Send him a text or like his posts on Instagram and Twitter. Make time to be alone together.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Schedule

How to Make a Schedule

If you need to make a schedule, write down everything you need to do for a specific day in chronological order. Fill in the most important tasks first to make sure you have enough time to complete them. Include the starting and ending times for everything you have to accomplish to help you stay focused throughout the day, and add in 5-10 minute breaks between tasks so you don't fall behind if something lasts longer than you thought.

Track how long it takes you to do routine activities. Keep a log of how long it takes to get ready in the morning, eat, do laundry, go grocery shopping, respond to emails, do homework, and complete other routine tasks. Track these times for about a week in a notebook, spreadsheet, or notepad app. Tracking your routine over the course of a week will help you accurately estimate how much time you should budget for specific tasks. Additionally, you might find ways that you can become more productive. For example, you might have spent 10 hours playing a video game and should have spent more time studying. Experiment with using a notebook, planner, and scheduling apps. Play around with different written and digital methods when you begin making your first schedule. If you want to start with a blank slate, try using a notebook or a notepad app. If you want a ready-made grid with dates and time slots, go with a planner or calendar app. Choose a method that suits your personal preferences. If you hate dealing with paper, use an app. If writing by hand helps you stay on track, go with a pencil and pad. You'll get a sense of your likes and dislikes as you use your schedule. When you find the right method, stick with it. Keep all of your tasks organized in 1 place, be it a notebook, planner, or app. Write down dates and days of the week, if necessary. If the dates and days of the week aren't automatically included, fill them in at the top of your schedule's pages. Dedicate an entire page for 1 day so you can focus on current tasks and jot down notes when necessary. Including the day of the week helps you keep track of activities that happen on specific days, such as music classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you're using a blank notebook, you could use the page on the left for a chronological schedule, and write daily priorities and other notes on the right page. Fill in your fixed blocks of time. Classes, regular meetings, and other fixed tasks are your schedule's framework. Begin by filling in fixed blocks of time, such as “8:30 a.m. - Intro to Psychology” or “4:00 p.m. - Yoga class.” If you're using a blank notebook or spreadsheet, it's helpful to fill in time slots in half hour intervals on the left side of the page. Leave 2 or 3 lines between each half hour interval so you have room to jot down bullet points under a task. If you're using a planner or scheduling app, it probably already has time slots. Make a list of tasks on a separate sheet of paper. Filling in your fixed tasks is easy, but structuring the rest of your time can get tricky. Start by writing down everything you have to accomplish on a blank sheet of paper or in a new document on your phone or computer. Prioritize tasks by writing a number or letter next to each one. For example, write 1 (or A) next to your most important tasks. These will be the tasks you'll write on your schedule first. Write 2 (or B) next to your middle-priority tasks, and 3 (or C) next to your low-priority items. When you write a task in your schedule, you could mark the priority level next to it, or just make an asterisk or exclamation point next to your top priorities. If you're planning out your week , make a list of your weekly tasks. Write down your daily tasks if you're planning a single day. Assign the most important tasks during times when you’re most alert. Fill in your schedule starting with the most important tasks. Estimate how long each task will take, and schedule your top priorities during times that you're most alert and free of distractions. To call attention to high-priority tasks, draw asterisks, underline them, or highlight them. For example, if you're most productive in the morning, schedule high-priority projects before lunchtime. Save paper filing and deleting emails for later in the day. Do your best to set reasonable expectations. Don't try to squeeze homework or a meeting with a client into 30 minutes when you know a full hour is more realistic. After you've entered the most important items, you can fill the smaller tasks, like doing laundry or going grocery shopping. Include details to remember exactly what you need to do. As you fill in your tasks, include specific information so you don't forget what the entry means. If you just jot down shorthand, you might not remember what you meant by “Go to meeting,” or “Do research.” If you have to go to a meeting, include the time, location, and who will be attending. You might also want to add bullet points on the meeting's topic. Keep in mind you don't want to write an essay for each task. Just include the necessary details that will help you stay on track. Include starting and ending times for each task. Whether you're scheduling your tasks in an app or notepad, start and end times will help you keep your day structured. You'll have a better idea of how your day will go and where you'll be at specific times. For example, you might have to prepare an outline from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., go to class from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., have lunch at 12:30 p.m., and have a meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Remember to set reasonable expectations. Refer to the log you kept when you tracked your time to accurately estimate how long a task will take. Set aside time for fun, family time, and relaxation. You can't be 100% productive around the clock, so make time for loved ones, hanging out, and having fun. If you're the type of person who forgets to take time off, including reminders to relax and have fun is especially important. For example, include entries such as, “Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Have dinner with Sam and Phil (finish up at work by 5:45!)” or “Saturday, 12:00 p.m. - Take Joey to the park.” Leave about 25% of your time open. Filling up your day with back-to-back tasks doesn't leave any room for revisions. Instead, budget some time to deal with interruptions or delays. Leaving at least 15 minutes between tasks is a good way to work some wiggle room into your plans. If you have to drive somewhere, remember to leave an extra 10 or 15 minutes in case you run into traffic. Even if you don't run late or get distracted, you can use chunks of wiggle room to take breaks, exercise, or to do some extra work. Set your schedule at the same time every day. If you make your schedule at the same time each day, planning will become part of your daily routine. Whether you review your task list when you drink your morning coffee or do it the night before, make planning out your schedule a daily ritual. You might find it helpful to plan out your week on Sunday night, then make adjustments and organize daily task lists each night or morning. Keep your schedule where you can see it. Whether it's a notebook, planner, or app, always keep your schedule handy. If you let it collect dust, you're less likely to stick to your time management goals. If you use an app, install it and sync your account on all the electronic devices you use. Try using a desktop or home screen widget to pin tasks to your electronic devices' main displays. It's also helpful to post a whiteboard or calendar in your work area with at-a-glance information, like key dates and weekly goals. Mark off completed tasks to stay motivated. As simple as it sounds, making a check next a completed task is super satisfying. Marking off a completed task can give you a sense of progress and help you keep a bird's-eye view of your responsibilities. Don't panic if you don't complete all your tasks. If something slipped through the cracks today, revise your schedule and make it tomorrow's priority. Reward yourself for accomplishing tasks. When you have something to look forward to, it's easier to complete tasks, especially those that are tedious or boring. For example, if you have a full day of presentations, meetings, and deadlines, reward yourself with breaks, an ice cream cone, or another small treat. In addition to small rewards for completing individual tasks, give yourself a big treat after a productive day. Take a long, soothing bath, play video games, watch a movie, or do another activity that you most enjoy. Use a productivity app to block distractions. If you're prone to surfing the web or browsing social media, download an app like StayFocused or Focusbar. These apps block distracting websites during times that you've designated for work. It's also helpful to keep your phone in your pocket or bag instead of on your desk. It's there if you need it, but keeping it out of sight will help keep distractions out of mind. Schedule regular time off to avoid burnout. A packed schedule with no breaks is overwhelming and leads to procrastination. Additionally, you're not going to perform well if you run yourself ragged. Set aside time off to make your workload more manageable and to refresh your body and mind. For instance, it's great to use a weekend day to get things done around the house. However, if you mow the lawn, catch up on laundry, and clean the house on Saturday, take most of Sunday to relax. Each evening, do your best to schedule at least 1 to 2 hours to unwind before bed. Use that time to read a relaxing book, take a bath, or listen to soothing music.

Track how long it takes you to do routine activities. Experiment with using a notebook, planner, and scheduling apps. Write down dates and days of the week, if necessary. Fill in your fixed blocks of time. Make a list of tasks on a separate sheet of paper. Assign the most important tasks during times when you’re most alert. Include details to remember exactly what you need to do. Include starting and ending times for each task. Set aside time for fun, family time, and relaxation. Leave about 25% of your time open. Set your schedule at the same time every day. Keep your schedule where you can see it. Mark off completed tasks to stay motivated. Reward yourself for accomplishing tasks. Use a productivity app to block distractions. Schedule regular time off to avoid burnout.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Banana-Cake

How to Make Banana Cake

To make banana cake, first preheat your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees Celsius). Then, in a small bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) of mashed bananas and 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine 3 cups (360 grams) of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons (9 grams) of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) of salt. Set these 2 bowls aside for now, and in a separate bowl, cream together 3/4 cup (170 grams) of butter and 2 1/8 cups (430 grams) of sugar. Stop once the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, beat in 3 eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Once the mixture is well-combined, mix in 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of vanilla extract. Next, alternate beating in the flour mixture and 1 1/2 cups (355 milliliters) of buttermilk. Finish by stirring in the banana mixture. Pour the batter into a 9 by 13 inch (23 by 33 centimeter) greased and floured pan. Bake the cake for 1 hour. You'll know it's done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Immediately place the cake in a freezer for 45 minutes to help it cool faster and make it moist. If you want to make a frosting for your banana cake, cream together 1/2 cup (115 grams) of butter and 1 8-ounce (225-gram) package of cream cheese in a large bowl. Then, mix in 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of vanilla extract and beat in 3 1/2 cups (440 grams) of confectioners' sugar on low speed. Once the sugar is just combined, beat the frosting on high speed until it' smooth. Spread the frosting on your banana cake once it's cooled, and enjoy!

Preheat the oven. The oven should be preheated to 350 °F (177 °C). Do this before you begin mixing the ingredients so the oven will be ready when you want to put the cake inside. Grease a pan. You can use a variety of pans, but common sizes are 9-inch round pans or 9x13 baking pans. Heat a saucepan on the stove. Use it to melt the sugar and butter. Keep your heat medium or lower. Avoid overheating your pan and burning the butter and sugar. Turn off heat and remove pan from the eye. Puree the bananas. The bananas need to be smooth and creamy. You can puree bananas with a fork, a potato masher, or a food processor. If you are pureeing bananas with a fork or masher, put them in a large mixing bowl first. When using a food processor, pour the banana puree into the mixing bowl. Pour in the butter and sugar mixture from the pan and mix together. Make sure your bananas are ripe. Ripe bananas are softer and easier to puree. Choose a bowl that is large enough to mix all ingredients for the cake into. Prepare the eggs. Crack the two eggs into a separate bowl before slightly beating them. Slightly beaten eggs are beaten with a fork or whisk until the yolk and white are mixed into a uniform consistency. When baking, eggs should be at room temperature for the best results. To warm your eggs to room temperature, take them out of the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before you begin baking. Mix the eggs into bowl. Pour the eggs on top of the butter, sugar, and banana mixture and then gently mix together with a spatula or spoon. Make sure that the butter and sugar have cooled significantly before pouring in your eggs. Pouring eggs into a hot mixture can cook the eggs. To avoid unwanted scrambled eggs, wait until the mixture is cool. Mix in the remaining ingredients. First, mix in the wet ingredients. You can mix them separately, or mix the milk first and the vanilla extract second. After you've added the wet ingredients, add the flour to the batter. Stir well, making sure all the ingredients are blended. If mixing with a spoon or spatula is too difficult, use a hand mixer. Pour the mix into the greased baking dish. Then, place the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 40 minutes. Many factors, such as the material of the pan, can influence cooking time. Keep a careful eye on your cake, checking it as it nears 40 minutes. The cake may be finished a few minutes early, or it may need to cook a little longer. Insert a toothpick, fork, or knife into the center to check if the cake is done. If it comes out clean, the cake is fully cooked. Take the cake out of oven when finished. Let the cake cool completely before cutting. Serve cake slices with choice garnish Preheat the oven to 275ºF. Grease a 9 x 11-inch loaf or cake pan. Alternatively, use a 10-inch round cake pan. Mash the bananas in a small bowl. To do this, use a fork or potato masher. If you prefer, place the bananas in a food processor. When the bananas are mashed to a creamy, smooth consistency, put the bowl to one side. Add the lemon juice while mashing, to prevent browning. Make sure to use ripe bananas. Mix the dry ingredients. Place the flour and baking soda into a mixing bowl. Add the salt. Stir with a whisk to combine. When the dry ingredients have been mixed well, set the bowl aside. Add the butter and sugar to another mixing bowl. Cream until light and fluffy. The butter should be softened before beginning this step. Softened butter is easier to mix with other ingredients. To soften butter, remove the butter from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before you begin. Creaming butter and sugar is a type of mixing method. Start with room temperature butter. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the butter on low until it is creamy. Add the sugar, and mix on high until the butter and sugar is a whipped, grainy consistency. The color should be a very light yellow or ivory. Don't forget to scrape the sides of the bowl while mixing. Beat in the eggs. Add the eggs one at a time into the butter and sugar mixture. Using a hand mixer, beat the eggs until completely mixed into the batter. Add the vanilla extract after you have added the eggs. Stir into the mixture. Mix in the flour and buttermilk. Starting with the flour, pour a small amount into the mixture and beat in with a hand mixer. Then, add in a small amount of buttermilk, also beating it into the batter with a hand mixer. Continue this gradually, alternating between the flour and the buttermilk. Make sure to stir each time you add the ingredients. When all the flour and buttermilk has been added, stir in the mashed bananas. Pour the cake batter into the greased pan. Make sure the batter is distributed evenly throughout the pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Check the cake periodically while cooking. Use a toothpick, fork, or knife to check to see if the cake is done. If the toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the cake, the cake is done. Remove the cake from the oven. Place straight into the freezer. Leave in the freezer for 45 minutes. This step is important because it increases the moisture content of the cake. Place the cake pan on top of something like a bread board lined with silicone sheet to avoid melting freezer plastic. Frost with cream cheese frosting after removing from the freezer. Serve. Cut the cake and serve. If you are not serving immediately, keep refrigerated until you're ready to do so. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Butter a 9-inch round pan or a 9x13 baking pan, and line the baking pan with parchment paper. Prepare the bananas. Mash the bananas until pureed well. You can mash them with a fork or a potato masher, or you can place the bananas into a food processor. Pour lemon juice over the banana mash to prevent them from turning brown. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar over the bananas. Set aside for now. Cream the butter and sugar. First, using a hand or stand mixer, beat the butter on low until it is creamy. During this step, beat the lemon rind into the butter. Then, add the sugar to the lemon rind butter, mixing on high until the butter and sugar is light and fluffy. Don't forget to scrape the sides of the bowl while mixing. The butter should be softened before beating with the lemon rind, because softened butter makes it easier to mix with other ingredients. Remove the butter from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before you begin so it will be soft enough. Add the eggs to the butter and sugar mix. Use a hand mixer when beating each egg into the batter. Add them into the mixture one at a time. Make sure the eggs are at room temperature. Take them out of the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before you begin mixing ingredients. Add the mashed bananas to the batter. Then add the milk. Mix through well with a mixer or spoon. Add the dry ingredients. Add the baking soda and flour into a sifter. Then, sift the dry ingredients to the batter. Mix through with a hand or standing mixer until all ingredients are blended. Pour the batter into the cake pan. Place the cake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes, or until a skewer or toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven. Allow to cool for a few minutes in the baking pan. Then turn the pan upside down onto a wire cooling rack, remove from the pan, and allow to cool completely. Spread the icing over the cooled cake. Make sure the cake is completely cooled before icing. Arrange the walnuts on the cake in any way you prefer. The walnuts are optional. You can add different nuts or a different topping. Try mixing toppings for different flavors. Serve. Cut the cake and place onto plates to serve. The cake is best served fresh. If you need to store it, keep it in an airtight container in a cool place.

Preheat the oven. Heat a saucepan on the stove. Puree the bananas. Prepare the eggs. Mix the eggs into bowl. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Pour the mix into the greased baking dish. Take the cake out of oven when finished. Preheat the oven to 275ºF. Mash the bananas in a small bowl. Mix the dry ingredients. Add the butter and sugar to another mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs. Mix in the flour and buttermilk. Pour the cake batter into the greased pan. Remove the cake from the oven. Serve. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Prepare the bananas. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs to the butter and sugar mix. Add the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into the cake pan. Remove from the oven. Spread the icing over the cooled cake. Serve.

https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Gerbil-Recover-After-Stroke

How to Help a Gerbil Recover After Stroke

If your gerbil had a stroke, take it to see a vet as soon as possible to make sure it's fully recovered and that there are no related problems that need attention. In the meantime, you can help feed it by putting soft food like applesauce on a spoon and letting it lick it off since it may not be able to stand or use its paws right away. You can also make its cage as comfortable as possible by putting it in a quiet, stress-free room and laying a towel over it to keep it dark, which will help your gerbil feel more secure as it rests.

Take your gerbil to the vet. If your gerbil has a stroke, you should take them to the vet to get checked out. While many gerbils make a full or almost full recovery after a stroke, it is a good idea to get your gerbil seen to make sure they are okay. Taking your gerbil to the vet can help ensure there are no related problems and that your gerbil is getting the proper nutrition during the recovery. Feed your gerbil if they cannot feed themselves. You may need to feed your gerbil and help them get water if they cannot feed themselves. Give the gerbil soft food that they can eat with their tongue since they may not be able to stand and hold seeds or other foods in their paws. Put the food on a spoon and let your gerbil lick it off. If your gerbil can't drink water, you can give them water from an eye dropper. Applesauce, sugar-free baby food, lukewarm cooked oatmeal, or mashed up soft cooked vegetables are good foods for your gerbil to eat. If you have to, lower the water bottle so your gerbil can reach it more easily. Know that there is no treatment. There is no treatment for strokes in gerbils. Gerbils are known to recovery well from strokes, so many gerbils will make a full recovery or only have a slight disability from the paralysis. Ensuring comfort and rest right after the stroke is the most important thing you can do for your gerbil. Additionally, it is important that you make sure that your gerbil gets enough food and water until they can feed themselves again. Provide your gerbil with a warm spot in the cage. Gerbils who suffer a stroke mostly need care as they recover. The most important thing is to help keep them comfortable. To help with this, provide the gerbil with a warm spot in the corner of their cage. This helps your gerbil feel secure and warm as they rest and recover. Try placing a towel over part of the cage, keeping the room warm, or giving plenty of material in the cage so the gerbil can stay warm. Place extra nesting materials in the cage. Another thing you can do is to give the gerbil some extra material so they can make a warm nest in the cage. You might want to give them a wood nest box or a toilet paper roll to give them a hiding place. The hiding place helps give them a place to go so they can feel secure and safe from perceived predators or stressors. Give your gerbil a stress-free environment to recover. Putting your gerbil in a stress-free environment can help speed their recovery. Gerbils can get startled and upset easily if there are too many stressors around them. After a stroke, move your gerbil's cage to a quiet, low-traffic room to help reduce loud noises that may startle them. You may also consider keeping the room dark or putting a towel over one part of the tank so that the gerbil can go to rest in a dark, quiet area. Look for paralysis. The most common sign of stroke is paralysis in your gerbil. This generally occurs along one side. The gerbil may not be able to use their paws, or their eyes or parts of their face may droop. The gerbil may have trouble feeding themselves or moving like they used to. Identify the common age for strokes in gerbils. Most strokes occur in gerbils when they are elderly, usually two years or older. Sometimes, younger gerbils who have other related conditions or health problems can have strokes, but this is uncommon. Know that gerbils can recover from strokes. Elderly gerbils can recover from strokes with some minor nursing care. While they may have some paralysis, many times the gerbil will make a full recovery. Making sure the gerbil gets enough rest, along with food and water, can help ensure a full recovery. Gerbils who have experienced a stroke may be at a higher risk for strokes in the future. Sometimes, gerbils will have multiple strokes that eventually leads to death. However, with proper care and love for your gerbil, you can increase the chances of recovery after multiple strokes. A gerbil with a minor disability or paralysis from multiple strokes can still live a happy life.

Take your gerbil to the vet. Feed your gerbil if they cannot feed themselves. Know that there is no treatment. Provide your gerbil with a warm spot in the cage. Place extra nesting materials in the cage. Give your gerbil a stress-free environment to recover. Look for paralysis. Identify the common age for strokes in gerbils. Know that gerbils can recover from strokes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cough-Up-Phlegm

How to Cough Up Phlegm

To cough up phlegm, try taking a hot shower or running a humidifier to help loosen the mucus. You can also drink something warm, like hot tea or chicken soup, to clear your congestion and soothe your throat. If that doesn't help, sit in a chair with your arms crossed, then breathe in through your nose and lean forward over your arms to cough, which should loosen the phlegm in your chest.

Follow doctor's treatments. When you have a cough, you may also be using pain medication, antifungal medications, antibiotics, or other doctor recommended treatments for infections. Always follow any instructions given to you by your doctor first. Follow these natural remedies for one to two weeks. If you don't get better or your symptoms worsen, see your doctor immediately. Inhale humid air. Use a vaporizer or humidifier to help your cough. You can also take hot, steamy showers. This can help loosen mucus so it's easier to cough up. Drink warm fluids. Warm fluids are great when you have a lot of phlegm. They can help loosen congestion so you can cough it up. You can drink warm water, hot tea, juice, clear chicken or vegetable broths, or chicken soup. You can also put honey and lemon in the water and tea to add extra benefits. Honey and lemon booth help boost the immune system. Honey has antiseptic properties while lemon has antibacterial properties. Honey can also help get rid of mucus. Use menthol rubs. Rubs like Vick's VapoRub, Mentholatum, peppermint rubs, and other topical ointments that contain camphor and menthol can be helpful for coughs. Menthol is an expectorant and naturally breaks down mucus and helps you be able to cough up phlegm. Just rub a small amount onto your chest and around your nose. The smell will loosen mucus. Seek immediate help. There are situations where you need to see your doctor immediately, especially if you have other conditions or are treating a child's cough. Seek immediate help from your doctor if you or your child: Coughs up thick phlegm that is green, yellow, or red tented, which can signal infection Experiences wheezing or whistling when you cough or breath, which can mean your lungs are effected Has any indication of a strange sounding cough Has trouble breathing or shortness of breath after a cough Has whooping cough Develops a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) Use a cough treatment. One way to cough up phlegm is to use a controlled coughing treatment. Sit somewhere comfortable. Cross your arms over your torso and put both your feet on the floor. Breathe in slowly through your nose. Lean forward while pressing your your stomach. Cough a few short, sharp coughs. After a few coughs, the phlegm should loosen so you can cough it out. Try a huff cough treatment. Start seated. Lift your chin and breathe slowly using your diaphragm. Inhale, hold for a few seconds, then exhale sharply through your mouth. Repeat a few times, then breathe normally. When you feel phlegm in the back of your throat, cough it up. You will probably have to do this a few times to get rid of the phlegm. Try chest cupping. A different cough treatment starts when you are lying down. Make sure your chest is angled at about 45 degrees. Cup your hand, then gently tap the left side of your chest, between the nipple and collarbone. Continue to tap with gentle, firm pressure, for about two minutes. Then do the same thing on the right side. Sit up, lean forward, and tap the same way on the left and right shoulder blades on the back. This might require a partner to help you. Lie on your back again, and tap the left and right front sides. Then, lie on one side with your arm over your head and tap the side. Repeat on the other side. Lie on your stomach and have a partner tap the back right above the ribs on the right and left side. Use expectorant herbs. Expectorant herbs thin out mucus, which helps loosen congestion. Readily available herbs that function as expectorants include: Eucalyptus Elecampane (Inula) Slippery Elm Fennel seed Camphor Garlic Hyssop Lobelia Mullein Thyme Spearmint Ginger Cayenne pepper and black pepper Mustard seed Do not take Eucalyptus or peppermint oil by mouth. Some of these herbs, like Lobelia, can be toxic is you ingest too much. Talk to a doctor before using Lobelia. If you are pregnant, check with a physician before using any of these herbs. Some may cause side effects. Check with a physician before giving herbs to children. You also should check with a physician before ingesting herbs if you are taking medications. Some of these herbs may cause allergic reactions. Test out the herb by taking a small dosage before taking it. Make tea. Herbal teas are helpful with loosening phlegm. They also don't contain caffeine, which can increase mucus production. Tea not only helps loosen congestion because it is a warm fluid, but you can also add expectorant herbs to increase the loosening of mucus in the chest. Chamomile and lemon teas are good for phlegm, and peppermint, spearmint, and ginger herbs are great for teas. Take one teaspoon of dried herb, or three teaspoons of fresh herb, and steep in one cup of boiled water. Let it steep for five to 10 minutes. Drink multiple cups a day. You can add some honey and lemon to taste. Cayenne pepper, garlic, mustard seed, black pepper, and onions tend to be the strongest and can be somewhat irritating, so drink these teas slowly. If you are giving these teas to a child, cut the amount of herb by ½ or increase to two cups of water. Inhale the herbs. Essential oils and expectorant herbs can be inhaled to help with cough. Inhaling them help loosen mucus. You can crush and boil the herbs in a pot so you can inhale them, or place them in a diffuser. The easiest way may be to get the herbs in the form of essential oils. You can place the essential oils in a burner, place them in warm water, or place them in a diffuser. You can also inhale a cloth soaked in the herb. You can either soak it in the essential oils or in the water where you boiled the herb. Use this in moderation as inhaling too much of any substance can severely irritate the lungs. Use the right herbs. In order to help you cough up phlegm, you need to treat your lungs. For steam treatments, you need to pick the right herbs to add as an oil, dried herb, or fresh herb. With steam treatments, the herbs and steam goes directly into your lungs, which allows it to act fast and be the most effective. It also helps expand your sinuses and nasal passages, which with thin mucus. Some herbs have antifungal and antibacterial in addition to expectorant properties. That means these help kill bacteria and other microorganisms. The different herbs you can use include: Eucalyptus Spearmint or peppermint, which contain menthol Ginger Camphor Thyme Hyssop Fennel seed Mullein Lobelia Other herbs, including coltsfoot, marshmallow or slippery elm Add the herbs. Fill a pot with water. Bring it to a boil. Once it is at a roiling boil, add one to two drops of any essential oils listed above. You can also use one to two teaspoons of them as dried herbs. Stir the herbs into the water. Inhale the steam. Once you add the oil or the herbs, let the water boil for another minute. Turn off the stove and remove the pot from heat. Place it on a counter at a comfortable height for you. Once it cools down a minute or two, cover your head with a towel or cloth, close your eyes, and lean your head over the pot. Breathe the steam in through your nose for five seconds. Next, breathe out through your nose for five seconds. Repeat breathing in and out through your mouth for two counts each. Continue this for 10 minutes. During this step, stay 12 inches from the surface of the water. The steam will rise and being too close to the steam can burn your face. Repeat the treatment. Once you finish with the treatment, you need to repeat. You use this treatment every two hours while you are suffering from a bad cough. You should also try to blow your nose and cough as much as possible between these treatments. If you aren't getting quite the help you need, try using a small pinch of black or cayenne pepper. Don't add too much because it can cause irritation. Make yourself cough. Once you have undergone the steam treatment, try to make yourself cough if you aren't already. This will help bring out the phlegm in your system. Once you cough, you should try not to swallow the phlegm again. Instead, spit it out into a napkin or tissue. You should do the same after any other remedy listed above.

Follow doctor's treatments. Inhale humid air. Drink warm fluids. Use menthol rubs. Seek immediate help. Use a cough treatment. Try chest cupping. Use expectorant herbs. Make tea. Inhale the herbs. Use the right herbs. Add the herbs. Inhale the steam. Repeat the treatment. Make yourself cough.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Ice-Candles

How to Make Ice Candles

Before making ice candles, cut off the top of a pint-sized milk carton or a cardboard tube with a solid bottom to use as the candle mold. Next, place a glass measuring cup into a double boiler filled with 1 to 2 inches of water. Once the water comes to a soft boil, add the wax to the cup and melt until it reaches 175 to 185 degrees F. Then, dip the tabbed part of the wick into the wax and quickly press it down against the bottom of the candle mold. Finally, fill the mold ½ to ¾ of the way with ice, pour in the wax, and let it harden for 2 hours.

Get a suitable mold, then set it aside. You can use a tin candle-making mold, a cardboard tube with a solid bottom, or even a half-pint to pint-sized milk carton. If you are using a milk carton, open up the top all the way or cut it off so that you have a square-shaped opening. Keep your work area clean by placing the mold on top of a baking sheet. You can also cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil first for easy clean up. Assemble your double boiler. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water, and place your candle-making pouring pot inside. If you do not own a candle-making pouring pot, you can use a large, glass measuring cup instead. Consider placing a metal lid or a cookie cutter under the pouring pot/measuring cup. This will ensue that the wax is receiving equal amounts of heat from all sides. Measure out your wax, then add it to the pouring pot. You will only be using one-half to three-quarters of your mold, and half of that will be taken up by ice. Measure your wax accordingly. As a precaution, however, it might be a good idea to add 1 to 2 ounces (cc to cc grams) of wax in case something spills. If you are using a block of wax, you will need to cut it up into smaller chunks first. If you are using wax pellets or shavings, you do not need to cut them up. If you can't get any candle-making wax, you can use old candles instead. Make sure that they are all the same color, however. Melt the wax until it reaches 175 to 185°F (80 to 85°C). Turn the heat up to medium-low, and let the water come to a soft boil; do not let the water come to a roiling boil, however. As the wax starts to melt, stir it often to help it melt evenly. Do not leave the wax unattended. Melting wax is combustible. If you are using old candles, be sure to pull the old wicks out with a fork or a pair of chopsticks once the wax has melted. Consider adding some fragrance and/or color to your wax. Most candle-making wax is either white, ivory, or clear. It is almost always unscented. You can leave it like this if you want something simple, or you can make it look (and smell) more interesting by adding some dyes or fragrances. It is best to use dyes and fragrances intended for candle-making. Stir the wax until the dyes and/or fragrances are completely mixed in, with no streaks or swirls. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 milliliters) of fragrance per 1 pound (455 grams) of wax. How much dye you add depends on how dark you want the candle to be. Start with a few drops of liquid dye, or a few shavings of a dye block. In a pinch, you can use a chunk or two of a crayon—just remove the wrapper first! Attach your tabbed wick to the bottom of the mold. The easiest way to do this would be to dip the tabbed part of the wick into the melted wax, then to quickly press it against the bottom of the mold. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of wax into the bottom of the mold first, then insert the wick. Can't get a tabbed candle wick? Make your own by tying a paper clip to the bottom of a plain candle wick. Can't get any wicks at all? Use a long candle stick instead. You will have to cut it down starting from the bottom until it is about the same height as your mold, however. Fill the mold one-half to three-fourths of the way with ice. To prevent large holes or gaps, make sure that the ice chunks are no bigger than ¾-inch (1.91-centimeter). Also, make sure that the wick is centered at all times, or it will end up being crooked when you pour the wax. Experiment with using different shapes and sizes of ice cubes. You can even crush some of them with a hammer. Pour the wax into the mold until it completely covers the ice. Move the pouring pot around as you pour so that you are not pouring in one spot constantly. A great idea would be to pour in a swirl or zigzag pattern. The pouring pot/measuring cup will be hot. Use an oven mitt or a pot holder to handle it. Wait for the wax to harden. It will take about 1 to 2 hours for the wax to harden. Do not disturb the wax as it sets. Consider doing a second pour in a contrasting color. At this point, your candle is almost done. You can choose to take it out of the mold in the next step, or you can pour wax in a contrasting color over it. If you take it out now, your candle will have holes in it. If you fill it with more wax, you'll get a multi-colored candle. If you want a multi-colored candle, do the following: Melt and dye your candle wax as before. If you used fragrance, make sure that it is the same one. Pour the wax carefully over the candle; make sure that you pour it from different places. Let the wax harden again. It will take longer this time because you aren't using any ice. Take the candle out of the mold. You can try sliding the candle out. If it won't come out, try tearing the mold away from it instead. It might be a good idea to do this over a sink as there will be lots of water. Leave the candle in a sink or bowl for a few days so that the water can drain. You may need to rotate the candle from time to time to help the water drain from all of the holes. Trim the wick down to ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter), ten use your candle. Trimming the wick down will prevent the wax from smoking as it burns. Remember to set it down on a heat-safe surface, such as a dish or a candle charger, to protect your table from melting wax. Find two different sized cans. You want your first can to be at least ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) wider and taller than your second can. This extra space will eventually be filled with ice to make the sides and top/bottom of your luminary. Try to use cans with smooth walls rather than ribbed walls. This will make removing the ice easier. You can also use plastic containers, such as old yogurt tubs or food storage containers. Glass is not recommended, as the expanding ice can cause it to shatter. Clean the cans well and peel off any labels. Don't worry if there is any glue residue on the cans, as this won't stick to the ice; any paper will stick, however. Fill the larger can with some water, then place smaller can inside of it. Start by filling the larger can about half-way with water, then float the smaller can inside of it. Don't worry, you can always add more water later on. Add some food coloring into the water for an interesting effect! Fill the smaller can with enough rocks until the rim is level with the larger can's rim. Do not let your small can sink all the way to the bottom; you want both rims to be level with each other, and about a ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) of space between the two cans at the bottom. The water level will rise as the smaller can sinks into the water. Make sure that the water is ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) from the larger can's rim. If there is too much water, pump some of it out with a baster. If you can't find any rocks, you can use other items from your kitchen or garden, such as pebbles, rice, dried beans, marbles, etc. Tape the rims of the cans together so that the smaller can stays in the center. Cut four equal-sized pieces of tape, and stick them to the top, bottom, and sides of the small can's rim. Carefully fold the pieces of tape over onto the larger can's rim. This will help the small can float in the center, and ensure that your luminary will be the same thickness all around. Consider adding some greenery. At this point, your candle is just about ready for freezing. You can make it more festive, however, by filling it with bright items from your kitchen or garden. Here are some ideas: For a spring luminary: bright green leaves, pieces of fern, and/or spring flowers (ie: Johnny-Jump-Ups) For a fall luminary: brightly-colored leaves, orange slices, and or spices (ie: cinnamon sticks or star anise) For a winter luminary: sprigs of pine, tiny pinecones, twigs, and/or holly berries. For a summer luminary: leafy herbs (ie: basil or mint), citrus slices (ie: lime or lemon), and/or brightly-colored flowers. Check the water level, then pour or add more water if needed. As you add more items into the water, the water level will rise. You want it to be ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) from the rim of the large can. The water will expand as it freezes, and if the water level is too high, it will over flow. If you have too much water, pump it out using a baster. This way, you won't risk messing up your added greenery. If you don't have enough water, carefully pour it in a thin stream into the space between the two cans. Freeze the water. If it is below freezing outside, simply leave your can outside overnight. If it is above freezing, stick the can into your freezer overnight. Remember, the larger your container is, the longer it will take to freeze. Take the ice luminary out of the mold. Run lukewarm or cool water over the outside and inside of your luminary until you can move the cans around. Peel the tape away, then slide the luminary out of the large can. Carefully pull the smaller can out. Do not use hot water, as this may cause the ice to crack. Use the luminary with flameless candles. You can use these luminaries right-side-up or upside-down. Because they are made out of ice, they do not last forever. If you cannot find any flameless candles, you can use real tea lights instead, but keep in mind that the flame will cause the ice to melt faster. The melting ice may also extinguish the candle. If you want a centerpiece for your table, place the luminary with the hole facing up. Stick a flameless candle into the hole. If you want to light your pathway, place a flameless candle down on the ground, then place the luminary over it, flat side up.

Get a suitable mold, then set it aside. Assemble your double boiler. Measure out your wax, then add it to the pouring pot. Melt the wax until it reaches 175 to 185°F (80 to 85°C). Consider adding some fragrance and/or color to your wax. Attach your tabbed wick to the bottom of the mold. Fill the mold one-half to three-fourths of the way with ice. Pour the wax into the mold until it completely covers the ice. Wait for the wax to harden. Consider doing a second pour in a contrasting color. Take the candle out of the mold. Leave the candle in a sink or bowl for a few days so that the water can drain. Trim the wick down to ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter), ten use your candle. Find two different sized cans. Clean the cans well and peel off any labels. Fill the larger can with some water, then place smaller can inside of it. Fill the smaller can with enough rocks until the rim is level with the larger can's rim. Tape the rims of the cans together so that the smaller can stays in the center. Consider adding some greenery. Check the water level, then pour or add more water if needed. Freeze the water. Take the ice luminary out of the mold. Use the luminary with flameless candles.

https://www.wikihow.com/Meet-Girls-Online

How to Meet Girls Online

The key to being successful when meeting girls online is an attractive profile and good conversational skills. When writing your bio or profile, be honest about yourself and give specific details about what you do for fun to set you apart from the crowd. For example, write something like, "When I'm not playing basketball, I like to watch good comedy shows and cook Mexican food." Choose a few good-quality photos where you seem happy and approachable. To start a conversation with a girl, ask her more about something in her profile that interests you. Or, ask an open-ended question, like, “What kind of music do you like?” to get to know her better. After a week or so of chatting, invite her on a date if things seem to be going well.

Choose an online dating site. If you're looking to date around, an online dating site is a safer bet than regular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Here are a few you can consider : Free sites: PlentyofFish, OkCupid Tastebuds.fm (based on taste in music), PassionsNetwork, DateHookup, Mamba (Russian-based). Paid sites: Match.com, eHarmony, True.com, Lavalife, Lovestruck (UK, Hong Kong and Singapore), Zoosk, Meetic. If finding a partner who shares your religion is important to you, consider : Christians: ChristianMingle, ChristianCafe, RainbowChristians (LGBT) Catholics: CatholicMatch Jews: JDate, SawYouAtSinai Mormons: LDSSingles, MormonDating, LDSplanet Muslims: Muslima, ShaadiConnections Buddhists: BuddhistConnect Seventh-day Adventists: Adventist Singles Connection Pagans: AonghusOg Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and others: ShaadiConnections. Atheists: FreeThinkerMatch Note that the above points are domain names to niche online sites, which have the .com missing per WikiHow linking policy. Start building your profile. This is probably the most important step in the whole process. Your profile is your first impression in the online dating world, and it can make or break whether potential partners are interested in you. Consider these areas: Your username. Consider basing it in your initials, favorite number, or favorite hobby. Avoid using words like "hot," "sexy," "daddy," or any sexualized descriptor in your username — most women will read it as creepy. Choose a good profile picture. Your profile picture should follow three rules: it should be recent, provide a good look at your face, and make you seem approachable. If you don't currently have a photo that fits this description, take a new one! Bring along a camera next time you go to a social event, and ask a friend to take a quick snap of you. Avoid professional headshots. They're too stilted for an online dating site, and you'll look like you're trying too hard. Your bio. Most websites will provide a short bio or "about me" section for you to fill in. Don't write a novel, but do provide enough information that potential partners will feel like they're gaining a sense of who you are. You can discuss your hobbies, your goals, what you look for in a relationship, any children you have, or whatever else defines you as a person. Resist the urge to vent about your previous relationship. "Recently divorced from a lying, cheating harlot" reads as "bitter and angry" instead of "dateable and balanced." Your interests. Some sites will have a separate area for you to list interests or hobbies. Sports, musical genres or groups, crafts, historical periods, movie genres, types of food, travel destinations, and books are all appropriate topics for this part of your profile. Who you're interested in meeting. Try not to be too restrictive on these parameters. You never know — your soulmate might only be a year or two older than the top age you specify. Keep your ranges broad, and remember that you're not obligated to date everyone who contacts you. If you're asked to describe in writing the type of girl you'd like to meet, this is the place to knock it out of the park. Don't say "I just want someone to talk to" — no girl wants to be "just someone to talk to" when another man will call her a princess or the light of his life. Talk up your future partner in the best terms you can muster. For instance, you might try something like "I'm looking for the woman of my dreams, who will share my passion for cooking, cycling and honesty, and who will allow me to treat her like the queen she is." Your contact settings. Some sites allow you to pick and choose who can see your profile or contact you. If you want to get a lot of responses, make sure it's easy for people to message or email you. Be a gentleman. If your mother taught you manners, now is the time to break them out. (If not, that's why you're here!) Being polite and kind to everyone you interact with communicates that you're a quality person, online and off, who's worthy of respect and attention. Pay particular attention to these points: Use correct grammar and spelling. Capitalize proper nouns and the beginning of sentences, and run your message through spell check first if you're unsure. (Most word processors or email clients now have spell check if your browser does not.) Make a polite introduction. If someone messages you, note that you were delighted to receive their message and give out a little more information about yourself. If you message someone, tell her more about yourself and express that you'd love to get to know her. Keep it elegant. Remember, if she wanted to meet a slouchy, rude, abrupt barfly, she would have gone to the bar. Instead, she came to the Internet to meet guys like you, so try to step it up a bit. Don't ask what she's wearing or what her figure is like, don't push for pictures right away, and don't ask for highly personal specifics at first (such as where she works or her full name). Instead, focus on her personal interests, her goals, and anything you share in common. Stand out. Most women who use online dating sites get a lot of messages. If you decide to send a lady something, try to make it compelling and different from the rest of what she sees. Ask her a question about her profile, make a tasteful joke, or just be bold and say something like "You're gorgeous, and you seem fascinating. I'd love nothing more than getting to know you." Know how to keep a conversation rolling. So you've gotten a nice girl to notice you — now what? How you manage the conversation will determine where the connection goes, but it's easier than you might think. Here's how to continue interacting with her: Let her talk about herself. Keep in mind that most people are comfortable talking about themselves, because it's a topic they know well. Nervousness might tempt you to keep the conversation focused on yourself, but resist. A big part of being a good conversationalist is being a good listener. Ask her questions that are thought-provoking, but not too personal. Asking your potential ladylove what she does for fun on the weekends is perfectly fine; asking her if she's divorced or had a hysterectomy is not. Though you might learn this information later, now is not the time. Keep your questions focused on things like what she does to relax, where she's from, where she went to school, what kind of entertainment (books, music, movies, television) she likes, whether she's an animal-lover, etc. Follow that old adage and steer clear of sex, politics, money and religion. (The obvious exception to this is discussing religion if you're using a religious dating site.) There's a reason why these are forbidden topics when you're first getting to know someone. Always leave her wanting more. Bow out of the chat session before it gets too stale, or don't be too quick to return her emails. Lowering supply increases demand, and she'll be more interested if you don't immediately give everything away. Be interested, but restrained. (That is, don't send her multiple emails per day at first, or constantly ping her on chat.) Let her come to you a little bit. Express gratitude. Every so often, let the women you're talking to know how much you appreciate their attention. It doesn't have to be cheesy — something as simple as "I've really enjoyed getting to know you so far" or "Thanks for responding to my message" will suffice. If you go on a date with someone you met online, take this a step further. Send her a tasteful, simple bouquet (that is, not two-dozen blood-red roses) the next day with a small note saying that you enjoyed her company. It'll get more mileage than you might think. Handle rejection with grace. If it doesn't work out, don't get bitter. Instead, say farewell like a gentleman and wish her all the best. Your polite send-off might cause her to circle back later, at which point you can evaluate if you're still interested. For example, you could say "I'm sorry we didn't connect, but I wish you all the best" or "Good luck finding who you're looking for, and let me know if you ever change your mind." Don't push a date too soon. A woman will automatically read you as creepy and only after her body if you start angling for a date too early. Instead, try to be patient and enjoy this period of getting to know her spirit and mind. If things work out, you'll have plenty of time later to bask in her physical presence. Allow her to let you know when she's ready to meet. You can throw out a no-pressure signal like, "Just so you know, I'd be thrilled to take you on a date whenever you're ready, but I'm willing to wait. When the time is right for you, let me know." Keep your head up. You might encounter a lot of rejection online, as everyone does in the real world. Don't let it get you down, though. The right girl for you is out there somewhere, and maybe you're meant to appreciate her more after getting turned down by the wrong girl(s). Stay positive!

Choose an online dating site. Note that the above points are domain names to niche online sites, which have the .com missing per WikiHow linking policy. Start building your profile. Be a gentleman. Stand out. Know how to keep a conversation rolling. Always leave her wanting more. Express gratitude. Handle rejection with grace. Don't push a date too soon. Keep your head up.

https://www.wikihow.com/Delete-a-User-on-PS4

How to Delete a User on PS4

To delete a user on PS4, first log in to your console's primary account. Once you're logged in, visit the Settings menu and select “User management.” On the next screen, go to “Delete user” and select the user from the list you want to delete. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. If you're unsure whether the deletion worked, log out of your PS4 and sign back in again. The deletion was successful if you can't see the user's name on the options page.

Log in to your primary account. Turn on your PS4 and enter your login information as usual. You will need to be signed in as the console's primary user to delete other accounts. Go to “Settings. ” From the home screen, push up on the left joystick to bring up an options menu. Continuing to use the left joystick to navigate, scroll right until you get to the icon of a toolbox, which is labeled “Settings.” Press “X” to select it. Open the “Login settings” screen. From the settings menu, scroll down to “User Management.” From there, click “Delete User.” Delete the desired user. Scroll down to the user you want to delete. Click “X” to delete them, and then confirm the deletion. From there, just follow the PS4's instructions. If you are trying to delete your primary account, the PS4 will have to be initialized. Upon clicking “Delete” you will be asked to confirm the decision to initialize. Doing so will restore your console to factory settings. Any data not backed up will be lost permanently. To back up your data, go to Settings>Application Saved Data Management>Saved Data in System Storage. Select "Cloud" to save to the cloud, or "USB Storage" to save to a USB device like an external hard drive. Select the game or app you wish to back up, and click "Copy." Check that the deletion was successful. Log out of your PS4, and then log back in. If the user is no longer visible on the options screen, you have successfully deleted them from the system. Log in to your primary account. Turn on your PS4 and enter your login information as usual. You will need to be signed in as the console's primary user. Go to “Settings. ” From the home screen, push up on the left joystick to bring up an options menu. Continuing to use the left joystick to navigate, scroll right until you get to the icon of a toolbox, which is labeled “Settings.” Press “X” to select it. Open the “Initialization” screen. From the settings menu, scroll all the way down to “Initialization.” From there, click “Initialize PS4.” Select “Full,”, and follow the console's instructions. This will restore your PS4 to its factory settings, deleting any data that you have not backed up, such as trophies, screenshots, etc. To back up your data, go to Settings>Application Saved Data Management>Saved Data in System Storage. Select "Cloud" to save to the cloud, or "USB Storage" to save to a USB device like an external hard drive. Select the game or app you wish to back up, and click "Copy." A full factory reset will take a couple hours. Make sure not to turn off the PS4 during this process, as you may cause serious damage. Back up data you don't want to lose. Go to Settings>Application Saved Data Management>Saved Data in System Storage. Select "Cloud" to save to the cloud, or "USB Storage" to save to a USB device like an external hard drive. Select the game or app you wish to back up, and click "Copy." Manually power off. Press down on the power button for several seconds. Wait until you hear a beep, and the light turns red. Take your finger away. Manually power back on. Press down on the power button again, and keep it held down. You will hear one initial beep, followed by a second beep about 7 seconds later. Release the button. Press “Restore Default Settings. ” When the PS4 turns on, you should be in Safe Mode. Use the left joystick to navigate down to “Restore Default Settings.” Press “X” to select it, and follow the PS4's instructions. This will restore your PS4 to its factory settings, deleting any data that you have not backed up, such as trophies, screenshots, etc. The controller will need to be connected to the console via USB while in Safe Mode.

Log in to your primary account. Go to “Settings. Open the “Login settings” screen. Delete the desired user. Check that the deletion was successful. Log in to your primary account. Go to “Settings. Open the “Initialization” screen. Back up data you don't want to lose. Manually power off. Manually power back on. Press “Restore Default Settings.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fake-Cuts

How to Make Fake Cuts

To make fake cuts in your skin, start by drawing a line with red eyeliner, washable marker, or paint where you want the cut to be. Then, smudge the line with your finger so it looks like smeared blood. Once you've smudged your first line, sharpen a pencil and draw another thin line in the middle to make the actual cut. If you want it to look like a larger, gorier wound, add a dark red or brown line beside the first and dab it lightly with your finger to smear them together a bit. You can also make the wound look shiny and bloodier by going over it with clear lip gloss.

Smear red eyeliner onto your skin. Draw a line onto the area where you want the fake cut, then smudge it with your finger. Add dots around the area and smudge that as well. Repeat several times, until your skin looks like it has been smeared with blood. Red eyeshadow will work as well. Draw on the wound. Sharpen your red eyeliner pencil. In the center of the smudged area, draw a thin line. Add darker colors (optional). If you want a larger, more gory wound, add a dark brown or dark red line next to the thin, red line. Dab the lines with your finger to smear them together slightly, without wiping away their shape. Add clear lip gloss. This will make the wound glisten, making it look more recent and bloody. Protect clothing and furniture. Clear a surface to work on and cover it with newspaper. It's best to wear the rest of your costume while you work, since changing clothes can mess up the cut, but protect the costume with an apron or bib if you are working on your face or neck. Coat the area with eyelash glue (optional). Use a damp makeup sponge to lightly coat the area you plan to decorate, then wait until it dries. You can skip this step if you like, but a base of eyelash glue can be easily removed later using body oil or eyelash glue remover. Create fake skin with gelatin. If you want to embed fake razor blades or tubes of squirting blood in your wound, the fake skin needs to be extra sturdy. You can make it out of gelatin powder and a couple other ingredients: Warm several plates in an oven set to the lowest available temperature, until it is warm but not too hot to touch. Put a metal baking tray in the freezer. Mix gelatine powder, water, and liquid glycerin (hand soap) in equal amounts. There should be no sweetener or other additions in any of these ingredients. Heat this in a microwave in 5–10 second bursts, until it is a homogenous liquid. Do not touch it at this stage, as it can cause nasty burns. Take the plates out of the oven. Wearing gloves, pour the gelatin in a thin layer onto the plate. Tip the plate to spread it as thin as possible, then transfer the plate to the cold tray to set it in that thin shape. Cut into the fake skin. Put the gelatin on your skin and wait for it to become firm before you cut into it. Use a butter knife or your fingers to gently tear apart a slit at the center of the tissue paper. Curl or pull back the edges around the slit, to form a raise layer of fake scar tissue. For a long cut, keep the tear long but narrow. For a more shocking wound, tear it into a wide, mangled mess. Fill the cut with red face paint. Cover the inside of the slit completely, applying the material with a paintbrush. Only use face paint approved for use on skin. Other types of paint can cause rashes or more serious health problems. A non-toxic label does not guarantee the product is skin-safe. Color the fake skin with a mix of red food coloring and cocoa powder. You'll only need a small amount, so mix this in a shot glass or other small container. The end result should look like dirty blood, as though your cut has been exposed to dirt and air for hours. Use a paintbrush to apply this to the fake wound. If your fake skin already matches your skin tone well, you can skip this step, or just sprinkle on cocoa powder for a dirty appearance. If the mixture is too pale or runny, mix in corn starch or honey to thicken it. This thicker mixture can also double as fake blood in the steps below. Blend the wound in with foundation (optional). Use a makeup sponge, foundation brush, or fingers to blend foundation around the wound, applying it in small circular motions. This can be the same shade as your skin tone, or slightly lighter. If you do not have foundation, or if foundation alone doesn't look convincing, roughly brush on the cocoa powder and food coloring mixture. Add oozing fake blood. Make the cut extra-gruesome by dabbing a generous amount of glistening fake blood in the center of the cut. Decorate the skin around the wound with the excess blood: Dip a cotton swab in fake blood and let it drip onto the skin around your wound, while holding it vertical. Wet a toothbrush in fake blood and pull back the bristles with your fingers, letting go to spray the wound with blood splatter. Embed objects in the wound. The gelatin skin should be strong enough to hold small objects. You can purchase fake glass shards, fake razor blades, or similar objects at Halloween stores or dollar stores, and slip them into the fake skin. A thoroughly cooked, washed, and broken chicken bone adds an especially gory effect. Never use real blades or shards, even plastic ones, or you could cause an actual injury. Squirt blood through your wound. For this, you'll need a medical oxygen line sold at drugstores, or an air tube from an aquarium stores, as well as a rubber squeeze bulb that fits tightly over the tubing. Fill the squeeze bulb mostly full of fake blood, then fit the tubing into the bulb. Hide this in your shirt sleeve or under the gelatin fake skin, with the other end of the tubing at the center of your wound. Squeeze the bulb to send out a squirt of blood. Check the label when buying fake blood. Light-viscosity fake blood creates a more dramatic squirting effect.

Smear red eyeliner onto your skin. Draw on the wound. Add darker colors (optional). Add clear lip gloss. Protect clothing and furniture. Coat the area with eyelash glue (optional). Create fake skin with gelatin. Cut into the fake skin. Fill the cut with red face paint. Color the fake skin with a mix of red food coloring and cocoa powder. Blend the wound in with foundation (optional). Add oozing fake blood. Embed objects in the wound. Squirt blood through your wound.

https://www.wikihow.com/Level-a-Camper

How to Level a Camper

Leveling your camper makes it more comfortable to stay in and helps your appliances function properly. You'll need a bubble level, pieces of wood, and leveling blocks to properly level your camper. To measure your camper's side to side angle, use your bubble level. If it's not straight, place the leveling blocks near the tires and drive the camper onto them. Then, use wheel chocks to secure the wheels. Use your bubble level to measure the front to back angle of your camper. If it's not straight, place the pieces of wood under the tongue jack and stabilizing jacks. Then, adjust the jacks until your camper's level.

Pick a flat place to park. Try to find a parking spot that is as flat as possible. Leveling is meant to compensate for minor ground unevenness, so parking on a slope will still be uncomfortable and unsafe. If the ground slopes to the camper's side, reposition the camper so the ground slopes towards the front or back end. Clear out the area before leveling the camper. Make sure there aren't any rocks, big branches, or camping items nearby, since these can get in the way. Afterwards, ask everyone to move away from the camper while you work. Use a level to measure the camper from side to side. Bring along an inexpensive level, such as a surface or bubble level. Lay the level from left to right in the camper's doorway. The side of the level that is lower is the side of the camper you'll need to raise. Keep the camper hitched until you're done leveling it from side to side. Place leveling blocks near the tires. Leveling blocks are like strong, plastic Lego blocks for campers. Snap them together to form a ramp for the camper. Place them in front of the tire you need to raise. These blocks can be purchased at general stores like Walmart as well as camper stores. A cheaper leveling option is 2 in × 10 in (5.1 cm × 25.4 cm) pieces of lumber. The wood always has to be wider than the tires. Also, wood can take up a lot of storage space and, if the wood is rotten or broken, it shouldn't be used. Drive the camper onto the blocks. Slowly drive the camper forward onto the leveling blocks. If you're having trouble, ask someone to guide you. The wheels should be firmly on the blocks. Measure the camper's levelness again and make adjustments as needed. If it feels easier for you, place the leveling blocks behind the wheels and back onto them instead. If part of the tire hangs off the leveling block or wood scrap, the tires will weaken over time. Readjust the camper to avoid this. Place wheel chocks under the tires to hold the camper still. Chocks are a safety measure, so use them even when you think you don't need them. Place the chocks under the wheel, wedging them in place by hand. Place them behind the wheels if the ground slopes towards the rear end of the camper. Wheel chocks can be found at general stores and camping supply stores. If you don't have any, wood scraps can be used instead. Place pieces of wood under the tongue jack. The tongue jack is the front part of the camper that connects to your vehicle. Stack a few 2 in × 10 in (5.1 cm × 25.4 cm) wood scraps under it so it has a place to rest. The wood will ensure that the camper stays level during use. You can also get a wheel dock from a camping supply store. Set the tongue jack in it and you won't need the wood. Unhitch the camper. Once you have made a resting spot for the jack, unhitch it from your vehicle's bumper. Set the jack's metal shaft on the wood. Move your vehicle out of the way so you can finish leveling and stabilizing the camper. Measure the camper’s levelness from front to back. Set the level in the camper's door again. This time, lay it so the ends point to the camper's front and back. If one side is lower than the other, you'll need to adjust the camper further. Adjust the tongue jack to lower the camper. Read your owner's manual to find out how to adjust the jack. Usually the jack will have a crank that you can turn by hand to raise or lower it on its metal shaft. Continue doing this until the camper is level from front to back. Adding or removing wood boards can also help level the camper perfectly. Place wood scraps under the stabilizing jacks. The stabilizing jacks are on the camper's 4 corners. These jacks aren't meant for leveling, but will prevent your camper from rocking and falling out of level. Place 2 or more 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) wood blocks under each stabilizer to ensure they won't move. If your camper doesn't have stabilizers, you can have a professional permanently install them. Alternatively, place jack stands from automotive stores under the camper's corners. Lower the jacks onto the wood. Check your owner's manual to find out how to adjust the stabilizing jacks. Bring the jacks down until they're planted firmly on the wood.

Pick a flat place to park. Clear out the area before leveling the camper. Use a level to measure the camper from side to side. Place leveling blocks near the tires. Drive the camper onto the blocks. Place wheel chocks under the tires to hold the camper still. Place pieces of wood under the tongue jack. Unhitch the camper. Measure the camper’s levelness from front to back. Adjust the tongue jack to lower the camper. Place wood scraps under the stabilizing jacks. Lower the jacks onto the wood.

https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Chickenpox

How to Prevent Chickenpox

The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get vaccinated, which will make your body virtually immune to the disease. It's also important to avoid other people with chickenpox, especially if you know you haven't been vaccinated, so you don't get sick. If you're worried you've been exposed to the disease, you can keep your immune system strong by getting plenty of sleep and taking Vitamin C supplements. If you already have chickenpox, you should stay at home until you're well to prevent spreading the disease to other people. While you recover, make sure you regularly clean countertops and tables with a disinfectant and wash clothes and bedding to prevent others in your house from getting sick.

Get vaccinated for chickenpox. The vast majority of medical authorities believe that getting the chickenpox vaccine is the best way to prevent chickenpox. Vaccination introduces weakened viral particles to your immune system so that it can mount a strong response when it comes in contact with stronger, more virulent particles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before the introduction of the varicella vaccine in 1995, about 4 million Americans were infected with chickenpox each year — currently, that's dropped to about 400,000 yearly. The varicella vaccine is usually given to toddlers between the ages of 12-15 months, and then again between 4-6 years. For previously non-immunized teenagers or adults, the vaccine is given as a series of 2 injections, separated by 1-2 months between shots. If you are unsure whether or not you're already immune to chickenpox, your doctor can administer a simple blood test to check for immunity to varicella. The varicella vaccine can be combined with the vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella, in what is known as the MMRV vaccine. It's estimated that a single vaccination is between 70-90% preventative for chickenpox infection, whereas a double dose is about 98% protective. If you do get chickenpox after being vaccinated, the case is usually mild. If you've had chickenpox, you don't need the varicella vaccine because you already have natural immunity (resistance) against it. The varicella vaccine isn't approved for pregnant women, people with weakened immunity (because the vaccine can actually trigger a chickenpox infection), and people who are allergic to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin. Keep your immune system strong. Like any viral, bacterial or fungal infection, true prevention depends on the proper functioning of your immune system. Your immune system is made of specialized white blood cells that search and destroy potential pathogens, but when the system is weak or lacking in resources, disease-causing microorganisms grow and spread virtually unchecked. Thus, it's not surprising that those most at risk of most infections, including chickenpox, are babies and people with compromised immune systems. As such, focusing on ways to boost your immune system is a logical approach to naturally preventing chickenpox. Getting more sleep (or better quality sleep), eating more fresh fruit and vegetables, cutting down on refined sugars, reducing your alcohol consumption, quitting cigarette smoking, practicing good hygiene and light exercise are all proven ways to keep your immune strong. Dietary supplements that boost immunity include: vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, echinacea and olive leaf extract. People can develop weakened immune systems due to illness (cancer, diabetes, HIV infection), medical treatments (surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, use of steroids, over-medicating), chronic stress and poor nutrition. Avoid other children and adults with chickenpox. Chickenpox is highly contagious because it not only spreads directly from touching the blisters, but also through the air (via coughing and sneezing), and it can survive for short periods of time in mucus on various objects. Thus, avoiding people who are infected is a good strategy to help prevent contracting chickenpox. The tricky part is that chickenpox becomes contagious up to 2 days before the rash appears, so it's not always obvious who is infected. A mild fever is often the first sign of infection, so that might be a better indicator that your child has come down with something. Sequestering your child in their room (while being properly fed and hydrated, of course) and keeping them home from school (for at least a week) is a practical way of preventing the infection from spreading to you and other children. Having them wear a surgical mask and keeping their nails trimmed short also help prevent the spread of the virus. It typically takes from 10-21 days after exposure to chickenpox to develop an infection. Chickenpox can also be spread by contact with the rash in people with a condition called shingles (although not via airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing), because it too is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Disinfect your house and hands. Because chickenpox is so contagious and can live outside the body for short periods of time, you should be vigilant about disinfecting your house as a form of prevention if your child or other household member is infected. Regularly disinfecting countertops, tables, the arms of chairs, toys and other surfaces which may have come in contact with the infected person is a good preventative approach. Consider giving over a bathroom solely for the infected person to use while they're ill, if that's possible. Furthermore, disinfect your hands multiple times daily by washing them with regular soap, but don't go overboard on the hand sanitizer or antibacterial soap, because it can promote the growth of "super bugs" Natural disinfectants for household use include white vinegar, lemon juice, salt water, diluted bleach and hydrogen peroxide. You should also make sure that the clothes, bed sheets and towels of the infected person are regularly and thoroughly washed — add baking soda to the laundry for more sanitizing ability. Make an effort not to rub your eyes or put fingers in your mouth after you've touched someone with chickenpox. Let the illness run its course. As chickenpox is not a serious illness in the vast majority of cases, letting it run its course is the best way of gaining natural immunity to the varicella zoster virus, which will prevent future infections. A typical chickenpox infection lasts between 5-10 days and entails the development of the telltale rash, mild fever, loss of appetite, mild headache and general fatigue or malaise. Once a chickenpox rash appears, it goes through 3 phases: raised pink or red bumps (papules), which break out over a few days; fluid-filled blisters (vesicles), which quickly form from the papules before breaking and leaking; and crusty scabs, which cover the broken vesicles and take several days to fully heal. The itchy rash first appears on the face, chest and back before spreading to other areas of the body. As many as 300-500 blisters can form during a chickenpox infection. Talk to your doctor about antiviral drugs. In addition to preventative vaccination, drugs called antivirals are recommended for people who have a high risk of complications from chickenpox, or sometimes they are prescribed to shorten the duration and prevent the spread of the infection. As the name suggests, antivirals are able to kill viruses or prevent them from reproducing in your body. Commonly prescribed antivirals for the treatment of chickenpox include acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), famciclovir (Famvir) and immune globulin intravenous (IGIV). These medications are used more for lessening the severity of chickenpox symptoms, as opposed to preventing them, so they are usually given within 24 hours after the telltale rash appears. Valacyclovir and famciclovir are only approved for use in adults, not children. Natural antiviral compounds that you can take as supplements include vitamin C, olive leaf extract, garlic, oregano oil and colloidal silver. Ask a naturopath, chiropractor or nutritionist about how to protect yourself from chickenpox with natural antivirals.

Get vaccinated for chickenpox. Keep your immune system strong. Avoid other children and adults with chickenpox. Disinfect your house and hands. Let the illness run its course. Talk to your doctor about antiviral drugs.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Cut-Crease

How to Do a Cut Crease

To do a cut crease, start by applying a light layer of eyeshadow primer to your lids. Next, apply a neutral eyeshadow that's slightly lighter than your skin tone to your brow bone and inner corners with a fine-tipped makeup brush. Then, apply a medium-toned eyeshadow to your creases with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. Finally, trace your creases again with a darker eyeshadow, this time using a thinner line to accent only the deepest part of your crease.

Start with a bare face. This way, you won't have to re-apply foundation if you make a mistake, and you'll avoid smudging your foundation as you work on your eyes. Start by washing your face with your usual cleanser and applying moisturizer. Cover your eyelids with a light layer of eyeshadow primer. This will help the color last and blend more naturally. Most eyeshadow primers come in liquid form, and can be applied with a soft makeup brush. If you want a subtle, less dramatic cut crease, use concealer instead of primer. Apply a neutral eyeshadow to your brow bone and inner corners of your eyes. Using a fine-tipped makeup brush, carefully apply a neutral eyeshadow slightly lighter than your skin tone along the underside of your brow and in the inner corners of your eyes. This will make your eyes and brows look more defined. You can also keep the eyeshadow on hand to clean up any small mistakes or unwanted blurring when you apply the rest of your makeup. Apply a medium-toned eyeshadow to your eyelid creases. Tilt your head back and use your eyeshadow brush to draw a slightly curved arch just above your natural eyelid crease. The curve should be less steep than your natural curve in order to open up your eyes and make them look bigger. Matte, natural-looking shades will generally work best for this layer, although once you've got the hang of it you may want to experiment with bolder colors. A fluffy eyeshadow brush is ideal for applying this outline. Trace your eyelid creases again with a darker eyeshadow. Choose a color that is similar to your first layer, but darker. For instance, if you used a champagne-colored shadow for the first layer, try a dark brown. If you want a more dramatic look, go for black. This should be a thinner line than the first layer of eyeshadow, accenting only the deepest part of your crease. Use an angled eyeshadow brush. If you have hooded eyes, you may want to trace slightly above your creases with the darker eyeshadow so that the outline isn't lost in the fold of your eyelid. Blend the darker eyeshadow up towards your eyebrows. Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to gently blend the darkest part of your crease up into the first layer of eyeshadow. Use soft strokes and make sure the darker color is blending evenly. Use a brighter eyeshadow below the cut crease. Bronze or gold can be a good choice for a dramatic look, or you can highlight your natural eye color by choosing something on the opposite side of the color wheel. For instance, warm tones like copper go well with blue, and a pink or purple hue will bring green eyes out nicely. Be careful not to blend this layer of eyeshadow with the cut crease. Add a thin line of concealer above your eyelashes. This will clean up the bottom edge of your eyeshadow and make the colors look more dramatic. Use a thin brush or applicator and be careful not to smudge your eyeshadow. This line should be about as thick as eyeliner, and applied along the full width of your lower lashes. Apply liquid black eyeliner in a wing shape to create a cat-eye effect. Choose a marker-tip or liquid black eyeliner and extend your lines past the corners of your eyes and slightly upward, like a little wing. The eyeliner should become slightly thicker towards the outer corners of your eyelids, then come to a point at the end. Add some glitter to your cut crease for a little sparkle. To create an even more glamorous look, you can trace over your cut crease with glitter eyeliner. If you want to add glitter to your lids instead, apply a thin coat of glitter base, then wait about 10 minutes for the primer to get sticky. You can then apply loose glitter using a dry brush. Highlight your dramatic eyes by minimizing the rest of your makeup. Using light makeup and muted, natural tones for the rest of your look will make your cut creases look smokey and striking but not overdone. Choose a natural-looking foundation, minimal or no blush, and a muted lipstick or gloss. Add false eyelashes if you want to intensify your look. For a dramatic, retro-pin-up effect, you can add thick black false eyelashes after applying your makeup. This can be a fun touch when you're going out clubbing or dressing up for a festival.

Start with a bare face. Cover your eyelids with a light layer of eyeshadow primer. Apply a neutral eyeshadow to your brow bone and inner corners of your eyes. Apply a medium-toned eyeshadow to your eyelid creases. Trace your eyelid creases again with a darker eyeshadow. Blend the darker eyeshadow up towards your eyebrows. Use a brighter eyeshadow below the cut crease. Add a thin line of concealer above your eyelashes. Apply liquid black eyeliner in a wing shape to create a cat-eye effect. Add some glitter to your cut crease for a little sparkle. Highlight your dramatic eyes by minimizing the rest of your makeup. Add false eyelashes if you want to intensify your look.

https://www.wikihow.com/Start-an-In-Home-Caregiving-Business

How to Start an In Home Caregiving Business

To start an in-home caregiving business, consider whether you want to provide non-medical care, like housekeeping and making meals, medical care, or both. You'll also want to look at census data to make sure there are enough seniors living in your area that would require in-home care. If there are, start coming up with a business plan and obtaining any necessary licenses and insurance for your area. If starting a new caregiving business on your own seems overwhelming, consider going into business with an existing franchise so you have financial and logistical support.

Identify the care services paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. These two government programs are the largest payers of assisted-living care in the United States. Medicare covers a variety of home care services, including physical and occupational therapy, the administration of medicine, and medical equipment. However, it does not cover daily living care, like bathing or dressing, or homemaking services, like meal preparation or cleaning. Medicaid coverage varies greatly by state, but usually covers ADLs and iADLs, medical supplies and part-time nursing. Figure out which aspects of the business are covered by these programs in your area. This will help you tailor your services such that they are entirely or mostly free to your customers. Perform a demographic study for the needs of seniors in your area. Seniors are the demographic in greatest need of in-home care. US Census data tracks the percentage of households with people aged 65 and over by state, and also identifies the population of individuals 65 and up within a given state. Use this data in conjunction with more granular local data gathered by your state censuses to determine if there are enough individuals requiring in-home caregiving to warrant starting a business. For instance, if you wanted to establish a caregiving business in Florida, you'd see that it has the highest percentage of 65 and older individuals in the nation, and the second highest population of elderly in the country. Check the census data closely for projections about the number of seniors in a given area. Is it going up, down, or staying level? If it is holding steady or increasing, an in-home caregiving business would do well in that area. Define what services your business will offer. Some in-home caregiving businesses are medical while some are non-medical. The two types of caregiving businesses offer a variety of potential services. If you have a medical caregiving business, you'll need to hire licensed nurses, rehab therapists, and other medical personnel in addition to the more basic caregiving duties consistent with non-medical in-home care. Non-medical in-home caregiving, by contrast, consists of making and serving meals, housekeeping, transportation, and other daily life activities. Decide if you want to go into business for yourself or with a franchise. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you choose to operate a franchise and pay the fees necessary to join a larger, already established caregiving company, you get all the benefits that come with it. Working with a respected brand means your in-home caregiving business will start with the positive reputation the brand has fostered, lower start-up costs, and an ongoing support system. Starting your own home-care business will require more time, energy, and start-up monies. You'll have to register the business, come up with a business plan, and set your own prices. You'll also need to engage in intensive marketing and develop your network to get your name out. However, as an independent outfit, you'll have more freedom in how you run your business and won't be constrained in the way you would be if you were operating as a franchise. For instance, if you want to expand your business later as a franchise, you will have to first check with the parent company to ensure that the area you want to expand into does not already have a franchise in that area. Start-up costs for an independent business include staff uniforms and licensing costs. Ongoing costs for either an independent or a franchised caregiving business include office space, insurance, and staff training. Make sure to investigate new wage laws that could affect your ability to pay your employees. For example, many states have passed laws to increase minimum wage, with California and New York both planning to jump up to $15 over time. In addition, workers that make less than $47,476 per year are now to be paid overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours per week. There are also various state laws that differentiate between the treatments of independent contractors and employees. Check with your state's own regulations to make sure you are adhering to them when hiring and paying employees. Create a business plan. The business plan is the road map for your business. It defines where you are now and where you see yourself in one, three, and five to 10 years. It also lays out the chain of command, including who is the owner or proprietor of the business, and each individual's role within the business. With your business plan in hand, you can grow your business and solicit funding and loans. Your business plan must include data on your financial projections. How much have you spent on materials, marketing, and other expenses? How much have you earned? Do you expect earnings to go up, down, or stay steady? Include a mission statement. The mission statement is the brief description of what your business does on a day-to-day scale. For instance, your mission statement might be to “Provide comprehensive medical in-home care for those in need in (your area).” Your mission statement should be specific in the type of care you intend to provide, where you will provide it, and the specific level of performance or quality you intend to provide ("100 percent customer satisfaction" or something similar). Include a vision statement as well. Your vision statement should be a long-term, expansive statement of specific goals for your business in the near future. A vision statement might be, “To continue building our reputation as the top in-home care provider in the region.” A related component is the goals statement. This lists specific, actionable goals that your business will adopt to meet its mission and vision. “Reach 97 customer satisfaction and gain control of 20 percent of the in-home medical care market over the next five years,” is a solid goals statement. Decide what kind of business structure you want. There are many different types of businesses. The type of business you choose to form determines how much you pay in taxes, what type of organizational structure your business will have, and the personal liabilities that you assume as the result of that structure. A sole proprietorship is a business in which someone owns an unincorporated business entirely alone. As the sole proprietor of a caregiving business, you control the business and make quick business decisions to respond to a changing market. However, you open yourself up to legal liabilities from both your employees and your clients. If an employee is in a car wreck or a client is given the wrong medication, they or their family might sue you. As the sole proprietor of the business, you may have to pay those damages out of pocket. A sole proprietor should buy liability insurance for such events. A partnership is a business formed between two or more persons' businesses, or organizations who each contribute in some way to the business and share the profits and losses equally. In the context of an in-home caregiving business, it would be beneficial to partner with someone who has experience in the field, especially if you do not. Alternately, you might enlist partners who bring different strengths to the company -- perhaps one has connections with local hospitals, perhaps one has experience in medical training, and so on. Unfortunately, partnerships entail the same disadvantage as sole proprietorships, personal liability, as well as sharing control over operations and business decisions. A corporation is a type of business structure that eliminates double taxation and personal liability for its owners, and is led by a board of directors. While you can still be held accountable for criminal wrongdoing, business losses, fines, or legal settlements won't come out of your own account. Corporations also tend to have easier access to capital and often enjoy significant tax breaks, which could be important considerations as you start up your own caregiving business. If you plan on investing in medical equipment, especially, incorporating may be your best bet. One type of corporation you can form is a Subchapter S corporation, which eliminates double taxation while limiting personal liability. A variation on the corporation is the limited-liability company (LLC) , a business run by members, who can be either corporations, individuals, or other LLCs. These businesses are highly variable in form, and must conform to state regulations concerning their makeup. If you are worried that the other members who you start the business with might bail, you should forgo this type of business in favor of a corporation. Like corporations, LLCs provide limited liability, so if your business is sued, you will not be personally responsible. Take care of the paperwork. Forming your own company requires registering the business, filling out tax forms, and drafting a payroll. Ensure all your employees can legally work in the US. Use their bank account info to set up direct deposit lines to save yourself the trouble of distributing paper paychecks. Medical caregiving agencies will require additional certifications from Medicare and Medicaid. These certifications will be granted after a Medicare/Medicaid surveying agent recommends that your business receive one. Medicare or Medicaid dispatches a surveying agent to verify one or several of your clients qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, conducts an investigation, and ensures your caregiving agency meets Medicare/Medicaid care standards. Only after this investigation is certification granted. To begin the process of getting certified, your business must have at least 10 active patients on your client roster, and must have patients actively receiving every type of care service your business offers. Apply for a National Provider Identifier number at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do and use the application to notify your state's Department of Public Health that you are interested in receiving a state Medicare/Medicaid surveyor or private accreditor. The process can take six to eight weeks. Businesses which are Medicare-certified require higher start-up costs to cover the certification fees. They also require that employees are officially on staff as part of the company, and not acting as independent contractors. Non-medical caregiving agencies, by definition, will generally not require medical licensing. Check your state's guidelines for specific rules. Requirements for specific licenses and registration processes vary by state. Check with your state's Department of Health for specifics about your business. Register your business with either your county clerk or your state's Department of Treasury if your business is a corporation or a limited-liability company (LLC) or limited-liability partnership. Sole proprietorships and partnerships will need to register a “doing business as” (DBA) name, but can generally avoid much of the paperwork required of the other types of businesses. Obtain sufficient liability coverage. You and your employees will be working with a vulnerable population, and unfortunately that means you have a significant professional liability risk if something goes wrong. Negligence, for instance, is a common claim against home care companies. To avoid costly lawsuits, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage in the form of an Entity Professional Liability policy. You may also want to encourage your employees to obtain Professional Liability insurance coverage themselves. Set your rates. Deciding what to charge for your services is difficult. Before settling on your service rates, check out other caregiving services in the area and set your prices at a comparable level. You should also stay conscious of the type of services you're providing. For instance, it would be unwise to charge $20 per hour for a patient who only or primarily needs to be driven to and from appointments. You also need to be cognizant of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement limits, as well as major insurers in your area. Factor in the strength of your local economy, the number of clients you have, and the distance to and from a given client when setting your prices. Since you're a new business, set your rates lower than those of more well-established caregiving services and the big brands that you refused to franchise for. The average rate for home care is $20 per hour. You might need to adjust what your rates are depending on your clientele's finances. For instance, it might be better to take on a financially-challenged client for a lower pay rate than to turn them down entirely, assuming there is still profit to be made. (Plus, that customer might be a good ambassador for your business and suggest you to others in need of home care.) Hire the right people. Working with assisted-living patients takes someone special. It requires patience, versatility, dependability, and well-developed interpersonal skills. In addition to these important personal qualities, if your caregiving business offers medical care, you must hire employees who have all the necessary professional licenses and certificates to work in that field. Remember to check up on changing wage and employment laws. Medical professionals commonly employed in home care include certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and home health aides (HHAs). One of the more common non-medical certification programs is the online course offered by the American Caregiver Association (ACA). Decide if you want your non-medical professionals to obtain this or other certifications. The ACA offers both a general caregiver certification and an assisted living manager certification. Both certifications consist of an online course and an online exam. The courses can usually be done in two days, though there is no time restriction on how long you can take to work through your course. Each costs $80 and can be taken through the ACA site at http://www.americancaregiverassociation.org. Check https://www.caregiverlist.com/Caregiver-Training-Requirements-By-State.aspx to see what your state's licensing or certification requirements are for non-medical caregiving personnel. Ensure you bond all your employees. Bonding is a process by which you provide a guarantee that any client who successfully charges one of your employees with theft in court will be repaid up to $5,000. For this reason, conduct rigorous background checks on all employees. Make connections with local healthcare professionals. Introduce yourself to discharge planners at your local hospitals. When a patient is discharged and in need of home care, they should think of you first. Be accommodating when you get a call asking for home care and say “yes” to as many offers as you can. You should especially look for hospitals which are unsatisfied with their current in-home care providers. Introduce yourself to hospital discharge planners at local or regional medical conferences. Hand them your business card and a brochure with information about your business. Explain that your business is expanding and looking for more clients. You could also call them on the phone or send them an email to the effect of: “We are a growing in-home caregiving business that puts the needs of our patients first. We would like the opportunity to partner with your institution to better fulfill our patient-driven mission.” Propose a tour of your offices. Inquire as to what certifications or services the hospital expects the in-home caregiving agencies it works with to have. Obtain requisite equipment and materials. If your in-home caregiving business is non-medical, you will only need uniforms and a strong marketing budget. If you're a medically licensed caregiving business, however, you will need to invest in relevant medical equipment. Depending on what services you offer, syringes, sterile needles, stethoscopes, dialysis machines and other medical tools and technology might be necessary As technology improves and you make more types of medical care available, you will need to update and improve your medical equipment. Engage in vigorous marketing. Marketing is an important part of promoting your business. Your marketing strategy should encompass not only traditional modes of advertising on radio, local TV, and the web, but take advantage of social media to attract attention to the work you're doing. Use updates on Facebook and similar sites to talk about how your business is growing and contributing to the community. Enlist the aid of a web designer to help you develop a professional website. Your site should include contact information, a list of services your business provides, testimonials from satisfied customers, and images of the happy customers you've provided care for. Maintain a blog about the joys and challenges of in-home care to demonstrate that your business is serious and passionate about caregiving. Get some brochures printed advertising your business and the services it provides. Keep several brochures in the main office of your business. This way, when potential clients inquire about your business, they can leave with the information in your brochure and consult it later. Inquire at local hospitals, doctors offices, and VFW halls about leaving some there for potential clients. Obtain business cards with your name, your company logo, and position. Distribute them when meeting with someone interested in your business. Obtain a personal loan or fund yourself. If you have a significant nest-egg socked away, or can obtain a personal loan from a wealthy family member (perhaps in exchange for 5% – 10% of the company royalties), you may be able to cover your start-up costs yourself. This is the best option for covering your start-up costs. An interest-free loan means you don't have to fill out all that pesky paperwork, and can negotiate a more generous repayment plan than you'd ever get from a bank or private funding source. And if you fund the whole enterprise yourself, you won't even have to do that. On average, a new home care business will need $50,000 – $75,000 to get started. Get a loan. There are a number of financing options available to a new in-home caregiving business. You could consult a local bank after setting up your business account and negotiate a loan with them. To do so you'll have to present your business plan and make a convincing case as to why your business is worthy of the loan. You could also get a loan with a guarantee from a public or private organization, like the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA has a number of attractive loan-guarantee programs. These programs require another lender to provide the loan, which is then guaranteed by the SBA. The most logical one for a new in-home caregiving business is the 7(a) Loan Program, which is available to new businesses. For loans of less than $150,000 (an amount your in-home caregiving business is unlikely to surpass), interest is set at zero percent. You can start working on an SBA 7(a) loan application at https://www.sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/sba-loan-programs/general-small-business-loans-7a/7a-loan-application-checklist. Apply for a grant. Grants from a private organization or government agencies are probably the most attractive option for funding a new business. With a grant, you aren't spending your own money, or money you'll have to pay back later. The money awarded with a grant does not need to be repaid. However, compared with loans, grants are much more difficult to get. Most small businesses do not qualify for government grants, but you can use the federal BusinessUSA financing tool online at https://www.sba.gov/loans-and-grants to investigate your options. Look for local, private, and state grants in addition to the big federal grants. Community development corporations are a great option for funding. Always apply early, follow all the directions in the application, and ask lots of questions of the grantor. Consider the brand recognition. Is the company that you're thinking of franchising for a well-known name in the in-home caregiving world? And, more importantly, is the price you have to pay in franchising fees and revenue shares worth operating under the brand name? Carefully research the company or companies you're considering opening a franchise under. Request and review the Franchise Disclosure Document. Look at current market trends and the company's history. Is the franchise facing stiff competition from a new up-and-coming brand? Is the brand in good standing locally and nationally? Apply for a franchise license. Contact the company you're interested in franchising for and inquire as to their franchising process. Each company is different, but they will definitely want to see that you have significant funds, often between $40,000 – $260,000. Once you've been approved for a license, you'll have to make a payment for the license, which can run anywhere from $20,000 – $90,000. Attend training under franchise leadership. When you first join the franchise, you will need to understand the protocols and service techniques that the franchised utilizes. The business you're franchising for has been successful for a reason. Find out what it is by consulting them with any questions you have and attending as many of the professional development conferences they host as possible. Negotiate the franchise’s cut. To continue operating under the franchise's name and availing yourself of their support networks and training, you will have to give them a share of your gross earnings. These royalty fees can range anywhere from 2% to 8% of your monthly gross. Negotiate for a low fee, especially when you're just starting out. If you can procure your own office supplies, software, and marketing budget, you'll be able to save money on the contract by accepting a lower level of assistance.

Identify the care services paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. Perform a demographic study for the needs of seniors in your area. Define what services your business will offer. Decide if you want to go into business for yourself or with a franchise. Create a business plan. Decide what kind of business structure you want. Take care of the paperwork. Obtain sufficient liability coverage. Set your rates. Hire the right people. Make connections with local healthcare professionals. Obtain requisite equipment and materials. Engage in vigorous marketing. Obtain a personal loan or fund yourself. Get a loan. Apply for a grant. Consider the brand recognition. Apply for a franchise license. Attend training under franchise leadership. Negotiate the franchise’s cut.

https://www.wikihow.com/Spawn-an-Ender-Dragon

How to Spawn an Ender Dragon

To spawn an Ender Dragon in Minecraft, first, start a game in Creative Mode and give yourself 12 End Portal blocks and 12 Eyes of Ender. With these items in your inventory, you'll be able to build an End Portal, which will take you to “The End,” where the Ender Dragon lurks. If you're in Survival Mode, combine Ender Pearls with Blaze Rods until you have 12 Eyes of Ender, then search for an existing End Portal in a stronghold. Once you've found an End Portal, step into the portal ring, equip the Eyes of Ender, then place an Eye of Ender on each block in the frame. After you go through the End Portal, attack the Ender Dragon to start the battle

Know how to access the Ender Dragon. The Ender Dragon lives in a domain referred to as "The End", which is the final area in Minecraft's background story. In order to reach The End, you'll have to either find or build an End Portal. Create your End Portal in Creative Mode. Since you can't actually build a portal to The End in Survival Mode, you should consider using Creative Mode to give yourself the necessary resources—12 End Portal blocks and 12 Eyes of Ender—and then create the End Portal itself. If you decide to use Creative Mode to build your End Portal, skip the next two steps. Find an End Portal if you're playing on Survival Mode. If you don't use Creative Mode to build your End Portal, you'll have to find an existing End Portal in a stronghold. You will also need 12 Eyes of Ender, which can be created by combining Ender Pearls with Blaze Rods (these are found by killing Blazes in The Nether ) in your inventory's Crafting section. Add the Eyes of Ender to the frame. If you're playing on Survival Mode, you'll need to add your Eyes of Ender to the End Portal frame by doing the following: Step into the portal ring. Equip the Eyes of Ender. Stand facing a portal block. Select the portal block to place an Eye of Ender on it. Repeat with each Ender Portal block in the frame. Wait for The End to load. Once you place the final Eye of Ender on the last empty block, you will be transported to The End; since this area is distinct from the rest of Minecraft's world, it may take a couple of minutes for The End to load. Engage the Ender Dragon. The Ender Dragon may not attack you until you attack her first, so you may need to hit her with a sword or similar weapon before she will begin flying around. You may want to brush up on some pointers regarding killing the Ender Dragon if you plan on fighting her. Respawn the Ender Dragon after the fight. If you want to bring back the Ender Dragon after defeating her in The End, craft four End Crystals and place one on each side of the exit portal in The End. This will cause the Ender Dragon to respawn, allowing you to fight her again. Subsequent Ender Dragon fights will yield 500 XP for each kill, but not additional Ender Dragon eggs. You can also take the Ender Dragon egg and place it on the exit portal to respawn the Ender Dragon, though keep in mind that you won't get another egg. Open Minecraft. Click or double-click the Minecraft Java app icon, which resembles a three-dimensional grassy block of dirt, and then click START at the bottom of the launcher window that appears. If you're using the Minecraft Bedrock Edition on desktop, you'll need to follow the instructions in the mobile section. Click Singleplayer. It's at the top of the Minecraft menu. Click Create New World. You'll see this near the bottom of the window. Switch to Creative Mode. Click the "Game Mode" box until you see "Creative" listed next to the "Game Mode" tag. Click More World Options…. It's near the bottom of the window. A new menu will open. Enable cheats. Click the Allow Cheats button until it has "ON" listed next to it. Click Create New World. You'll see this at the bottom of the window. Doing so creates your new game world with cheats enabled. Bring up the console. Press the "slash" key / to do so. You should see a text box appear at the bottom of the screen. Enter the "summon" command. Type in summon ender_dragon ~ ~ ~ {DragonPhase:0} and press ↵ Enter. There is a space between each of the tilde (~) marks. You can just type in summon ender_dragon to summon a floating dragon that doesn't move or interact with the environment. Wait for the Ender Dragon to appear. After a couple of seconds, you should see the Ender Dragon pop up below you; she will begin flying around immediately after appearing. The Ender Dragon is hostile in this phase, but she won't attack you since you're playing in Creative Mode. If you switch back to Survival Mode, the Ender Dragon will attack you, thus allowing you to fight her. Keep in mind that you won't receive any achievements for killing her. Open Minecraft. Tap the Minecraft app icon, which resembles a grassy block of dirt. Tap Play. It's at the top of the menu that's in the middle of the screen. Tap Create New. You'll find this at the top of the screen. Tap Create New World. It's near the top of the screen. Switch to Creative Mode. While optional, spawning the Ender Dragon in Survival Mode can both kill you quickly and cause significant damage to your world. You can mitigate this by tapping the "Default Game Mode" drop-down box and then tapping Creative in the drop-down menu. Scroll down and tap the "Activate Cheats" switch. You'll find this in the middle of the "World Options" section of the menu that's on the right side of the screen. Tap Continue when prompted. Doing so acknowledges that you won't receive progress toward achievements while cheats are enabled. Tap Create. This is on the upper-left side of the screen. Your game will launch. Open the console. Tap the speech bubble-shaped "Chat" icon at the top of the screen, then tap the text box that appears at the bottom of the screen. A keyboard will appear on-screen. If you're following these instructions for the Bedrock Edition version of Minecraft on desktop, just press the "slash" / key. Enter the "summon" command. Use the on-screen keyboard to type in /summon ender_dragon and then tap the right-facing arrow on the far-right side of the text box. Wait for the Ender Dragon to appear. After a couple of seconds, you should see the Ender Dragon pop up below you; she will begin flying around immediately after appearing. The Ender Dragon is hostile in this phase, but she won't attack you since you're playing in Creative Mode. If you switch back to Survival Mode, the Ender Dragon will attack you, thus allowing you to fight her. Keep in mind that you won't receive any achievements for killing her.

Know how to access the Ender Dragon. Create your End Portal in Creative Mode. Find an End Portal if you're playing on Survival Mode. Add the Eyes of Ender to the frame. Wait for The End to load. Engage the Ender Dragon. Respawn the Ender Dragon after the fight. Open Minecraft. Click Singleplayer. Click Create New World. Switch to Creative Mode. Click More World Options…. Enable cheats. Click Create New World. Bring up the console. Enter the "summon" command. Wait for the Ender Dragon to appear. Open Minecraft. Tap Play. Tap Create New. Tap Create New World. Switch to Creative Mode. Scroll down and tap the "Activate Cheats" switch. Tap Continue when prompted. Tap Create. Open the console. Enter the "summon" command. Wait for the Ender Dragon to appear.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Back-Handspring-at-Home

How to Do a Back Handspring at Home

To safely do a back handspring at home, find someone who can spot you while you practice. Stretch well and always practice on a padded surface, like a thick gymnastics mat. Then, stand with your arms in front of you, and move into a squatting position, swinging your arms back and over your head. As you bring your arms up, push through your toes while tightening your shoulder and arm muscles. Continue to fall backwards until your hands are planted on the mat, and then swing your legs over your hands. Land standing with your feet planted on the mat!

Get a spotter. If you've never tried a back handspring before, then your best bet is to practice at the gym with your gymnastics coach or another professional. However, if you feel confident enough to do the back handspring at home, then you should make sure to get a spotter to help you when you're starting out. You will find that most people recommend you use a trampoline. Having a spotter will keep you from injuring yourself, overstepping your bounds, and hurting your head, neck, or back. Ideally, your spotter should also be a fellow gymnast or cheerleader, so he or she is familiar with what to do. Your spotter should place a hand on your lower back while placing the other under your thighs as you flip backwards. Stand by your spotter with your legs, feet, and knees nearly together and your arms in front of you. First, do a “trust fall” back into your spotter's arms just to make sure that he or she can handle your weight. Ideally, there should be a soft mat behind you so you don't hurt yourself if you fall. At first, your spotter will do some of the work for you, helping to flip your body over by pushing your back and your thighs up as you flip backwards. However, once you're comfortable on your own, the spotter should only be there to make you feel safe, not to actually help you. Stretch well. You may be eager to get started on your back handspring, but any experienced gymnast or cheerleader will tell you that stretching is vital to your success and safety, even if you're only doing a somersault. It's important to warm up a bit and to get your blood flowing before you go into a full-on back handspring. Though stretching all of your body is important, you can focus on stretching your legs, your arms, and your neck, as well as your wrists. Here are some stretches you can try before doing a back handspring: Stretch your back by doing a back bend. Then, do a counter-stretch by curling up into a ball on the floor and hugging your knees to roll out your back. For an extra stretch in your back, stand up and touch your toes. Roll your head clockwise five times and then counter-clockwise five times, to stretch your neck a bit. You can also roll your shoulders forward and backward. Place one hand in front of you, as if you were saying “Stop!” and then gently pull back the fingers of that hand with your other hand. Repeat with the other hand to get a deep stretch in your wrists. Then, roll your wrists clockwise five times and counter-clockwise five times to finish stretching them. Sit down and roll your ankles clockwise and counterclockwise. You can even spell the alphabet with each of your feet to get a full stretch. Use a padded surface. The best thing you can do is to bring home a thick gym mat, which will give you some cushioning without letting you sink in too far, as a mattress would. If you don't have that, consider using a long couch cushion or a mattress, while being careful not to sink into them too much — if you don't have enough momentum, you may end up falling back into the handstand position and then sinking in to the floor instead of springing up. You can also consider using a trampoline, if you have one, to give yourself the confidence to use a harder surface. Just remember that you won't need nearly as much momentum to fall backward on a trampoline. If you're trying the back handspring outside in your yard, pick a softer surface, like a grassy surface that's a little pliable, instead of concrete or another harder surface that won't give. Stand with your arms out in front of you. Keep your feet about hip distance apart and look straight ahead of you, in front of the tips of your fingers. Your hands should be about parallel to the ground when they're in front of you. Keep your back straight, with a slight bend in your knees, preparing to lower yourself down. You can also start in the true starting position, with your arms raised over your head, by your ears, before you move them down to be parallel to the ground before you swing them up again. Get in a sitting position while starting to swing your arms over your head. Now, you can bend those knees further, as if you were lowering yourself into a chair. Place those knees directly over your feet to help yourself generate some momentum. As you do this, you should swing your arms over your head to help generate momentum as you swing backward. It can be helpful to practice the first two poses so you get the logistics down before you to try jump right in to the back handspring. It's important to start with a strong foundation, so you're generating enough momentum and maintaining proper form throughout the back handspring. Continue swinging your arms over your head as you push through your toes. Now, let your arms swing until they reach over your head while pushing through your toes to give yourself that extra upward momentum. You should lean your arms back as far as they will go; there's no need to worry about landing your arms right near the place where your feet stood, because you'll have to fall back a bit. As you swing your arms up, you should make sure to keep them by your ears. Make sure to tighten your shoulder and arm muscles and raise your head back between your arms. Continue to fall backwards. As you do this, make sure you don't arch your back too much — there should be at least 2 feet (0.6 m) between the place where you start and the place where you land your hands. If you land those hands too close to your feet, then you will risk injuring yourself. Arching your back too much is known as undercutting and it could cause you to sprain your back when you land. Your legs should continue to drive you backward and upward at the same time. Extend through your ankles while pointing your toes. Continue to keep your head between your arms as you get closer to the floor. Plant your hands on the floor. As you finish falling backwards with an arched back, you should keep your arms straight and even with your head so your arms touch the floor, instead of your head. The momentum in your legs, along with that of your lower body, should carry you over. Keep your fingers pointing away and up from your face, with your palms staying flat on the ground, on either side of your head. When you plant your hands on the floor, don't put all of your pressure into your wrists. Instead, use the pads of your fingers and your palms for support. Otherwise, you risk injuring your wrists. At this point, your legs may still be out in front of you, but your body will soon be almost straight, in a handstand-position. Swing your legs over your hands. Now, you'll find yourself in what is essentially the handstand position for a second. You should swing your legs over your head so that they are straight up in the air, in a handstand position, as they continue to swing downwards. Though you won't actually “hold” the position because the back handspring is a continuous motion, your body will be in this position briefly as you move toward finishing the back handspring. Keep your feet together or as close together as they can be, and keep your shoulders strong to support your body weight. You shouldn't lock your knees, but work to keep your legs as straight as possible. Plant your feet on the floor. Your legs should swing over your arms and torso and all the way down to the floor. Make sure to snap them firmly down to the floor while your upper body remains straight as it begins to shift upward. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart, with your toes pointing straight in front of you, just in the same position that you started in. You'll land with your knees slightly bent and will straighten out as you finish the move. As your feet drift toward the floor, your upper body should prepare to pop upward. You'll literally “spring” up as your feet hit the floor. Your arms and upper body should move upward just as your feet hit the floor. Pop up. As you land, pop your body up and swing your arms straight in front of you, and then up over your head, in order to strike the finishing pose with your arms up over your head, and your feet touching with your back straight. Though your first back handspring may not be exactly what you were hoping for, with practice, you'll be able to execute it as well as you can. Keep practicing. It takes lots of practice to get the back handspring down. Once you're comfortable enough doing the back handspring without a spotter, you can practice at home on your own, with a comfortable surface. You can work on getting the timing down, so you can reach your arms over your head and fall backwards without enough momentum to “spring” forward to execute the move. Aim to do a dozen back handsprings a day and you'll be able to master the technique. One common problem with the back handspring is falling backwards to one side. Make sure your feet and arms are parallel so you don't fall to the left or right and end up with an uneven back handspring. Remember to arch your back, but not too much. Another common problem with the back handspring is that you'll arch your back so much that you'll end up finishing almost where you started, creating a move that looks almost like a back flip, and risking injury. You may also have trouble generating enough momentum to do a back handspring on your own. If that's the case, you may want to practice doing a round-off backhandspring so you have enough momentum to spring upward.

Get a spotter. Stretch well. Use a padded surface. Stand with your arms out in front of you. Get in a sitting position while starting to swing your arms over your head. Continue swinging your arms over your head as you push through your toes. Continue to fall backwards. Plant your hands on the floor. Swing your legs over your hands. Plant your feet on the floor. Pop up. Keep practicing.

https://www.wikihow.com/Bottle-Feed-an-Orphaned-Fawn

How to Bottle Feed an Orphaned Fawn

If you need to bottle-feed an orphaned fawn, pour warm goat's milk or wildlife milk replacer into a water bottle and attach a goat or lamb bottle-feeding nipple. Use 2-4 fl oz for a fawn that's knee-high or 4-6 oz if it's waist-high, and give it a bottle every 3-4 hours. However, keep in mind that in most cases, you should leave a fawn alone, since its mother is likely hiding nearby. If you're sure the fawn is orphaned, call a wildlife rehabilitator, and only attempt to bottle-feed it if the rehabilitator tells you to.

Leave a healthy-looking fawn alone unless you’re sure it needs help. Just because you see a fawn by itself at the edge of the woods, that does not mean it's an orphan that needs your help. In most cases, the fawn's mother is likely hiding nearby, and you'll do more harm than good by trying to provide unnecessary assistance. If you know the fawn's mother is deceased—for instance, because you see its body nearby—or the fawn is visibly injured or very frail-looking, then you can assume it is an orphan in need. If you're not sure, and you're able to observe the fawn, keep an eye on it regularly for at least 6 hours. If you never see the mother during this time, it's increasingly likely that the fawn is an orphan. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator before taking action. Unless the fawn is in immediate danger, take a few minutes to get in touch with a professional wildlife rehabilitator before you do anything. They can guide you through the best way to respond (or not respond), and may ask for you to wait for them to arrive. To find a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, call your government's department for the environment, natural resources, and/or wildlife, or use websites such as https://ahnow.org/#/ and http://wildliferehabinfo.org/index.htm. If the fawn is standing on a busy roadway, for example, take action before calling the wildlife rehabilitator. Use a heavy blanket to transport the fawn to a safe, warm location. If the wildlife rehabilitator advises you to leave the fawn in place, do so. Otherwise, wrap a heavy blanket over the fawn's shoulders and legs and carefully pick it up. Even small fawns can pack a powerful kick, so hold it securely! If you're near home, for example, you might carry it to your garage. It's not advisable to put a fawn into a vehicle unless: you have no other way to get it to an animal rehabilitator, the rehabilitator recommends it, and your vehicle has ample space inside. Pick up the feeding supplies you’ll need. Don't try to use baby bottles, and especially not cow's milk, to feed a fawn. And don't try to bottle-feed the fawn at all unless specifically directed to do so by the wildlife rehabilitator. You'll need the following supplies, many of which you're most likely to find at a feed store or other retailer that services the farming industry: Goat/lamb bottle-feeding nipples, which usually will fit onto plastic water bottles (if not, get feeding bottles as well). Goat or wildlife milk replacer (which you add to water), or goat's milk. Do not use cow's milk. Pediatric electrolyte drink (e.g., Pedialyte) for dehydration in children (you can get this at any drugstore or grocery store). Add 2–4  fl oz (59–118 ml) of a pediatric electrolyte drink to a bottle. If, when the fawn is standing, its shoulder is roughly even with your knee, it will likely drink this amount per feeding. If it's an older, larger fawn (up to around your waist), increase the amount to 4–6  fl oz (120–180 ml). A wildlife rehabilitator--who you should contact before offering any care--will probably tell you to provide electrolytes for hydration before giving the fawn any milk. If they give you different advice, however, trust their expertise and follow their directions. Use an empty, clean water bottle, soda bottle, or similar bottle that a goat/lamb feeding nipple fits onto. Any flavor of pediatric electrolyte drink will work. Warm the bottle until the drink is roughly body temperature. Place the filled bottle into a mug or bowl of hot tap water for 5-10 minutes, until the liquid inside the bottle is approximately 98–100 °F (37–38 °C). You don't have to precisely measure the temperature, though—if the bottle feels warm to the touch but isn't uncomfortable to hold, it should be fine for feeding. Don't place the bottle in boiling or near-boiling water to heat it faster, as this can damage the nutrients in whatever liquid is inside—in this case, pediatric electrolyte solution, but also goat's milk or milk replacer. Dribble some liquid on the fawn’s lips to encourage it to drink. Face the fawn and bring the bottle down at an angle from above. Touch the bottle nipple to its lips and squeeze gently to drip some of the liquid between the lips. This usually spurs the fawn to latch on to the nipple and start sucking. If the fawn is too weak to feed or otherwise refuses, let the wildlife rehabilitator know. Hold the bottle high so the fawn has to look up to drink. Keep the bottle raised up so the fawn has to extend its neck and mouth to reach it. This might appear uncomfortable, but it's the natural feeding position for a fawn. Allow it to feed until the bottle is empty or it loses interest in continuing. Pinch the skin between the fawn’s shoulder blades to check for hydration. About 1 hour after giving it the first bottle of pediatric electrolyte drink, use 2 fingers to pinch the skin between its shoulder blades. If the skin drops immediately when you let go, the fawn is adequately hydrated. If the skin remains pinched up briefly after you let go, the fawn is still dehydrated. This is called a “skin turgor” test and is useful in checking for dehydration in many kinds of animals. Conduct this test only if advised to do so by the wildlife rehabilitator. If they'll be arriving soon to evaluate the deer, they may want to conduct the test. Give additional electrolyte bottles if directed by the wildlife rehabilitator. Based on the results of the "skin turgor" test, the wildlife rehabilitator may request that you give the fawn one or more additional bottles of pediatric electrolyte solution. If so, you'll likely be advised to give a bottle every 1-2 hours, and to conduct the skin turgor test in between each bottle. Once the fawn is adequately hydrated (based on the skin turgor test), the wildlife rehabilitator may ask you to start feeding the fawn goat's milk or a milk replacer. Warm 2–4  fl oz (59–118 ml) of goat’s milk or milk replacer in the bottle. If you're using goat's milk, just pour it into the bottle. With milk replacer, you'll need to measure and add the powder to the amount of water in the bottle, screw on the goat/lamb nipple and pinch it shut, then shake the bottle vigorously to combine. Warm the bottle contents to body temperature by placing the bottle in a bowl of hot tap water. Hold the bottle in your hand to estimate when it reaches body temperature (a precise measurement isn't necessary). Use 2–4  fl oz (59–118 ml) for a knee-high fawn (based on its shoulder height when standing), and 4–6  fl oz (120–180 ml) for a waist-high fawn. Don't start giving a fawn milk unless expressly requested to do so by a wildlife rehabilitator. In most cases, they'll either advise not to offer anything by a bottle or to start with a pediatric electrolyte drink. Feed the fawn a full bottle every 3-4 hours. Fawns typically need to feed 6-7 times per day, so plan on spacing out feedings every 3-4 hours until the wildlife rehabilitator arrives. Approach the fawn from the front and above, dribble some of the milk between its lips so it latches on to the nipple, and hold the bottle high as it drinks. Make sure you're keeping the bottle elevated so the fawn has to stretch its neck and head to reach it—this replicates feeding from its mother. If the fawn bleats for more milk right after a feeding or between feeding times, ignore it—fawns will drink until they make themselves ill if permitted to do so. Stimulate the fawn's bowels while feeding it, if necessary. Fawns often need help stimulating urination and defecation. If it's not urinating or defecating during or after feedings, put on rubber gloves and gently rub a baby wipe (or damp cloth you don't mind ruining) over its anus and genitals. A bowel movement will typically follow soon after. This maneuver replicates the bowel stimulation the mother achieves through licking. If the fawn still isn't defecating and urinating, or if it has diarrhea, contact the wildlife rehabilitator again. Limit bonding by feeding fawns in groups, if possible. Every time you feed a fawn, it will bond with you a little more and become less able to successfully return to the wild. If you happen to have more than one fawn that needs care, feeding them simultaneously—feeding 2 at a time with a bottle in each hand, for instance—will slow down the bonding process. Think very carefully before deciding you want the fawn to bond with you and become your pet. Keeping a wild deer as a pet may be illegal where you live, and raising a fawn to adulthood requires a great deal of effort and about $500 USD in expenses.

Leave a healthy-looking fawn alone unless you’re sure it needs help. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator before taking action. Use a heavy blanket to transport the fawn to a safe, warm location. Pick up the feeding supplies you’ll need. Add 2–4  fl oz (59–118 ml) of a pediatric electrolyte drink to a bottle. Warm the bottle until the drink is roughly body temperature. Dribble some liquid on the fawn’s lips to encourage it to drink. Hold the bottle high so the fawn has to look up to drink. Pinch the skin between the fawn’s shoulder blades to check for hydration. Give additional electrolyte bottles if directed by the wildlife rehabilitator. Warm 2–4  fl oz (59–118 ml) of goat’s milk or milk replacer in the bottle. Feed the fawn a full bottle every 3-4 hours. Stimulate the fawn's bowels while feeding it, if necessary. Limit bonding by feeding fawns in groups, if possible.

https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Busy-Even-when-You%27re-Not

How to Look Busy Even when You're Not

If you need to look busy even when you're not, there are a few tricks you can try. Write some notes on a notepad to help you look busy. Try to make your writing a bit hard to read so people won't know what you're writing about if they glance over. If no one can see your monitor, you can also do something on your computer like checking your emails or searching for a file. Alternatively, stare at a screen or page so it looks like you're reading or thinking about your work. Another thing you can do to seem busy is tidy up any papers and stationary on your desk. Even if you're just moving the things around, it'll look like your busy to other people.

Take some notes. Jotting down things on a notepad or sticky note can make you look busy in almost any situation. It helps to keep your writing just a bit hard to read, so people don't know what you're actually writing without looking closely at it. Of course, what you're writing doesn't need to be on task. Write a grocery list or the next great novel. Stare at the board or screen. Even if your mind isn't on what's going on in a class or meeting, keep your eyes focused on the board or screen. That way, it at least seems like you're paying attention, even if your mind is thousands of miles away. Try doodling. Doodling can make you look like you're taking notes. In fact, some people believe doodling helps you listen better. Try to keep your doodling small and off to the side so people don't actually catch you at it. Keep an eye out. If someone is coming by, turn to a page with text instead. Play around on your computer. One key to looking busy is just to keep moving. That can mean messing around on your computer, for instance. You can just be playing around, as long as you can hide the screen from others' view. If you do play on your computer, though, make sure that your company doesn't take screenshots, which could get you fired if you're not working when you should be. Similarly, if you're at school, you can get in trouble for not being on task. Also, make sure no one can walk up behind you and see what you're doing. It helps to have a work document open that you can easily flip to. Pretend to move around the office or room. You can also move around the room or even an office. Try going over to the copier, for instance, and pretending to punch buttons. You can also pretend to look for something, such as trying to find your shoes in your house. You can also do things like shuffle shirts around in a store. Start cleaning. If you're just looking for something to do, cleaning your space can make it look like you're actually doing something. Even if you're just rummaging around, and you are at least doing something sort of productive. Pretend ignorance while doing something else. For instance, if someone asks you if you saw something that needed doing, you can act like you didn't notice. However, you must be engaged in something else, such as watching television, taking "notes," or reading a book; that way, it's easy to pretend you didn't notice the task that needed doing. Take up a task you actually enjoy. If you are trying to get out of something you don't like doing, such as washing dishes, do something else beneficial that you do like. For example, volunteer to cook dinner so that someone else has to clean up. Try a faux-work site. Some gaming sites have games that make it actually look like you're working. You can pass the time by playing games, and if anyone glances at your computer, they'll just assume it's work-related. For instance, these sites will have games that look like a spreadsheet. That way, you can goof off, and if anyone looks at the screen, it just looks like you're working on a spreadsheet. Hop on the phone. You don't actually have to be talking to anyone. However, if you hold your phone up to your ear and pretend to be talking or listening to someone, people will assume you're busy. Have an answer ready. When someone asks what you're doing, you should have a quick reply. If someone asks you what you have on your plate, don't answer with "Not a lot." To seem busy, you have to be on the ball. Answer with a concrete but vague answer, such as "I'm working on a report." Try the book-in-a-book trick. If you're supposed to be reading a textbook or a training manual, you should definitely have that book out. However, you can try slipping something more interesting inside, such as another book or even a phone. Just be sure to keep an eye out for people who may notice what you're doing. Stay out of eyesight in groups. One key to looking busy is to make sure you're seen as little as possible. That means sitting in the back of a meeting room or classroom, for instance, at an angle from the front. If your boss or teacher can't see you very often, then they're less likely to call you out for not working. Go to another room or space. If you really want to curl up somewhere and read a book, don't do it in front of the person who wants you to be productive. Stick to an out-of-the-way corner where they are less likely to come across you. Hide behind "work" or "homework. " If someone is trying to get you to do something, the perfect cover up is having other work to do. Have your work out like you're actually doing it, but you can be doodling or catching up on Facebook instead.

Take some notes. Stare at the board or screen. Try doodling. Play around on your computer. Pretend to move around the office or room. Start cleaning. Pretend ignorance while doing something else. Take up a task you actually enjoy. Try a faux-work site. Hop on the phone. Have an answer ready. Try the book-in-a-book trick. Stay out of eyesight in groups. Go to another room or space. Hide behind "work" or "homework.

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Web-Developer

How to Become a Web Developer

If you're interested in becoming a web developer, hone your computer programming skills and master programming languages such as HTML or Python. Because web design is a demanding career, work on expanding your interpersonal skills by learning to deal with difficult clients. For schooling, choose courses in programming, web design, database management, networking, and mathematics. Then, enroll in internships to gain experience in your field.

Know what employers are looking for. Most companies wishing to hire a web developer will advertise for a person who has several qualifications. Many employers will want a web developer to hold a Bachelors degree in computer science. Computer science degrees prepare an individual by teaching them the skills needed for web development: programming, web design, database management, networking, and mathematics. In lieu of getting a degree, many web developers hold professional certifications. You can obtain these from community colleges, continuing education services, and several technology companies. For example, Microsoft offers a web development training course that requires you to pass an exam and hold 2-3 years of work experience. While having a degree or certification is most desirable, there are many freelance web developers in the market who are building successful business. Understand what computer skills you need to become a web developer. Being able to design a basic website is the bare minimum you will need to be able to do. You need to know how the web works and how to program. There are many different programming languages that a good web developer should have knowledge of. You will need to know how to code in different programming languages and when to use them. New programming languages and interfaces are appearing everyday. You need to keep up with the trends in technology to move forward in this field. You will need to know some basic aspects of design: color theory, grid blocking, fonts etc. While your job isn't primarily to design graphics, you should know how to make a website or app look attractive and be user friendly at the same time. Understand that web development is a very demanding career. You will need to have the interpersonal skills to relate to clients as well as to handle stress and a busy work environment. Interpersonal skills are a very important aspect of the field of web development. You will be interfacing with clients, co-workers and companies on a daily basis. Knowing how to handle a person who is impatient or who doesn't understand technology is essential. You may be dealing with difficult clients or people who need some extra help in learning how to use the technology you are developing. You will also need stress management and time management skills. Being a web developer is very demanding. You may be working on several projects at a time and have hard deadlines. Understand the purpose and function of programming languages and platforms. Without these, the web and other programs wouldn't function properly. Programming languages and platforms are what developers use to create applications, scripts, or other sets of instructions for computers to follow. There are dozens of different programming languages. Each language uses a different platform or program to write scripts, programs, and instructions. Become familiar with HTML. This is one of the simplest and most commonly used programming languages for websites. Most people can learn the basics of HTML in an afternoon using one of the many online tutorials available. HTML is a language that consists of multiple short codes are typed into a text document. It has its own grammar and syntax just like any language. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. Hypertext is the method by which you move around the internet. You click on a link, which is hypertext that directs you from one page to another. When you write in HTML, you will use a series of tags. These tags tell the text what to do: be italicized, link to another page, be a bulleted point etc. When you write HTML in a text file, it is then saved as an html file. This file is then opened by a browser, like Google Chrome or Firefox. Your browser reads the file and translates your code into visual form. That's the website you see. To utilize HTML, you can use a simple text editor or a powerful HTML editing tool like HTML Kit. Other programming languages work similarly, but use different syntax and tags. Other languages are available for more complicated types of webpages. Learn about Java. This is a very commonly used programming language for web developers. The main goal of Java is to allow web developers to write a script or set of instructions for an application. This language allows application writers to "write once, run anywhere". Some popular websites that use this language are Netflix, Edmunds and Zappos. Some of the most popular tools for writing and coding in Java are JSON and CORE. Develop skills using NET/ C#. This is essential if you work on Microsoft based systems. This programming language was created for Microsoft platforms. Popular websites that use this as a development tool are ExactTarget, Comcast, and XBOX. Development tools that will help you write in NET/C# are Flippy, SQL Helper, Imagehandler, and CodeSmith. Other tools that can check your code and help to run your apps more smoothly are FxCop, Regulator, NUnit, and NDoc. Think about learning PHP. This is another language that is especially suited for web development. It is the most commonly used scripting language. This language allows web developers to write quickly. This language is more flexible in its code than others. Facebook, Tumblr, and Wikipedia utilize PHP as their programming language. Some of the top tools for using PHP are Slim.PHP, Secureimage, and Webgrind. Other tools for PHP include, but aren't limited to, Scavenger, PHP DOX, and PHP_Debug. Multiple testers, debuggers, and documenters are available for use with PHP. Consider developing skills in writing C++ code. This language is mostly used for systems programming. This programming language is easy to use and has flexibility in its code. Popular websites that use C++ are JPMorgan Chase, DIRECTTV, and Sony. There are multiple tools that can help you code in C++, such as Doxygen, Graphviz, and Mscgen. Eclipse is another popular tool for using C++. Learn how to code in Python. This is a very popular coding language used by many popular websites. Python is a programming language known for its ease of use that allows developers to quickly create code and integrate systems. This language has programming syntax that is easy to read and follow. This reduces the cost of program maintenance. Some of the websites that you probably use everyday are Python based, such as Google and Youtube. Some of the tools you can try for working with Python are Komodo Edit IDE, PyCharm IDE, and Eclipse with PyDev. Understand the basics of graphics on a webpage. Most web developers don't do their own graphic design, but its important to know the basics. You should know how to crop a graphic, resize it, change color scheme, and add text. There are many different graphic and photo editing apps and programs for you to use. Each has their own interface and methods. While most web developers at larger companies don't do the graphic design for apps and pages, its important to have a good general sense of basic graphic editing. Many web developers will end up doing some basic graphic editing, especially at smaller firms or if they are self-employed. Download free graphic editing software. This will allow you to practice and get oriented with simple graphic editing. Free editing software suites such as GIMP and Inkscape are available for download. There are number of online tutorial for GIMP and Inkscape. These free editing software packages allow you to do the basics of graphic and photo editing. With GIMP and Inkscape you can crop and resize a photo or graphic, add shapes and text, remove red-eye and change the colors of your graphic. Practice adding images to a website. Create a simple website based on a topic you are interested in. Use your HTML coding skills to place simple images and graphics onto the website. Use GIMP or Inkscape to edit the images. Check the website to see how changes in your images affect the way the site looks. You will have to practice and play with options to find out the ways you prefer to edit images. Once you have a client, you should be able to edit images and graphics according to their needs. Plan several websites. This is something that you can show potential clients to demonstrate your skills. You should make several different types of websites: one for displaying images such as artwork or photos and videos, one for a business and another for a blog, hobby, or interest. These types of websites are what you will commonly encounter as a web developer. Create a mock business page including the type of business it is, what products and services are sold, images of potential work, a products and services page, and contact page. Make your own personal website, including what types of programming you are familiar with, your rates, and links to any websites you have worked on or created. This will allow clients to see your work. Build a blog site where users can use an interface to add content. Work with various languages so your potential clients can see what you can work with. Make business cards. Hand them out at events. Make sure you have a link to a personal or business website for your freelance web development. Provide contact information on your card. Provide links to websites you have worked on so potential clients can see your work. Beef up your social media presence. Create a page about your business and what kinds of web development you specialize in. Just like a business website, this is a very important step in getting business for yourself. Try making a Facebook page for your business, and include what types of programming you can do, your rates for services, and your contact information. Create a Twitter account and give updates and links to sites you are working on. Make sure you have a Google + page or blog about what you are working on and doing with web development. Use LinkedIn to communicate with other industry professionals. Advertise online and in newspapers. Once you are comfortable with doing a wide range of web development services, you should advertise widely. Make an ad on Craigslist under the Services page for your area. Make sure to include links to sites you have worked on and some contact information. Try taking an ad out in local newspapers and magazines. This might get your business some local development from local social groups, charities, and business owners looking to build or improve their websites. Prepare and update your curriculum vitae or resume. Include any experience, even voluntary, that you have designing and programming for websites or apps. It is important that you are honest when developing your CV. Don't include false experience or exaggerate. Steer clear of industry jargon and buzzwords. Present clearly what your experience is with out using words such as "synergy" or "creative". Include testimonials of your work and links to code or websites you have developed. Have a friend or colleague review your CV before you apply to jobs. Put your CV online after it has been completed or updated. Try using sites like LinkedIn or Career 2.0. Ask any industry connections you have to look at your CV to see if they know of any opportunities. Put some of the code you have written online. An online presence for a web developer is vital to a successful career. Put out a side project onto collaborative sites like GitHub. Contribute to open sourced projects on GitHub and similar websites. A prospective employer who sees that a candidate works with others on a web project in their spare time will be an attractive potential employee. Put your highest quality code on your online profiles. Once you have written some code or contributed to a project, you can put this on your CV. You could also start a blog about projects you are working on or trends in web development. Put a link to this on you CV. Potential employers will often look to see if a candidate is keeping up to date on trends and projects in the field. Research tech companies. Especially if you are contacted by a recruiter or have applied to a specific job, it is important to know the ins and outs of a company. Know how long a company has been in operation. Make sure you understand the goals and mission of the company. Become familiar with the companies products or services. A potential employer won't want to interview someone who clearly does not know what his company does or how they operate. Spend time on technical tests. Many companies will want you to take a technical competency test before or after an interview. Take this seriously, even if the task seems trivial. Companies will want to see if you can code in a particular language or develop a specific type of website. Put as much effort into the exam as you can. You will want to make sure you don't have any errors in your code and that it compiles correctly. Use an online test to deploy your code for the test. This will show a potential employer that you know how to deploy code you have written. Go to any interviews prepared. Do some of your own research about the company climate. You should try to deduce what the company dress code is, the hours required, and if you will need to travel. Arrive 15 minutes early for an interview. This will show you are punctual and have time management skills. Prepare several questions of your own to ask an interviewer. You should ask questions about the work environment, company culture, what types of projects you will be expected to work on etc. Going to an interview with questions about the job is a good indicator to an employer that you have thought carefully about the interview and the job. Avoid common interview pitfalls. Don't ask about salary or badmouth past employers and colleagues. Don't exaggerate your experience when asked about projects you have worked on.

Know what employers are looking for. Understand what computer skills you need to become a web developer. Understand that web development is a very demanding career. Understand the purpose and function of programming languages and platforms. Become familiar with HTML. Learn about Java. Develop skills using NET/ C#. Think about learning PHP. Consider developing skills in writing C++ code. Learn how to code in Python. Understand the basics of graphics on a webpage. Download free graphic editing software. Practice adding images to a website. Plan several websites. Make business cards. Beef up your social media presence. Advertise online and in newspapers. Prepare and update your curriculum vitae or resume. Put some of the code you have written online. Research tech companies. Spend time on technical tests. Go to any interviews prepared.

https://www.wikihow.life/Load-a-Dishwasher

How to Load a Dishwasher

To properly load a dishwasher, insert plates in the slots on the bottom rack so that they face towards the center. Place cups, glasses, and bowls in the top rack at an angle. Any plastic items should also be placed on the top rack so they don't melt, since the heating element in most dishwashers is on the bottom. Cutlery should go handle-down in the basket, and if you have room, you can place pots and pans in the bottom rack, but do not overcrowd the dishwasher. Fill the soap container with dishwasher detergent, then close the door and turn on the machine.

Insert the plates into the slots in the bottom section of the dishwasher. Face them toward the center and, if they lean at all, lean them inwards and downwards. This is because the tubes, jets and rotating devices spray water outward from the center; down and outward from the top; and, up and outward from the bottom of the dishwasher. Try to keep all surfaces separated and accessible to the stream of water from the sprayers. Place the cups, glasses, and bowls at an angle so that they get water from below but don't take up too much room. Stack the bowls neatly on an incline, so that the washing solution can reach inside the bowl and so that they will drain. This also allows you to fill in more space. Place Tupperware and all other plastic items on the top rack. Because the heating element in most dishwashers is on the bottom, placing plastic items in the bottom rack could cause them to melt or warp. Place the various pots and pans open-side down in the bottom section of the dishwasher. Do not crowd or overload the dishwasher. If necessary, hand wash large items or run the dishwasher a second time. Load the cutlery basket handle-down, separating pieces as much as possible. Place knives, forks and spoons in the cutlery basket, handle down. In general, dangerous or sharp knives should be washed by hand, as they dull in the dishwasher. Any wood handled or wood utensils should not go in the dishwasher. Distribute the cutlery loosely, and position the soiled surfaces of the spoons and forks apart so that the water can reach them. Separation is key. Long pieces of cutlery can block the spray from tubes, nozzles and rotating devices. These items should be laid down in the upper basket. Lay larger serving utensils in the top section of the dishwasher. Arrange serving spoons with the bowl facing down so that water does not collect in them. Place cutting boards and large trays on the very outside of the bottom section of the dishwasher if they will not fit in the slots designated for plates. It may be better to just hand wash your cutting boards though as the heat from the dishwasher often warps cutting boards. Use the plastic safety rack on the top shelf to hold wine glasses. If you have a plastic, mesh-like piece that folds up and down on the top rack, this is likely meant to hold onto wine-glass stems. This is a great way to keep fragile pieces from getting scratched or cracked. Check that spinning arms and rotating devices spin freely and that there is nothing obstructing tubes or sprayers before each run. Also, make sure that the detergent cups can open fully. If any of these things are obstructed or blocked, it will make it much harder to get a good wash. Fill the soap container on the bottom section of the dishwasher or the dishwasher door with powdered dishwasher detergent. Fill to the designated line.If you use pellet-style detergent, simply use one pellet by placing it on the bottom edge of the dishwasher door before closing, Depending upon the temperature of the water and the length of the washing cycle, some of the wraps from the pellet bag may not completely dissolve which eventually plugs the drain. For this reason, some dishwasher manufacturers may not recommend the use of pelletized soap. Fill the soap container on the door of the dishwasher first if you have two. It is timed to open after the dishwasher does some pre-rinsing to soften up the dirt on its own. Only fill the second soap well if you have had issues with cleaning before, or you know a load is particularly dirty. Scrape the large food items off of dishes and into the trash or garbage disposal. Remove things like bones, corncobs, seeds, and peelings, etc. Anything thick and caked on should be removed, but even smaller particles, like grains of rice, may or may not come off in your dishwasher. While you don't want to wash your dishes, wiping off with a dirty fork or napkin will lead to much better results later. Pre-rinse, but only if it is necessary. Most dishwashers and dishwasher detergents actually do a better job if they have something to remove. If your dishes aren't coming out clean, though, it might be best to use a quick spritz of water before the food hardens onto the dishes. Learn what foods generally come off and what does not as you use your dishwasher. Proteins such as eggs and cheese; cooked- or baked-on foods; and starches that have dried onto the dish often require extra attention. A light pre-wash and scrub can make your dishwasher much more effective. You could also soak the plates in the sink before starting the dishwasher. Use a rinse agent, or a "pre-wash" fluid to prevent water streaks and get shinier dishes. This will help to reduce water spots, especially if you have hard water. The rinse aid may not need refilling every time you run the dishwasher, but do top it off every couple of weeks to a month, or according to the instruction manual. You can replace commercial rinse aid with white vinegar in a pinch, with little difference in quality. Some dishwasher detergent has rinse aid in it. Read the label. If you have a water softener, or if your water is reasonably soft to begin with, you may find that rinse aid is unnecessary. Run the garbage disposal before running your dishwasher. Dishwashers often drain into the same pipe as the sink, so it's important that the pipe is clear. If you don't have a garbage disposal, use a strainer in the sink drain to stop crumbs and debris from accumulating in the pipe. Know that you can use cold water if your detergent is "Phosphate free. "' Modern dishwashing detergent actually eliminated dangerous phosphates, replacing them with enzymes that react at any water temperature. This saves you energy and money. Run hot water into your sink until the water coming out of the tap is hot before starting the dishwasher. Dishwashers can heat up the water somewhat, but they usually work best when the water starts hot. If water is scarce, run the water into a container and use it to water plants or other purposes. Don't overcrowd the dishwasher, as it traps food on your dishes. You should never be stacking things, or forcing everything into weird angles. Load the dishwasher up so that it is snugly packed, but not terribly crowded. Note any issues if you end up with a "bad wash." Did you overcrowd the trays and prevent anything from getting the best clean?

Insert the plates into the slots in the bottom section of the dishwasher. Place the cups, glasses, and bowls at an angle so that they get water from below but don't take up too much room. Place Tupperware and all other plastic items on the top rack. Place the various pots and pans open-side down in the bottom section of the dishwasher. Load the cutlery basket handle-down, separating pieces as much as possible. Place cutting boards and large trays on the very outside of the bottom section of the dishwasher if they will not fit in the slots designated for plates. Use the plastic safety rack on the top shelf to hold wine glasses. Check that spinning arms and rotating devices spin freely and that there is nothing obstructing tubes or sprayers before each run. Fill the soap container on the bottom section of the dishwasher or the dishwasher door with powdered dishwasher detergent. Scrape the large food items off of dishes and into the trash or garbage disposal. Learn what foods generally come off and what does not as you use your dishwasher. Use a rinse agent, or a "pre-wash" fluid to prevent water streaks and get shinier dishes. Run the garbage disposal before running your dishwasher. Know that you can use cold water if your detergent is "Phosphate free. Run hot water into your sink until the water coming out of the tap is hot before starting the dishwasher. Don't overcrowd the dishwasher, as it traps food on your dishes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Fight-with-a-Bo-Staff

How to Fight with a Bo Staff

Learning to fight with a Bo staff is a fun hobby and method of self-defense. When you start off, don't worry about practicing fancy tricks. Just swing the staff however feels comfortable to you so you can learn its balance. After a few days, move onto some basic strikes. Try striking diagonally down towards your left and right. You can also stab straight in front of you with the staff. Step into each strike to add more power. When you practice parrying strikes, step to the side to help you maintain your balance.

Find a good staff for you - or make your own. Get the balance. You should try just swinging it in as many ways as possible for two or three days (one hour per day) To get the feel of your weapon, you need to be aggressive. Start with basic moves. The strike is the primary and most useful move. Practice the basic strikes, which are,diagonally towards southwest, and southeast.The 'stab' is the most useful move as it is harder to defend. Practice slowly until you perfect your moves, and then do them more quickly. As Bruce Lee said, "I don't fear the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." Devise your own combos. It should come easily as you familiarize with your staff. Also, try to imagine yourself defending those combos. Add some moves which would make it harder to stop. A little twist here, a slight flick there could make a lot of difference. Build your fitness. Try some arm exercises which would lend your arm more strength. Add power to your strikes. Exercise daily. Work on your footwork. More fight is in your legs than the weapon. Practice footing to add force to your blows. Move forward as you strike, and sideways as you parry. Moving backwards is almost always a disadvantage. Stay away from rotations, turning your back on your opponent, even for the fraction of a second, is not a good idea. Start with basic steps. The basic steps are the same as those for training by yourselves. You should be able to handle your weapon before you start sparring. Work together on strikes and blocks. One can strike and the other can block. This is no good unless the moves are mixed up. Repeating the same move does no good but to damage your bo staff. Compete in speed, not in sparring. Try to see who finishes a combo faster, or who works through an obstacle course first. Learn from your partner. Spar together. Spar for fixed time intervals, with safety rules, and with true sportsman spirit. Remember, defense is the best attack. Practice. Practice daily, and train hard.

Find a good staff for you - or make your own. Get the balance. Start with basic moves. Devise your own combos. Build your fitness. Work on your footwork. Start with basic steps. Work together on strikes and blocks. Compete in speed, not in sparring. Spar together. Practice.

https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Baby-Weight

How to Lose Baby Weight

To lose baby weight, spend the first 6 weeks regaining some core strength by bracing your stomach muscles when sitting or standing. After the 6 week mark, try making the exercise harder by holding a dumbbell outstretched in front of you while you tighten your core. You can also add some light exercise, such as walking or dancing with your baby. Once you're a few months postpartum, you can aim for 30 minutes of more intense activity several times a week, like biking, running, swimming, yoga, or aerobics classes.

Take it slowly. For the first six weeks after giving birth, you shouldn't try to diet and exercises. Plan to take the weight off gradually over the course of the next year before you return to your pre-baby weight. Celebrities may seem to bounce back to their pre-baby weight after a couple of weeks, but this immediate change is not realistic. In fact, trying to lose the weight right away can be harmful for a number of reasons. You may damage your muscles, which are still weak from giving birth. If you're breastfeeding, restricting calories can affect your milk supply. After giving birth, you need plenty of energy to keep up with your new baby's needs, and restricting calories or exercising too early will leave you weak and fatigued. Consider the benefits of breastfeeding. While studies are conflicting on whether breastfeeding actually helps women lose baby weight faster, it may help in your individual situation. If you're pumping instead of breastfeeding, you may still reap some of the metabolic benefits, but studies are not conclusive at this point. Do light exercise after six weeks. When you feel ready (and your doctor gives the OK), start taking walks with your baby and doing light exercises at home. Doing heavy workouts at the gym will still be hard on your body, so focus on exercises that feel manageable and don't wear you out too much. Find some baby activities that double as amusement for the child and activity for you. This could include pushing the baby around the block in a stroller or dancing around with her in your arms. The simple act of carrying your baby around in a sling or baby backpack can add some extra pounds, increasing the effort you put into walking and providing a novel experience for him. Watch your snack intake. If you're tired, it can be easy to just grab whatever is handy. Instead of reaching for a bag of chips or a pint of ice cream, try something a little more healthy but equally filling. Keep your pantry and refrigerator stocked with nutritious foods so you don't reach for something that can set you back. Fruits, carrot sticks, granola and cereal bars, nuts, wheat crackers, low-fat cheese and yogurt are all relatively easy to prepare but will leave you satisfied. If you take some time to split bulk foods into individual portions ahead of time, that will help when you don't have the energy to prepare something. Sleep when you need to. It may be hard to find time to nap, but this will help reset your body to give you more energy in the daytime and give your body the rest it needs to repair itself, which includes losing pregnancy weight. In addition, sleeping when you're tired helps decrease the amount of cortisol in your blood; this is the stress hormone that can make it harder for you to lose weight. Do heavier workouts. After the first few months, you can go back to your previous workout routine. You may find at first that you've lost fitness; be patient with yourself while you work back up to your pre-baby fitness level. Try cardio exercises like running, swimming, biking or hiking several times per week for half an hour at a time. Do light weight training to gain muscle strength. Take an aerobics class designed specifically for new moms. The instructor will focus on "trouble" areas to help you get back to your pre-pregnancy body. Take a post-pregnancy yoga class to improve your muscle tone. Locate a support group for new moms. This could be a "mommy and me" type class or just a fun group of ladies in your town who lean on each other for support. These women can help you stay motivated and focused on your goal of losing baby weight. Do the right abdominal exercises. During pregnancy, the outer muscles in your abdomen stretch to make room for the growing baby. After the baby is born, those muscles can stay stretched and separated, giving your stomach a pouched appearance. To get the muscles back into shape, use the following techniques: Brace your stomach. Sit or stand up straight with your shoulders back and focus on tightening your stomach muscles and sucking your stomach in. Repeating this exercise throughout the day helps tighten the muscles over time. Make the exercise harder by using a weight. Hold a dumbbell outstretched in front of you while you tighten your stomach muscles. You can even use your baby as a weight. Don't do crunches. Doing crunches can actually cause the muscles to stay separated, since it puts pressure in the wrong place. Avoid foods that make you bloated. You can make your stomach look slimmer by avoiding foods and drinks that cause bloating and make your stomach look distended. Limit the following substances while you're trying to lose baby weight: Salty foods. Salt causes water retention, so stay away from salty snacks like chips and pretzels. Carbonated beverages. Sodas, even plain soda water, causes gas, and can make your belly look bloated. Drink plenty of water. Drinking water will help you lose water weight and flush toxins from your system. You'll look slimmer, and you'll feel more healthy and energetic. If drinking 8 glasses of water a day is tough for you, try getting water by drinking herbal tea and eating whole fruits and vegetables.

Take it slowly. Consider the benefits of breastfeeding. Do light exercise after six weeks. Watch your snack intake. Sleep when you need to. Do heavier workouts. Locate a support group for new moms. Do the right abdominal exercises. Avoid foods that make you bloated. Drink plenty of water.

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Song-on-the-Radio

How to Get Your Song on the Radio

Before you can get your song on the radio, work on creating a press kit that includes a cover letter and a short bio of your band along with your CD or audio file. Make sure to read submission guidelines carefully to understand what format your submission should be in. Then, research local radio stations to find ones that play your genre of music. If you're just starting out, sending your music to college stations or even internet radio stations like Pandora can be a good place to start.

Prepare your music for distribution. Depending on where you're submitting, you will need to be able to send in your music on a physical CD or electronically through a digital format such as MP3. For CD distribution, you usually don't need fancy packaging or elaborate press kits. In fact, many radio stations will request that you not send in materials like this. Some musicians insist that a plain silver CD-R with your name and the song title, accompanied by a track listing in a clear plastic case, is all you need. Whatever packaging you choose, make sure all your information is clear, complete, concise, and correct. You don't want a music director to fall in love with your song only to be unable to figure out who it belongs to! Make your music easily shareable online. Some radio stations may accept email attachments, but more often if they accept electronic submissions they will want a link to an online source for your music. You have many options for digital distribution. If you want your music more publicly available, you can use services such as iTunes, Amazon Music, or Bandcamp. iTunes allows you to sign up to sell your music for free; Amazon Music requires you to use a distributor to sell your music through their Digital Music store. Bandcamp is also free to sign up and is becoming increasingly popular with artists. Examine several options and choose the best for your situation. You can also get your music online by using websites such as YouTube or Vimeo. Read the Terms and Conditions for any website carefully; you want to make sure you keep your copyright and permission to sell your music! Sites such as Soundcloud, Mediafire, and Sendspace operate legal file sharing services that allow music directors to download your music without having to worry about viruses and other safety issues. Compose a press kit. You may or may not be requested to submit a press kit with your music. However, it doesn't hurt to have one ready to go. Most press kits include several basic elements that will help people get to know you quickly. Write a cover letter. This should be addressed to the person to whom you're submitting your music. Include your contact information, any webpages (YouTube, Facebook, website, etc.) that you have, and basic information about your music (genre, themes, etc.). Write a short biography. This should be a short description of you (or your band, if you have one) and your accomplishments so far. You can talk about your influences and interests here, but keep this part story-oriented. Consider it like your introduction to a new friend. Create a "fact sheet." This should include the essential information about you: name, style of music, other artists/bands you are similar to, instrumentation, etc. Determine your radio options. The genre of music you play will help to determine the radio stations that are likely to play your song. For example, public radio stations (such as local National Public Radio affiliates) tend to focus on indie, jazz, and singer-songwriter types. Your local college radio station may be a good choice for music that draws a younger audience, such as rap, hip-hop, and rock. Make sure you send your song to a station that's shown they play that type of music. Research your local stations. You're probably going to need to start small, especially if you haven't signed with a record label yet. College radio stations are excellent places to get your start, because they tend to be open to playing new and less mainstream music. They also tend to be less driven by advertising and business concerns than commercial radio, so they might be more willing to take a chance on your song. However, commercial radio stations may also be interested in your music, especially if you're a local act, so check out the websites for the stations in your area. You can find radio station locators on the internet. These will allow you to search by state, city, or country. Look for titles like "music director," "station manager," "production manager," or "DJ." These are usually the people in charge of receiving, selecting, and playing new music. If you're not sure whom to contact, try calling the station's general information line and asking to be connected to the person in charge of music programming. You can also call in to the station during a specific program: often, DJs answer the phone during their programs and you can ask them about getting your song on air. This works particularly well if you call a show focusing on the genre of music you make. Consider alternative radio. Internet radio is still broadcast radio's younger cousin, but it's another venue for emerging artists. Many internet radio stations allow -- even welcome! -- submissions from musicians who are new on the scene. Pandora allows direct submissions. AmazingRadio.com is another online station that accepts independent and emerging artists. Live365.com will host your music in their Music Library, which will allow their online stations access to it. Make connections. Many DJs and radio stations have social media accounts now. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook and check out their blogs and playlists. You'll have a better chance of personalizing your submission if you know who you're sending your song to. You can also reach out to radio stations and DJs through social media. A tweet to them about your music will get your name out there without seeming overly aggressive. Read guidelines carefully. Submission guidelines vary widely, depending on where you're submitting your music. In general, though, music on CD seems to be the preferred submission method. Few places will accept a digital file sent as an email attachment. If the radio station's website provides specific guidelines, follow them! Nothing will turn off staff faster than you not following their directions. Many stations will discard music without listening to it if it isn't submitted properly. If you can't find information about submitting your music online, contact the station with your inquiry directly. Send a short, friendly email explaining who you are, your musical experiences, and what your song is about. If you have a YouTube, Facebook, or other media page, include a link. Don't send any attachments; many places won't open email attachments because of security and virus concerns. Customize your submissions. A personalized submission is far more likely to catch a music director or DJ's eye than a form email that's clearly been sent to 500 other stations. This also goes for physical CD submissions. Whenever possible, customize your submission using people's names (if you can find them) and a brief statement of why you fit in with their station's "feel." Send in your music. Once you've established the guidelines for submitting your music, send it in! Give complete information -- your contact info and the CD's track listing are essential -- but don't send anything that isn't asked for. Wait. It can take days, weeks, or even months for your song to make it into the hands of a music director, especially if you've sent it to a larger station. Don't harass people with calls or emails. Remember, they get many submissions from hopeful artists just like you, and it takes awhile to listen to everything. The radio station may give a time-frame for responding to you. If it's past that time-frame, a friendly email inquiry is appropriate, but try not to sound accusative or angry. A simple email asking if the music director has had time to listen to your submission yet will suffice. Prepare for rejection. It's always awesome when an artist gets a big break, but there are many artists and bands out there and only so much radio space. You may be rejected from the first several stations you contact, and that's okay. Be persistent and patient. Being rejected doesn't mean your music is bad!

Prepare your music for distribution. Make your music easily shareable online. Compose a press kit. Determine your radio options. Research your local stations. Consider alternative radio. Make connections. Read guidelines carefully. Customize your submissions. Send in your music. Wait. Prepare for rejection.

https://www.wikihow.com/Decide-Whether-to-Get-a-Second-Dog

How to Decide Whether to Get a Second Dog

If you're trying to decide whether to get a second dog, consider if you have enough living space to accommodate another pet. Next, take the amount of free time you have into account, since a new dog will require time commitments like training and socializing. Then, think about how your current dog will react. A well-trained, sociable dog might get along great with another dog, but shy or aggressive dogs might not be as welcoming. Finally, if you live with other people, you may want to discuss a second dog with them, since another pet will affect them, too.

Decide if you’re ready to make the time commitment. Dogs are lifelong companions whose care is time-consuming. Even if you're getting a dog to keep your other dog company, it will take significant time to train and socialize your second dog to their new environment. If you're not ready to commit to a new dog in the short-term and for the long-haul, don't get a second pooch. Remember that caring for two dogs will always mean significantly more (not equal or less) time and work than caring for one. Consider your living space. A simple logistical consideration when making your decision is: do you have enough room for another dog? If you live in a cramped urban apartment with no yard, the answer may well be “no.” Be sure that you have space for the additional crate and/or bedding plus plenty of room for both dogs to move around before you get a second dog. Assess your financial situation. Remember that you're not only paying for the dog (which can have a hefty price tag itself) but also for supplies, food, vet bills, and any other necessary expenses. If you aren't sure you can afford it, don't take the risk of getting another dog. Generally, each dog will cost you a minimum of $500-$2,000 a year in food, supplies, and routine vet services, depending on where you live. That does not count any extra or emergency care like grooming, boarding, or emergency vet services. Consider if you have a stable environment. If you've recently undergone a lot of change in your life, such as getting a divorce or relocating to a new town, it might not be the best time to get a new dog. Major changes stress your dog out, so introducing a new dog during them can add to their woes. Wait until things have settled down again before you bring another pet into the mix. Factor in other family members. Think about whether other people in your family want another dog. Consider whether they will help you care for the pup or share the financial expenses. This is a big decision, so be sure to allow input from everyone in your household. Consider if your current dog is lonely. Dogs are social creatures or “pack animals” who crave companionship. If you're away from your dog more than you're with them or if you leave them alone for long periods of time, they're probably lonely and could use more consistent company. Getting a second dog may be a way to alleviate your pet's loneliness. See if your current dog is sociable with other dogs. Just because dogs are social creatures doesn't mean that they necessarily love the companionship of their fellow canines. They may only crave being with their humans. If your dog is habitually indifferent to, wary of, or aggressive towards other dogs, there is every reason to believe that they will act the same or worse towards a new dog in their house. If your pet is one of those dogs that prefers human company, getting another dog will likely only add to their anxiety instead of prevent it. If that's the case, it's best not to get a second dog. Instead, you might address their loneliness by asking a friend or relative to look in on them, hiring a dog walker, or taking them to daycare when you're not around. Take time to notice which types and breeds of dogs that your pet is friendliest with. That will be a good tip-off as to which canines will make the best companions for your sociable dog. Judge how well-trained your current dog is. The better trained your dog is, the easier it will be to introduce a new pet into your home. Besides being able to moderate your first dog's responses, their good behavior will set an example for your second one. Conversely, your current dog's bad habits are likely rub off on the new dog, causing twice the trouble. If your dog exhibits undesirable behaviors, like barking, chewing, or aggression, address them through obedience training before you get another pooch. Assess your current dog’s personality. Besides being sociable, you want to consider the other elements of your pet's personality, like their temperament and energy level. Assessing your current dog's traits is essential to finding a compatible second dog. In terms of their energy level, does your dog have a high, medium, or low energy level? It's best if you pick a second dog with similar levels. You may be able to pair a medium with a high or low, but it's definitely not advisable to choose opposites. In terms of their temperament, are they dominant or submissive, tolerant or excitable? If they tend to bossy with other dogs and protective of you, they're probably on the dominant end of the spectrum. If they are slow to react to sudden movements and sounds and accept the attentions of other people and dogs, they're more tolerant than excitable. Consider your other pets. You should also think about how a new dog will interact with other pets. You may have a cat, a bird, or a reptile in your home as well. Do your other pets get along with dogs? Could your pets hurt each other? Take the time to think about how a new addition will impact the pets you already have. Pick one that’s sociable. Again, they're going to be around another dog all the time, so it's important that your new dog is friendly or at least willing to interact with fellow canines. If a dog seems to fearfully avoid other dogs altogether or aggressively invade their space, it will be much more difficult to socialize them to their new multi-dog home. Keep in mind that a certain amount of aggression between dogs is a normal part of their communication system and doesn't necessarily mean that they're anti-social. However, if a dog's snaps and growls are constant and/or graduating into physical attacks, then you should be wary. Look for a compatible breed. Some breeds are known for being more dog-friendly than others. When you're looking for a second pet, you might consider going for a type of dog that generally works well in a multi-dog homes. Some of the breeds that have been deemed fellow-canine-friendly include: Cocker Spaniels, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Poodles, Boxers, Basset Hounds, and Beagles. Opt for a dog that complements your first. You don't want a dog that's identical to your other pet since that's actually liable to cause conflicts. Instead, look for second dog that offers a compatible counterpoint to your current pet's personality, age, and size. For example, if your dog is more of a dominant personality, it will be easier if you find a companion pet with a submissive one. Don't pair your excitable dog with another jumpy pooch; try to find one that's more tolerant so that they offset each other. You probably don't want two dogs of the exact same size or age since they may be more inclined towards aggression with one another. If they're a different height, weight, and age, they're less likely to feel competitive with one another. However, if there's too big of a gap in age and size, that can also be difficult. You don't want a senior dog who is on their last legs paired with a puppy or a Chihuahua paired with a Saint Bernard who could accidentally hurt your lapdog through even the most innocent play. Consider getting a dog of the opposite sex. Dogs of opposite sexes tend to get along better and feel less competitive with one another, especially if both are neutered or spayed. If you already have a male, consider a female; if you have a female, consider getting a male. Test how the dogs behave together. The best way to see if a second dog will be compatible with your first is to make a formal introduction. Take your current dog out on a "parallel walk" with the prospective new dog to see if they get along. You should take them to a “neutral zone” away from your property and keep both dogs on a leash with one person controlling each dog. On this equal footing, allow the two to meet each other, and then walk them side-by-side. Restrain a dog if they exhibit dangerously aggressive behavior, like lunging or biting. Otherwise, leave the leashes slack so that the dogs can easily interact with one another at will. Be sure to praise both dogs consistently and equally as you go to put them at ease. As another test, you can have both dogs sit at the same time and take turns giving each treats to see how they react. It's best if they can both demonstrate self-control and attention to your commands even when they're in each other's company. If the dogs are consistently aggressive towards one another, they're not a good match. A bit of nervousness or excitement is understandable, but be wary if one or both of them is unable to settle down or relax over the course of the walk. Confirm the return policy. It's always a good thing to have with any new pet, but it's especially necessary when you're getting a second dog. If no amount of thoughtful training can make them get along with your first pooch, you will won't be able to keep them. Reputable breeders and shelters will offer you a return policy to ensure what's best for the dog.

Decide if you’re ready to make the time commitment. Consider your living space. Assess your financial situation. Consider if you have a stable environment. Factor in other family members. Consider if your current dog is lonely. See if your current dog is sociable with other dogs. Judge how well-trained your current dog is. Assess your current dog’s personality. Consider your other pets. Pick one that’s sociable. Look for a compatible breed. Opt for a dog that complements your first. Consider getting a dog of the opposite sex. Test how the dogs behave together. Confirm the return policy.

https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome

How to Deal With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

One way you can deal with carpal tunnel syndrome is by stretching your wrists 3-5 times a day to reduce pressure on your median nerve, which is the primary nerve that allows you to move your wrist. To do this, try placing your palms together and raising your elbows until you feel a stretch in both wrists. You should also try to avoid activities that aggravate the median nerve such as lifting heavy objects or flexing your wrists repeatedly. At work, make sure to position your keyboard and chair height so your wrists and arms are parallel to the floor, which will reduce strain on your wrists.

Avoid compressing your median nerve. The carpal tunnel within the wrist is a narrow passageway made from small carpal bones attached by ligaments. The tunnel protects nerves, blood vessels and tendons. The primary nerve that allows for movement and sensation in your hand is the median nerve. Thus, avoid activities that compress and irritate the median nerve, such as repeatedly flexing your wrists, lifting heavy weights, sleeping with bent wrists and punching solid objects. Make sure to keep your wrist watch and any bracelets loose around your wrists — having them too tight may irritate the median nerve. In most cases of CTS, a single cause is hard to identify. CTS is typically caused by a combination of factors, such as repetitive wrist strain combined with arthritis or diabetes. Wrist anatomy can make a difference — some people have naturally smaller tunnels or oddly shaped carpal bones. Stretch your wrists regularly. Stretching your wrists daily can be helpful for reducing or minimizing CTS symptoms. In particular, extending your wrists helps to make more space for the median nerve within the carpal tunnel because it stretches the surrounding ligaments. The best way to extend / stretch both wrists at the same time is making the "prayer pose." Place your palms together about 6 inches in front of your chest and raise your elbows until you feel a stretch in both wrists. Hold it for 30 seconds and repeat 3-5x per day. Alternatively, grab the fingers of the affected hand and pull back until you feel a stretch in the front of your wrist. Wrist stretches may temporarily trigger more CTS symptoms, such as tingling in the hand, but don't stop them unless you actually feel pain. The symptoms will diminish with time. In addition to hand tingling, other symptoms commonly associated with CTS include: numbness, throbbing pain, muscle weakness and/or color changes (too pale or red). Shake your hands out. If you notice your hand(s) falling asleep or feel achy pain in your wrist / hand, a quick (albeit temporary) fix is to give your hands a good shake for between 10-15 seconds — sort of like you're trying to shake water off your hands in order to dry them. The shaking can help to promote blood circulation and nerve flow within the median nerve and temporarily get rid of symptoms. Depending on what your job is, you may have to resort to shaking your hands out many times throughout the day to keep CTS symptoms at bay. CTS symptoms most often occur (and begin) in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger, which is why people who have the condition often drop things and feel clumsy. The little finger is the only part of the hand not affected by CTS because its not innervated by the median nerve. Wear a special wrist support. Wearing a semi-rigid wrist support, brace or splint during the day can help prevent CTS symptoms because they keep the wrist in a neutral position and prevent it from flexing. Splints or wrist braces should also be worn during potentially aggravating activities, such as typing on a keyboard, carrying groceries, driving and bowling. Wearing wrist supports during sleep can help relieve the occurrence of nighttime symptoms, particularly if you have a habit of tucking in your hands to your body. You may need to wear wrist supports for several weeks (day and night) to get significant relief from CTS symptoms. However, for some, supports only provide negligible benefit. Wearing wrist splints at night is a good idea if you're pregnant and have CTS because pregnancy tends to increase swelling in the hands (and feet). Wrist supports, splints and braces can be bought at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Consider altering your sleep position. Some sleeping postures can definitely aggravate the symptoms of CTS, which leads to reduced amount and quality of sleep. More specifically, sleeping with your fists clenched tightly and/or hands tucked into your body (flexed wrists) is the worst position for triggering CTS symptoms, although extending your arms above your head is not a good position either. Instead, sleep on your back (supine) or sides with your arms close to your body, and keep your hands open and wrists in a neutral position. This will promote normal blood circulation and nerve flow. As noted above, wearing wrist supports while sleeping is helpful for preventing aggravating positioning, but it may take some time to get used to. Don't sleep on your stomach (prone) with your wrists compressed under your pillow. People who have this habit often wake up with numbness and tingling in their hands. Most wrist supports are made of nylon and fasten with velcro, which can irritate your skin. Therefore, cover your support with a sock or thin cloth to reduce skin irritation. Look at your work station closely. In addition to your sleep position, your CTS symptoms may also be caused or aggravated by a poorly designed work station. If your computer keyboard, mouse, desk or chair isn't properly positioned to accommodate your height and body proportions, it can put strain on your wrists, shoulders, neck and mid back. Thus, make sure your keyboard is positioned so your wrists are not constantly extended back while typing. Consider getting an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, which are designed to reduce stress on wrists and hands. Your employer might cover the costs for you. Put thin cushioned pads underneath your keyboard and mouse to reduce the impact on your hands and wrists. Have an occupational therapist review your work station and suggest ergonomic changes tailored to your body. People who work on computers and registers (such as cashiers) for a job are at much higher risk of CTS. Take over-the-counter (OTC) medication. The symptoms of CTS are often related to inflammation / swelling that develop in the wrist, which secondarily irritates the median nerve and nearby blood vessels. Thus, taking OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), can be very helpful for reducing CTS symptoms, at least in the short term. Painkillers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol), can also be used to combat the achy pain of CTS, but they don't impact the inflammation / swelling. NSAIDs and analgesics should be considered short-term strategies for controlling pain. There isn't any evidence that these medications cure or improve CTS in the long run. Taking NSAIDs for too long (or too much at any time) significantly increases your risk of stomach irritation, ulcers and kidney failure. Always read the labels for dosage information. Taking too much acetaminophen or taking it for too can cause liver damage. Make an appointment with your family doctor. If you are experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms in your wrist / hand for more than a few weeks, then make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will exam you and likely take x-rays and a blood test to rule out problems that can mimic CTS, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, stress fracture in the wrist or vascular problems. Electro-diagnostic tests (EMG and nerve conduction) are often done to confirm the diagnosis of CTS by measuring the function of the median nerve. You might be asked to perform specific tasks that are difficult with CTS, such as making a tight fist, pinching your thumb and forefinger together and moving small objects with precision. Your doctor may also inquire about your job as some are high risk for CTS, such as carpenters, cashiers, assembly-line workers, musicians, auto mechanics and people who use computers extensively. See a health professional such as a physical therapist or massage therapist. Physical therapist. Most of the time, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can be treated conservatively. A physical therapist will asses your joints, muscles and ligaments to see the underlying cause of your carpal tunnel symptoms. Treatments may include modalities such as ultrasound for reducing inflammation and promoting healing, exercises to increase flexibility and strengthen the associated muscles, and ergonomic education to assess your workplace or daily activities while providing modifications to reduce any stresses. Massage therapist. In some instances, carpal tunnel syndrome type of symptoms can be associated with Myofascial Pain Syndrome, a condition associated with the presence of trigger points, or more commonly known as muscle knots. Research has shown that trigger points are common in those with carpal tunnel symptoms. In addition, a study found that treatments on these knots have led to improvements. Try corticosteroid injections. Your doctor may recommend injecting a corticosteroid medication (such as cortisone) into your wrist or base of your hand to relieve the pain, inflammation and other symptoms of CTS. Corticosteroids are potent and quick-acting drugs that can decrease swelling in your wrist and relieve pressure on your median nerve(s). Taking oral steroids by mouth are another option, but it's not considered nearly as effective as the injections, plus the side effects are more pronounced. Other common steroid medications used for CTS are prednisolone, dexamethasone and triamcinolone. Possible complications associated with corticosteroid injections include local infection, excessive bleeding, tendon weakening, muscle atrophy and nerve damage. Thus, injections are usually limited to two per year. If steroid injections don't significantly reduce your CTS symptoms, then surgery should be considered. Consider carpal tunnel surgery as a last resort. If all other home remedies and treatments fail to eliminate your CTS symptoms, then your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery should be thought of as a last resort due to the risks of causing more damage, although it can completely relieve symptoms in a decent proportion of patients. The goal of CTS surgery is to relieve pressure on the median nerve by cutting the primary ligament pressing upon it. CTS surgery can be performed in two different ways: endoscopic or open surgery. Endoscopic surgery involves using a thin telescope-like device with a tiny camera on the end (endoscope), which is inserted into your carpal tunnel through an incision in your wrist or hand. The endoscope allows the surgeon to see into the tunnel and cut the problematic ligament. Endoscopic surgery usually results in the least amount of pain and side effects, as well as the quickest recovery. In contrast, open surgery involves a larger incision in your palm and over your wrist in order to cut through the ligament and liberate the median nerve. Surgery risks include: nerve damage, infection and scar tissue formation — all of which can potentially make CTS become worse. Be patient during your recovery. Following the outpatient CTS surgery, you'll be asked to frequently lift your hand above your heart and wiggle your fingers, which helps to reduce swelling and prevent stiffness. Mild pain, inflammation and stiffness in the hand / wrist can be expected post-surgery for up to 6 months, and complete recovery may take a full year. For the initial 2-4 weeks post-surgery, you may be asked to wear a wrist support, although using your hand is encouraged. Most people's CTS symptoms get better after surgery, but recovery is often slow and gradual. Hand strength typically returns to normal about 2 months after surgery. CTS recurs about 10% of the time post-surgery and may require follow-up surgery many months or a few years later.

Avoid compressing your median nerve. Stretch your wrists regularly. Shake your hands out. Wear a special wrist support. Consider altering your sleep position. Look at your work station closely. Take over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Make an appointment with your family doctor. See a health professional such as a physical therapist or massage therapist. Try corticosteroid injections. Consider carpal tunnel surgery as a last resort. Be patient during your recovery.

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Broken-Foot

How to Treat a Broken Foot

If you think you might have a broken foot, take off your shoes and socks and compare both of your feet to see if the injured foot looks discolored, misshapen, or swollen compared to the healthy foot. Notice if there is any pain, bruising, numbness, or skin that feels cold to the touch. If your foot is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound by wrapping it tightly in gauze or cloth. Call for emergency medical services, and lie down with your injured foot elevated above your heart while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Move the patient to a safe location and check for other injuries. If the patient has also suffered a head, neck, or back injury, move him as little as possible and be extremely careful when doing so. Both the safety of the patient and the rescuer are more important than the immediate diagnosis and treatment of the foot injury. Remove the shoes and socks of both feet and check for common symptoms of a broken foot. Compare both feet side by side to check for swelling or any other differences in appearance. The most common symptoms are immediate pain, swelling, and deformity. Other symptoms include: Bruising or tenderness of the foot. Numbness, coldness, or bruising. Large wounds or exposed bones. Increased pain when active, and decreased pain with rest. Difficulty walking or bearing weight. Control any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound, using gauze if possible. If the gauze pad or cloth becomes soaked with blood, do not remove it. Add another layer and continue applying pressure. Call for an ambulance if the patient is in extreme pain, or if the foot exhibits any major symptoms. Some major symptoms are misshapenness, deformity, large cuts or wounds, and severe discoloration of the foot. While the ambulance is on its way, encourage the patient to keep still and stay calm. Keep the patient lying down, with the injured foot elevated higher than the heart. Splint the injured foot if it is not possible to get an ambulance. Immobilize the foot by placing a stick or rolled up newspaper along the inside of the foot from the heel to the big toe and pad it with a cloth. Wrap a belt or another piece of cloth around the splinted foot to secure the splint. If no splint is available, wrap a rolled-up towel or pillow around the foot and tape or tie it on with a bandage. Remember the ultimate goal is to limit motion. Tie the splint or wrap reasonably tightly, but not so tight that circulation is restricted. Ice the injury and continue to elevate the foot to reduce swelling. Put a towel or a sheet between the skin and the ice. Leave the ice on for 15 minutes and then remove it for 15 minutes. The patient should not walk on the injured foot if putting weight on it is painful. If you have crutches around, use them. Recognize your risk factors. Stress fractures are fairly common injuries to the foot and ankle. They're especially common in athletes, because they often result from overuse and repetitive stresses, such as those that long-distance runners endure. Sudden increases in activity can also cause stress fractures. For example, if you're usually fairly sedentary but take a hiking holiday, you might end up with a stress fracture. Osteoporosis and certain other conditions that affect bone strength and density make you more prone to stress fractures. Trying to do too much too soon can cause stress fractures. For example, if you're new to exercise and start trying to run a 10k every week, you could end up with a stress fracture. Watch out for pain. If you feel pain in your foot or ankle that eases when you rest, you may have a stress fracture. If the pain gets worse during normal everyday activities, it's a good sign you have a stress fracture. The pain will also get worse over time. The pain may feel deep inside your foot, toe, or ankle. Pain isn't just weakness leaving your body. If you experience consistent foot pain, especially if it's even during everyday activities or persists when you rest, see your doctor. Ignoring it could lead to worse injury. Look for swelling and tenderness. If you have a stress fracture, you may notice that the top of your foot is swollen and tender to the touch. Swelling may also occur on the outside of the ankle. Sharp pain when you touch an area of your foot or ankle isn't normal. If you experience pain or tenderness when you touch your foot, see your doctor. Examine the area for bruising. Bruises don't always occur with stress fractures, but they can. See a doctor. You may be tempted to "tough it out" with the pain from a stress fracture, but don't. If you do not seek treatment for a stress fracture, it can get worse over time. The bone may even break completely. Trust your doctor's diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may need to run a few non-invasive imaging tests on the injured foot. The most common tests are x-rays, CT (Computerized Tomography) scans, and MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). These techniques allow the doctor to examine the foot for broken bones and monitor the bones as they heal. Follow your doctor's advice for follow-up treatment. In many cases, surgery is not necessary for proper treatment of a broken foot. Often the hospital will put the foot in a hard cast and/or provide crutches to keep the weight off the foot. The doctor will likely advise you to keep the foot elevated and ice the injury to prevent swelling and re-injury. When using crutches, put your weight on your arms and hands. Do not put all your weight on your armpits, which could hurt the nerves that are in your underarms. Follow your doctor's orders! Failure to comply with keeping your weight off the foot is the number one cause of delayed healing and re-injury for fractures. Take any medication as prescribed. You may be advised to take over-the-counter NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflamatory Drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). These will help reduce the pain and swelling associated with the healing process. If you are scheduled to undergo surgery you may need to stop taking medication a week before the surgery takes place. Consult with your doctor or surgeon. Take the smallest dose possible to manage your pain. Stop taking NSAIDs after 10 days to avoid complications. Your doctor may also recommend upping your consumption of calcium and vitamin D, which are both crucial for bone health. Undergo surgery, if recommended by your doctor. For most foot injuries, your doctor will try to give your foot time to heal itself by putting on a cast and limiting your activity. In some cases, though, your injured foot may need a manipulation (known as an ORIF, or open reduction internal fixation) if the broken ends of the bone are misaligned. This involves the movement of the bone into the proper alignment, after which pins are passed through the skin to hold the bone in place while it heals. The healing process for a reduction takes an average of 6 weeks, after which the pins are easily removed. In more severe cases you may need surgery to implant screws or rods to keep the foot in position while it heals. Follow up with an orthopedic doctor or podiatric surgeon. Even if your injury doesn't require surgery, an orthopedic doctor or podiatric surgeon will be able to monitor the healing process. In the event of re-injury or other impairments to the healing process, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment, therapy, or surgery. Go to physical therapy after the cast is removed, as advised by your doctor. You can learn exercises to improve the strength and flexibility in your injured foot and help prevent further injury. Warm up at the beginning of each session. Start with a few minutes of light exercise, such as walking or riding a stationary bike. This will loosen your muscles and get blood flowing. Stretch. Stretching exercises are a key step to restoring flexibility and range of motion. Following your doctor or therapist's recommended exercises, stretch the muscles and tendons in the injured foot. If you feel any pain during stretching, consult your doctor. A good example of a stretch is the towel stretch. Sitting on the floor with one leg straightened, loop a towel around the ball of your foot. Hold on to the ends of the towel and pull the top of your foot towards you. You should feel the stretch in your calf and down into the heel. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, and then rest for 30 seconds. Repeat the exercise 3 times. Perform the appropriate strengthening exercises. When done properly, strength exercises should help return the strength and endurance required for everyday activities to the injured foot. If you experience any pain during these exercises, consult your physical therapist or doctor. An example of a strength exercise is the marble pickup. Sit in a chair with both feet flat on the ground and put 20 marbles on the ground in front of you. Place a bowl near the marbles. Pick up the marbles one by one with your injured foot and place them into the bowl. You should feel the exercise on the top of your foot. Regularly perform the prescribed exercises. It is important to keep up with your physical therapy to help you return to daily activities and reduce your chances of re-injury.

Move the patient to a safe location and check for other injuries. Remove the shoes and socks of both feet and check for common symptoms of a broken foot. Control any bleeding. Call for an ambulance if the patient is in extreme pain, or if the foot exhibits any major symptoms. Splint the injured foot if it is not possible to get an ambulance. Ice the injury and continue to elevate the foot to reduce swelling. Recognize your risk factors. Watch out for pain. Look for swelling and tenderness. Examine the area for bruising. See a doctor. Trust your doctor's diagnosis. Follow your doctor's advice for follow-up treatment. Take any medication as prescribed. Undergo surgery, if recommended by your doctor. Follow up with an orthopedic doctor or podiatric surgeon. Go to physical therapy after the cast is removed, as advised by your doctor. Warm up at the beginning of each session. Stretch. Perform the appropriate strengthening exercises. Regularly perform the prescribed exercises.

https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-Cortisol-Levels

How to Raise Cortisol Levels

To raise cortisol levels, avoid foods that are high in sugar and refined flour, which can cause cortisol levels to drop. Additionally, keep a regular sleep schedule since the body naturally produces cortisol while you sleep. If you're dealing with a lot of stress, try practicing yoga and meditation to help you relax since stressful situations deplete your cortisol levels. You can also try eating more grapefruit or taking a licorice supplement, both of which can boost your cortisol production.

See if you have symptoms of cortisol deficiency. Many people worry about having too much cortisol, since elevated levels of cortisol can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and more serious symptoms. But having too little cortisol can be just as harmful to your health. If your adrenal glands are damaged or if you have adrenal fatigue syndrome, your body might not be producing a sufficient amount of cortisol to properly regulate your blood pressure and immune system. Here are common symptoms of cortisol deficiency: Weight loss and low appetite Low blood pressure Fainting Fatigue Low levels of energy even when rested Vomiting, nausea and gastrointestinal pain Salt cravings Hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin) Muscle weakness or pain Irritability and depression Heart palpitations Lack of enthusiasm For women, body hair loss and decreased libido Get your cortisol levels tested. If you suspect your cortisol levels are low, make an appointment with your doctor to schedule a cortisol test. A cortisol test involves having your blood drawn and sent to a lab to check cortisol levels. Cortisol levels are usually highest in the morning and lower in the afternoon and evening, and in some cases your doctor might decide to test you twice in the same day to compare morning and afternoon levels. Your doctor will be able to determine whether you have low cortisol or Addison's disease by comparing your levels to normal cortisol levels. There are several ways of testing cortisol including saliva, blood, and urine tests. Additionally, your doctor may test for other hormones like TSH, free T3, T4, total thyroxine, DHEA, and 17-HP, which can be precursors to cortisol. The "normal" range varies from lab to lab, but in general, the average morning level for an adult or child is 5–23 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL), or 138–635 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). The average afternoon level for an adult or child is 3–16 mcg/dL or 83–441 nmol/L. Be sure to get your cortisol levels tested by a physician, rather than using an at-home method. Saliva testing kits advertised online are not as reliable as blood tests analyzed by a lab. There are a variety of factors that can affect the efficacy of the test, so you may have to get your levels checked more than once. For example, if you're stressed, pregnant, on certain medications, or if you exercised right before the test, that could affect the level of cortisol in your blood. Determine why your levels are low. Once your doctor has confirmed that your cortisol is low, the next step is to figure out what's affecting your adrenal gland's cortisol production. The treatment your doctor recommends will be in large part determined by the source of the problem. Adrenal fatigue occurs when your body can't cope with your daily stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, or emotional trauma, and therefore your adrenal glands become overloaded and ineffective. Primal adrenal insufficiency , or Addison's disease, is when your adrenal gland isn't functioning properly to produce cortisol because it is damaged. This can be caused by autoimmune disease, tuberculosis, infection of the adrenal glands, cancer in the adrenal glands, or bleeding into the adrenal glands. Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland, which produces a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands, is diseased. The adrenal glands may be fine, but since they aren't being properly stimulated by the pituitary, they don't produce enough cortisol. Secondary adrenal insufficiency can also happen when people taking corticosteroids abruptly stop taking them. Start by living a healthy lifestyle. The first step towards getting your cortisol levels balanced and on track is to live in a healthy way. This may include anything from modifying your sleep patterns to changing your diet. Some ways to live a healthy lifestyle and start improving your cortisol include: Avoiding stress Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends Avoiding caffeine and alcohol Exercising Practicing yoga, meditation, and positive visualization Eating avocados, fatty fish, nuts, olive oil, and coconut oil Avoiding sugar, processed food, and microwavable foods Take cortisol replacement therapy medication. The most common way that western-medicine doctors treat cortisol deficiency is through hormone replacement therapy. If your cortisol levels are low enough to need synthetic replacements, your doctor will prescribe oral corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, prednisone or cortisone acetate. Taking your prescription in tablet form every day will raise your cortisone production. You will need to regularly test your cortisol levels during hormone replacement therapy to make sure you don't have too much or too little cortisol in your body. Oral corticosteroids have many different side effects; they can cause weight gain, mood swings, and other unpleasant symptoms. Talk with your doctor about things you can do to mitigate the side effects. Ask your doctor about cortisol injections. If your cortisol levels are very low, getting into a stressful situation can be dangerous for you. Cortisol helps the body respond to stress, and without it, it's possible for the body to go into a coma. Your doctor may teach you how to administer your own cortisol injections in case of an emergency. When a stressful situation arises, you'll give yourself an injection of cortisol so that your body can adequately handle the crisis without shutting down. Get treatment for the underlying problem. Hormone replacement therapy corrects the symptom, but not the underlying problem that's preventing your body from producing enough cortisol. Talk with your doctor about treatment options that may help your adrenal glands function at full capacity again. If your adrenal glands have suffered irreversible damage, or if you have a permanent condition that will always cause your adrenal glands to be low-functioning, continued hormone replacement therapy may be the best option. However, if the cause of your cortisol deficiency is related to a secondary factor such as pituitary disease, cancer, tuberculosis, or bleeding, there may be a treatment option that will restore your body's capacity to produce adequate cortisol. Manage your stress. If your cortisol levels are low, but not low enough to require hormone replacement therapy, it's still important to keep your life as low-stress as possible. Learning to manage and reduce stress in your life will allow cortisol to gradually increase in your system instead of being produced all at once in high-pressure situations. The more stress you have, the faster your cortisol will get depleted. Try stress management techniques like journal writing, yoga or meditation to teach your body to produce cortisol regularly and maintain healthy levels. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. The body naturally produces cortisol during the hours when you're sleeping. Get 6-to-8 hours of sleep per night and try to go to sleep around the same time each evening. Create a peaceful environment with no light or noise to get deep sleep and aid cortisol increase. Eat a balanced diet. Foods high sugar and refined flour can cause cortisol levels to spike or drop to unhealthy levels. Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables to help raise cortisol levels to a healthy amount. Eat grapefruit. Grapefruit and citrus break down enzymes that limit cortisol production. Adding grapefruit to your diet on a regular basis can help your adrenal glands boost cortisol production. Try a licorice supplement. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which inhibits the enzyme in your body that breaks down cortisol. Inactivating this enzyme will help you gradually raise cortisol levels. Licorice is considered a very useful substance for boosting cortisol. Look for licorice herb supplements in tablet or capsule form at a vitamin or health food and supplement store. Avoid using licorice candy as a supplement. It doesn't contain high enough amounts of glycyrrhizin to be useful. Eat high-iron food. This can help increase your energy if you are facing fatigue. Natural iron supplements can be taken if you need an increase in energy as well.

See if you have symptoms of cortisol deficiency. Get your cortisol levels tested. Determine why your levels are low. Start by living a healthy lifestyle. Take cortisol replacement therapy medication. Ask your doctor about cortisol injections. Get treatment for the underlying problem. Manage your stress. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Eat a balanced diet. Eat grapefruit. Try a licorice supplement. Eat high-iron food.

https://www.wikihow.com/Peel-Garlic-Quickly

How to Peel Garlic Quickly

To easily peel a piece of garlic, place it on a stable surface and lay the flat blade of a chef's knife on top. Then, press down lightly with your palm on the flat blade to crush the garlic. Finally, remove the knife and the garlic skin should easily separate from the clove in your hands. If you want to peel several cloves, you can also place them in a metal or ceramic bowl, cover it with a lid, and shake the cloves vigorously for 15 seconds. Then, remove the lid and pour out the cloves, which should be fully peeled.

Separate an entire bulb of garlic. This trick is very fast once you get the hang of it, but it does not work with a single clove. Set a bulb of garlic on your counter with the tip of the shoots facing up. Strike the heel of your hand against the top of the bulb, and the cloves should separate easily. If your hands are sensitive or the clove is particularly dry, hit a hard bowl against the top of the clove instead. Set a few aside if you don't plan to use them all. Place your garlic cloves between two metal or ceramic bowls. Cover the bowl with a lid or another, upside-down bowl. Alternatively, you can place your cloves inside an old, sturdy plastic bottle and screw the top tightly. Small to medium bowls work best. The cloves need to bang against each other to shake off their skin. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Make sure you hear the garlic slamming against the sides of the container. Separate your bowls or open your bottle. Pour out the garlic cloves and the skins. They should be fully peeled. If some of your cloves are only partially peeled, shake them for a few more seconds as hard as you can. Place the flat side of a chef's knife over the garlic clove. Do this on a flat, stable surface. Make sure to face the sharp edge of the blade away from you. Press with your palm to smash the clove quickly and carefully. Place your outstretched palm over the blade, then push downward with a quick, light blow. The goal here isn't to completely pulverize the garlic clove, but rather to break apart the peel from the rest of the garlic. You can learn to do this very quickly with practice, but don't get careless with your fingers. Remove the knife and finish the peeling process by hand. The peel should now separate easily from the rest of the garlic. Purchase a silicone garlic peeler at a kitchen supply store or box store. This tool usually costs between $2 and $5. Most peelers are a small silicone cylinder, while some are a flat sheet that you roll up yourself. Separate garlic cloves from the bulb. Remove them from the outer edge first. If you plan to use all the cloves, separate the whole bulb with force from the heel of your hand. Insert the cloves into the tube. Place the tube on the cutting board to catch the skins. If you are using a flat sheet peeler, roll the cloves up inside the rubber sheet and hold it so it doesn't unravel. Roll the heel of your hand against the top of the tube. Repeat until you have rolled each section of the tube that contains garlic. Apply a good amount of pressure. The silicone barrier will protect your hands from the rough garlic. Turn the garlic peeler sideways and dump out your peeled garlic cloves. If using a flat garlic peeler, just unroll it. Discard the skins.

Separate an entire bulb of garlic. Place your garlic cloves between two metal or ceramic bowls. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Separate your bowls or open your bottle. Place the flat side of a chef's knife over the garlic clove. Press with your palm to smash the clove quickly and carefully. Remove the knife and finish the peeling process by hand. Purchase a silicone garlic peeler at a kitchen supply store or box store. Separate garlic cloves from the bulb. Insert the cloves into the tube. Roll the heel of your hand against the top of the tube. Turn the garlic peeler sideways and dump out your peeled garlic cloves.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-an-Easy-Magic-Trick

How to Do an Easy Magic Trick

To do an easy magic trick, start by holding a coin in your left hand, between your thumb and first two fingers. Next, pretend to pick up the coin with your right hand, but really let it fall back into your left palm. Then, act like you're holding the coin in your right-hand fingers and blow on them while opening up your hand to show that it's “disappeared.” Finally, reach toward your opposite elbow with your left hand before revealing the coin you've been holding, so that it looks like you pulled the coin from your elbow.

Make a coin disappear. This is an easy trick that makes it look like you're moving a coin from your left hand to your right, and then making it disappear in your right hand. In reality, you'll keep the coin in your left hand the whole time while tricking your audience into thinking you moved it. Here's how you do it: Hold the coin between the thumb and first two fingers of your left hand. Move your right hand towards the left, pretending to reach down to pick it up with your three middle fingers, while really letting it "drop" into the left hand. Pretend that you're holding it between the index finger and thumb of your right hand. Blow on "the coin" and open up your right hand, showing that it has disappeared. Reach your left hand toward your elbow and reveal the coin, making it look like that was where you made it disappear. Make a card disappear. This simple trick is called the "throw away" card trick. For this trick, you have to place the card in your hand, snap it, and make the card in the hand appear to have disappeared. Here's how you do it: Hold your hand with the index and pinkie fingers up and the other three fingers touching each other, doing the old "Rock n' Roll" symbol. Place the card so the last inch or so (2.5 cm) tucks into the area between the middle and ring finger and thumb. Gently snap your fingers and straighten out your hand. The card will be clipped between the first and second finger and the third and fourth finger, and will appear to have disappeared. Just make sure you're facing the audience with your palm and they can't see the card on other side of your hand. If you get more skilled, you can practice bringing the card back and making it disappear again. Make a pencil disappear. All you need for this trick is a pencil and to wear a loose, long-sleeved shirt. This simple trick requires you to first hold a pencil by its edges with both of your hands and then make it look like it has disappeared into thin air. In reality, you'll be snapping the pencil to the side of one arm and then making it disappear down your sleeve. Here's how you can pull it off: Hold the pencil's edges with your thumb, index, and middle fingers, turning your hands so the backs of your fingers face the audience. Apply a bit more pressure to the pencil with the fingers of your right hand, making the pen bend a bit toward your right inner wrist. Move your hands up and down a bit to create some movement. Appear to snap the fingers on your left hand, making the pen move so it is lying along the right wrist. Discreetly move the pen into the sleeve on the right hand, showing that the pen has disappeared. The faster you can do this, the more convincing it looks. Guess a magic number. This is a simple trick where you ask a person to perform some easy math that leads him to the same answer almost every time. This is what you should tell the audience member: Think of any number. Multiply it by 2. Add 8 to the total. Divide it by 2. Subtract your original number from the total. Remember this new number--it's your secret number! Count on the alphabet until you get to the letter that goes with your secret number. (Number 1 is A, Number 2 is B, and so on.) Think of a European country that goes with that letter. Go over to the next letter of the alphabet. Think of a large animal that begins with that letter. Once the audience member has thought of it, just say, "I know what you're thinking of...the number 4...and an elephant in Denmark!" This will work every time. Guess a magic vegetable. This silly trick works almost every time. All you need is some paper and pens, and several gullible audience members. First, place one scrap of paper in your left pocket that says "celery" on it, and place another scrap of paper in your right pocket that says "carrot" on it. Remember where you've placed this paper. And you're ready to begin your trick: First, hand out paper and pencils to all of your audience members. Ask them to complete several easy mathematical tricks, about ten of them, such as multiplying 2 x 2, dividing 10 by 5, adding 3 and 3, and so on. You can say that this is getting their minds ready for mind reading. Then say, "Quick, write down the name of a vegetable!" Make sure that people do this as quickly as possible; don't let anyone "think" about it for too long. Call on a random audience member to say what vegetable he wrote down. If he says "celery," pull out the piece of paper in your left pocket that says "celery." If he says "carrot," then pull out the piece of paper that says "carrot." Tell the audience that you have such strong mind-reading powers that you were able to predict what they were going to write down before the trick even began. People in the US and Canada pick one of these two vegetables 80-90% of the time. If the person doesn't say one of the two vegetables, then oh well, you'll have to move on to another trick! If you're in a different country with different popular vegetables, then you have to try to find your own "magic vegetable." Guess the name of a famous person. This trick is pretty simple but it can take a little while to master. All you need to get it done is a hat, around 10 audience members, a pen, a slate to write your prediction on, and as many scraps of paper as you have people. Here is what you have to do: Ask an audience member to shout the name of a famous person. Write the first name down on a scrap of paper and throw it into your hat. Ask the audience to keep shouting out names. Pretend to write each name down, when really, you will just be writing down the first name, over and over. This is the part that takes practice. Once the hat is filled, ask an audience member to volunteer to help you. Say that you will predict which name he will draw out of the hat. Of course, you will predict the first name. Write it down on the slate so that everyone can see. Have the audience member reach into the hat to pull out any scrap. Since they all say the first name, lo and behold, you have correctly predicted the name he would pull out! Do the "appearing aces" trick. This quick and easy trick can make you impress your audience by making four aces magically appear in a deck of cards. Do the "4 kings" card trick. This easy card trick will wow audiences -- all you have to do is show them that the 4 kings in a pile of cards always stick together. Find the card a person picked. This is a classic card trick that requires you to discreetly see the card the person picked and cut the deck in a way that makes the person believe you were able to magically find the card. Do the "whispering queen" trick. The "whispering queen" is the queen of hearts. With a little work, you can make her appear at the end of the trick. Perform the "to the top" card trick. Have an audience member pick a card, place it in the middle of the deck, and have it rise magically to the top of the deck! Do a two-card monte card trick. This trick makes an audience member think that the two cards he is given have magically morphed into two different cards. Do the jumping card trick. Get a deck of cards. Take two out and put them together so it looks like one. Do this before the performance. Only show the bottom card to the spectators. Put both cards on top of the deck. Take off the card on top so that it looks like you're taking the real card to the bottom. The real card should be on top. Pretend you're using your mind to bring it to the top. Reveal the card on top and the spectators will be amazed.

Make a coin disappear. Make a card disappear. Make a pencil disappear. Guess a magic number. Guess a magic vegetable. Guess the name of a famous person. Do the "4 kings" card trick. Find the card a person picked. Do a two-card monte card trick. Do the jumping card trick.

https://www.wikihow.com/Kiss-a-Boy

How to Kiss a Boy

Before you kiss a boy, flirt with him a little bit so he knows you're interested. You can compliment him and tell him you like spending time with him, or laugh when he tells a joke, even if it isn't funny. Once you've got his attention, lock eyes with him and move in closer, but don't go all the way just yet. First, check to see if he looks interested and doesn't pull away. You can make it extra obvious you want to kiss him by closing your eyes and smiling slightly, but don't do it if he looks uncomfortable. If you're not sure, ask him if you can kiss him before you do it. Then, once you're confident he's interested, kiss him lightly on the lips. If he keeps kissing you back, kiss him faster and with more pressure. You can also use your hands to pull him closer to you or play with his hair.

Wait for a lull in the conversation. Timing a kiss just right can be hard! It's usually best to wait for a natural lull in the conversation to lean in for a snuggle or a kiss. Let the conversation dwindle on its own, but stay close to him. Lock eyes with him. Be bold about making eye contact and do it often, especially right before you're about to go in for the kiss. Not only does looking deeply into his eyes feel romantic, but it's easier to make a genuine connection when you're looking into each other's eyes. Test the waters by kissing him on the cheek. If you're unsure about how he'll react to a regular kiss on the mouth, you can always give him a kiss on the cheek first. You can give him a quick peck after he says something sweet, or move in slow and prolong the kiss for a few seconds to show him that you're feeling romantic. If he seems shocked or pulls away, you may want to slow things down a bit. Ask if you can kiss him if you aren't sure. This might sound awkward, but it can actually be a sweet, cute moment! It also gives him a little warning that it's about to happen, and you'll avoid a blatant rejection if he's not into it. Try something like, “I've had such a fun day and I'd really like to kiss you right now. Would that be okay?” Or, if you're feeling bolder, you can always go with, "Wanna make out?” Boundaries are really important, so if you aren't sure, just ask. Lean in, close your eyes, and tilt your head to the side. You don't have to close your eyes, but it could be pretty awkward or distracting to stare at him the whole time! It's best to just keep them closed. Also, right before you lock lips, tilt your head to the side a bit. Touch your lips to his lightly and softly at first. When you first make contact, lightly graze your lips over his. Try to keep your pressure light and your movements slow and gentle. Keep your mouth closed for now. If it seems like he's enjoying it, you can ramp things up a bit. Avoid putting your lips into a tight pucker, which may indicate that you're not that into the moment. Explore other ways to kiss him. Kisses don't always have to be on the lips! Give your mouths a break and try kissing him on the earlobe, under the jawbone, or on the inside of his wrist. If you want to take it up a notch, try kissing him in the little hollow place near his collarbone. You can also catch your breath by giving him sweet pecks on the nose or forehead. Don't try to rush things! Move at a pace that's comfortable for both of you. Try tongue-kissing if it's clear he wants to take things up a notch. Open your mouth slightly and part your lips enough that you could comfortably get your tongue through them. Lightly run your tongue over his lower lip, then pull your tongue back. Use your tongue sparingly. Slowly and softly dart your tongue in and out of his mouth, pulling back for a few moments each time. For example, you can touch his tongue with yours, then pull back. Circle your tongue around his, then pull back. If you don't pull back occasionally, the kiss might feel aggressive and drool will definitely become an issue! Pulling back also gives a chance to catch your breath. Avoid biting or giving him a hickey. A light nibble on his lower lip might be okay every now and then, but definitely avoid biting him or getting your teeth involved in any other way. Gentle kisses on the jaw are great, but don't suction your mouth to his neck like a vacuum hose. Most people just aren't into hickeys! Plus, leaving behind visible traces of your make out session could get you both in hot water with your parents. Keep it low-key. Explain your preferences to him in a gentle way. If his kisses are more aggressive or faster than you'd like, don't suffer in silence! Pull back and whisper something like, "I like being kissed like this." Then, demonstrate exactly what you like. He'll appreciate the direction! Put your hands to good use while you're kissing. Don't just let your hands sit there limply⁠—use them to make the kiss better! Pull him closer and try resting your hands on his shoulders, hips, chest, or the sides of his face. You could also try tangling your fingers in his hair. If he seems uncomfortable with any of your touches, reel it in. Experiment with different techniques to keep things interesting. As you get more comfortable, you can make the pressure more insistent or the kisses faster. You can also try changing up the intensity and speed. Avoid settling into one technique for too long! Leave him wanting more. Ending the kiss before it gets boring is always ideal. If you stop while it's still fun, he'll instantly be looking forward to next time! Pull back, look into his eyes, and smile before you part ways. Say "hi" when you see him and strike up a conversation. Instead of just awkwardly asking how it's going, try to have a more specific opening prepared to get the conversation flowing. Tell him what you're up to, ask about his plans for an upcoming event, or bring up an inside joke. Be sure to ask him open-ended questions that require more than a simple "yes" or "no." For example, you might say, "I heard you're going to the Winter Formal with a group of your friends. Fun! What are you planning to wear?" You could also say something like, "I totally spaced when the homework assignment was announced in History. Can you help me out?" Find excuses to touch him in small, fleeting ways. Light touches can help you gain the confidence to break the touch barrier in a more romantic way. For example, when you're talking to him, gently touch him on the arm when he says something funny, or "accidentally" bump into him when you're walking together. Pay him a genuine compliment. Everyone likes to be complimented, and it will also communicate that you're thinking of him. Focus on a quality you genuinely like about him⁠—whether it's his eyes, his sense of humor, his hair, and so on⁠—and tell him why you appreciate it. Keep your body language positive and open. How you carry yourself can tell him a lot about how you feel! Plus, it will probably be a lot easier to move in for a kiss and, when you do, he won't be as surprised. Don't cross your arms, twiddle your thumbs, or clasp your hands together. Instead, orient your body toward him. For example, if you're standing, keep your toes pointed at him. If you're sitting, point your knees. If you can't help fidgeting, put your hands behind your back so that you look open from the front. Find a good opportunity to be alone with him. You don't have to be totally alone, but a little privacy is ideal. For example, if you're hanging out with a group, go outside to grab some fresh air with him. If you're hanging out in public, try to find a quiet area that feels intimate. For instance, if you're at the mall, you could sit on a bench in a low-traffic area. You could also try offering to walk home with him or dropping by his house to ask if he'd like to go out for a bit. If you really want to make sure you're alone, you can always ask him out on a solo date. Sit or stand a little closer to him. Kissing him will feel more natural if you gradually move a little closer to him. It will also subtly alert him that you want to be intimate, which is always better than swooping in suddenly and completely catching him off guard. If you're sitting together on a couch or in a car, move in closer than you need to. If you're standing up, inch a little closer to him or visibly shiver to see if he pulls you close. You can also try holding his hand or leaning on his shoulder. Go in for a hug or snuggle to initiate a romantic moment. This usually works best when you're leaving or parting ways, but you can try it any time, like when you're snuggling and watching movies. Lean in close to him, put your arms around his neck or shoulders, and hold the embrace for 2-3 seconds before pulling away. You want to create an intimate moment, but don't hug him for so long that it gets awkward!

Wait for a lull in the conversation. Lock eyes with him. Test the waters by kissing him on the cheek. Ask if you can kiss him if you aren't sure. Lean in, close your eyes, and tilt your head to the side. Touch your lips to his lightly and softly at first. Explore other ways to kiss him. Try tongue-kissing if it's clear he wants to take things up a notch. Use your tongue sparingly. Avoid biting or giving him a hickey. Explain your preferences to him in a gentle way. Put your hands to good use while you're kissing. Experiment with different techniques to keep things interesting. Leave him wanting more. Say "hi" when you see him and strike up a conversation. Find excuses to touch him in small, fleeting ways. Pay him a genuine compliment. Keep your body language positive and open. Find a good opportunity to be alone with him. Sit or stand a little closer to him. Go in for a hug or snuggle to initiate a romantic moment.

https://www.wikihow.pet/Measure-a-Dog%27s-Respiration-Rate

How to Measure a Dog's Respiration Rate

Before you measure a dog's respiration rate, wait until it's sitting or lying down and completely calm so your reading isn't off. Then, watch your dog's torso and count how many breaths it takes for 1 minute. The normal respiratory rate for a dog is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute, but the number might be higher if your dog is excited or overheated. As long as the number of breaths returns to the safe range as your dog calms down, it should be fine. However, if it doesn't, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible, especially if it's gasping for air.

Take your dog's respiration rate when it is calm. In order to determine your dog's respiration rate, make sure that it is calm. Dogs naturally increase their blood oxygen levels while at play or when anxious. This means that they breathe more in order to circulate more oxygen through their systems. Alternatively, if your dog has just finished playing and is hot, it will increase its breathing rate to exhale the heat in their bodies, in an effort to cool themselves down. Wait until your dog is sitting still or laying down to take its respiratory rate. Count how many breaths your dog takes for one full minute. You don't need to hold you hand in front of your dog's nose, nor do you need to flip it over and feel for its lungs. These activities will only make your dog more nervous, which in turn will elevate its respiratory rate. Simply sit close enough to your dog to see its sides. Watch as its chest/torso expands and contracts. One breath is made up of one inhale and one exhale. The normal respiratory rate for a dog is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute. Excited and overheated dogs may exceed this number. Just watch their condition and make sure they return to the safe range if you are concerned. Use a stopwatch. If you don't have a stopwatch, use the second hand on your watch. For the first couple of times that you take your dog's respiratory rate, be sure to count for a full minute. After you've done it several times and feel confident in your counting ability, you can reduce the time to 30 seconds. Then simply multiply your number by two to get your dog's breaths per minute rate. Use a journal to record your dog's respiratory rate. Make sure that the journal or piece of paper you use has a space for a date and time, respiratory rate number, and any other comments you might have. Record your dog's respiratory rate every time you take it, even if you think your dog might be a little excited or hot still. Simply note your dog's recent activity in the side bar. There are templates online for you to use as well. Download the “Your Dog's Heart” App. This app allows its users to count and record the resting respiratory rate of your dog. The application is free and easy to use. You can set reminders to take your pets breath rate. The app will record and chart how their respiratory rate changes overtime. You can even put in a veterinarian's information and have results sent straight to him. If you have family members that are worried about your pet, you can even use the app to post the data to social media (e.g. Facebook or Twitter). Make sure to share this information with your vet. Whenever you go in for your vet visit, make sure that you share your detailed respiratory rate readings with him. It is important — for better or worse — to share this information. Your vet might notice patterns in your dog's respiratory rate fluctuations that you may not. Sometimes, these signs can be subtle indicators of heart problems. Visit the vet if your dog's respiratory rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute. 15 to 30 is the normal range. This could be a sign of any number of issues ranging from bacterial and viral infections to traumatic injury. Call the vet immediately, if your dog seems to be gasping for air. Serious lung issues may present themselves in such a dramatic way. Punctured or deflated lungs can be caused by a variety of issues and will certainly affect your dog's respiratory rate. Be sure to call your vet before you actually visit his offices, just in case your dog shouldn't be moved. If this is the case, your vet will either advise you on what to do or will come to you. Take your dog to the vet if it has an increased respiratory rate combined with other symptoms of illness. Coughing or nasal discharge combined with an increased breathing rate often signal issues with the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.

Take your dog's respiration rate when it is calm. Count how many breaths your dog takes for one full minute. Use a stopwatch. Use a journal to record your dog's respiratory rate. Download the “Your Dog's Heart” App. Make sure to share this information with your vet. Visit the vet if your dog's respiratory rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute. Call the vet immediately, if your dog seems to be gasping for air. Take your dog to the vet if it has an increased respiratory rate combined with other symptoms of illness.

https://www.wikihow.com/Discharge-a-Capacitor

How to Discharge a Capacitor

To discharge a capacitor, it's important that you keep your hands clear of the terminals at all times or you could get badly shocked. Also, make sure you're using an insulated screwdriver that has no signs of damage on the handle. When you're ready, start by gripping the capacitor low on the base with one hand. Then, lay the screwdriver across both terminals to discharge the capacitor. To test if the capacitor discharged properly, touch both terminals at the same time with the screwdriver again. If there's no spark, the capacitor is discharged.

Disconnect the capacitor from its power source. If the capacitor isn't already removed from whatever you're working on, ensure you've disconnected any power source leading to it. This usually means unplugging the electronic device from the wall outlet or disconnecting the battery in your car. In a car, locate your battery in the engine bay or trunk, then loosen the nuts holding the cables on the negative (-) and positive (+) terminals using an open-ended wrench or socket with a ratchet. Slide the cable off of the terminal to disconnect it. Wrap the end of each cable with a rag so they don't touch anything. In your house, you can usually unplug the device you're working on from the wall, but if you are unable to do so, locate the house's breaker box and flip the switch that controls the flow of electricity to the room you're working in. Set your multimeter to its highest DC voltage setting. Different multimeters will have different maximum voltage ratings. Turn the dial in the center of your multimeter to the highest voltage setting it will permit. Setting it to the highest possible setting will ensure you get an accurate reading of however many volts of electricity the capacitor is charged with. Connect the multimeter probes to the posts on the capacitor. The capacitor will have two posts sticking out of the top. Simply touch the red lead from the multimeter to one post and then the black lead to another post. Hold the leads on the posts while you read the display on the multimeter. You may need to open your appliance or remove components to gain access to the capacitor. Refer to an application specific repair manual for help if you can't locate or access the capacitor. Touching both leads to the same post will not produce an accurate reading. It doesn't matter which lead you touch to which post because it's reading the level of current passing from one to the other. Look for a reading that’s higher than 10 volts. Depending on what you're working on, the multimeter may give you a reading that ranges from single digit voltage to hundreds of volts. Generally speaking, a charge of greater than 10 volts is considered dangerous enough to shock you. If the capacitor reads as having fewer than 10 volts, you don't need to discharge it. If the capacitor reads anywhere between 10 and 99 volts, discharge it with a screwdriver. If the capacitor reads in the hundreds of volts, the safest way to discharge it is with a discharge tool, rather than a screwdriver. Keep your hands clear of the terminals. A charged capacitor can be very dangerous, so it's important that you avoid coming into contact with the terminals at all times. Never touch the capacitor anywhere but on the sides of its body. If you touch the two posts, or accidentally connect them with a tool, you could get badly shocked or burned. Choose an insulated screwdriver. Insulated screwdrivers usually have rubber or plastic handles, which creates a barrier between your hand and the metal portion of the screwdriver itself. If you don't have an insulated screwdriver, purchase one that clearly states that it's insulated on the packaging. Many will even tell you what voltage rating they are insulated against. If you are unsure whether or not your screwdriver is insulated, it's best just to buy a new one. You can purchase insulated screwdrivers at any auto part or hardware store, as well as at most large retail stores. It does not matter if the screwdriver is a flat head or Phillips head. Inspect the screwdriver handle for any signs of damage. Do not use any screwdriver with a tear, crack or break in the rubber or plastic of the handle. That damage could allow the flow of electricity to pass up into your hand when discharging the capacitor. Purchase a new insulated screwdriver if the handle on yours is damaged. You don't have to throw a screwdriver with a damaged handle away, just don't use it to discharge capacitors or do other electrical work. Grip the capacitor low on the base with one hand. You need to maintain total control over the capacitor while you discharge it, so pick it up low on the cylindrical body with your non-dominant hand. When you pick it up, make a “C” with your hand and fingers to grip it, keeping all of your fingers away from the top where the posts are. Maintain a comfortable grip. There's no reason to squeeze the capacitor too hard. Keep your grip low on the capacitor to avoid contact with sparks when you discharge it. Use a pair of insulated pliers to hold smaller capacitors so you don't accidentally shock yourself while you're discharging it. Lay the screwdriver across both terminals. Hold the capacitor upright with the posts pointed toward the ceiling, then bring the screwdriver over with the other hand and touch it to both posts at once to discharge the capacitor. You will hear and see the electric discharge in the form of a spark. Make sure the screwdriver is touching both terminals at once or else it won't work. Touch it again to check that it’s discharged. Before you handle the capacitor freely, pull the screwdriver away and bring it down again onto the two posts to see if it produces any spark. If you properly discharged it, there should be no additional discharge. This step is just a safety precaution. Once you've confirmed that the capacitor is discharged, it's safe to handle. You can also confirm that it has been discharged using your multimeter if you'd prefer. Purchase 12 gauge wire, a 20k OHM 5 watt resistor, and 2 alligator clips. A discharge tool is really just a resistor and a bit of wire to connect it to the posts on the capacitor. You can purchase all of these parts at your local auto parts or hardware store. The alligator clips make it much easier to keep the tool connected once it's completed. You will also need electric tape or heat shrink wrap and a soldering iron if you don't already have one. Cut the wire into two 6 in (15 cm) pieces. The exact length of the wire isn't particularly important, as long as there's enough slack to connect both to the capacitor and the resistor. For most applications, 6 inches (15 cm) is enough, but you can make yours longer if it helps with your specific situation. Each wire just needs to be long enough to connect one end of the resistor to one post on the capacitor. Cutting the pieces a little longer gives you some extra slack to work with and may make things easier. Clip off about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of insulation on each end of both wires. Use wire strippers to remove the insulation without damaging the wire inside. If you don't have strippers, you can use a knife or razor blade to cut through just the insulation and then use your fingers to pull it off the wire. Both ends of both wires should show bare metal now. Make sure to remove enough insulation to solder the stripped ends to other wires or clips. Solder one end of each wire to the two probes sticking out of the resistor. The resistor has a wire post sticking out of each end. Wrap the end of one wire around the first post and then solder it into place. Then wrap one end of the other wire around the other post and solder it into place. It should now look like a resistor with long wires sticking out of each end. Leave the loose ends of each wire free for now. Wrap the soldered connections in electrical tape or shrink wrap. Cover the solder using the electrical tape by simply wrapping a piece around it. This will help hold the connection in place while also insulating it from anything that may come into contact with it. If you're making a tool you will likely reuse, slide a tube of electrical heat shrink wrap over the end of the wire and slide it along until it covers the soldered connection. If you use heat shrink wrap, you can shrink the wrap in place over the connection by exposing it to the flame from a lighter or match. Do not expose electrical tape to a flame. Solder the alligator clips to the ends of each wire. Take the loose end of one of the wires and solder an insulated alligator clip to it, then either heat shrink wrap it or cover it in electrical tape. Then do the same with the other loose end on the other wire. If you are going to use heat shrink wrap, remember to slide it over the wire before soldering the clip into place; otherwise, you won't be able to get it over the head of the clip once it's permanently affixed to the wire. Connect one alligator clip to each of the two posts on the capacitor to discharge it. Clip the end of each wire to a different terminal on the capacitor. It will discharge very quickly, though you shouldn't see or hear a spark as you would with a screwdriver. Be sure each clip has a clean connection with the metal of the post. Be careful not to touch the posts with your hands while you connect them. Use a multimeter to make sure the capacitor has discharged. Once again set the multimeter to its highest voltage rating and touch each lead to a separate post on the capacitor. If it still shows stored voltage, check the connections on your discharge tool and try again. You can leave the multimeter connected to the capacitor while you watch the voltage drop in real time. If the voltage doesn't drop, one of the connections isn't right in the discharge tool. Examine it closely for where one might be broken. Once all of the connections on the discharge tool are good, try again and it should discharge.

Disconnect the capacitor from its power source. Set your multimeter to its highest DC voltage setting. Connect the multimeter probes to the posts on the capacitor. Look for a reading that’s higher than 10 volts. Keep your hands clear of the terminals. Choose an insulated screwdriver. Inspect the screwdriver handle for any signs of damage. Grip the capacitor low on the base with one hand. Lay the screwdriver across both terminals. Touch it again to check that it’s discharged. Purchase 12 gauge wire, a 20k OHM 5 watt resistor, and 2 alligator clips. Cut the wire into two 6 in (15 cm) pieces. Clip off about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of insulation on each end of both wires. Solder one end of each wire to the two probes sticking out of the resistor. Wrap the soldered connections in electrical tape or shrink wrap. Solder the alligator clips to the ends of each wire. Connect one alligator clip to each of the two posts on the capacitor to discharge it. Use a multimeter to make sure the capacitor has discharged.

https://www.wikihow.com/Can-Dill-Pickles

How to Can Dill Pickles

To can dill pickles, start by bringing equal parts white vinegar and water to a boil on the stovetop. If you want to spice the pickles, add spices like black peppers, dill seeds, and red pepper flakes to the mixture. Next, sanitize some canning jars, and pack them tightly with whole or cut cucumbers. Then, ladle the hot pickling solution into the jars so there's only a 1/2 inch of space at the top of each jar. Finally, seal the jars, and let the cucumbers sit for 10 days before refrigerating them.

Get some cucumbers. Kirby cucumbers are the "classic" pickling cucumber, and are recommended for sweet and crunchy pickles. Typically, for pickling a batch, you'll want at least two or three pounds of cucumbers. Wash and process the cucumbers. Rinse them thoroughly and cut them in the desired shape. You can cut them into rounds or chips, spears, or keep them whole for pickling. If you keep them whole, trim off the flower-end of the cucumber. Brine the cucumbers. To ensure crispy canned pickles, pack your sliced or whole cucumbers in salt and ice and keep them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before you pickle them. In a bowl, toss 3-4 tbsp of kosher salt with your cucumbers and an equal amount of ice. Cover the bowl with a wet towel or plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge while you prepare the other ingredients and supplies. Mix up your pickling solution. If you're going to can the pickles, you'll want a 1 : 1 ratio of vinegar to water for making the "pickle juice." Depending on how many pickles you have, a quart should be enough. You can always mix up more on the fly. Regular white vinegar is fine, or you can use cider vinegar or another vinegar you prefer. To this, add 1.5 tbsp of kosher salt. Mix in a saucepan or pot. Heat the mixture on the stove until it comes to a boil. Lower the head and keep it at a steady temperature. It needs to be at boiling temperature to pickle the cucumbers. "Pickle crisp" is a commercial pickling product used to keep pickles crispy. It's basically calcium chloride. A natural alternative to pickle crisp is to use grape leaves in the jars, which was the traditional way to keep the pickles from softening. Prepare your pickling spices. How you want to spice your pickles is up to you, but a typical "pickling spice" mixture includes black peppercorns, dill seeds, smashed or sliced garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes if you like some kick. You can either throw the dried spices into the pickling solution, or you can stuff the spice mix into the jars after you've prepared them and before you've inserted the pickles. Either is an effective way of spicing the pickles, but packing an amount in each jar will ensure an even amount of spice in each jar. Decide on the number of jars that you will be using. Wide-mouth jars are the easiest to stuff and ladle into. As a rule of thumb one quart jar can hold about four cucumbers. Have extra jars on hand just in case. While you can reuse glass jars and rims, you can't reuse lids. Typically you can buy a box of new jar lids for a few dollars. Take all of the lids, rims, jars and boiling water canner and run them through your dishwasher removing any residue that might be on them. Inspect them and make sure there are no cracks or other issues. In a large pot, boil enough water to cover your jars. Place a canning rack at the bottom off the boiling water to keep the jars off the super-hot bottom of the pot, which risks cracking them. Place the jars inside. Boil the jars for at least five minutes. Do not boil the lids. The rubber seal on the lids will be ruined if you boil them. On your stove or in the microwave, you can heat water to just under a boil and sterilize the lids in that. Remove the jars with a jar lifter and set on towel. Set each jar right side up on a towel on your work surface, making sure everything is in reach--you'll need your jars, lids, lid bands, and pickling solution all close by. It can be a quick process, so it sometimes helps to have a partner at this point. Wash your hands then pack the jar tightly with pickles. Remove the cucumbers from the salt/ice mixtures and pat them dry, then pack them into the jars leaving at least half an inch from the where the jar mouth narrows. Again, you can either line the bottom of the jars with the pickling spices or include them in the solution. Either way, this is also your chance to include any fresh spices you might like to add, like smashed garlic cloves, fresh dill leaves, or grape leaves for crispness. Ladle the hot pickle solution over the pickles. You can use a small funnel and put it on the rim of your jar if you want, or just ladle it in if you feel confident of your pouring skills. Pour in the pickle juice till it is about a half an inch from the top of the jar. You need to make sure the pickles are completely submerged under the solution. Any pickles exposed to the air will spoil, and possibly ruin the jar. Grape leaves can be good for this, using the leaves to push the pickles down and then leaving the leaf on top. Top with a lid and screw on a band. Wipe the mouth of the jar of any dripped pickling solution before you do this, using a clean cloth dipped in the hot sterilizing water. Screw the lid on tightly. When you've filled all the jars, boil them in the sterilization pot. Keep the jar upright and make sure there is an inch of water above the lids. If you don't have enough water left from the sterilizing of the jars, pour more in. Close the lid and let it boil on high. Turn off heat after 5 to 15 minutes and let the jars sit until the water stops boiling and cools down some. Take your jar lifter and remove jars from water and place on towel. Let sit for 24 hours. Do not remove or attempt to tighten the lids. If you hear a distinctive "pop," it means the jars have sealed. Write the date of when you made them on a sticker and place on the lid. Properly sealed jars should be good on the shelf for a year or more. Keep them in a cool and dry area, out of sunlight. Let the pickles sit for 10-14 days before putting them in the fridge. This will complete the pickling process. If you really want to, you can open or eat them before they've pickled, but they'll be better once you've let them sit and pickle for several days. When they're pickled, put them in the fridge and let them cool down for a delicious cold snack.

Get some cucumbers. Wash and process the cucumbers. Brine the cucumbers. Mix up your pickling solution. Prepare your pickling spices. Decide on the number of jars that you will be using. In a large pot, boil enough water to cover your jars. Remove the jars with a jar lifter and set on towel. Wash your hands then pack the jar tightly with pickles. Ladle the hot pickle solution over the pickles. Top with a lid and screw on a band. When you've filled all the jars, boil them in the sterilization pot. Write the date of when you made them on a sticker and place on the lid.

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Truck-Driver

How to Become a Truck Driver

If you want to become a truck driver, you'll need to have a clean driving record, have a high school diploma or GED, and in most states, be at least 21. If you meet those requirements, contact nearby truck driving schools and sign up for a program. Study hard so you can pass both the written and driving portions of the CDL exam. Once you've done that, use your school's job placement services or look online to find entry-level truck driving jobs that you can apply for.

Know what to expect as salary. Your salary will vary based on the type of trucking work you do, the company you work for, and your level of experience. That said, most truck drivers earn starting salaries around $30,000 per year. After five to seven years of experience within a specific field, your salary will usually increase to around $55,000 per year. The likelihood of seeing an increase in your salary also improves if you stay with the same company. Note that some trucking jobs pay more than others. Typically, drivers who work with hazardous chemicals, gas transport, or other dangerous fleet earn more than those whose work does not involve such materials. Weigh the pros and cons. As with most careers, truck driving has various pros and cons. Review both to help you determine whether or not this is the right job for you. On the plus side, trucking jobs require a short amount of schooling and offer high starting pay rates with decent benefit packages. It's usually relatively easy to find work, especially if you go through an established trucking school, and there's considerable flexibility regarding the type of driving you'll do. On the downside, trucking jobs can be very demanding. Expect to be on the road for 12 hours a day, if not longer. You'll need to meet tight delivery deadlines, and the job can be dangerous, especially if you carry hazardous materials. Talk with established truck drivers. If you have the opportunity to do so, try talking with a few established truck drivers. Ask them about their experiences and explain your interest in the field. Find out if anyone in your social circle knows of someone with a career in truck driving. If you cannot make use of any personal connections, consider talking with a few truck drivers at a truck stop. Depending on how things go, you may receive a few referral cards. Save them for later if you do; these cards may make it easier to attend school or find work. Study the commercial driver's manual. Visit your nearest DMV office and ask for a copy of the state commercial driver's manual. Many state DMV websites also have digital copies available online. This manual will tell you all you need to know about obtaining your commercial driver's license (CDL) within your state. Review the information about fees, classes, and restrictions. Study its contents to learn about the various traffic and safety laws associated with commercial driving. Since traffic laws can change, you'll need to make sure that you study using the most recent edition of the manual. New editions are typically printed on a yearly basis. Meet the minimum requirements. Before you attend school or earn your CDL, you'll need to meet several basic physical and legal qualifications. In most states, you must be at least 21 years old. You must also be legally eligible to work within the country and within the state. You'll need to have a clean driving record. Schools and employers may overlook minor traffic violations, like parking tickets, but you probably won't qualify if you've been busted for reckless driving or if you've been convicted for DUI. Many schools also want you to have a diploma or GED before applying, and some truck driving companies won't hire you without one. On the other hand, most don't care. The roads are full of veteran truckers who never finished high school. Attend truck driving school. Contact nearby truck driving schools and sign up for an appropriate program. Good schools will provide both classroom and practical education. Each program has its own tuition and fees, but many schools also offer tuition assistance. The timeline of each program can also vary. Some intensive programs may finish within 30 days to 10 weeks, but more in-depth programs can extend out to a full year. Within the classroom, you'll learn about laws and regulations related to truck driving. During practical, hands-on sessions, you'll gain guided practice driving commercial vehicles. Pass both parts of the licensing exam. After you complete truck driving school, you'll need to take the state CDL exam. Each state has its own exam procedures, but typically, you'll need to pass both a written test and a road skills test. The written test will evaluate your knowledge of the various laws and safety regulations involved with truck driving. The road skills test will require you to briefly drive a commercial vehicle under the supervision of a state licensed examiner. Note that you can take the exam or more than one type of commercial vehicle endorsement. The "combination vehicle" endorsement will allow you to drive semi trucks, but other endorsements include: passenger, school bus, air brake, tank vehicles, doubles triples, and hazardous materials. If you choose to get the "hazardous materials" endorsement, you'll also need to pass a background check with the TSA. Pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) exam. The FMCSR exam includes both written and physical components. The written portion covers federal traffic law, and the physical portion includes brief hearing and vision tests. Once you pass the written portion, you'll never have to pass it again. You must take and pass the physical portion of the exam every two years, however. Check into job placement services. The vast majority of truck driving schools offer job placement services, so you should check with your school when looking for your first job. Established truck driving schools that have been around for several decades often have close connections to trucking companies at the national, regional, and local levels. In many cases, those who graduate from a truck driving program with job placement services can find work within 30 to 60 days. If your program does not offer job placement services, contact the trucking companies directly and ask about openings. Apply for the entry-level positions that fit with your qualifications and career goals. Attend an orientation. Once you're hired by a trucking company, you'll usually need to undergo an orientation lasting three to five days. Each company will vary, but typically, the orientation will teach you about the company and its various policies. During the orientation period, you may also need to fill out paperwork, pass a drug test, and/or pass some type of basic physical exam. Pass the training period. After completing your orientation, expect to undergo an official training period. In most cases, one experienced driving will be responsible for training you according to company policy. You'll usually work alongside your trainer for several weeks to several months. This individual will be responsible for teaching you about company routes, paperwork procedures, and other related information. Take another road test with the company. When you finish your training, you'll likely need to pass the company's trucking exam. This exam usually centers around the road test, but it may also include a written portion depending on the company. After passing the exam, the company will probably assign your own truck to you. Expect to receive your own delivery route along with it. You'll be responsible for completing this route on your own, without the assistance of a trainer or partner. Advance in your career. Most beginners start in the field of long-haul trucking, regardless of how many endorsements they received while taking the state CDL exam. You can usually advance to better positions after gaining several years of experience, though. Local and specialty trucking jobs usually require experience. You will also need experience before you can earn a better salary as a long-haul trucker and before you can qualify as a driver trainer for others.

Know what to expect as salary. Weigh the pros and cons. Talk with established truck drivers. Study the commercial driver's manual. Meet the minimum requirements. Attend truck driving school. Pass both parts of the licensing exam. Pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) exam. Check into job placement services. Attend an orientation. Pass the training period. Take another road test with the company. Advance in your career.

https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Golden-Retriever

How to Train a Golden Retriever

To train a golden retriever, use positive reinforcement, like giving treats and praise, whenever it does something right. If your golden retriever does something wrong, ignore it or else it will keep misbehaving in order to get attention from you. Try to keep in mind that it can take time for a golden retriever to learn what you want from it. Be patient, and avoid getting upset or lashing out so you and your golden have a healthy, trusting relationship.

Crate train your dog. Crate training helps establish routine and boundaries for your Golden Retriever. You should put your dog into the crate when it sleeps, when you have company, and when you are gone. This helps reduce accidents, along with other unwanted behaviors like chewing. Make sure you pick a crate big enough for your Golden Retriever. It should be able to comfortably stand and turn around. You will probably need a large crate, for dogs over 70 pounds. Choose one with ventilation on all sides, like a basic wire crate. Golden Retrievers are very social and love being with their families. Place the crate in a common area in your home, not in a room no one uses. This helps your dog still feel like it's part of the family. Never treat the crate like a punishment. It should be your dog's personal space where it feels comfortable. You should use it to help keep your dog confined when you can't see it. Set up a schedule. To help house train your Golden Retriever, you should set up a schedule for it. This helps it learn routine and figure out when it should go outside to use the bathroom. Try to walk it at the same time every day so it gets into a routine. Set up a feeding schedule for your dog, too. This helps you estimate when it will need to go out. When you first start training your Golden Retriever, take it out every hour or so, along with when you first get up and before you go to bed. When you create your schedule, consider your dog's age. Puppies can usually hold their bladders for 1 hour for each month old they are, plus 1. This means that a 3 month old puppy can hold its bladder for a maximum of 4 hours. House training will be much easier if you set and follow a schedule, which will help you avoid accidents. Take your dog to its elimination area. Help your dog figure out where its elimination area is. Put it on a leash and walk it to the spot every time you take it out. Don't let it play out there. Stay for about five minutes, and then return to the house even if it hasn't gone yet. Try again later. Your Golden Retriever will eventually figure it out. Reward your Golden Retriever for correct behavior. When your dog does its business in the elimination spot, give it a reward. This may be a treat or verbal praise. Provide the praise as soon as it finishes, not when it is back inside the house. Watch for signs that your dog has to go out. It's important that you listen to your dog when it is trying to let you know it has to go out. Your dog may start sniffing around, walking around the house, dancing around, or standing by the door. If your dog starts stirring, take it out to be safe. Puppies usually want to potty shortly after waking up, after eating, and after a play session. Take your puppy out after these occurrences to avoid accidents. Leash train your Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are large dogs, so you don't want it running around wherever it wants. Work on leash training your dog. Start by taking it for short walks. If it starts to pull on the leash , stop walking and stand there. Don't move or let the dog go the way it wants. Start walking again when it comes back to you, sit, or let some of the tension from the leash. Reinforce the positive behavior of not pulling on the leash with praise or treats. If your Golden Retriever gets too excited and starts jumping around before you place the leash on it, wait until it calms down to put the leash on it. Teach your dog to sit. Teaching your Golden Retriever to sit is important. The sit command is the basis of almost every other command that you teach it. You can use the sit command to enforce basic obedience. Tell your dog to “sit” as you hold a treat over its head. Move the treat back and forth until it sits. You can also push its hind section down to achieve the desired action. As soon as it sits, give it verbal praise and let it eat the treat. Eventually, stop moving your dog and instead use a hand signal or verbal cue. The dog should respond and sit, or learn it with repeated practice. Train your Golden Retriever to come. Teaching a Golden Retriever to come when you call it is important to your dog's overall behavior. It can help keep it out of trouble and improve its life since you can take it more places. Use positive reinforcement to get your dog to come. It should associate coming to you with praise, treats, or toys. Say the word “come” as you walk backwards. The dog should want to follow you. Say the word once before you move backwards. This helps your dog associate the verbal command with the desired behavior. Keep moving backwards until your dog gets to you. You want the dog to understand that it has to come all the way to you. As soon as your dog makes it to you, give them a treat and lots of praise Add additional distractions, like toys or food, as your Golden Retriever gets better at the command. Make sure to only say the command once. Repeating it makes it lose meaning for the dog. If the dog won't come to you, try running farther away or tempting it with a treat. As soon as your dog comes to you, give it praise or treats. Teach your dog not to jump. Your Golden Retriever may have a bad habit of jumping on you. Try using aversion training to discourage the behavior. When the dog jumps, turn your back on it and ignore it. This shows that they will not receive a reward for jumping. When they calm down or sit, turn around and praise it. You may have to turn around multiple times. Another technique you can try is to walk backward and tell your dog "off" or "down." Praise your dog when all of its feet are back on the ground. Try to redirect the Golden Retriever's jumping by using the "sit" command. Jumping can be a hard habit to break. Be sure other family members and guests are also turning their back when your puppy jumps for attention, or your puppy may learn that they get rewarded “sometimes”, making the behavior worse. Be patient. Golden Retrievers are smart dogs who can be trained. However, it won't be trained overnight. Keep your expectations reasonable as you train your dog. Understand that it may take it awhile to learn the command, but with persistence and having it repeat the action over and over, it will learn it. Stay calm. Getting upset doesn't build trust between you and your Golden Retriever. Getting mad also can upset your dog, causing it to act out. Use positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to train your Golden Retriever. Dogs respond well to treats or praise when it does an action, and it naturally wants to do the same thing again. This helps you show your dog what behavior you desire, and it knows it will receive some sort of positive reward for complying. Ignore unwanted behaviors. If you respond, this is reinforcing it by giving it attention. Ignoring the behaviors shows that the dog won't get a reaction from you, so there is no reason to do them. Provide plenty of rewards for your dog. You can use a variety of treats with your dog. Make sure they are small enough that it doesn't have to take a long time eating it. At the same time, use verbal praise, like saying, “Good job!”. You may also pet the dog or give it physical attention. Make sure to provide the reward immediately after the action. Don't wait until later. The dog has to know that the treat comes from that behavior.

Crate train your dog. Set up a schedule. Take your dog to its elimination area. Reward your Golden Retriever for correct behavior. Watch for signs that your dog has to go out. Leash train your Golden Retriever. Teach your dog to sit. Train your Golden Retriever to come. Teach your dog not to jump. Be patient. Use positive reinforcement. Provide plenty of rewards for your dog.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Friends-in-College

How to Make Friends in College

To make friends in college, get to class early so that you have time to socialize with your classmates. Although talking to new people can be scary, try initiating conversation by saying things like, “I heard this professor's a really tough grader. I'm a little nervous!” If the other person is responsive, ask them if they'd like to grab a meal or join you for a campus activity. Additionally, hang out in public spaces like the student union or a dining hall to meet as many new people as possible.

Get to class early and strike up conversation. Getting to class ten minutes early can give you time to settle in and chat with your fellow classmates. Yes, talking to new people can be scary, but making friends is worth being a little uncomfortable. Comment on a homework assignment, something going on at school, or an especially eccentric professor. Say something like, “What did you think of the reading last night?” or “I heard this professor loves cold-calling. I'm kind of nervous!” Every time you find yourself sitting next to a stranger in class, introduce yourself. Invite people to hang out. You shouldn't wait for others to come to you. Take initiative and ask people in your classes or dorm to grab meal, get ready for a party together, or head to the gym. Don't worry--asking people to hang out doesn't make you look weird or desperate for friends. Putting yourself out there is necessary to build connections, and chances are, other people will appreciate the effort. Doing daily activities together, like eating, studying, or working out, is a great way to work socializing into your busy schedule. If you're not into partying, invite people over to your dorm for a movie night or an old school slumber party. Try to talk to one new person every day. You can start a conversation anywhere. Chat up the girl beside you in the elevator or the guy taking his clothes out of the dryer next to yours. The more people you meet, the more likely you are to find some great friends. Keep your room door open. Keeping the door open while you hang out in your room gives your dorm mates the OK to pop in and say hello. Wave and smile at people as they pass. You could even offer snacks - no college student will refuse free food. Only keep your door open while you're in the room. Lock it when you leave to avoid theft. Go to campus events. You can't make friends when you're cooped up in your dorm room all day. Get dressed, take a deep breath, and head to a football game, a dance, a party, or a campus festival. There could be lots of potential friends at these events. Plus, staying up to date with campus events can give you more to talk about with your peers. Do your homework in social spaces. Of course, during exam time you may need to buckle down at the library, but in calmer times, try doing your homework in the student union or a coffee shop. Sit down next to a friendly-looking student and start a conversation. You could ask for a coffee recommendation or a spare pencil. Say something like, “Hey, I've never been here before and I'm torn about what to order. What drink do you usually get?” Say yes to invitations. If someone invites you to coffee, lunch, or a party, say yes! While you shouldn't do anything that goes against your value system, it's important to get out of your comfort zone in order to meet new people. If you're not a huge partier, don't feel pressured to attend tons of frat parties or drink. You can bond with people in other ways. Try to give everyone a chance. Avoid judging people. While you should never do anything you're uncomfortable with, you may be surprised by who ends up becoming your friend! Eat dinner in the same dining hall every night. Instead of eating at your dorm room desk, hit up the dining hall! Make an effort to get to know the other people who frequent your dining hall. Don't be afraid to sit down next to someone new or start a conversation at the dessert bar. Introduce yourself by saying, “Hey, I'm Jack. I think I've seen you around a few times. I live in the dorm right next to the dining hall.” Make a comment about the food. If the hamburgers look a little questionable, nudge the person next to you and say, “What do you think about the burgers? Should I go for one or steer clear?” If you don't have a meal plan, invite hall mates over to cook dinner together or have a potluck-style feast. Join a club. Check with the Office of Student Engagement or your college's website to see your options. You'll probably find academic clubs, pre-professional clubs, cultural clubs, performing arts clubs, and volunteer clubs. Join one that sounds cool, and get ready to meet lots of people with common interests. If your school doesn't have a club that you'd like to see, be bold and start your own! You may want to form a club related to your favorite art form or a unique academic interest. Don't take on more responsibilities than you can handle. If you're a freshman, it's especially important to give yourself time to adjust to college life. One club is fine. Three clubs could get very overwhelming very quickly. Join a sports team. You can join an intramural team, which are pretty casual. These are great if you want to try out a new sport. For a more intense experience, join a competitive club team on campus. There's nothing like competing, sweating, and maybe even winning together to foster new friendships. If you don't want to commit to a team, join a pickup game a few times a week or take a regular class at the gym. Volunteer. If there's a cause that's close to your heart, see what volunteer opportunities are available. Your college may have a few volunteer organizations or be able to connect you with local opportunities. Volunteering is a great way get out of the college bubble, give back, and meet some like-minded people. Look for on and off-campus volunteer opportunities. Don't see anything you like? Organize your own project! Get a job that involves lots of socializing. Consider working as a peer tutor, a waitress, or a sales associate. Not only will you make some cash to help cover all those college expenses, but you'll also be able to bond with your coworkers, and maybe even a few clients! You can meet tons of students through on-campus jobs. However, if you're looking for some fresh faces, consider getting a job off-campus. Join a fraternity or sorority. Greek organizations are not for everyone, but they can offer a great sense of community. Consider rushing if this community appeals to you. Remember, if you don't like it, you can always deactivate. Start a study group. Send out an email to your dorm or round up people in your class. Dealing with difficult material together--and maybe one or two crazy professors--is a fast way to bond. Plus, your grades may get a boost! Be an RA. If you're an upperclassman, you may have the opportunity to be an RA, or resident assistant. RAs provide academic, social, and personal support to members of their residence hall. As an RA, you'll have a chance to connect with your fellow RAs and the students in your charge. Get involved in a religious community. Religion may have been a big part of your life before college. Joining a religious community can help you stay connected to your religion while meeting people who share your faith. If your campus doesn't have the community you're looking for, see what's available off-campus. Make yourself look approachable. When you're feeling awkward or nervous, it's tempting start scrolling mindlessly through your social media feed to look busy. However, this won't invite people in. Instead, put down the phone and use relaxed, confident body language: smile, stand up straight, and make eye contact with others. You'll look friendly and open. Avoid crossing your arms and looking at the ground. Avoid spending too much time on social media. While it is important to stay in touch with old friends, it is also a good thing to meet new people. Fake it 'till you make it. Even if you feel awkward, using confident body language will give the illusion that you're at ease. Be open to people different than you. College is a time to meet people with different backgrounds and identities. Don't write someone off just because they aren't similar to you or your high school friends. Keep an open mind, and you just might find a new best friend. Find a friend who is more social than you. Your college will be filled with an endless variety of people. Some of them will be shy, and others will be the life of the party. You should find a balance of friends, of course, but you should pick out at least one person, or even a few people, who have really great social skills, are excited to meet new people, and are always up to something fun. This will maximize your chances of meeting as many people as possible -- and of finding the few people who really matter to you. Stay true to yourself. You've probably heard this one countless times, but it bears repeating. After all, everyone is eager to make new friends quickly in college, so they may alter themselves to try to fit in. However, forcing a friendship usually doesn't work out so well. Be yourself for genuine, lasting connections. Focus on your talents and strengths instead of your weaknesses. So what if you're not so great at math? You're a superstar in foreign languages! Take some time to think about your values and passions. What matters most to you? What do you want to accomplish in life? Remember, you can always find people who share your interests, values, and passions. Keep looking for ways to find like-minded people.

Get to class early and strike up conversation. Invite people to hang out. Try to talk to one new person every day. Keep your room door open. Go to campus events. Do your homework in social spaces. Say yes to invitations. Eat dinner in the same dining hall every night. Join a club. Join a sports team. Volunteer. Get a job that involves lots of socializing. Join a fraternity or sorority. Start a study group. Be an RA. Get involved in a religious community. Make yourself look approachable. Be open to people different than you. Find a friend who is more social than you. Stay true to yourself.

https://www.wikihow.pet/Train-Lab-Puppies

How to Train Lab Puppies

If you want to start training your lab puppy, keep your training sessions to 10 minutes since puppies can only focus for so long. During these sessions, motivate your dog with treats and be consistent when giving it a reward so it knows what it should and shouldn't be doing. Only work on one skill at a time during a session to keep it from getting confused. To teach your lab how to sit, for example, give it a reward and say the command word “sit” when it sits down until it connects the reward to the action. When you want to housebreak your puppy, pick a spot outside for it to go to the bathroom and take it to that spot at least every 2 hours. While outside, say “go to the bathroom” and give your pup a treat once it finally goes.

Begin training early in your puppy's life. Lab puppies can start training when they are 8 to 12 weeks old. Training from an early age will help minimize the chance of your dog picking up bad habits, such as begging, which can become ingrained and hard to break if they start. However, if you get your puppy when it's older than 8 to 12 weeks old, it's not too late to have a wonderfully trained dog. Just begin training when you get the puppy home. Keep training sessions short. The training sessions when a puppy is very young shouldn't last more than about 10 minutes. A young puppy will have a short attention span and will get tired out very easily from training. If your puppy doesn't want to pay attention anymore or it starts misbehaving, end your training session. A puppy just can't focus for long, so don't try to force it to. Use reward-based training. When training a lab puppy it's best to motivate them with rewards, as opposed to fear of reprimand. Basically, you want to teach them that if they do the right actions, they will get a reward. If they don't do the right things, they will not get a reward. Lab puppies tend to be highly motivated and smart, so training them in this way can be very successful. If you use this type of training method, you need to be committed to it and you need to use it consistently in order for your dog to understand what it should and shouldn't be doing. If you want to do a lot of extensive training with your dog, you can also incorporate clicker training into your reward-based training program. Pick a reward to give your dog when it follows commands. The reward you use at the start of training is typically a high-value treat. This means that the treat will be very small but your dog will love it and work hard to get it. Try a variety of training treats that are sold at pet stores and see which one your puppy loves the most. Pick one specific treat that will only be used for training. This will help your dog know that it needs to follow commands in order to get this treat. You can change the reward you use over time. In fact, as your dog ages you should gradually transition away from food treats to simply praise and affection. Teach the puppy to sit by using commands and treats. As your puppy does an action, such as sitting, say the verbal command “sit” as you give the puppy a treat. Say the command and give a reward every time you see your puppy do an action you want it to do. Your dog will learn to connect the reward to the action it is doing gradually. Teaching “sit” before other skills will help you with additional training, as you can make the puppy sit and then teach it related skills, such as “stay” and “lay down.” For example, when you are walking the puppy and you come to a stop, be ready to give it a treat if it naturally sits. The goal here is to connect the cue, treat, and action together in the puppy's mind. Work on one skill at a time. When you are teaching your puppy you need to let it focus on one particular skill so your expectations are clear. You shouldn't try to teach your puppy a wide variety of actions at the same time. Start with “sit” and then add other skills once the puppy learns that. Move on to other commands. Once your puppy responds to your command to sit with ease and reliability, you can move on to teaching other commands. Important commands to teach your dog include: Lying down Heeling Stay Consider crate training your puppy. Some lab owners like to crate train their dogs because it gives the dog a safe space to be in and it eliminates the dog's ability to get into trouble when the owners are not home. If you would like to crate train your lab puppy, begin when the animal is young. Crate training should start by getting the puppy used to the crate. Let it spend time in the crate without it being closed. Put toys and a soft bed inside of it so that the dog likes being inside. Gradually you will lock the puppy in the crate for longer and longer periods, until it is used to being in there. Your crate must be large enough for your puppy to lie down with its legs spread out. It should also be tall enough for your pup to stand up without bumping its head. However, you don't want it to be so large that your puppy can comfortably relieve itself in one corner of the crate, as this makes it hard to toilet train your pet. Teach your puppy how to fetch. Labs are especially adept at learning games, such as fetch. If your puppy seems interested in chasing balls, reward it when it brings the ball back to you. Gradually the puppy should learn that it is a good idea to bring the ball back, if only to keep the game of fetch going. You can also teach your lab puppy to fetch a variety of items, including dog toys and Frisbees. Teach a variety of fun skills. Once your puppy has some basic skills, you can begin to expand your training into more entertaining challenges. These can include teaching your puppy to shake, speak, play dead, or any other action you want it to do. While these skills don't have specific usefulness, they keep your dog engaged with training and are entertaining for you. Work on minimizing bad behavior. If your puppy does develop bad habits, such as chewing on your shoes, it's important to do focused training to stop the behavior as soon as possible. Above all, be consistent, interrupt the behavior when it happens, and don't allow the behavior to continue whenever you see it happening. Some behaviors that should be stopped include begging, jumping up on people, jumping onto furniture, or not showing aggressiveness towards other dogs or people. When you want your puppy to stop a behavior, it can be counterproductive to get onto the puppy, as this can reward it with attention. Instead, distract the puppy with an alternative game, such as a squeaky toy. Pick a set spot outside for your puppy to go to the bathroom. When training a lab puppy to go to the bathroom outside, it's important to let them know exactly where to go. You can do this by being consistent with the spot. After it is used repeatedly, the dog will be able to identify it by smell and will know when it is taken there that it is time to go to the bathroom. Pick a spot that is easy for the puppy to get to. It should be relatively close to the house so you can get to it in a hurry. Set a routine for going outside. Take the puppy outside at least every 2 hours, but more often is better. Being consistent about taking it outside will help it learn to wait to go outside to go to the bathroom, as it will know that it will have a chance soon. Also take it outside right after waking up and after eating a meal. It's important to keep taking a very young puppy outside on a regular basis overnight, as a puppy's bladder physically cannot hold out for more than a few hours. This means that you will need to wake up every 2 hours throughout the night until your puppy is a few months old. Take your lab outside if you think it’s considering going to the bathroom. Even if you are taking the puppy outside on a regular basis, there may be times when the puppy considers going to the bathroom inside. If you see it sniffing, squatting, or starting to go to the bathroom, take it outside immediately. Even if the puppy is in the middle of going to the bathroom, interrupting it and taking it outside is important. It shows the dog that what it was doing is reserved for the outdoors. Do not yell or get angry with the dog. Just use a firm voice so that the puppy is not scared of you but knows that what it is doing it wrong. Stay with your puppy as you are trying to get it to go to the bathroom. As the puppy is sniffing around and considering going to the bathroom, say “go to the bathroom” or whatever verbal cue you want to use in the future. Stand with the puppy but don't give it praise or a treat until it actually goes to the bathroom. It's a good idea to have the puppy on a leash so you can keep it in the bathroom area until it goes. Give praise when your puppy goes to the bathroom outside. Once your puppy goes to the bathroom say “good job” enthusiastically and pet it on the head. Show the puppy that you are pleased with its actions and it is likely to do them the same way again. You can also give it a treat if you like, although if you give a treat every time your puppy goes to the bathroom, it will get too many treats throughout the day.

Begin training early in your puppy's life. Keep training sessions short. Use reward-based training. Pick a reward to give your dog when it follows commands. Teach the puppy to sit by using commands and treats. Work on one skill at a time. Move on to other commands. Consider crate training your puppy. Teach your puppy how to fetch. Teach a variety of fun skills. Work on minimizing bad behavior. Pick a set spot outside for your puppy to go to the bathroom. Set a routine for going outside. Take your lab outside if you think it’s considering going to the bathroom. Stay with your puppy as you are trying to get it to go to the bathroom. Give praise when your puppy goes to the bathroom outside.

https://www.wikihow.com/Freeze-Herbs

How to Freeze Herbs

To freeze herbs, start by washing them gently with water and patting them dry. Then, if you want to freeze whole sprigs or large leaves, spread them out on a lined baking sheet and freeze them for several hours. Next, transfer them to sealable freezer bags for long-term storage. You can also grate or finely chop the herbs and then freeze them in freezer bags. Whichever method you go with, use the herbs within 2 months of freezing them.

Be aware that most herbs will not freeze in a way that retains their former glory. Many will turn mushy but should retain the flavor, provided you are prepared to use them for food such as soups, stews, baked goods and the like, rather than for salads or garnishes. Note that not everyone agrees that herbs can be frozen at all. Some chefs believe it ruins the herbs and should be avoided. On the other hand, others believe it is just fine to freeze herbs. It is recommended that you try it for yourself as an experiment to see whether or not the results work for you. Herbs thought to be amenable to freezing include: chives, chervil, dill , fennel leaves, parsley and tarragon. Herbs that don't dry well are better frozen (for example, chives, basil, chervil, cilantro and dill. Keep in mind that some herbs may be better dried than frozen. For example, rosemary will dry really simply without much ado and retains its flavor for a long time. Collect herbs after the dew has dried from them. The idea is to get them before too many of the oils have evaporated in the heat of the sun but after they're free of the morning dew. However, the need to pick them before the sun has heated them may depend on where you live; if your sunshine isn't too fierce, any time of the day may be appropriate. The reason to avoid picking herbs that are damp is that they can mildew easily. For the purposes of freezing, it's just more water you need to get rid of. Prepare the herbs before freezing. Herbs should be free of dirt, insects and any other plant matter. If needed, wash dirty herbs gently but thoroughly and allow to dry completely before freezing. If you know the herbs are from a clean source and can get away with just brushing them or wiping them, this is preferable to washing them too much. If you have washed the herbs, leave on absorbent paper to soak up moisture, then pat dry. Select a method for freezing based on one of the following. Aim to use frozen herbs within two months, to avoid loss of flavor. Herbs kept frozen any longer than this may taste bland or even unpleasant, depending on the type of herb. Select herbs that can be turned into sprigs. Some herbs will stay in sprigs, such as rosemary, parsley or thyme. Bay leaves can be frozen this way. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or kitchen foil. Lay the sprigs across the baking sheet or tray. Place in the freezer and allow to freeze. Remove from the freezer. Place into bags or suitable freezer containers. Note the date and contents before returning to the freezer. Use within two months. Grate or finely chop the herbs before freezing. This will take care of the mush many softer leaf herbs are going to turn into anyway. You can grate or finely chop single herbs this way or do a mixture of complementary herbs. Place into small freezer bags. Date and label the bags. Freeze. Use within two months. Wash and completely dry an ice cube tray. If freezing lots, use more trays. Chop or dice the herbs up finely. Sprinkle to about 1/4 of the way in each ice cube hole in the tray. This can work for mixed herb combinations as well as single herb varieties. Cover each herb lot with a little water. Don't overfill the cubes or herbs will float away. Note: Some people find it easier to pour in a little water, then add the herbs, then pour in the remaining bit of water. Experiment to see what you prefer. Freeze the cubes. Once frozen, transfer to resealable freezer bags or freezer containers and label and date as appropriate. Place back in the freezer. Leave until needed. Use within two months. To use, simply add one or two cubes to a dish you're cooking at any one time. To help you measure, one ice cube of herbs is worth approximately 15ml/1 tablespoon of chopped herbs. Make an herb butter. There are plenty of possibilities, including thyme butter, basil butter , rosemary butter and herb butter. Wrap the butter in kitchen foil. Place this inside a freezer-proof container with a lid. Label and date the container. You can freeze little portions (easiest to thaw), a butter roll or a whole block of herb butter. Do whichever works best for your cooking and storage needs. Use. Herb butter will keep for up to 12 months. You can either slice off a piece of the frozen butter and allow just that piece to thaw, or thaw the whole portion, depending on your needs. Thaw in the refrigerator and once it has thawed, keep it covered in the refrigerator and use within 2 to 3 days. Use the ice cube method above. However, this time, use a food processor to puree soft leaved herbs (such as basil, parsley or cilantro) with a little olive oil or a more mildly flavored vegetable oil of choice. The herbs must be completely dry before processing. The ratio is about 1 cup fresh herbs to 1/4 cup oil. Process until a smooth paste is formed. Add the olive oil pureed herb to the ice cubes. Fill about 3/4 of the way. Do not add water. Place in the freezer to freeze. Remove when frozen and add to freezer bags. Label and date. Use a cube or two when needed. Use within 3 months.

Be aware that most herbs will not freeze in a way that retains their former glory. Collect herbs after the dew has dried from them. Prepare the herbs before freezing. Select a method for freezing based on one of the following. Select herbs that can be turned into sprigs. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or kitchen foil. Lay the sprigs across the baking sheet or tray. Remove from the freezer. Grate or finely chop the herbs before freezing. Place into small freezer bags. Freeze. Wash and completely dry an ice cube tray. Chop or dice the herbs up finely. Cover each herb lot with a little water. Freeze the cubes. Place back in the freezer. Use within two months. Make an herb butter. Wrap the butter in kitchen foil. Use. Use the ice cube method above. Process until a smooth paste is formed. Add the olive oil pureed herb to the ice cubes. Place in the freezer to freeze. Use a cube or two when needed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-a-Fruit-Tree

How to Prune a Fruit Tree

To prune a fruit tree, wait until the winter when the tree is dormant, which will encourage more growth the following season. When you're ready to prune, remove dead, damaged, and diseased branches, as well as any branches that are sprouting from the trunk. You should also prune off downward-growing branches and branches that aren't growing at about a 45-degree angle. In general, you want to discourage direct upright growth, except from the central trunk.

Prune fruit trees in the winter. In the winter, your fruit tree is dormant (and therefore not producing any leaves or fruit). This makes it easier to target the areas you want to prune and promotes the best production possible. Most fruit trees are best pruned during winter. Some trees, like orange trees, can be trimmed and pruned in early spring instead of winter. Prune dead or damaged limbs in the summer. While it's a good idea to routinely prune your fruit tree during the winter, you also want to do some light pruning in the summer if you see dead or damaged branches. This will keep your fruit tree healthy all year round. Some fruit trees, like cherry and apricot trees , require summer pruning. Don't prune too much during the summer or you could slow down the fruit's ripening process and expose the fruit to sunburn. If you're not sure whether your tree needs summer pruning, consult a botanist. Botanists are specially trained experts who know a lot about plants. They can help you determine whether or not summer pruning is appropriate for your tree. Prune young trees right after you plant them. After planting a new, young tree, trim the main trunk down to between 24 and 30 inches (61 and 76 centimeters) high. Trim any side growths down to no longer than two buds. This will equalize the tree's top with its root system. If you'd like a taller tree that is good for sitting under in summer and fall, make this initial pruning cut at a higher point on the young tree. Trim young trees that aren’t growing well. If you have a young tree that is not growing well, prune it heavily for its first three years. Heavy pruning during the first few years means a lower fruit yield at first, but in the long run your fruit trees will be strong and productive. Trim healthy young trees less frequently. If your young tree is growing well, allow it to continue doing so. Trim it irregularly or not at all. Irregular pruning does not have a universally constant definition. It refers instead to the practice of trimming the tree to a lesser extent than you would a normal, mature tree. You might trim it once each winter, or not at all. There are some physical signs that your young fruit tree is ready for pruning. Look for healthy growth characterized by a strong framework of permanent branches. Absent this framework of branches, prune your young fruit tree more often. Use a heading cut to create a nicely shaped tree. Cut above an outward facing bud at a 30-degree angle. This will encourage the branch to grow up and out in a direction that will give your tree a red wine glass-like shape. If you cut above an inward-facing bud, the branch will grow incorrectly inward toward the tree, which you don't want to happen. Make a thinning cut. A thinning cut is used to thin out the tree branches and allow more sunlight to reach the limbs. Perform a thinning cut by clipping a branch as close to the collar of the tree as possible, taking care not to leave an exposed node. Perform thinning cuts on branches that are at least 50% smaller than the diameter of their parent branch. Perform a bench cut. A bench cut is used to thin out the center of the tree and get rid of strong upright shoots and branches. To perform a bench cut, identify horizontal branches, then cut the branches and shoots coming out of their top side (especially those close to the trunk). Choose the right tools. Use sharp shears on young trees with branches that are 1/2 inch (1.27cm) in diameter or smaller. Use pruning saws or long-handled loppers for pruning mature trees. If you don't have pruning tools of your own, you might be able to rent some from your local hardware store – a good option for a tool you might use for only a few hours each year. Sanitize your tools to prevent infection. After pruning a particular tree, dip the blades of your shears or pruning saw in a solution of one part alcohol and one part water for at least 60 seconds before moving on to the next tree. This will prevent disease from spreading to other trees. Alternately, you could use a solution of water and commercial cleaning solutions like Pine-Sol, chlorine bleach, or Lysol. Just mix one part cleaning solution with a volume of water five times that of the cleaning agent and dip your pruning tools in it for at least 60 seconds. Select which branches to prune. Always cut dead, damaged, and diseased branches (the “three D's”). Additionally, cut any suckers – short, new branches sprouting from the trunk. Watersprouts – branches that grow straight up from an outward-facing limb and typically appear in spring – should be pruned, too. Remove competing and downward-growing branches. Downward-growing branches generally do not produce a very high fruit yield. Generally, do not prune branches that are growing out of the trunk at about a 45-degree angle. Anything growing at a much smaller or larger angle should be pruned. Develop a single leader. If the trunk of the tree splits into several parallel and competing trunks, your tree will have trouble growing and will be more difficult to prune. Prune your tree in such a way that discourages direct upright growth, except from the central trunk. Only the uppermost bud of the leader should be allowed to remain during pruning sessions. This system is appropriate for most trees, and crucial for apple, pear, cherry, and European blue plum trees. For a few fruit trees – peach, nectarine, apricot, and Japanese plum trees – pruning to a central leader is unnecessary. Ensure all branches receive adequate light. Try to prune the top of the tree more heavily than the undergrowth. This allows more sunshine to reach the shaded branches, encouraging them to produce fruit. Additionally, cut branches that are too close together. Every branch should have six to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of space around it. If you have a cluster of close branches, prune the thinnest of the bunch.

Prune fruit trees in the winter. Prune dead or damaged limbs in the summer. Prune young trees right after you plant them. Trim young trees that aren’t growing well. Trim healthy young trees less frequently. Use a heading cut to create a nicely shaped tree. Make a thinning cut. Perform a bench cut. Choose the right tools. Sanitize your tools to prevent infection. Select which branches to prune. Develop a single leader. Ensure all branches receive adequate light.

https://www.wikihow.com/Insert-a-Cannula

How to Insert a Cannula

To insert a cannula, first locate a suitable vein, using a tourniquet on the patient's arm if necessary. Then, insert the needle at an angle of 10-25 degrees for a superficial vein or 30-45 degrees for a deeper one. Next, advance the cannula until you have entered a vein and blood enters the base. Now, advance the plastic component another 2-3 millimeters while holding the needle stationery. Once you've done that, remove the tourniquet if you used one, and remove the needle from the base. Allow blood to flow in to avoid the risk of air going into the vein first. Finally, secure the cannula with an appropriate dressing.

Gather materials. Cannulation requires some basic preparation and precaution. You will need to protect yourself from contact with a patient's body fluids and you need to protect the patient from injury or infection. In order to do this you will need: Non-sterile gloves Tourniquet Antiseptic solution or alcohol wipes Local anesthetic solution (optional) Syringe with needle of appropriate gauge Venous access device Transparent dressing Paper tape Sharps container Choose the size of the cannula you will use. In general, the larger gauge needle you use, the higher the maximum flow rate of the fluid entering into the vein. Larger sized needles actually have a smaller number, so a 14 gauge is large, while a 22 gauge is small. Choose a size that can easily fulfill the purpose of the procedure but is not oversized. The smallest needles are used in children. The largest are used for rapid blood transfusion. Have a discussion with your patient. Get informed consent from the patient before you begin the procedure. This is usually done verbally. This builds up a rapport with the patient and allows for a less traumatic experience. Introduce yourself to your patient. Verify your patient's identity before starting any procedures. Explain the procedure to the patient and answer any questions they may have. Also take a quick history, primarily to exclude any allergy or sensitivity that the patient may have. This is particularly true for latex allergy. Should an allergy to latex be confirmed, then the tourniquet, gloves, and the cannula must be latex-free. Wash your hands and put on gloves. All medical professionals should follow thorough and proper hygiene practices before coming into contact with a patient. It is important to keep the risk of the patient getting infection to a minimum while inserting a cannula by washing your hands thoroughly and putting on gloves. Use proper personal protective equipment. Using gloves will not only protect your patient, but will also protect you from exposure to bodily fluids and potentially infectious material. A single pair of non-sterile gloves will probably be sufficient for this task. Depending on your facility's requirements, you may also wish to wear protective eyewear when inserting or removing an IV catheter. Apply the tourniquet around the patient's arm. In most cases, the patient's non-dominant arm is preferable. The tourniquet should be placed on the arm just above the cannulation site. Tighten it appropriately, so that the patient's veins are highlighted. Other methods for locating a good vein include: Tapping on the vein to make it dilate. Asking the patient to open and close their fist. Using gravity to highlight the vein by holding the patient's arm down. Applying mild heat to the site of the vein. If you have a difficult time finding a good vein on the arm you have selected, inspect the opposite arm. In some cases (e.g. if the patient has diabetes or a history of IV drug abuse), you may need to use an ultrasound to help you locate a good vein. Clean the skin. Using an alcohol wipe or antiseptic solution, clear away pathogens on the skin around the vein used for cannulation. Apply the antiseptic to the site with friction for 30-60 seconds, and then allow the site to air dry for up to one minute. This will help prevent the risk of infection and reduce stinging. If the area is really covered in hair, you may need to shave it. This will help you to identify the vein, get a clear aim at it, and it will help when cleaning the area. Insert the cannula needle at an appropriate angle. The correct angle will depend on the size of the device and the depth of the vein. If you are trying to access a small, superficial vein, you should use a small catheter (with a gauge of 22-24) and insert at an angle of 10°-25°. For a deeper vein, use a larger catheter and insert at an angle of 30°-45°. Make sure you insert the needle bevel up (with its eye is facing upwards). This means that the point of the needle is down against the skin. Advance the cannula until you achieve flashback. Hold the cannula in the front of its wings with your pointer and middle finger and in the back with your thumb. Advance it slowly into the skin until blood enters the base of the cannula. This is called a flashback, and it signals that you have entered a vein. Once flashback occurs, reduce the angle of the needle to avoid puncturing the posterior wall of the vein. Advance the plastic piece of the cannula. The needle should now be held stationary while the plastic component of the cannula is advanced another 2-3 mm into the vein. The goal is to get the plastic sheath into the vein, and keep it there, while the needle is removed. Keep advancing the plastic component of the cannula until the plastic tube is fully inserted. The "hub" of the plastic component will hit the skin when it is all the way in. Allow blood to flow into an attachment. Remove the tourniquet from the patient's arm. Remove the needle from the base of the cannula, leaving the plastic component in sight. Allow blood to flow into the base of the cannula, so there is less risk of air going into the vein if something is injected through the cannula, called an air embolism. Then cap the cannula or attach test tubes or other supplies. Find another vein, if your catheterization is unsuccessful. If you are unable to catheterize a vein successfully, never attempt to reinsert the needle. This could result in fragmentation of the catheter and embolism in the patient. Secure the cannula with an appropriate dressing. If the cannula needs to stay in the vein, you will need to secure it. Using transparent dressing and tape, or a specialized dressing that comes with the cannula, secure the venous access device to the skin. Attach the cannula to the skin so that it is comfortable for the patient but stays in place in the vein. You may need to tape attachments to the skin as well, for example a tube leading to another attachment point. Place a label over the transparent dressing with the date, time, and any other information required by your facility. If you are simply using the cannula to get several samples of blood, for example, extensive securing is not required. However, you do need to be sure that it stays in place long enough to get your sample, so you may want to tape it down a bit. Inspect and clean the cannula. First, pull back on the syringe to withdraw a little blood. This will confirm that the cannula is still in place inside the vein. Then flush the cannula with a flushing solution, usually normal saline or heparin. This will assure that the site is clean and will check for adequate positioning within the vein. To flush the cannula you will need 5-10ml of saline in a syringe. This may come in a pre-filled syringe or you may need to fill it yourself. Flush the cannula by attaching the syringe of saline onto the cannula port, inject the saline into the port, detach the syringe, and then close the port. If you are returning to put an injection into a cannula, flush the it with saline solution again. This will assure that the cannula is still in place. Recatheterize, if necessary. If you do not observe blood in the flashback chamber when you inspect the cannula, you will need to recatheterize the vein. If there is no flashback, this may mean that the catheter has punctured the posterior wall of the vein. It can also occur in patients with severe hypotension (low blood pressure). Withdraw the device until it is just below skin level, and attempt to recatheterize. If swelling develops at the site, remove the device and release the tourniquet. Apply direct pressure to the site for 5 minutes. Clean up after the procedure. Dispose of the needle in a sharps container to reduce the risk of a needle stick. Dispose of any other waste appropriately. Document the procedure in the appropriate set of notes. If removing the cannula, place a piece of gauze on the injection site and keep it in place with medical tape or a bandage. This will assure that the patient is not bleeding after the procedure.

Gather materials. Choose the size of the cannula you will use. Have a discussion with your patient. Wash your hands and put on gloves. Use proper personal protective equipment. Apply the tourniquet around the patient's arm. Clean the skin. Insert the cannula needle at an appropriate angle. Advance the cannula until you achieve flashback. Advance the plastic piece of the cannula. Allow blood to flow into an attachment. Find another vein, if your catheterization is unsuccessful. Secure the cannula with an appropriate dressing. Inspect and clean the cannula. Recatheterize, if necessary. Clean up after the procedure.

https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Fox

How to Draw a Fox

If you want to draw a fox, start by sketching a circle that is squashed on one end for the head. Next, draw 3 triangle-like ovals on top of the head, 2 for ears and 1 for the fox's muzzle. For the neck and body, draw a circle under the head and a longer oval under the circle. To draw the legs, sketch ovals on the bottom left for the front legs and bottom right for the hind legs. Then, draw a long oval at the right-hand end for the tail. Finally, remove all unwanted lines, strengthen the contours with a pencil, and color your drawing.

Sketch a circle in the middle of the page for the fox’s head. Rather than trying to draw a perfect circle, make it a bit flattened on the lower right side—if that's the side where you want the fox's neck and body to attach to its head. Sketch the circle lightly with a pencil. Do all of the preliminary sketching in pencil and use a light touch. This way, you can easily erase any unnecessary pencil lines as you flesh out the details of the drawing. Add 3 egg-shaped ovals to the head for the ears and muzzle. If you imagine the head as a clock face, place the ears at roughly 10 and 1 o'clock. Make the muzzle a bit larger than the ears and place it at about 7 o'clock. The narrower “tops” of the egg shapes should protrude beyond the circular outline of the head. About two-thirds of the left ear, one-third of the right ear, and half of the muzzle should extend beyond the head. Overlap the bottom right of the head with a slightly larger circle for the neck. Make this circle about one-third larger than the head, and give it a bit of an oval shape. About one-third of it should overlap the lower right side of the circle for the head. Sketch out a much larger oval to represent the fox’s body. This oval should extend to the right of and slightly below the circle for the neck. It should also overlap the neck circle and just touch the circle that represents the head. The body oval should be about 1.5 times taller than the neck circle and about 3 times wider. Connect a set of elongated ovals to represent the front legs and feet. Elongate the shoulder oval vertically, make it overlap the neck oval slightly and run to just below the body oval, and tilt it about 30 degrees towards the front of the fox. Make the leg oval about twice as long and half as wide, and extend it straight down from the shoulder. Create the foot oval at a right angle to the leg. After finishing the outline for the near-side front leg, sketch in the front portion of the leg and foot ovals of the far-side front leg. Make them extend just a bit in front of the near-side leg. Follow a similar process with 4 ovals for the rear legs and feet. Make the rear shoulder about 1.5 times as long and twice as wide as the front shoulder. Instead of a single leg oval, draw 2 ovals that meet at 30-degree angles to represent the knee joint. Make the back foot oval the same size as the front foot. A fox's back knees bend towards its tail, not towards its head. As with the far-side front leg, create overlapping elements of the far-side rear leg in similar proportion to the near-side rear leg. Draw the tail out of a long, nearly banana-shaped oval. Connect it to the back of the body oval and run it down to the ground level where the fox's feet are. Make the oval wide enough to partially overlap the near-side rear shoulder and knee. Sketch the tail at roughly the same angle as the upper rear leg. Make the tail about the same length as the body oval, but more narrow by about half. Refine the fox's body shape and add facial features. After you've finished outlining the fox using various oval shapes, add definition to its various features. Make the body leaner in the abdomen, and contour the legs to give a more muscular look. Make the tail a bit wavy, and use small curved lines to add indications of fur on the tail and at the front of the chest. Foxes have narrow, somewhat football-shaped eyes, lean muzzles with slightly-rounded noses, and angular but slightly-rounded ears. Refining the facial features may be the toughest part, so refer to images of foxes for guidance. Darken your refinements with pen and erase the pencil outlines. In other words, trace over the more defined body, legs, tail, head, and face that you just created. Then, erase the original ovals you used to shape the outline of the fox. If you sketched lightly in pencil, the lines should vanish without any trouble. Color the drawing, if desired, to finish it off. Make the lower halves of the legs, the lower third of the tail, the front of the chest, and the bottom half of the muzzle an off-white color. Fox fur can carry shades of red, orange, and brown, but a “burnt orange” shade may give you a fairly typical fox color. Start with a circle and a curved line extending from its bottom left. It should look like a balloon on a string that's caught in a light breeze, or perhaps a lollipop with an arched stick. The circle represents the fox's head, and the curve traces the path of its spine. Make the curved line about 3 times as long as the diameter of the circle. Sketch in the pointed ears and rounded snout on the circular head. Create a “T” shape that covers the bottom half of the circle. Double the length of the T's vertical stem by extending it below the circle, then sketch in a “U” shape for the muzzle that surrounds the lower half of the T's stem. Draw 2 tall, pointed arcs—roughly the shape of wishbones—for the ears. Imagine the circle as a clock face and place them at about the 10 and 2 o'clock positions. Add another circle and curved line to outline the fox’s body and rear thigh. In basic terms, draw a reverse image of the circle and curve that you started with so that the 2 curved lines connect the 2 circles. The lines should curve a bit like a pair of parentheses— ( ) —while the lower circle should have a bit more of an oval shape. Don't center the rear thigh straight below the head. Rather, off-set it so it's roughly centered under the left ear. Use more ovals and lines to outline the tail and legs. For the tail, make an irregular oval that narrows towards the fox's front side and appears a bit squashed flat on top. Make it overlap and extend beyond the bottom half of the oval representing the fox's thigh. For the near-side front shoulder, draw a circle that's slightly smaller than the head and place it right between the 2 curves that outline the body. Extend a line down from the circle at about a 30 degree forward angle, then draw a parallel line that extends from the curved line that represents the abdomen. The two parallel lines establish the positioning of the fox's front legs. Thicken the legs and add triangles for the front paws. Sketch in a pair of parallel lines on either side of each of the lines you just drew for the legs. Each leg should be about two-thirds as thick as the diameter of the upper shoulder circle. Sketch in a triangle at the bottom of each leg to outline the front feet. Sketch in the face and create a jagged outline to represent fur. Go around the smooth outline of your fox and add in jagged lines where fur would likely be tufted—for instance, along the chest and spine, inside the ears, around the tail, on top of the thigh, on the underside of the shoulder, and on the paws. Then, use the T shape on the face to guide your placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth. Draw in 2 football-shaped eyes that are attached to the underside of the horizontal line of the T shape. Center the circular nose inside the U-shaped muzzle. Make the mouth a simple horizontal line across the bottom quarter of the muzzle. Darken your detailed lines with pen and erase your penciled-in sketch lines. Go back over the jagged lines you made for the fur, and darken and add further detail to the facial features, the paws, and any other areas that need further refinement. Once you're done penning in the features, erase all unnecessary pencil lines. Add some color to your fox drawing if you wish. Foxes are often a “burnt orange” color, but they can also be more red, orange, or brown. Choose the fur color that you prefer. Foxes have off-white areas of fur as well, such as the insides of the ears, the bottom half of the muzzle, the underside of the neck and front of the chest, the rear third of the tail, and (sometimes) the paws and the bottom halves of the legs. Sketch in the head as a large egg-like shape centered on the page. Tilt the egg on its side—for instance, so the narrower part of the egg's oval is pointed to the left. Since this is a cartoon fox, feel free to make the head big! Sketch lightly with a pencil so that you can erase any mistakes or extra lines at the end. Draw the ears with 2 smaller egg-like shapes on top of the head. Imagine the head as a clock face and place the ears at about the 12 and 3 o'clock positions. Make the far-side ear “egg” point straight up, and the near-side ear lean towards the fox's (soon to be drawn) tail at about a 30-degree angle. Make an oval for the body that’s about the same size as the head. Center this oval beneath the near-side ear and overlap it slightly over the lower section of the head. Since this is a cartoon fox, you can adjust the proportions to your liking. If you want the head to be larger than the body, go for it! Sketch in 3 pairs of ovals for 2 front legs and a rear leg. For the legs, space out 3 upright ovals fairly evenly across the bottom of the body oval. Roughly the top half of each leg oval should overlap the body oval. Add 3 smaller horizontal ovals at the bottoms of the legs to represent the feet. These should overlap the lower legs by about half. There are only 3 legs visible due to the viewing angle for this cartoon fox In other words, the far-side rear leg is hidden behind the near-side rear leg. Add a cloud-, thought bubble-, or bean-shaped tail. It's a bit hard to describe the shape the tail should have—perhaps it's a question mark-shaped balloon filled with too much air! Anyway, extend this curvy tail off the rear-end side of the body oval, overlapping it only slightly. Make the tail nearly the same size as the head and at about the same level. Define the features of the fox within your rough outline. For instance, give the tail more of an upward curl within the outline you just made. Likewise, define the insides of the ears and the toes on the paws. Add a curved “dent” to the top front of the head oval to help define the muzzle, then sketch in a smiling mouth and a rounded nose and eyes. Since this is a cartoon fox, there's lots of room for individuality here. You can make your fox look a bit more human, a little more realistic, or any other way you like! Darken the finishing lines and erase your original sketching lines. Go over the features you just created with a pen or marker to make them permanent. After that, use an eraser to get rid of any excess pencil lines from your original sketching. Color your cartoon fox to finish it off. “Burnt orange” is a good color choice for a fox, but you might want to give a cartoon fox more of a reddish color. Add in some off-white areas on the chest, muzzle, lower legs, paws, and tail.

Sketch a circle in the middle of the page for the fox’s head. Add 3 egg-shaped ovals to the head for the ears and muzzle. Overlap the bottom right of the head with a slightly larger circle for the neck. Sketch out a much larger oval to represent the fox’s body. Connect a set of elongated ovals to represent the front legs and feet. Follow a similar process with 4 ovals for the rear legs and feet. Draw the tail out of a long, nearly banana-shaped oval. Refine the fox's body shape and add facial features. Darken your refinements with pen and erase the pencil outlines. Color the drawing, if desired, to finish it off. Start with a circle and a curved line extending from its bottom left. Sketch in the pointed ears and rounded snout on the circular head. Add another circle and curved line to outline the fox’s body and rear thigh. Use more ovals and lines to outline the tail and legs. Thicken the legs and add triangles for the front paws. Sketch in the face and create a jagged outline to represent fur. Darken your detailed lines with pen and erase your penciled-in sketch lines. Add some color to your fox drawing if you wish. Sketch in the head as a large egg-like shape centered on the page. Draw the ears with 2 smaller egg-like shapes on top of the head. Make an oval for the body that’s about the same size as the head. Sketch in 3 pairs of ovals for 2 front legs and a rear leg. Add a cloud-, thought bubble-, or bean-shaped tail. Define the features of the fox within your rough outline. Darken the finishing lines and erase your original sketching lines. Color your cartoon fox to finish it off.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-a-Sweet-Potato-in-the-Microwave

How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave

To cook your sweet potato in the microwave, first scrub it under cool running water. To make sure it doesn't explode in the microwave, prick the sweet potato 6-8 times with a fork. Wrap the potato in a damp paper towel, place it on a plate, and microwave it for 3-5 minutes on each side until you can stick a fork in easily, but the center is still firm. If it's still too hard, continue microwaving in 1 minute increments. When your sweet potato is fully cooked, unwrap it and let it cool for 5 minutes, then cut it in half and enjoy.

Wash your sweet potatoes. Clean your sweet potatoes under cool running water and scrub with a produce scrubbing brush. Make sure to clean your potatoes well. Pat your potato dry with a paper towel. This is especially important if you enjoy eating the sweet potato skin. Pierce the skin with a fork. Prick the skin of your sweet potato about six to eight times all around. When you heat your sweet potato in the microwave, it warms up quickly and steam gathers in-between the fleshy inside and the skin. If you don't poke holes in the skin for the steam to escape, your potato will explode in the microwave. You only need to open small holes in the skin, so don't stab your potato deeply with your fork. Alternatively, you can cut a shallow "X" onto the top of the potato, using a knife. Trust me, you do not want to skip this step! Wrap your sweet potato for cooking. Take a full-sized paper towel and dampen it with cold water. Gently squeeze out the excess water and take care not to rip the towel. Lay the towel flat on a microwavable plate and place your sweet potato in the center of the paper towel. Cover the potato by loosely folding the sides of the paper towel over it. The wet paper towel will provide a steaming effect when microwaving your sweet potato. This will also help to keep the potato moist and prevent it from shrinking, and it will also result in softer skin. Never use aluminum foil for microwave cooking! Do not wrap your sweet potato in metal foil while cooking in the microwave. This will cause sparking and is a potential fire hazard. Doing this will also break your microwave. Put the plate in the microwave and select a cooking time. Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the potato and the power of the microwave. Most medium to large potatoes will take between 8-12 minutes to cook at full power. Try putting the potato in for 5 minutes to begin with, then take it out and turn it over so that both sides cook evenly. Place it back in the microwave for another 3-5 minutes, depending on how soft it is already. After that, if it still doesn't feel fully cooked, continue to microwave it in 1 minute bursts, checking after each minute. If you are cooking multiple potatoes at once, you will need to increase the cooking time by about two-thirds. For example, if one large potato takes 10 minutes to cook, two large potatoes would take between 16-17 minutes. If you prefer crispy skinned sweet potatoes, you can cook the potatoes in the microwave for 5-6 minutes, then unwrap your sweep potato and transfer it to a baking sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 400 °F (204 °C) for 20 minutes. This method is great if you want oven-crisp potato skins, in less than half the normal cooking time! Check your sweet potato for doneness. Be careful when removing the sweet potato from the microwave. Both the potato and the plate will be hot! The potato should yield to firm pressure but not be too mushy. If the potato is too firm, microwave again for 1 minute increments, until cooked through. You can check if a potato is cooked by sticking a fork in the center; if the fork goes in easily, but the center is still a little firm, the potato is ready. When in doubt, it is best to err on the side of undercooking, as an overcooked potato may burn or explode in the microwave. Let your sweet potato cool. Unwrap your potato completely and discard the damp paper towel. It's a good idea to let your sweet potato cool for about five minutes. This allows the core of the potato to finish cooking using the heat that is trapped in the inner layers. It also helps it to become fluffy on the inside without over-drying on the outside. If you are saving a potato for someone who's running late, wrapping the potato in aluminum foil will keep it warm for a remarkably long time. Just be sure to do this as soon as it comes out of the microwave, to conserve as much heat as possible. Serve the potato. Cut the potato in half and enjoy. Create a savory sweet potato. Top off your sweet potato with a classic dose of the works. Add melted butter, a pinch of salt, a sprinkle of pepper, a scoop of sour cream, and a little bit of diced chives. Small pieces of bacon or sliced sausage go well with this one, if you are craving a little meat. Create a sweeter sweet potato. Sprinkle your sweet potato with a dusting of brown sugar, butter, and salt. This sweet potato is yummy enough to be a desert! You can also sprinkle a little maple syrup on top. If you are feeling adventurous and craving sweets, try adding a dash of whipped cream. Experiment. You can add a combination of the toppings above or try things like: Sliced avocado Salsa Yellow mustard Fried egg Diced onions or cilantro. You can also enjoy your sweet potato with your favorite condiment such as mustard, ketchup, or steak sauce. Serve with a side. There are tons of options for your sweet potato meal. Whip up a quick dinner salad, add a side of applesauce, or enjoy with a cup of yogurt. Or, add to a fully cooked meal of steak, grilled chicken, or a vegetable medley!

Wash your sweet potatoes. Pierce the skin with a fork. Wrap your sweet potato for cooking. Put the plate in the microwave and select a cooking time. Check your sweet potato for doneness. Let your sweet potato cool. Serve the potato. Create a savory sweet potato. Create a sweeter sweet potato. Experiment. Serve with a side.